Christian Living

---

It surely must be bewildering and confusing today for a new Christian to encounter so many denominations. Each seems to have their own doctrine; their own way of practising Christianity.

One denomination may have holy communion, another not. One will not marry divorced people, another will. Pentecostals will speak in tongues, other denominations shun it.

It creates division, for some churches will not bother with or have fellowship with another church nearby if the doctrine differs. Sadly, this destroys the unity preached by the Lord Jesus Christ. Is this some wicked satanic plot to divide Christians? Possibly.

In fact, denominations are not found in the Bible, it has only references to believers. As we read in Acts, their non-denominational faith was straightforward, simple, dynamic and powerful in its effect on the community.

So, though it may upset some, denominations can only be described as man-made. Of course there are churches which describe themselves as non-denominational. Whatever title they use, what happens in that church should be measured against the Bible by all present.

When I was a boy in England, fish-and-chip shop owners loved Fridays. It was bonanza day for them. The reason? Roman Catholics were told they must not eat meat on a Friday. To do so would be against the “church rules.” Yet the Bible says nothing of such rules.

So the key must be: “What does the Bible say?” That in itself presents another issue because there are different versions of the Bible. Many regard the King James or New King James versions as being the most accurate.

A newcomer to the faith cannot go wrong in getting a Bible (not one of those tiny print versions) and comparing everything seen and heard with what the Word of God says. Then let God reveal His truth in the reading.

We all know that churches (comprised of people) are not perfect – but the Bible is!

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE