What denomination are you?

[ClassyCo]

I just thought this would be a good way to start off here. To be clear, this forum was not created with the intent of discrediting or disrespecting Jesus Christ. For those that do not believe, their discussions belong in another thread.

I'm just merely curious about what different members here beliefs are and if you identify as any specific denomination. Baptist? Methodist? Nazarene? Pentecostal? Non-Denominational?

Just to give some background on me... I was raised primarily in Baptist churches; everything from just regular ole Baptist to Full Gospel Baptist. We did attend a Nazarene church for quite a few years during my childhood as well. After that, we fell out of church for several years, before finally drifting back into a Calvary's Baptist church, although that didn't last long.

For nearly the past two years, I've been attending an Apostolic church. Yes, I'm One of Them. (Don't know if anyone will get that reference. I will explain if necessary. )

 

[Angela Channing]

I go an Anglican Church and have done so since I was baptised as an infant.

 

[ClassyCo]

I go an Anglican Church and have done so since I was baptised as an infant.

Thanks for responding @angela channing. I know nothing of the Anglican faith. I don't believe there are any churches under this banner within my area, at least not that I know of. Most people within my area are of the Baptist or Pentecostal faith, and, of course, there are different branches under those denominations.

 

[Frank Underwood]

I was born into the Episcopalian Church, and was christened there as an infant. I also attended a Pentecostal Church in my pre-teen years. As a teen, I was baptized in the Southern Baptist Church, and felt the most comfortable there.

I lost my Christian faith as an adult for various reasons, and I consider myself to be agnostic today.

 

[Angela Channing]

Thanks for responding @angela channing. I know nothing of the Anglican faith. I don't believe there are any churches under this banner within my area, at least not that I know of. Most people within my area are of the Baptist or Pentecostal faith, and, of course, there are different branches under those denominations.

The Anglican church is the same as the Episcopal church is the USA. In our creed we say we are part of one holy Catholic and Apostolic church, so we are about like a non-Papal Catholic denomination. Anglicans are Protestants.

 

[Sarah]

Church of Ireland. Which is why I can't buy the whole Billy storyline in Corrie. I do not object to homosexual priests but Billy's storyline is really unrealistic from a Christian point of view of how he is treating Sean and flaunting that in his face. (I'm not very religious btw, I just don't buy that storyline)

 

[Willie Oleson]

Catholic, and so was everyone else I grew up with (we only had one church anyway).

 

[ClassyCo]

I was born into the Episcopalian Church, and was christened there as an infant. I also attended a Pentecostal Church in my pre-teen years. As a teen, I was baptized in the Southern Baptist Church, and felt the most comfortable there.

I lost my Christian faith as an adult for various reasons, and I consider myself to be agnostic today.

I know nothing of the Episcopalian belief. I don't believe there are any churches under than banner around my area. However, as I said in earlier posts here, I was raised primarily in Baptist churches, although they ranged from the generic Baptist to what was called Full Gospel Baptist; I have also attended a Holiness Baptist Church.

I am now of the Apostolic Pentecostal faith, and have been for nearly the past two years.

Most churches within my area are under the Baptist or Pentecostal banner. These are the two more popular denominations in my neck of the woods, but there are several different branches under these two denominations. As I said, there are regular Baptists, as well as Full Gospel, Holiness, Primitive, and Free Will Baptists. Pentecostals are divided into two main groups: Trinitarian and Oneness. Those that side with the Trinity, most likely will belong to the Churches of God or the Assemblies of God, while the Oneness believers will belong to some sort of Church of Jesus Christ.

The Anglican church is the same as the Episcopal church is the USA. In our creed we say we are part of one holy Catholic and Apostolic church, so we are about like a non-Papal Catholic denomination. Anglicans are Protestants.

I did know that the Episcopal church was Protestant. However, I didn't know that it had ties/roots with the Catholic or Apostolic church. Does this mean your church sides with the Oneness belief as oppose to the Trinity?

Church of Ireland. Which is why I can't buy the whole Billy storyline in Corrie. I do not object to homosexual priests but Billy's storyline is really unrealistic from a Christian point of view of how he is treating Sean and flaunting that in his face. (I'm not very religious btw, I just don't buy that storyline)

What exactly is the Church of Ireland? Catholic? And I must disagree with you on one point... the Bible clearly states that homosexuality is a sin.

Catholic, and so was everyone else I grew up with (we only had one church anyway).

My grandmother was raised Catholic, although I have never attended a Catholic church. However, from what I've learned from my grandmother, I do not agree with the majority of their beliefs.

 

[Willie Oleson]

although I have never attended a Catholic church. However, from what I've learned from my grandmother, I do not agree with the majority of their beliefs.

The Pope does not approve.

 

[ClassyCo]

The Pope does not approve.

The Pope himself doesn't agree with Catholic beliefs? Wow... wouldn't have guessed that.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Ha-ha.

