| Nov 2 @ 10:13 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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Major branches
Christianity has denominational families (or movements) and also has individual denominations (or communions). Within these denominational families and movements are (often further denominational families and) various individual denominations or communions. The difference between a denomination and a denominational family is sometimes unclear to outsiders. Some denominational families can be considered major branches.
Christianity is composed of, but not limited to, five major branches of Churches: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant; some groupings include Anglicans amongst Protestants. The Assyrian Church of the East is also a distinct Christian body, but is much smaller in adherents and geographic scope. Each of these five branches has important subdivisions. Because the Protestant subdivisions do not maintain a common theology or earthly leadership, they are far more distinct than the subdivisions of the other four groupings. Denomination typically refers to one of the many Christian groupings including each of the multitude of Protestant subdivisions.
Denominationalism is an ideology which views some or all Christian groups as being, in some sense, versions of the same thing regardless of their distinguishing labels. Not all churches teach this. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches do not use this term as its implication of interchangeability does not agree with their theological teachings. There are some groups which practically all others would view as apostate or heretical, and not legitimate versions of Christianity.
There were some movements considered heresies by the early church which do not exist today and are not generally referred to as denominations. Examples include the Gnostics (who had believed in an esoteric dualism called gnosis), the Ebionites (who denied the divinity of Jesus), and the Arians (who believed Jesus said "My Father is greater than I"). The greatest divisions in Christianity today, however, are between Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and various denominations formed during and after the Protestant Reformation. There also exists in Protestantism and Orthodoxy various degrees of unity and division.
Comparisons between denominational churches must be approached with caution. For example, in some churches, congregations are part of a larger church organization, while in other groups, each congregation is an independent autonomous organization. This issue is further complicated by the existence of groups of congregations with a common heritage that are officially nondenominational and have no centralized authority or records, but which are identified as denominations by non-adherents. Study of such churches in denominational terms is therefore a more complex proposition.
Numerical comparisons are also problematic. Some groups count membership based on adult believers and baptized children of believers, while others only count adult baptized believers. Others may count membership based on those adult believers who have formally affiliated themselves with the congregation. In addition, there may be political motives of advocates or opponents of a particular group to inflate or deflate membership numbers through propaganda or outright deception. All Christianity IS NOT equal....WIKI
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| Nov 2 @ 10:24 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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There are said to be 613 Commandments and it has always been of interest to me that the focus on Christians really embraces only 10 of them.
Where are the punishments in the Torah or Bible stated for each Commandment? There is none because they are just rules to be used by Hebrew men to maintain harmony between them.
Yet in this country for the most part Christians take them as Commandments. There is a major difference between Commandments and rules.
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| Nov 2 @ 10:50 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, Some God now read the variations on this theme..Your God is going to take it out on the Children for four generations, what a God 
The lists known as the Ten Commandments are given in passages in two books of the Bible: Exodus 20:2–17, Exodus 34:11–27 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21. These passages are provided in English below, using the New Revised Standard Version translation and formatting. Various religions and denominations group the commandments differently; see the Division of the Commandments section for a detailed accounting. The Exodus 34 passage is divergent and covered elsewhere.
The Ten Commandments http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Commandments.
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| Nov 2 @ 4:52 PM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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dizzydoll
Posts: 606
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Your God is going to take it out on the Children for four generations, what a God
And its true, i have heard people say because their father did this or that they will have to pay for those sins. Absolute nonsense i have always said but they dont listen and so they create their own punishment to live by.
The last time i went to a church, everyone had a day off work to pray for rain during a drought so i took about 3 or 4 kids with me to this real quaint little church. We sat in the front row. The minister went on and on about politics till i couldnt bear it anymore and got up in front of everyone and told the kids we are leaving and we marched out in a row. Funny thing, we (the kids and me) were the only ones who brought umbrellas to church and strange as this might sound, when we walked out there were a few drops of rain.... not anywhere near the amount we needed but the kids were pretty impressed  they believed that God sent the rain, bless their little souls.
