Exposing the Denominations of Nondenominational Churches

[@sander7989]

"Non-denominational" is a great way to confuse a lot of people into thinking their beliefs are obvious and uncontroversial among Christians.

[@Austin8thGenTexan]

I know of 5 Baptist churches that have dropped the word "Baptist" from their names (and one Assembly of God that now describes itself a "Christian Worship Center." 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tjenadonn6158]

I sort of had a similar problem when I was reading C.S. Lewis and he posited his idea of "mere Christianity." Even if we narrow Christianity strictly down to Pauline, Nicean Christianity a lot of what Lewis stated as the bare bones basics of Christianity was so clearly Protestant and specifically Anglican that I could immediately see why all of my Catholic family prefer G.K. Chesterton for their posh and English-flavored pop apologetics.

[@arrocoda3590]

Yeah non denomination is a title for the churches that are really self deluded enough to think that their beliefs aren't denomination laden. And or actual deception in order to get more people to join their group.

[@Desert-edDave]

@@tjenadonn6158 If you think Catholic = Christian, you (as well as millions of others who are no less deceived) need to fear what Christ said in Matthew 7:21-23. Follow Christ of the Bible, not clubhouses and doctrines of men.

[@freezo244]

@@Desert-edDave While I know firsthand the myriad problems with the teachings of the Catholic Church (my husband was one for many years before I married him and I breathed a sigh of relief when he left it), I cannot in any way judge another’s faith. Yours is a narrow-minded and judgmental statement which demonstrates to me that you clearly believe 1) you can judge anothers’ faith; 2) you as a believer (I assume) have zero idols in your life or any undetected misconceptions about your faith so 3) you feel your “faith” superior. I’ve known several beautiful, sincere, devoted, Christ-centered CATHOLICS who do not put Mary, the Pope, any priest or any doctrine above Jesus Christ their Savior.

[@pandabear7444]

Journey Church...where we don't stop believing

[@JohnnyRep-u4e]

LOL - 😂

[@KevikkGamess]

Gave me a good chuckle

[@Star-dj1kw]

😂😂

[@KingoftheJuice18]

And where everything is done...Faithfully

[@josephhouk6703]

@@KingoftheJuice18 ...in The City.

[@abbiearcher4716]

> Be me > Enter a church > "Which denomination is this?" > "What." > Explains statements of faith and the differences between denominations. > "It's all non-denominational here!" > Checks Website. > It's Baptist.

[@justaguy5770]

Most of the time it's a baptist Church trying to separate it's self from the Southern Baptist Church

[@asmrtpop2676]

This actually explains why my Baptist mother had such a hard time finding a Baptist church after she moved to a different state. They’re not actually listed as Baptist.

[@dansaunders6761]

Baptist beliefs are nearly as varied as non-denominational. You would still have to dig further.

[@metapolitikgedanken612]

If Baptism is a distinctive mark of a group, than they can still be just Christian, since Baptism is instructed in the NT. If you don't have Baptism, you just may be Jesus fans, but not Christian.

[@Armintanzarian1]

“Baptist “ is the name of like 14 different denominations.

[@BornToBeWired]

"Non-denominational, you're not fooling anybody, you're just a baptist church with a cool website." - Tim Hawkins

[@ericventuroso3544]

Heard that from the Redeemed Zoomer.

[@vester7457]

That's what I've always thought. Default is baptistic theology every time.

[@gregorybrannan7202]

A huge number are Pentecostal these days, though.

[@zimriel]

@@gregorybrannan7202 shhh don't watch the youtube before commenting, that's against youtube commenter law

[@gregorybrannan7202]

@@zimriel I was raised A/G, actually 🤣

[@greatscott7691]

It would be cool if someone made a website that compiles and maps all these "non-denominational" churches and lists what denominations they're actually a part of.

[@unit2394]

Yeah, that would be great.

[@dbach1025]

@@unit2394 Then who will spend eternity fixing the errors and arguing with thousands of pastors about how the website doesn't fairly or accurately identify them? LOL

[@Denozo88]

​@@dbach1025thats been the case for the last millennium.

