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Ask The Pastor
July 19, 2001
Hi Friend,
You asked the following:
> First: What is the difference between the
(non-denominational)
> Christian Church and the Protestant Denominations i.e. Lutheran,
> Anglican, Methodists, etc. Aren't they basicly the same, except that
> denominations are affiliated with certain Countries and follow certain
> people's writings i.e. Martin Luther, Thomas Cranmer, John Calvin and
> the Wesley brothers.
Non-denominational simply means that a Church is not affiliated
with a particular denomination. These are independent Churches.
Most non-denominational Churches would be considered
Protestant, or evangelical in doctrine. Many are charismatic
Churches.
I may have missed your question entirely. There is a 'Christian
Church' that speaks of being non-denominational. This is a
grouping of Churches who hold similar beliefs. They simply do
not have a overseeing government in place that can speak for
the group collectively. Each Church is sovereign. Sort of like the
Southern Baptist. There are several Christian groups who
consider themselves nondenominational.
> Why do denominations break away from the general
Christian Church?
Actually there never has been a general Christian Church. Not
in an organizational sense. The Church has always had
branches. The reason is that the Church was never designed to
be an earthly ecclesiastical organization. Jesus Christ is the
head of the Church. Neither He nor the apostles left a pattern for
Churches other than the local Church assembly. In the
Scriptures each local assembly of believers is self-governing.
Organizations was a later development.
> Second: My second question is regarding your
opinion on the Church of
> England or Episcopal Church (in America). Do you think the common story
> is true that Henry VIII created the Church because of the Pope's refusal
> to grant him divorce. And what does your Church think about Thomas
> Cranmer's writings?
I haven't given much thought to the Church of England or the
Episcopal Church in America. It is my opinion the true Church of
Jesus Christ is never found in a single denomination. It is made
up of true believers from every sector of Christendom. God's true
Church is a mystical union of all who hold to the true faith in
Jesus.
As for Henry VIII creating the Church over the divorce issue, all I
know is what I've read in history. That was a factor. But there is
another issue that has to be considered. The early English Church
was not originally Roman Catholic. It became part of the Roman
system through the missionary efforts of the Roman priests.
As for the Roman Catholic Church, it should be understood that
that term would have been unknown to early Christians. The
papal system developed over time.
Hope this helps.
Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask
the Pastor
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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
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