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Defining Our Faith By Our Denominations

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3/01/2008 / Christian Living

God will NOT pay any attention to our man made denominations. As if God will separate us according to our denomination on judgment day. I think not! We actually believe that one denomination will have more favor over the other. Is one better than the other? We certainly do believe so! For every denomination manifested, the person(s) in charge believed they could alter the original to make it better. The outcome is personal beliefs mixed with earthly wisdom. Men- preaching false doctrine. So why do we pay so much attention to the denomination and not the doctrine? God will call us foolish for taking such pride in these false doctrines and man-made denominations.

Born Again!
John 3:3 "Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God."

God spoke to my heart regarding this topic and I listened and I pray on it and I decided it would be an awesome message to teach. I was led to speak about this man-made obstacle we've created. Why? Because it has become a real problem within the church to church it-self is undenominational when she follows the Bible and the Bible only. And any local congregation that knows and does the will of God should never define their faith or believes based on their denomination. Yet so often denominations are so boastfully stated out loud and are a sign arrival. Some have formed over differences and doctrines, and some over structure or practice. Man has created artificial barriers mainly denominations in order to specify differences in beliefs and faiths. Now if it's undenominational to follow the Bible is directly in all things then, denominationalism is a direct result of following human opinion instead of divine revelation. We've made the decision to come to die so complicated in extremely difficult. We, meaning the church! They come as they are; drunkard, drug addict, and gambler. They must also decide on what denomination to become. Sometimes, even after attending church, we can make them feel obligated to return to our church and choose our denomination. They listen and try to obey the laws we've created. The laws that we wholeheartedly believe we must follow in order to remain saved and to get into heaven. What we fail to realize by us defining our faith by our denomination we are hurting the body of Christ. Satan is using us to defeat the growth of the Church. We have established these man-made titles and they are hindering the growth of the Church and the body of Christ. It also stems from our human need to be recognized which can lead to a haughty spirit.

Now I have an example, it's also a true story! It happened some years back. It has been about three years since it happened but, it has stayed with me all this time. Well, I used to work for a retail store which shall remain nameless. Now ladies were in line discussing a girlfriend one lady stated, "I can't believe she acted like that-she's Pentecostal. Now, I continue doing my job, but the first question that came to my mind was why didn't they see God in her? The second question, why did they see her denomination? Why couldn't it have been that the woman was acting ungodly rather than not acting Pentecostal? Why? How often have you heard the same thing? Christians referencing how he or she is not acting like their denomination. Today, because of human opinions, creative differences, and so many taking offense towards a message with substance we've created one denomination after another after another after another. It is not funny, but Satan watches over us while we hinder the growth of the Church and the body of Christ. We've created a realm of confusion that keeps the world from God and God from the world. In order to defeat Satan we must remove all of these artificial barriers, accept people as they are, remove the man-made laws-and provide messages with salt-messages with substance. Now this message was not made to offend anyone, my intentions were for you to be set free from your bondage. You know longer have to whisper you were born again! You can say proudly because it's scriptural. My intentions were for you to find peace. You no longer have to wrestle with the decision of choosing a denomination. I am so sorry that you were led to believe that a denomination was a lifestyle. A lifestyle that you and I thought would get us into the kingdom of God. Folks, we must get rid of Satan's tool of confusion here. We must also declare independence from all human creeds and books defining specific denominations. Why would one be any better than the other? Denominations are not even scriptural! Tell me where within the word, they defined the body of Christ and as; Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, or Pentecostal? These manifestations were solely created to exemplify differences and somewhere along the way we got lost. I can't tell you how many times I had a conversation with a believer and the question they were waiting an answer for was "what denomination are you?" My answer was simple, "I'm born again!" Now, the look on his or her face was one of lack of understanding. So again, he or she attempts to define my faith by saying, "oh you just nondenominational!" NO, that's not what I said! I said I am born again! Still not understanding, let's go to the Word in order for you to obtain liberty. Go to John 3:3 and it reads "Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (a new, from above) he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God." Nowhere does the states we have to be born under a denomination to enter into the kingdom of God. Now, I also must make reference to the chapter itself. Nicodemus was a teacher. He dwelt among the Pharisees. He was a ruler, a leader, and authority among the Jews. And Nicodemus came to Jesus one night and began to have an open conversation with Jesus. Nicodemus recognize that Jesus was sent from God. Now the Bible doesn't state why Nicodemus was led to ask this question. If you had Jesus in front of you, what would you ask him? Would you ask Him the meaning of life or why am I here? Nicodemus asked "how can a man be born again?" I must tell you this verse alone has made me and my search for the perfect denomination. My search now is for a church that rightly divides the word of God. And as long as my pastor is rightly dividing the word of God then, I don't pay any attention to the denomination. I boast about my pastor can you come see, can you come hear my pastor is rightly dividing the word of God. I'm no longer a part of any denomination. I'm a part of the body of Christ and I am born again!