[@dancalkins97]

That would be incredibly high maintenance. Not only with the setup, but also with edits, complaints, potential lawsuits.

[@GhostofTradition]

i might try plugging in some statements if faith into GPT and asking for a denomination, finally a use for AI

[@cooltaylor1015]

I've argued for years that Non-Denominational was itself a Denomination. Now, I see it's actually several.

[@AA-gl1dr]

Always has been

[@javindhillon6294]

“wait, it's all denominations?!”

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

It's kind of like how some say they don't have a form of worship, which is their form.

[@AAA-qr8yy]

You don’t know what you are talking about. Denominations have structure and authority. Beliefs by themselves are not denominations. Words like protestant or pentecostal are not a denomination but are merely a description of beliefs and practices. There is no denomination called pentecostal. No institution with an authority gatekeeping who can be a part of that name. That church is truly without denomination, as in they are independent of any external authority structure. Merely believing in the gifts of the spirit and tongues does not even make you consistent with pentecostal beliefs. You could simply be charismatic.

[@gazoontight]

I have written this before and I will probably write it again after this time: this channel is the best source for unbiased information and an honest look at Christian groups and their differences and similarities.

[@Fragolux]

I'm in a few Christian groups on Facebook and have recommended this channel to new converts trying to figure out which churches believe what.

[@rubiks6]

There is no such thing as "unbiased."

[@DiamondKingStudios]

@BrotherinChr1stHe’s been upfront about his own personal convictions prior (independent Baptist, if I recall correctly). At any rate, honesty is a good policy to uphold.

[@rubiks6]

@BrotherinChr1st - No one is unbiased. I don't find this channel to be unbiased.

[@rubiks6]

@BrotherinChr1st - I do not find this person to be unbiased. I have never seen any other person making content for this channel. This channel represents this person. He is not unbiased.

[@zbm-2375]

And here I was, thinking "non-denominational" just meant "Baptists with a smoke machine."

[@byrondickens]

😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@TheFranchiseCA]

Agreed! Usually, but obviously not always.

[@michaelarrowood4315]

They all have that now.. to go with the odious "praise music" and the big screens.

[@nlytnlyt6644]

…redeemed zoomer is that you?

[@zbm-2375]

​@@nlytnlyt6644 I'm too much of a realist about the chances of reforming any of the theologically liberal denominations with episcopal polity without compromising yourself in some way to be Redeemed Zoomer.

[@1313stjimmy]

I'm convinced that when a church calls itself non-denominational, it means "We're Pentecostals but people think that Pentecostalism is the weirdos who speak and tongues/play with snakes so we won't tell people that and hope that they try us out."

[@thesilentgeneration]

Read your Bible. Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@billowspillow]

Sometimes yes. Not always.

[@georgerafa5041]

In my experience it's where pretentious and stupid people worship that don't want to track (or don't have any) knowledge of their religious ancestry. Simplifying their religion doesn't make it closer to Christ, it just proves the laziness and shallowness of the followers in nondenoms.

[@dommyvidtime]

In my experience it's normally something like this, or it just means they're babtist. Baptist churches are defined in part by their lack of adherence to a governing body. Take that, and the negative connotations of the Westboro Baptist Church and many who would have considered themselves Baptist 40 years ago now prefer to hide behind the label of nondenominational.

[@acousticdoug]

Agreed. Or they just don’t want to follow holiness standards as observed by the major governing bodies.

[@revjohnlee]

I cannot begin to describe how refreshing it is to hear somebody make clear and concise explanations about churches while being respectful and yet refusing to engage in deceptive (intentionally or not) word games about the churches. I wish my "denomination" were as direct, truthful and informational as you!

[@ChrisHillASMR]

When someone that should be investigating conspiracies decides to investigate church hierarchy instead lol

[@AAA-qr8yy]

You don’t know what you are talking about. Denominations have structure and authority. Beliefs by themselves are not denominations. Words like protestant or pentecostal are not a denomination but are merely a description of beliefs and practices. There is no denomination called pentecostal. No institution with an authority gatekeeping who can be a part of that name. That church is truly without denomination, as in they are independent of any external authority structure. Merely believing in the gifts of the spirit and tongues does not even make you consistent with pentecostal beliefs. You could simply be charismatic.

