Non Denominational Churches?

I totally agree. Churches (such as the Church of Christ) who say they are not a denomination because denominations are evil are just being silly. In a very general sense, denomination justs groups beliefs together. It is only some very large groups of people that set up actual orgainized structures (like conventions) and then get attacked for being a denomination. There is a church in Southern California called Calvery Chapel that labels itself as non-denominational. Of course, now there are about twenty branches all across the United States who all get their training from the same Calvery Chapel seminary, and the large group itself has become a denomination, the Calvery Chapel Denomination.

There is nothing wrong with orgainzed strutures. Paul and Barnabas went back to Jerusalem to see what the Aposltes thought concerning Gentile Circumicion. And they had a big "council" about the matter.

 

I have been a Independant Baptist KJV since I was saved 21 years ago. Now a preacher in 7 nursing homes. In the nursing homes I have to go as a Non-denominational to attract the catholics and protestants. Baptist were never protestant, they never came out of catholicism. But inorder to reach these folk I enter the homes as tell them that we are holding a non-denomonational service to sing and praise and preach the Word of God. Most of the people that come are catholic, and come regularly. They see that they can get a different message every week. They like that and return. I believe many were saved because of it.
However, in the community where people have the choice of churches in the area,not in a nursing home situation, I would rather see a labled church. For as a missionary, if I am trying to find a church to worship in I want to see the sign "Fundamental Independant Baptist Church" because I know what I am getting for doctrine and bible.
Besides denominations do mean something in the world. A 20 dollar bill is worth more that a 5 dollar bill. or does it really mean any thing to you? If it does not I will trade my 5 for your 20 any day of the week. It will get me enough gas for the next nursing home.

 

Scott,

I believe that is exactly what I was saying. Calvery Chapel is becoming a denomination all its own.

Chapter and verse?

 

As the daughter of a Baptist Preacher (SBC) for 48 years, and now a member of an interdenominational church, let me give you a tidbit from experience on both sides of this issue.

Many Baptist churches have abandoned the name due to the embarrassing things that happen at the Convention both on the national and state level.

The media has made such a mockery of the division within the SBC that in order to eliminate the stigma many have removed "Baptist" from their names. Most however upon inspection by any member will find that these churches are truly Baptist not just in name but also in theology.

Now personally for me, I attend a inter-denominational church because of some personal beliefs that I have which I am convinced are scriptural, not just because someone told me, but because I studied it out and prayed it through. But on the whole these churches are in some way connected. Either by pastorial relation (i.e. a non-denominational church may have a pastor that is ordained in the Assemblies of God, but the church is not an affiliate) or by church association, for example, the church I attend is an interdenominational church which is affiliated with Church on the Rock.

So I'm not so sure that "ashamed" of the denomination is accurate, more likely embarrassed by the division. And lets be realistic, the convention is sorely divided. If you don't believe it check out what is being taught in some seminaries and some private Baptist Universities.

In fact one of the largest Baptist Universities (Houston Baptist University) is almost so secular in nature that its Baptist Charter should be revoked. I think the same thing should have happened to Baylor 15 years ago.

Oh well, just my insite and 2 cents.

 

What denomination was Peter, John, Stephen, Paul, etc? Were they covering up something?

Uhhh, if I remember correctly, they were Palestinian Jews. They also believed a Jewish man named Joshua (in Greek, "Jesus") was the Messiah predicted in the Hebrew Scriptures (or, as we know, the Old Testament).

 

Well, they were all baptized by a Baptist, so . . . .