I recall they thought we might get into trouble leaving during the service but i explained that politics should never enter the house of God but they were too little to understand. 
[Edited on 11/2/2009 5:02 PM]
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| Nov 3 @ 8:41 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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I cannot remember the name right now but one of them were the McCoys mountain people who were always killing one another over old grudges.
It reminds me of the middle east even to this day, Why should we follow a religion born there they are a very poor example.
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| Nov 4 @ 5:01 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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dizzydoll
Posts: 606
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Hi Yash 
Christianity as a religion has too much blood on its hands. I feel Jesus would not approve and i dont believe Jesus resides in any one of those 34000 denominations of christianity. This is why so many people are searching for their own personal truths now.
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| Nov 4 @ 8:08 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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Many pathways to enlightenment do lead The key is to get on a pathway of truth, not of your own imagination wasting your time on What if's such as a mystical being....
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| Nov 4 @ 8:14 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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Deborah551
Posts: 1,015
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Oh those pesky old generational curses......not that I don't have enough curses of my own, I have to pack around my generational curses too.
Generational Curses
Here's a list of sins you can look for if you're trying to rid yourself of generational curses (GC).
The following is a list of sin categories to help you prepare your lists. Check the following:
IDOLATRY: _Eastern Religions (list) _Meditation _Chanting/mantras _Cults (list them) _Secret Orders/Lodges _Material things _Money _People
OCCULT: _Astrology _Fortune telling (various types) _Ouija Board _Seances _Dungeons & Dragons (or similar games - board or computer) _Hypnosis/Self-hypnosis _ESP _Crystals _Psychic healing _Occult literature _Occult beliefs _OOBE (Out of body experiences attempted/experienced) _Spiritism _Parapsychology _Psychic beliefs and practices _channeling _mind control
WITCHCRAFT & SATANISM: _Incantations _Spells _Dedications _Rituals _Ritual abuse _Blasphemy/Mockery _Literature _Beliefs _Sacrifices _Perversions _Magic _Santeria _Voodoo _Wicca _ Powwow healing witchcraft (Pennsylvania Dutch) _Maloike (Italian witchcraft) _Druidism (Celtic witchcraft)
SEXUAL SINS: _Fornication _Adultery _Pornography _Rape _Incest _Lust _Masturbation _Homosexuality _Abortion _Bestiality _Pedophilia _Exhibitionism _Abuse _Fantasy _Other perversions
DRUGS/ADDICTIONS: _Illegal (list) _Alcohol abuse _Smoking (abuse of body) _Prescription drug dependency _Food dependency
BELIEVING SATAN'S LIES: _Regarding self-image _Regarding God _Regarding religious beliefs _Regarding people _Regarding behavior _Regarding world standards and philosophies
FEAR: _Fear of failure _Fear of success _Fear of Rejection _Miscellaneous fears (list) _Anxiety _Worry _Despair _Hopelessness
UNBELIEF: _Lack of trust _Double-mindedness _Doubts _Skepticism
DECEIT/DISHONESTY: _Lying _Stealing _Exaggeration
PRIDE: _Self-righteousness _Self-focused _Vanity _Arrogance
REBELLION: _Disobedience _Disrespect _Self-will _Desire to be in Control _Stubbornness
ANGER: _Hatred _Bitterness _Resentment _unforgiveness _Rage _Revenge _Slander/Gossip _Critical/Judgmental _Blame-shifting _Prejudice/Bigotry _Malice
WISHING DEATH: _For self _For others
VIOLENT ACTS: _Attempted suicide _Abuse _Murder
VULGAR & ABUSIVE LANGUAGE: _Cursing (Lord's name in vain) _Sarcasm _Condemning _Off color stories and jokes
MUSIC: (Regarding content of message or performers' lifestyles) _Occult _Satanic _Sexual _Rebellion _Drug oriented _Focus on Death
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: (with roots in false religious beliefs or with psychic/occult influences) _Reiki _Therapeutic Touch _meditation techniques (emptying the mind) _Transcendental Meditation _acupuncture _acupressure _sonopuncture _iridology _chromotherapy _sound therapy _kinesiology _radionics _astrologic medicine _orgonomy _bioenergetics _biofeedback _hypnotic regression _reflexology _polarity therapy _Rolfing _Do'in _Shiatsu _yoga _Kirilian photography _autogenics _iridology _Ayurvedic Medicine _Tai Chi _Qigong _Traditional Chinese medicine _visualization techniques _psychic diagnosis _psychic healing
UNSCRIPTURAL SEEKING OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS OR SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE: _Priming the pump to receive tongues _Accepting any personal experience without testing it by the Word of God _Receiving personal prophecies without testing them and having them confirmed by God and the body of Christ.