[@Smell-O-Vision-Citrus]

This is so interesting and SO helpful. I was raised in a "non-denominational" Church of Christ that was VERY committed to the CoC doctrine. This whole behavior of side-stepping around the question as if they're like, above the concept of denominations, always irked me. Thanks for taking the time to make this video for us!

[@thomastaylor6699]

I am also a member of the Church of Christ and we do follow the scriptures the way Christ taught. For instance, we believe in only singing, no instruments whatsoever, and that's according to scripture Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16. We believe that to be saved, you need to be baptized. 1st Peter 3:20,21 "baptism now saves you. " Also, you only receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when you are baptized Acts2:38. The Church of Christ believes in taking the Lord's Supper each Sunday in remembrance of Christ.

[@sharoncrawford7192]

Well, one of the big problems with the denominations today, is so many are corrupt. Worldly, all about money, all this modern garbage, and so much false teachings. My husband and I left a large denomination because they have went rogue. We've found a very nice small nondenominational church that teaches and preaches the Bible. They sing hynms and a couple of good worship songs. No nightclub or rock concert like environment. Still have altars. There are a few of these churches around, but not many. Church of God and Assemblies of God use to be very Biblically sound. But over the years teaching have crept in to many of their churches. Such as Emergent Movement, Word Faith, Generational Curses, etc. They were not like this until about 20 to 25 yrs ago. I'm not saying all the churches are this way. But many have become that way because some leaders promote these things. We don't choose a church home based on a denomination anymore.

[@sharoncrawford7192]

​@@thomastaylor6699Jesus told the thief on the cross, Today thou shalt be with Me in Paridise, just before He died on the cross. It doesn't say they took him down to baptise him in water. So how could Jesus tell the thief he'd be in Paradise? There's no salvation in water baptism, although Jesus wants us to be baptized in water after we've repented for our sins. Our salvation is only in the finished work of the Cross. The Bible clearly teaches, salvation is by Grace through Faith, and that not of yourself. Nothing we do, but what we believe along with God's grace.

[@bonniemoerdyk9809]

@@sharoncrawford7192 ~ There IS a very sad, but interesting story behind the change abt. 25 yrs ago! I grew up Church of God (Anderson IN group, Non-Charismatic). Even after becoming a "Chreaster" (Christmas-Easter only) around age 21 in 1976, we and many other groups stuck to the Bible. However, when God saved me in the 1990's; around 1995-6, I started noticing changes in quite a few different groups. There was a book written in 1995 that became an instant Best-Seller, and guess who the author was? ... Rick Warren, a supposedly Southern Baptist preacher. He said in his book to start doing things to get more people to come to Church we need to change the way we did church. We need to reach out to the goats instead of the sheep. To get the unbelievers to come and keep coming, we need to tone down on talk of Sin, take the Crosses down, make it more welcoming to the un-churched! Even messages should be Toned-down according to him! I feel it is a very deceptive way to do Church, and I'm sure it dis-pleases our Lord. God saved me and most others I'm sure, by making them aware of their Sin and the need to turn to Him! To summerize, I think that book has a huge part in messing up the way Church is in recent decades. The Title is "Purpose-Driven Church"

[@lindseyfrazier3298]

"above the concept" is exactly how I feel about it. It irks me, too. Like just say what you believe. It seems a little like they're trying to trick people into coming to their church by marketing it as non-denominational.

[@OneCrayGuy89]

From one ginger named Josh who enjoys studying the differences of denominations to another, this was an excellent video (as usual). I often find myself enjoying a game of "guess that denomination" when driving by random churches with my wife.

[@TheLocalDisasterTourGuide]

This is something that has honestly bugged me, so thank you for addressing it so plainly. I'm a Baptist Minister working in a Methodist church, with a long history of cross-denominational work, but if someone asks me what i am, i say "Baptist." Even if I'm comfortable with a variety of traditions, i feel disingenuous if i try to cover up my particular beliefs.

[@bonniemoerdyk9809]

Thank you for that!

