Denominational Differences

Denominational doctrines make denominational members. The New Testament makes just Christians. Spiritual Church is "invisible unity" which assumed to be imperfectly displayed, visibly: some denominations are less accepting of others, and the basic orthodoxy of some is questioned by most of the others. Individual denominations also have formed over very subtle theological differences. Most denominations share common beliefs in the major aspects of the Christian faith, while differing in many secondary doctrines. From the New Testament time on there have been people that have believed the same thing about salvation, but have differences of opinion on doctrine.

In summary, Christians believe what the Bible teaches in context which are the basics of what Christians believe and unite on.

Many Protestants follow the Five Solas are five Latin phrases (or slogans) that emerged during the Protestant Reformation and summarize the Reformers' basic theological beliefs in contradistinction to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church of the day.

The Latin word sola means "alone," "only," or "single" in English. The five solas were what the Reformers believed to be the only things needed in their respective functions in Christian salvation. Listing them as such was also done with a view to excluding other things that hindered salvation. This formulation was intended to distinguish between what were viewed as deviations in the Christian church and the essentials of Christian life and practice.

Solus Christus: Christ alone.
The Protestants characterize the dogma concerning the Pope as Christ's representative head of the Church on earth, the concept of meritorious works, and the Catholic idea of a treasury of the merits of saints, as a denial that Christ is the only mediator between God and man.

Sola scriptura: Scripture alone.
Protestants believe that the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church obscure the teachings of the Bible by convoluting it with church history and doctrine.

Sola fide: Faith alone.
Protestants believe that faith in Christ alone is enough for eternal salvation (as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9), whereas Catholics believe "faith without works is dead" (as stated in James 2:20). Protestants believe that practicing good works attests to one's faith in Christ and his teachings.

Sola gratia: Grace alone.
The Roman Catholic view of the means of salvation was believed by the Protestants to be a mixture of reliance upon the grace of God, and confidence in the merits of one's own works, performed in love. The Reformers posited that salvation is entirely comprehended in God's gifts, (i.e. God's act of free grace) dispensed by the Holy Spirit according to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ alone. Consequently, they argued that a sinner is not accepted by God on account of the change wrought in the believer by God's grace, and that the believer is accepted without any regard for the merit of his works — for no one deserves salvation.

Soli Deo gloria: Glory to God alone
All glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through his will and action—not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit. The reformers believed that human beings—even saints canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, the popes, and the ecclesiastical hierarchy—are not worthy of the glory that was accorded them.

The biggest thing that denominations do is to give you an idea of where the church that you are looking at stands doctrinally. Denominations are important for aligning yourself with the church and the people that you most agree with. Identifying the differences between denominations are usually defined by the following theologians:

Jacobus Arminius, Dutch theologian, founder of school of thought known as Arminianism.

John Calvin, French theologian, Reformer and resident of Geneva, Switzerland, he founded the school of theology known as Calvinism.

Martin Luther, German religious reformer, theologian, founder of the Lutheran church in Germany, founder of Lutheranism.

Menno Simons, founder of Mennonitism

Huldrych Zwingli, founder of Swiss reformed tradition

John Smyth, founder of the Baptist denomination

Jacob Amman, founder of the Amish church

John Wesley, Anglican priest, founder of the Methodist movement

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army.

Ellen G. White, James White, Joseph Bates, Uriah Smith, Dr. John Kellogg Pioneers of Seventh-day Adventism.

The Protestant denominations, like Presbyterian and Lutheran were formed in the reformation– and each contain some of the styling or formality of the Roman Catholic church.

Anglican/Episcopalian - Anglicans believe Jesus was conceived and born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary was a virgin both when she conceived Jesus and when she gave birth. "They ... have difficulties with Catholic belief in her immaculate conception - the idea ... that Mary was free from the stain of original sin from the moment of her own conception ..."

The Baptists come from a line of Anabaptists that were never part of the Catholic church.

The Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses call themselves Christians, but are founded on heretical interpretations of God’s Word based on a single founder’s revelation.

Assembly of God, Apostolic, etc. are recent incarnations founded under the belief that the spiritual gifts of the New Testament area are present today.

Word of Faith focuses on works in terms of "faith" towards health, wealth and prosperity.

Some Christians like the emphasis on sacramental worship as occur in such denominations as the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, and the Episcopal Church; others prefer less formal ways of worshipping God, such as usually occur in Anabaptist, Methodist and Baptist churches. Like in life, in Christianity, one size doesn't fit all!

Every Christian must decide whether they will us their liberty to decide on their doctrinal beliefs. We are free, but our freedom does not mean we can know for SURE what is right and what is wrong. Spiritual liberty means the freedom to be all that we were designed to be, but this is not a freedom that is without restrictions or responsibilities. Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. I followed various theologians from different background. Some are Reformed theologians (i.e. Calvinism) and some are not reformed (i.e. Arminianism). I also have Lutheran theologian books written by german Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of my favorite "Cost of Discipleship".

A true Christian praises God's glory: Psalm 18:1-3
A true Christian trusts in God's power: Psalm 31:23
A true Christian seeks communion with God: Ps. 63:1-3; Ps. 84:2-4
A true Christian enjoys God's peace: Psalm 119:165
A true Christian is sensitive to God: Ps. 69:9
A true Christian loves what God loves: Ps. 138:2; Psalm. 119
A true Christian loves whom God loves: First John 5:1-2
A true Christian hates what God hates: Matt. 26:75; 1 John 2:15
A true Christian longs for Christ's return: Second Timothy 4:8
A true Christian obeys God's commands: John 14:21; Rom. 7:22

The bottome line: I believe there is "NO" wrong way of worship since worship is spiritual from the heart. That's between God and the believer who worship. There are different preferences of beliefs and different style of worship. Some prefer one worship style while other prefer another worship style. Christians sometimes follow their conscience on their worship preferences.