There are always some Christians ask me at our first meeting, "Which denomination do you belong to? Charismatics, evangelical or others?"
I don't know how to show my view briefly. Instead, I will respond, "I don't belong to any denomination." Always astonished, they deem me heretic, for a Christian shall be a part of a denomination.
Then I'd like to share my point of view.
A decade ago when I was joining in the Bible study, teachers of my church emphasized that it is an evangelical church, teaching me the knowledge of evangelicals and recommending many related books. After a while, I was required to read books that analyzed each Christian denomination in detail and write comments.
But I felt uneasy and even fretful when reading those books. At last, I wrote two sentences, "Firstly, I'm not interested in Christian denominations at all; secondly, I don't belong to any denomination, I just belong to Jesus."
I have been never told that there should be no denomination in Christianity. I adhere to a belief that I care my Jesus rather than the battles between denominations.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 reads: I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Many similar verses in the Bible urge us not to be categorized for Christ is one. Each church that has its own talent is a part of the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:25 ...so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.Churches need to help each other and give play to its unique grace God gives.
I met a teen boy some years ago. He shared that he saw a vision that the devil destroyed the work of the church by all means to arouse categorization and strife among Christians. However, he saw that Jesus was sad, asking him to pray for the repentance of Christians and pastors across the globe.
Does it matter what denomination the church of God is? God is love. Love does not behave itself rudely, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked and keeps no record of evil.
So which denomination develops better or achieves greater fame means nothing. Regardless of how people divide them into different denominations, I belong to no denomination. I just belong to my Lord Jesus, forever.
Translated By: Karen Luo