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

Minister? Out west a Pastor is a Baptist, Southern Baptist or non-denom. A Minister is a Methodist. I'm not trying to debate, I only think it's Intresting you called your self a Minister as a Baptist. I think region does play a part. For example, I was a Southern Baptist, howver sometimes on Saturday nights I'd go the services at my freinds Assembly of God church. Both services were pretty chill for what one might expect from either. Though at one point the FSBC church, we had an interm, genuine Southern Preacher! If you fell asleep, well then you were probably asleep in the asleep in the Biblical sense.

[@TheLocalDisasterTourGuide]

@jed-henrywitkowski6470 Most Baptists around here use the title Pastor. I think I default to Minister because I've worked in a lot of church adjacent positions, even when also working as a pastor. For example, one of my biggest jobs was as a chaplain for a non-profit serving people with disabilities. It wasn't a church, so I wasn't the "pastor," but I was still working in an explicitly ministry oriented position. Since I've done a lot of service both inside & outside of the church, Minister feels like a better fit. Still ordained. Still preaching. Just slightly different context than a lot of traditional pastors.

[@HenryLeslieGraham]

How can you work in a church that teaches a completely different view of the sacraments? Aren’t you uncomfortable with all the baptism of infants? And non memorialist view of the Lord’s supper. Nevermind the fact that Methodists have bishops. I’ve known many baptists and it is difficult for them to work in non baptist churches. I know of only one baptist who changed his mind on baptism and was received into the church he worked for and subsequently ordained as a priest

[@bobchevallier8456]

CROSS-DENOMINATIONAL....a new one. Love it

[@patmacken5130]

Every time I hear “non-denominational “ I immediately think “buyer beware” because you don’t really know what they believe (if anything), where they arrive at it , what training the pastor has or who he is accountable to. While I might not agree with a given denomination 100% at least I can know the ball park of what they SHOULD believe and can easily find out exactly what they believe. So I will pass…..

[@dbach1025]

I knew 99% of this before I even attended one service. You can always ask for the rest.

[@michaeljay6349]

I trust 'them' to tell me what they believe... I'm very worried about a lack of accountability... and I'm curious about the training (and replacement) of pastoral staff.

[@richardbaranzini8805]

But too many churches no longer hold to the confessional standards of the stated denomination.

[@richardbaranzini8805]

This is such a great site for information about Christian groups.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

Just because the church is “non-denominational” doesn’t mean the pastor lacks any personal theological positions. He’s human like the rest of us; if he knows anything about anything he’ll more likely than not have an opinion on that thing, and without there being a denomination the church is tied to very little can stop him from bringing those opinions straight to the pulpit.

[@nkybeekeeper3365]

My adult son shared this with me so of course I listened to your entire video so we can talk about it. As a practicing and cradle Catholic, I am sorry to say I have not giving this area much thought except a passing curiosity. But I am so glad I know more now. Ignorance is not bliss. It is just ignorance. This was a fantastic and informative explanation! Thank you!

[@Fragolux]

A girl I dated in high school once told me about when her family first moved to town and was looking for a church to attend. Right near the school was a church called Community of Christ, so they went for a couple Sundays until they noticed the services quoting "biblical" books like Mosiah and Ether, and saw the portrait of Joseph Smith hanging in the hall and realized it was a Mormon church! The girl's family was Nondenominational and used to vague-sounding church names.

[@jondxxxiii]

Community of Christ is also legally known as the Reoganzied Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, although they only do business as Community of Christ. The are lead by a prophet-president and twelve apostles.

[@MAMoreno]

Yeah, the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints rebranded itself as the Community of Christ once it redirected its doctrinal views closer to mainline Protestant beliefs. They're still semi-Mormon, but some of the more "unique" (read: heretical) teachings held by the Utah LDS are no longer fully present in the Community of Christ.

[@gregb6469]

@@MAMoreno-- CoC or RLDS--whatever you call them, they are a non-Christian cult.

[@StockingMyPantry]

My husband and I purchased a home near a COC church. After doing a bit of research, it seems they are a progressive off shoot of the LDS church. So, there is Mormon doctrine mixed in with pro LGBTQ, etc. emphasis.