This is only a guide to aid you in preparing your sin lists. It is not comprehensive. Not every sin is listed. Add whatever is applicable to your situation.
I can think of about 3 that I've broken here on MD, especailly the music one. Guess rock and roll is a no no if I want to rid myself of GC. 
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| Nov 4 @ 8:15 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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wonderful  
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| Nov 4 @ 8:28 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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southernlass
Posts: 2,227
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This is why so many people are searching for their own personal truths now.
Sorry, Doll, I have to disagree. The reason so many people are searching for their own personal truth is because of the following:
Paul forewarned of this when he wrote: “The time will come when they [the people in the church] will not endure [tolerate] sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
When “Christians” turn to popular teachers who tickle their ears with messages on selfesteem and self-improvement, they are also turning away from God’s Word. Without a steady diet of Scripture, they will not hear sound doctrine and therefore be unable to discern truth from error. Ultimately, they will not know if they are following Jesus Christ or His adversaries.
Without discernment, the 21st century church is headed for serious trouble because the enemies of the Gospel are more determined than we are. What the Body of Christ needs now are soldiers of the Lord who are committed to battle for truth! We all need to do our part to reverse the pending death of discernment in the church.
Decline of Biblical Preaching
What has happened to pastors who preach the whole counsel of God? Churches that once taught the Bible verse-by-verse are now on the endangered species list. We receive letters from our subscribers all over the world who say they cannot find them. We have also witnessed the decline in biblical preaching as we listen to various sermons on church web sites. It appears pastors today are more concerned with popularity, church growth, psychology and meeting felt needs than biblical doctrine. Pastors who don’t faithfully preach from the Bible will ultimately produce congregations that are more apt to trust the fallible words of men over the infallible Word of God.
Three Kinds of Preachers
In one category are teachers who faithfully preach the whole counsel of God. They exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict (2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9). These men are devoted to seeking the approval of God over the approval of men (Galatians 1:10).
In the second category are teachers who cater to desires of men (2 Timothy 4:3). These teachers are dangerous, not because of what they say, but for what they deliberately withhold. They purposefully avoid the offense of the Gospel for fear it will make people uncomfortable. Whenever preachers avoid the Word of God, believers don’t get discernment and “seekers” don’t get saved. We see an example of this type of preacher in Joel Osteen, the pastor of one of America’s largest churches located in Houston. In a June 20 interview on “Larry King Live,” he was asked if atheists go to heaven. He replied, “I’m going to let God be the judge of who goes to heaven and hell.” When asked where Jews or Muslims go without trusting Jesus, he replied, “I’m very careful about saying who would and wouldn’t go to heaven; I don’t know.” Rather than unashamedly respond with the power and exclusivity of the Gospel, Osteen chose to remain silent so that no one would be offended.
The third category is made up of false teachers who secretly introduce destructive heresies and malign the way of the truth (2 Peter 2:1-2). These teachers deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting and the undiscerning (Romans 16:18). Without discernment, listeners will not be able to distinguish between who has been sent by Christ, and who is a mouthpiece for Satan.
