The Denominational Theory In The 152 Century
DENOMINATIONAL THEORY
England, in 1529 was the first country to break from the Roman Catholic Church, was hav-ing problems among the different Protestant groups. The Presbyterians, who held the majority vote at the Westminster Assembly in 1642-49, developed what would later be known as the Denominational Theory. The minority vote at the Westminster Assembly was the Congregationalists. These two groups, the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, were successful at understanding how to have Christian unity even in disagreement. This Denominational Theory was based on the following principles.
First, recognizing the human inability to always see the truth clearly, differences of opinion about the outward form of the church are inevitable. We tend …show more content…
The truth is no church is without error. It is not if we err, it is the degree of error. All man-made doctrines based on human interpretation of the Scriptures, are going to be in error to some degree. All human writing will have some kind of error present. This writing is not error-proof because it is made with human hands and I know it and accept that fact.
Fourth, separation does not constitute schism. Does one have to agree with every detail of their denomination’s doctrines? No. Scripture is the only revealed and inspired Word of God. All other documents are subject to Scripture. In the New World (America), being “denominated” meant any group claiming the authority of Christ and truth based on the Bible was separate and, at the same time, one member of a larger group known as “The Church.” The Apostle Paul said of those who differed with him, “Christ is preached and in this I rejoice.” Unity is found in Christ only. I am with Christians from different denominations regularly and yet I have experienced unity and oneness of spirit and attitude with …show more content…
There was nothing but resistance to the spread of the Gospel. Once a church was established, false teachings and the sins of the church would need to be addressed. Paul writes in 49 A.D. to the Galatians:
• Galatians 3:1-5: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing - if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?”
The Galatians started off by faith in Christ, then the Christian Jews were adding the keeping of the Law back on top of the grace and freedom of God. It does not take long for believers to get off track and depend upon works and return back to sin. All of the Apostles were martyred except John, who died in exile on the isle of Patmos. The task of completing the New Testament was now complete (95
England, in 1529 was the first country to break from the Roman Catholic Church, was hav-ing problems among the different Protestant groups. The Presbyterians, who held the majority vote at the Westminster Assembly in 1642-49, developed what would later be known as the Denominational Theory. The minority vote at the Westminster Assembly was the Congregationalists. These two groups, the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, were successful at understanding how to have Christian unity even in disagreement. This Denominational Theory was based on the following principles.
First, recognizing the human inability to always see the truth clearly, differences of opinion about the outward form of the church are inevitable. We tend …show more content…
The truth is no church is without error. It is not if we err, it is the degree of error. All man-made doctrines based on human interpretation of the Scriptures, are going to be in error to some degree. All human writing will have some kind of error present. This writing is not error-proof because it is made with human hands and I know it and accept that fact.
Fourth, separation does not constitute schism. Does one have to agree with every detail of their denomination’s doctrines? No. Scripture is the only revealed and inspired Word of God. All other documents are subject to Scripture. In the New World (America), being “denominated” meant any group claiming the authority of Christ and truth based on the Bible was separate and, at the same time, one member of a larger group known as “The Church.” The Apostle Paul said of those who differed with him, “Christ is preached and in this I rejoice.” Unity is found in Christ only. I am with Christians from different denominations regularly and yet I have experienced unity and oneness of spirit and attitude with …show more content…
There was nothing but resistance to the spread of the Gospel. Once a church was established, false teachings and the sins of the church would need to be addressed. Paul writes in 49 A.D. to the Galatians:
• Galatians 3:1-5: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing - if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?”
The Galatians started off by faith in Christ, then the Christian Jews were adding the keeping of the Law back on top of the grace and freedom of God. It does not take long for believers to get off track and depend upon works and return back to sin. All of the Apostles were martyred except John, who died in exile on the isle of Patmos. The task of completing the New Testament was now complete (95