[@SputnikRX]

@@gregb6469 they're trinitarian so I dunno what else you're looking for

[@civilization57]

I love your clarity and insight! Knowledge is always useful. "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another!" 1 John 1:7

[@DiNY-u9k]

Absolutely. God bless you ❤️

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@mochamarie9741]

I really like your presentation style . This was actually refreshing to hear facts without emotion. Thank you

[@demureworm]

I was raised in a Vineyard church and found it confusing that we called ourselves non-denominational when we were part of a global association of churches that all have “Vineyard” in their name. I’m a Catholic now, but this video was really helpful in clarifying my childhood confusion, thank you!

[@jesusrosary9067]

Welcome home

[@threestreamsworship]

The Vineyard just ratified a clear ordination position - we’re getting closer to actually calling it what it is :)

[@Gtr4Peace]

​@@jesusrosary9067 Home To Rome!

[@Mariaa_Hernandezz]

Welcome home ❤

[@threestreamsworship]

@emmafletcher6003 hey Emma. The national team has been working on an ordination process for the past three years. It’s officially been ratified and all the churches have been notified of what they need to do. Ask your leadership and they can give you information. It’s pretty basic and will put us in line with what most church movements have as guidelines and support.

[@Snommelp]

It's really fascinating the way that we sometimes play with language like this. I have a coworker who is very vocally Christian, and one time I asked him what tradition he was raised in (I could already tell that using the word "denomination" wasn't going to yield results). He responded that he doesn't bother with tradition, he just follows Jesus. Ironically, that said quite a bit about what tradition he came out of.

[@Fragolux]

It's like when my Evangelical relatives say "we don't have doctrine, we just read the Bible." I try to point out that's Sola Scriptura, which is one of the two founding doctrines of Protestantism, but it just doesn't compute for them. It's like that Spongebob scene with Patrick and his wallet (if you know, you know).

[@JRBWare1942]

@@Fragolux Sola scriptura. Solus Christus. Sola fide. Sola gratia. Soli Deo gloria. 1+1+1+1+1=2?

[@TheRealWilliamWhite]

​@JRBWare1942 those aren't mutually exclusive.

[@taranlarousa3082]

@@FragoluxAs an evangelical, I think you’re completely right in calling out the lack of self awareness within the nondenominational fundamentalist sphere of christianity, but I promise you that those evangelicals truly have a heart for the lost. Which is something that some more high church denominations lack.

[@Fragolux]

@@JRBWare1942 I wasn't aware of the other three. I always thought Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide were the founding pillars of Protestant.

[@Xylogor]

Wildly informative. Thanks for helping me understand this topic a bit better. I've always considered myself a non-denominational Christian (not aligning with a specific denomination as a person), but my churches often identify as non-denominational, when I know darn well that they're a denomination. It's always caused me some confusion, so this helped a lot!

[@alexburke2287]

I think it speaks to your excellence in all your videos to eliminate bias, because this is the first video of yours where I can tell that you're ticked-off by the silliness of calling churches that are 100% denominational. Love your stuff man!

[@KingoftheJuice18]

"I have a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long set of videos. Skills that make me a nightmare for churches like you. If you name your denomination right now, that'll be the end of it. But if you don't, I will research you, I will find you, and I will make a video about you." -Ready to Harvest

[@KJBChristian]

You made me laugh

[@bonniemoerdyk9809]

🤣🤣💯🏆

[@astrinymris9953]

Perfect! 👍💯

[@yardgunner4033]

Has he never actually named what church he is apart of ??

[@KingoftheJuice18]

@@yardgunner4033 His position as impartial reporter makes such talk unwise.

[@zachhawkins2698]

You’ve gained my sub brother! Thank you so much for your work. I am have recently begun going on a journey of church history study and your KZbin content has been extremely helpful on the way. I myself come from a “nondenominational” “Bible Church” background and, Lord willing, I would love to help cultivate some sense of Christian unity between denominations and especially among the “Bible Churches.” Learning history and coming to grasp the reasons and logic and biblical bases for various Christian groups’ beliefs has helped me to love and have compassion on many different kinds of believers. I pray for Christ’s return and long for the day as Paul says in Ephesians 4 when we are all brought to unity in the faith, and in the meantime I hope I can help fellow “orthodox” believers be united in a basic fashion if possible. …I recognize the impossible barriers in place for formal unity among denominations or larger church branches but perhaps at the individual level, Christian brotherly love can be helped by God’s grace. I digress, but nonetheless your studies and work are a huge help to me and I send my greetings and blessings and prayers for your ministry. May our Triune God of Grace bless your efforts brother! Thank you.