 

[Angela Channing]

I did know that the Episcopal church was Protestant. However, I didn't know that it had ties/roots with the Catholic or Apostolic church. Does this mean your church sides with the Oneness belief as oppose to the Trinity?

I've not heard the term "Oneness" being used as an opposing belief in the context of Christianity because I believe the Holy Trinity is about believing in one God and the "Oneness" of God. The first line of the Anglican creed is "We believe in one God" and it goes on to talk about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is just different ways of looking at the same thing a bit like a man can be a father, a son and a husband but he is still one person.

 

[supermanfan]

I was raised Mormon but right now I am non denomination

 

[ClassyCo]

I've not heard the term "Oneness" being used as an opposing belief in the context of Christianity because I believe the Holy Trinity is about believing in one God and the "Oneness" of God. The first line of the Anglican creed is "We believe in one God" and it goes on to talk about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is just different ways of looking at the same thing a bit like a man can be a father, a son and a husband but he is still one person.

Some churches see the Trinity as their being three separate beings with equal power; however, some of those that side with the Trinity agree with what you have said about their being just One God.

I attend an Apostolic Pentecostal church. The "Apostolic" church is also known as the "Oneness" or "Jesus Name" church. We believe just as you said, that there is only One God. We explain it like this:
There is one God, who has revealed Himself as our Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and as the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is God manifested in flesh. He is both God and man. (See Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16.)

I would say in my area that the Apostolic or Oneness believers are most common among the Pentecostal denomination, although other religious groups do consider themselves Oneness, like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Scientists, and some branches of the Churches of God denomination. Where these Oneness differ is in their other teachings. Pentecostals believe in the infilling of the Holy Ghost and in the charismatic gifts that follow it, such as speaking in tongues, faith healing, prophecy, et cetera. Most Pentecostals in my area that are Oneness usually don't refer to themselves as Pentecostal, but instead they might consider themselves simply Apostolic. They do this to distant themselves from the Churches of God and the Assemblies of God, which are also under the Pentecostal banner, but adhere to the Trinity.

The main differences between Apostolic and Trinitarian Pentecostals are the way they dress and the way they baptize. Trinitarians usually dress more casually, and their women may perhaps wear pants, make-up, jewelry, cut their hair, et cetera. Apostolic women generally do not cut their hair, wear make-up, jewelry, pants, et cetera. However, their are quite a few Apostolic churches in my area where the women dress as the Trinitarian Pentecostals do. However, I must stress that the the Apostolic Pentecostal churches I have attended do not make their women dress a certain way. They will not condemn anyone by what they might wear, although they do believe that Christians should dress in modest attire.

Second, the Trinitarian Pentecostals (as with most other denominations) baptize in "The name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost" (using Matthew 28:19 as their reference). On the other hand, Oneness Pentecostals baptize in "The name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (as instructed in Acts 2:38).

I know you didn't ask for all of this Angela Channing (it wouldn't let me tag you for some reason), but I just thought I would threw all this in there.

 

[Sarah]

I know nothing of the Episcopalian belief. I don't believe there are any churches under than banner around my area. However, as I said in earlier posts here, I was raised primarily in Baptist churches, although they ranged from the generic Baptist to what was called Full Gospel Baptist; I have also attended a Holiness Baptist Church.

I am now of the Apostolic Pentecostal faith, and have been for nearly the past two years.

Most churches within my area are under the Baptist or Pentecostal banner. These are the two more popular denominations in my neck of the woods, but there are several different branches under these two denominations. As I said, there are regular Baptists, as well as Full Gospel, Holiness, Primitive, and Free Will Baptists. Pentecostals are divided into two main groups: Trinitarian and Oneness. Those that side with the Trinity, most likely will belong to the Churches of God or the Assemblies of God, while the Oneness believers will belong to some sort of Church of Jesus Christ.

I did know that the Episcopal church was Protestant. However, I didn't know that it had ties/roots with the Catholic or Apostolic church. Does this mean your church sides with the Oneness belief as oppose to the Trinity?

What exactly is the Church of Ireland? Catholic? And I must disagree with you on one point... the Bible clearly states that homosexuality is a sin.

My grandmother was raised Catholic, although I have never attended a Catholic church. However, from what I've learned from my grandmother, I do not agree with the majority of their beliefs.

Church of Ireland is the closest denomination to Catholicism as you can get, so kind of yes. Although it's based on Jesus, rather than the Virgin Mary.

I don't agree we should, in this day and age, be living life according to the Bible. Things have changed. I don't believe homosexuality is a sin. I believe in God, but I also believe God and Jesus love everyone and wouldn't turn someone away due to their sexuality. If God can forgive a sadist monster like Hitler, he can forgive someone for being gay. I find a lot of the teachings of the Bible to be oppressive and not fitting with today's society.

By the way I hope he didn't forgive Hitler. I hope Hitler is burning in the fires of hell to be honest.