I want us to realize that denominations were never scriptural. All we've done is labeled out differences. In the Bible it was no different, only back then, they were labeled as Pharisees and Sadducees etc. and if you fast forward these same ideas years and years ahead our differences have become denominations. Our differences have separated us according to how we interpret the word of God. Scripture says there is "one Lord, one faith, and one baptism." This is referenced in Ephesians chapter 4 verse five. This verse emphasizes the unity that should exist in the body of Christ, but reality is, our differences keep us separated. To gain a better understanding, I will make reference to the chapter itself. In chapter 4, Christians learned a spiritual walk rooted in God's spiritual wealth. Paul goes into detail and explains unity, means for unity; the gifts, and the purpose of the gifts. In chapter 4, Paul tells us what establishes unity within the church. And somehow we've ignored the teachings and have established our own guidelines. Fact: God's primary direction for the church was and still is that we be one. I am sure that God is grieved by all this disunity and discord caused by denominations today. We fail to realize, true unity is based on true love for one another, which is based on true patience, which is based on true meekness, which is born out of true humility. There is one Body of Christ! There isn't a Presbyterian body, Baptist body, or even a Methodist body; there is just one Body and each member of that body is rewarded a gift or gifts in order to unite the church. With that being said, we should reevaluate our so-called Christian walk. Also, evaluate why we've chosen our denomination. In case no one has ever told you, I am telling you now "your denomination does not define your faith!" Also, your church name is not your true affiliation. Affiliation means the act of becoming formally connected or joined. It's a fact that we are joint heirs because of Jesus Christ. Yet, it's so common for us to say we are affiliated with the church or its denomination. We proclaim this because of our lack of knowledge, our lack of research, and lack of wisdom. That's why we always hear "going to church will not save you!" Or, "you will not get into Heaven simply because you go to church!" You don't practice being Methodist, Catholic, or Pentecostal or do you? You do want to act and portray Christ-like characteristics on a daily bases. Again, I have a question. Since there's one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, why are we so divided amongst the Body of Christ? Its true preserving unity should have been our common goal. But our differences and various human creeds have only emphasized our inability to grasp spiritual revelation. In most cases, we use earthly wisdom to interpret the Word of God. Now if you ask any educator they will say they've all had their share of wayward students who seem to resist learning. Fact is that we become wayward students when we resist or refuse to be taught correctly. I should also say that we're just too lazy when it comes to studying the Word of God. Folks, I beg you and I am pleading with you; stop holding so much worth and value towards denominations and church affiliations! Here's something else you need to know, the seed and the beginning of all denominations created is rooted in one word DIFFERENCES. Because of differences many denominations have been formed. There are so many reasons, but I will only name two; 1) each denomination has either a slightly or completely different doctrine (doctrine meaning-a belief or set beliefs which is taught) than the other, 2) As people start churches/denominations they simply gave them different names to reflect disassociation (disassociation meaning-to remove from association).What you're trying to say is "I'm no longer just a Catholic-I'm a reformed Catholic!" Or, "I'm not just gospel, but I'm full gospel teaching from the old and new testament" Since it's my ultimate goal to teach you, I want to break down some denominations and how they came to be. Are you ready? The Lutheran denomination came from Martin Luther. The Methodist got their name after their founder John Wesley. He was famous for coming up with "methods" for spiritual growth. Last, Baptist got their name because they always emphasized the importance of Baptism. Now, there's more history behind each denomination and each denomination may have similar mission statements, doctrines, and practices but are not one. I think the question that needs to be asked here is "do you know how your denomination began? If not, then maybe it's time that you do a little research. My reason for saying so is because I pray that you receive liberty regarding our man-made titles called denominations. Also, that you know that you know that you know within your heart, you're simply what the word says you are-born again.

Author's note
2 Tim. 2:15 "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial) a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth." These denominations are destroying and confusing the Body of Christ. Remember, God is NOT the author of confusion!

Appearance on WWL Channel 4 w/ Sally Ann Roberts "The Morning Show".
Various appearances on "The Light of Jesus Show" w/ Betty Howard.
First book signing at Walgreens' 5300 Tchoupitoulas in May 2003.
Speaking engagements at local churches.
Awarded "Single Heart in Christ 2003" by Tulane MBC

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