[@ReadyToHarvest]

Thanks Zach! Glad to hear the videos have been helpful for you.

[@harleywykes4971]

1:50 pretty sure this 'fallacy of equivocation' got a Nazgul killed in Return of the King

[@MrWill9894]

Not just any Nagzgūl, the Witch King of Angmar! Religion for breakfast just did a really interesting video about Bible translations that talks about how different versions translate, and situations like this one are part of that. Very interesting

[@mournblade1066]

Ha! First thing that crossed my mind, too.

[@CSXIV]

And then there's the likely inspiration: "shall be killed by a man not born of a woman" from Mac...erm, the Scottish Play. Macbeth was killed by a man delivered via Caesarian. Which in Shakespeare was not considered born. Tolkien was familiar with the play-the Ents were created because Tolkien was disappointed that Burnham Woods moving didn't involve walking trees.

[@randyg22152]

I always assumed that the term “non-denominational” was just a marketing concept designed to draw in more low-information Christians in order to grow their congregation. If someone was raised in a particular faith tradition, say, Southern Baptist for example, and they move to a new city or a new part of the country, then they use denominational labels to weed out the churches that they would prefer NOT to visit (like Pentecostal, for example), and to narrow down the list of churches that they would like to try out that would be similar to what they are used to. Pastors and church leaders know this, so they seem to remove the denominational label from their signage in an apparent attempt to confuse the new church seekers and to trick them into trying out their church even though it may be different than what you are used to. Many churches are personality driven rather than doctrine driven now-a-days anyway, as it seems that the theological knowledge of the average church goer is very shallow.

[@zimriel]

Like that webmaster who spelled "tenets" as "tenants". Gather around, my children, and I will relate to you the Parable Of The Illiterate Tenants

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@randyg22152]

@@thesilentgeneration technically true, but completely off topic. You are just trying to show off your Bible knowledge, instead of addressing the topic under discussion. Go glorify yourself somewhere else.

[@randyg22152]

@@thesilentgeneration I take it that you are one of those dishonest preachers that I was referring to in my comment. Full of pomp and hot air, but basically just a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a blind guide leading others into the ditch.

[@georgerafa5041]

​@@randyg22152they always do that. Damn Pharisees

[@NC-vz6ui]

It's sounds like a marketing scheme meant to bait people.

[@mjul7003]

That's religion in a nutshell.

[@toferg.8264]

Exactly.

[@Cinnamonbuns13]

The seeker-sensitive movement.

[@pianoplayer2260]

It gets more young people.

[@mjul7003]

@@pianoplayer2260 Only because they lack the knowledge or social skills to challenge it

[@thesinfultictac5704]

Damn Josh you were like "maybe we shouldn't bear false witness about the nature of our churches"

[@danherrick5785]

There would be no need if there was some damn transparency!!!

[@HrvojeSL]

Joshua bringing down the hammer!

[@warreneckels4945]

Denominations usually exercise a certain discipline on their pastors. Slip those bonds, and temptations arise.

[@leullakew9579]

@@danherrick5785 * Non-denominational has multiple meanings: (1) a church that is not part of structured denominational organization but has a set theological-tradition of Christianity it is a part of (like an independent Baptist or Lutheran church with no connection to a denomination organization); (2) an independent church that doesn’t have a set tradition in that it’s theological-tradition is a combination of several theological-traditions, for example a church that is some sort of combination between Baptist, Pentecostal, Mennonite, Wesleyan-Low Church Methodist, and Low Church Pietistic Lutheranism all wrapped up into one; (3) a church that is part of a denomination but the specific congregation does not bar attendance or membership to members of other denominations; (4) a denomination that isn’t part of a set specific denominational traditions for example certain “United and Uniting Churches” and those that are simply “broadly Evangelical / generic Evangelical;” or (5) a mix of all of these. Also not all non-denominational churches are just closeted Baptists, some lean more Pentecostal, others more Mennonite, or broadly non-Pentecostal Charismatic Evangelical, etc.