Wooing the World into the Church
Proponents of the church growth movement have developed attractive gimmicks and techniques to invite the world into our churches. Their thinking is this: “If we can get the world to like us, maybe they will like our Savior.” Their approach to post-modern ecclesiology has been labeled “seekerfriendly” or, more profoundly, “sinner-friendly.” Jesus is being disguised to make Him and His Gospel “less offensive” to seekers. Their goal is to make sinners feel comfortable by giving them what they want instead of what they need. Their strategy is to throw soft balls at non-Christians rather than challenge and confront their unbelief with convicting truths from Scripture. As the goats are being entertained with this nonsense, the sheep of the Shepherd are being deprived of His Word.
We must ask where does God’s Word tell us to woo the world? Did not Jesus say, “The world... hates Me because I testify that its deeds are evil” (John 7:7)? James wrote: “Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Church history confirms this and we should learn from the past. The churches and denominations that made friends with the world began a downward slide into apostasy. By trying to woo the world, they had to compromise their preaching, tolerate sin and immorality and abandon nearly every doctrinal position they once held.
[Edited on 11/4/2009 8:30 AM]
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| Nov 4 @ 8:29 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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southernlass
Posts: 2,227
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Diluting the Offense of the Gospel Those who remain faithful to the Gospel will be an offense to the world because the Gospel is inherently offensive. Christ Himself is offensive to all who reject the truth. He is “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense” (1 Peter 2:8). The message of the cross is also a stumbling block and foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 5:11). Tragically there are multitudes that profess Christ, but cannot articulate the Gospel’s basic elements. What is left for the church if it can’t communicate the only message that brings forth life? The decline of doctrine (and ultimately the ability to discern) occurs in our churches when any of three things take place. First, when drama and entertainment become more important than preaching the Word. Second, when the pastor’s goal becomes “making people happy instead of holy.” You know this is taking place when he shifts his sermons from “this is what God says” to “this is what I think people want to hear.” Third, when the pastor spends more time addressing “felt needs” over “spiritual needs.” Eventually these churches become filled with gullible people who believe their lovable pastor is speaking for God. Might they consider a quote from A.W. Tozer, who said: “Gullibility is not synonymous with spirituality. Faith keeps its heart open to whatever is of God, and rejects everything that is not of God.” Tolerance Has Replaced Absolute Truth Some Christian leaders are calling for the church to adapt to the new generation by eliminating all absolutes. They are saying that we can no longer proclaim absolute truth. Truth is now said to be subjective and in the eye of the beholder. Needless to say, this is producing a Christian faith void of doctrine but full of confusion. Tolerance and acceptance of other faiths is now firmly established within Christianity. We are called to be tolerant of everything except absolute truth. This tolerance is being used as a platform for unity with the Roman Catholic Church. Some evangelicals would rather have a counterfeit unity based on tolerance than authentic spiritual unity based on truth. Anyone who stands in its way is labeled divisive or troublesome. Warnings Are Being Ignored Numerous warnings in Scripture tell us the church will be bombarded with perverse teachings, empty philosophy, vain deceit, speculations, lying spirits, worldly fables, false knowledge, doctrines of demons, destructive heresies, myths, falsehoods, traditions of men and worldly wisdom. Jesus and Paul warned of false prophets who would come in as wolves in sheep’s clothing not sparing the flock (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29). We must do as Jesus and the apostles did and warn Christians of these destructive influences, all of which are weakening the church and bringing shame to the precious name of our Savior! Spiritual Immaturity When sound doctrine is replaced with shallow teaching made up of humorous stories and shallow opinions, you will find biblical illiteracy in the pew. New babes in Christ have difficulty growing in the grace and knowledge of their Savior when pastors do not preach the whole counsel of God. When the Word of God is not being faithfully taught, people will not hear truth. And if they don’t hear truth, they will be unable to discern God’s way from man’s way, truth from error and right from wrong. We must all become more discerning because no man is infallible and no preacher is beyond the possibility of doctrinal error. We must always be ready to reject what is false and hold fast to what is true. As disciples of Jesus we must be known for what we’re for as well as what we’re against. In closing we must recognize that all truth sets itself against error. Sound doctrine divides and confronts, it judges and separates, it reproves and rebukes and it exposes and refutes error. It leads us from the broad way to the narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14). It commands us to submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7). It exhorts us to discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (1 John 4:6). It demands that we turn away from evil and do good (1 Peter 3:11). It tells us that our ways are not God’s ways, nor are our thoughts His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). It warns us against exchanging the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25). It promises the righteous will be blessed and the wicked will perish. True Christians cannot continue to tolerate or ignore Satan’s wicked schemes to weaken and pollute the church. We must stand firmly on sound doctrine, heed biblical warnings and live passionately for the truth so that Jesus Christ will be glorified and His church will grow in holiness and strength. Refusal of sound doctrine |
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| Nov 4 @ 8:40 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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Did you derive all this when in a drunken stupor which you never came out of or is there another reason you CP so much without reading your own post? Which is it?
