What Denomination are You?

[Walter]

Baptist and Pentecostal do not have altars … they have a stage. Ironically, they have “altar calls” … but not altars or altar rails (kneelers). An altar is where you kneel to receive Christ body and blood or kneel before the altar for private confession and holy absolution. An altar serves a specific purpose in the Divine Service (Mass) …

This is an Altar (Lutheran Missouri Synod St. Paul’s Fort Wayne).

View attachment 6829

I attended the LCMS national convention in Milwaukee a few years back. We toured the LCMS campus that was close by. It had been a Catholic institution before it was sold to the Missouri Synod. The campus church was basically the same as when it was first built with a beautiful crucifix above the altar. If I remember right, they were using an aumbry instead of a tabernacle to reserve communion elements for the sick. I was told there is an LCMS church in Chicago which is a High Church 'experiment' which includes 'bells & smells'. The Eucharist (Mass) for the convention was the most beautiful liturgy I have ever experienced. It was a solemn chanted liturgy from beginning to end. 'Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song.' Psalm 95:2

Here is a beautiful Lutheran monastery:

Home - Saint Augustine's House

 

[Walter]

I think there is more to it (I certainly do not see Communion as merely symbolic, but some do). Same with baptism.

I do not understand how the Supper could be merely symbolic if taking it in an unworthy manner could have serious consequences.

At the same time I view neither Communion or baptism as a sacrament.

Very good point here, JonC. I understand your position on communion and baptism. However, I think your point of the serious consequences of participating unworthily bears more discussion.

 

[canadyjd]

Very good point here, JonC. I understand your position on communion and baptism. However, I think your point of the serious consequences of participating unworthily bears more discussion.

It seems to me the context of Paul’s instructions were regarding a common meal which mirrored Christ’s last supper with His disciples, which included the bread and wine.

Paul is clear the purpose of the meal was to “declare Christ’s death” until He comes again. Paul says nothing of conveying grace or salvation by partaking of the meal, as far as I can glean from the text.

He is also clear that not giving this common meal to declare the death of our Lord the reverence intended has caused some to get sick and some to die.

I understand you see it differently.

peace to you

 

[Centrist]

Kinda hard to decide, Salty, when you listed 8 known cults and only two possible churches....

 

[Salty]

Kinda hard to decide, Salty, when you listed 8 known cults and only two possible churches....

News Flash

This thread is NOT talking about cults

This thread is asking people what denomination they are!

If you feel none of the listed ones describe you - then click others
and tell us what you consider yourself. (remember, I could only list 10)