[@marthahawkinson-michau9611]

Personally I have always felt that it was disingenuous to claim to be “non-denominational” when a church is affiliated with a larger group. A genuinely nondenominational church has no affiliation, no governing body, and no authority outside of the local church. I have attended these churches, and they are perfectly fine if a good man is the pastor. If someone is in charge who hides their sins behind their position, truly horrifying things are possible.

[@dovahkyle]

Yea, our church here in San Antonio, TX claims non-denomination, but their every belief lines up perfectly with Assemblies of God, not just Pentecostal. Well done video and research, I love this channel. Keep it up.

[@jacobvanderweide]

Thank you for making this. It’s been driving me nuts trying to explain to people why they aren’t “non-denominational.” Now I can just show them this!

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@thiagoulart]

This the best video about "non-denom" churches I've seen yet.

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@tomcaldwell5750]

Joshua, thank you so much for your extensive research on Christian denominations. I really appreciate and enjoy learning about the different denominations from your channel.

[@ReadyToHarvest]

Glad to hear it Tom, thanks for letting me know! I enjoy making them and I'm happy to have you as a viewer.

[@melparker4296]

This is one of the best sites for this type of information. Please keep doing it.

[@brianstacey2679]

Another hint is the seminary that the pastor attended. That can usually tell a lot.

[@gregbailey1753]

Many Churches that have pastoral bios don't say what the pastors education has been. You are right, it is very helpful to know what you are walking into.

[@gregb6469]

What if he went to a non-denominational seminary?

[@elsongs]

If they even attended a seminary in the first place...

[@fouresterofthetrees287]

The former pastor at the largest Baptist church in our town went to a United Methodist seminary.

[@gregbailey1753]

@@gregb6469 still says a lot.

[@DanielRuiz-oq9cy]

I am no longer lost in confusion. This video helped a LOT ! I feel happy, now. This video is a Blessing, Thank You.

[@ndgall788]

This is a fantastic video. Growing up, I often heard in church that belonging to a denomination was a recipe for "going liberal" since that had happened to many of the mainline denominations in the early and mid 1900s. Despite being self-governing, though, we were proud members of an association that would have disfellowshipped us had we stopped teaching certain things. This video is a great corrective to all of that because it reminds us that denominational labels actually protect individuals from stepping into problematic teachings accidentally.

[@danieldausman3741]

It's not the label that protects individuals from error, rather it's contact with the larger body of Christ

[@thesilentgeneration]

That is correct, it is a recipe for going liberal and appealing to the world instead of having the church change the world. The bible says you cannot serve God and Mannon. Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@reecelastname1956]

Here in the South, “nondenominational” means Southern Baptist. Most actually link directly to the SBC’s website for their starement of faith.

[@litigioussociety4249]

Not all are like that. Some lean more Methodist. Basically, if they have a baptismal font they're more Methodist.

[@Gibbstronic]

A lot of non-denominational churches around my area are more Pentecostal leaning

[@michelleheltz6116]

I just figured out the “non-denominTional” churches usually are associated with a mainline religion. A lot are Baptists or Calvery Chapel. Oj and A lot if baptists churches HIDE they are Calvinists and the congregation has no idea their new pastor is reformed (calvinist) Baptist!

[@DiamondKingStudios]

@@michelleheltz6116is “non-denominTional” intentional or just the finger accidentally veering to the caps button instead of “a”? Because I do that sometimes. Phones are so small; they have to make the keyboards tiny so that they fit within the screen’s width.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

Where I grew up, the closest thing to a megachurch (indoor playground visible from the highway and everything) used to refer to themselves as a “Baptist Church”, and in recent years they quietly dropped “Baptist” from that name and their big local television advertisements (think I‘ve seen them on KZbin also) expressly promote them as appealing to any Christian feeling like they can’t find a good church.

[@jamesbaker3313]

On the other hand, I have no desire to be part of a church that won’t own their legacy. If they’re ashamed of it, why would I want to be part of them?