 

[ClassyCo]

Church of Ireland is the closest denomination to Catholicism as you can get, so kind of yes. Although it's based on Jesus, rather than the Virgin Mary.

I don't agree we should, in this day and age, be living life according to the Bible. Things have changed. I don't believe homosexuality is a sin. I believe in God, but I also believe God and Jesus love everyone and wouldn't turn someone away due to their sexuality. If God can forgive a sadist monster like Hitler, he can forgive someone for being gay. I find a lot of the teachings of the Bible to be oppressive and not fitting with today's society.

By the way I hope he didn't forgive Hitler. I hope Hitler is burning in the fires of hell to be honest.

I think the Bible is still relevant today. If people are genuine with their walk with Jesus and abide by his commandments (which are in the Bible), they shouldn't have any problems. However, the Bible does clearly state that homosexuality is a sin. I cannot agree with you there. However, you mentioned that if God could forgive a man like Hitler, than he could forgive someone for being gay. Yes, I agree. However, once you have repented of your sins to God and he has forgiven them, you cannot continue to do them and still receive forgiveness. God doesn't forgive people so they can continue to live in sin.

Had Hitler asked for forgiveness and I do believe he would have gotten it. However, I would say he didn't ask for it, and even he did, he committed suicide. And, yes, I do believe that committing suicide is a sin. Taking your life out of God's hands and ending is not the right choice. Likewise, if a person asks for forgiveness of being gay, I do believe he/she should turn from their ways (the Bible tells us to become a new person in Christ) in order to stay pleasing to God. We can't be what we want to be and live our lives they way we want and still expect to be pleasing to God. That isn't how it works.

 

[Sarah]

I think the Bible is still relevant today. If people are genuine with their walk with Jesus and abide by his commandments (which are in the Bible), they shouldn't have any problems. However, the Bible does clearly state that homosexuality is a sin. I cannot agree with you there. However, you mentioned that if God could forgive a man like Hitler, than he could forgive someone for being gay. Yes, I agree. However, once you have repented of your sins to God and he has forgiven them, you cannot continue to do them and still receive forgiveness. God doesn't forgive people so they can continue to live in sin.

Had Hitler asked for forgiveness and I do believe he would have gotten it. However, I would say he didn't ask for it, and even he did, he committed suicide. And, yes, I do believe that committing suicide is a sin. Taking your life out of God's hands and ending is not the right choice. Likewise, if a person asks for forgiveness of being gay, I do believe he/she should turn from their ways (the Bible tells us to become a new person in Christ) in order to stay pleasing to God. We can't be what we want to be and live our lives they way we want and still expect to be pleasing to God. That isn't how it works.

What's so wrong with being gay? Wouldn't God think that loving each other is more important? He can't condone that but if a murdering, racist PURE EVIL bastard like Hitler goes up and says 'Hi I want forgiveness' - that's ok?? Like I said, I do believe in God and am very spiritual but I cannot believe that if a gay man or woman shows up in heaven they get turned away, but Hitler rocks up and gets in? That, to me, is what is purely messed up with religion. Hitler should not even be allowed forgiveness - it shouldn't even be an option for him. One way ticket straight to hell for murdering over 2 million people. Hitler took THEIR LIVES into his own hands and killed them.

I'm not disrespecting your beliefs, but I just cannot condone the 'neat plan' that religion has concocted to be able to talk their way out of any situation - ie Hitler's suicide = sin = hell. No. Hitler murdering 2 million Jews should equal no forgiveness and ultimately an eternity in Hell.

In my opinion, homosexuality does not require forgiveness. Two people loving each other and bringing peace to the world should not be condemned.

Much of what is written in the Bible states that you can pretty much get away with anything, as long as you ask for forgiveness. Sorry but I don't believe it's that simple. It's like saying I could walk out onto the street after work, stab someone to death and get into Heaven - just cos I asked nicely.

 

[Alexis]

the Bible clearly states that homosexuality is a sin.

Yes, like eating shellfish and getting a tattoo and planting fields with two types of seed and wearing a poly/cotton shirt and....

Really, lets not do this.

 

[Ome]

However, the Bible does clearly state that homosexuality is a sin. I cannot agree with you there. However, you mentioned that if God could forgive a man like Hitler, than he could forgive someone for being gay. Yes, I agree. However, once you have repented of your sins to God and he has forgiven them, you cannot continue to do them and still receive forgiveness.

I'm a little confused.

Are you saying gay is a sin?
And to receive his forgiveness you must stop being gay?

 

[Ome]

Really, lets not do this.

I prefer to debate it out rather than hide it under a carpet. Whatever anyone believes it's fascinating how and why they believe what they believe. Not saying that I understand their chosen beliefs, but I do prefer to have it out in the open and let others see what's going on.

Some people maybe half & half in their beliefs/understanding, some people may be a little uneducated in what they know or don't know and could ultimately learn from openly discussing a sensitive issue.