Just where in the bible did Jesus ever say anything about a Church? 
[Edited on 11/4/2009 8:42 AM]
[Edited on 11/4/2009 8:42 AM]
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| Nov 4 @ 8:41 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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joe_kerr
Posts: 781
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True Christians cannot continue to tolerate or ignore Satan’s wicked schemes to weaken and pollute the church. We must stand firmly on sound doctrine, heed biblical warnings and live passionately for the truth so that Jesus Christ will be glorified and His church will grow in holiness and strength.
Considering there's literally dozens upon of "doctrines", which one (or ones) are considered sound, and how do you distinguish between those which are sound and not sound?
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| Nov 4 @ 8:48 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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southernlass
Posts: 2,227
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Yash, just because you and Iam are too ignorant to be able to glean any knowledge from the sources I share does not mean that the rest of the readers are. Actually, the scriptural sourcing shared above backs up my opinion on the matter 100 percent. I find that to be astounding.
The scriptural actually foretells what is clearly happening right now in the age we are living in. If you had any kind of spiritual discernment, you would recognize this as truth. Unfortunately, your mind is as closed as a steel trap against most godly spiritual things so of course you would only see a bunch of "C & P."
 
[Edited on 11/4/2009 8:54 AM]
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| Nov 4 @ 8:52 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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southernlass
Posts: 2,227
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Considering there's literally dozens upon of "doctrines", which one (or ones) are considered sound, and how do you distinguish between those which are sound and not sound?
That's easy, Joe.
The source states that these various false teachers will confuse and delude even the believers with false doctrine, false doctrine being that which is not biblical, which takes the bible completely out of context, or twists its intent, or bases an entire religion or philosophy out of one or two verses. This is commonly occurring all over the world and occurs in this very forum daily.
The way to test whether or not something is sound and from God is to check it out with the bible.
Men want their ears tickled, including a good many Christian men and women. They will not abide the bible any longer. Many of them have determined to reject the bible entirely, or pick and choose what they want to believe out of it. The bible talked at length about these matters and this is thoroughly discussed in the source above.
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| Nov 4 @ 8:52 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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Gallows_Humor
Posts: 13,650
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it always amazes me when people here go back to the old testament to attack Christianity....as if it was the last word....
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| Nov 4 @ 9:02 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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Just where in the bible did Jesus ever say anything about a Church? 
Is Christianity the end of the beginning or the beginning of it's own ending?
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| Nov 4 @ 9:09 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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Gallows_Humor
Posts: 13,650
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<< Matthew 18:20 >>
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| Nov 4 @ 9:11 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them GH there is no beginning or ending or beginning of the ending in this do you wish to try another??
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| Nov 4 @ 9:13 AM |
Major branches of Cristianity |
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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Because the Protestant subdivisions do not maintain a common theology or earthly leadership, they are far more distinct than the subdivisions of the other four groupings Let there be truth!
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