[@PBBoogie99]

We met a couple once at a dinner theater event who happened to live nearby us. In North Ga, there is a group of churches called 12 Stone. After they talked about their membership there, I asked about what they believed and what denomination they were. He gave an incredibly vague answer about being a modern church after Christ. Couldn’t tell me hardly any tenets of faith. I looked it up online. Turns out, 12 Stone is a Wesleyan ministry. Why wouldn’t they want to advertise that? That couple had no idea they were Wesleyan.

[@gregbailey1753]

greater Atlanta?

[@PBBoogie99]

They have a bunch of campuses in the metro Atlanta area.

[@BoringAngler]

On that couple's personal level, it seems like an individual self-image thing. "Wesleyan" is the church their nice old uncle goes to out in the country that meets in an old white chapel with a steeple. They're part of a more dynamic church that may theologically and governmentally be the same, but has space in an office park and is different because you don't feel the cultural pressure to wear suit, the worship music sounds vaguely like the Christian pop/rock station and they offer donuts at fellowship time.

[@Toby-asdf]

Yooo!! I was also just invited to 12 Stone by a friend who goes there after I moved back into the north GA area. Only after my wife was suspicious of the vague name did she discover that it is Wesleyan.

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@key5toned]

50 years ago, most people looking to join a church were raised in a denomination, moved houses, and sought out a church of the same denomination in their new hometown. Nowadays, with so many people being raised in non-churchgoing families, most people looking to join a church were never part of any denomination, so the labels have no meaning to them, and a church that claims to welcome everyone and simply teach the word of God is more appealing. Or they left their old denomination and are looking for a church that affirms their theological/political orientation, which has become more important for most people than old denominational disputes.

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

people who are taught to hate denominations fall for this nonsense

[@DiamondKingStudios]

@@jalapeno.tabascoWell then I guess that makes me old-school, though part of that is having been raised in a churchgoing family myself. Even then, friends I knew growing up whose parents did take them to church have talked with me during college and after about searching for a church they think is a right fit for them, so it seems to be a pretty big phenomenon nowadays.

[@KevnReid]

I think another (and more positive) thing that is happening is that people are thinking critically about their faith and aren't just assuming that because they were born into a denomination, therefore it is the right one. Instead, some are actually wrestling with what both their inherited faith and other denominations are teaching and examining those beliefs critically. So while people leaving their denomination in some cases is certainly a sign of people looking to cherry pick their beliefs, in other cases it is a sign of discernment and a desire to "rightly divide the word of truth" and not just follow blindly.

[@KeithEdwinSchooley]

It's also worthwhile to recognize that we have come to a point in denominational history where there are greater differences between, for example, conservative and liberal Methodist churches than there are between a conservative Methodist and a conservative Presbyterian church. The fundamentalist-modernist controversy threw a wrench into most denominational labels and probably led to the aversion toward denominations that we see today.

[@LtBob38]

​@@KeithEdwinSchooleyExample of this is I had a pastor whose wife was a pastor an hour away in both the very small towns ELCA church and PCUSA church, and the congregation just switched buildings every other week

[@felixguerrero6062]

This video is probably one of your most useful and insightful videos. Complete deconstruction of the nondemon moniker

[@philipmontgomery9940]

I was invited to a Bible Study at a "Non-Denominational" Church while walking around my college campus last week. I showed up to find it was at the building of the World Mission Society Church of God.

[@shishsquared]

Yep, that's a cult

[@james-b7j7v]

@@shishsquared why is it a cult

[@Galvanized_Xerus]

@@james-b7j7v They are well known to be incredibly manipulative, aggressively evangelizing to people at very vulnerable times in their lives (such as college students). They pressure people to go to their Bible studies, then guilt them into getting baptized, and at that point the person feels like they are too invested to turn back so they get more and more involved in the organization. Besides that, they: - Believe in God the Mother - Believe a man in Korea in the 1960's was the second coming of Christ - Believe that they are the only way to Heaven

[@psychsoma]

Just a few cliff notes: They believe their founder was the second coming of Christ and their current leader is God, the Mother. They have made concrete date doomsday predictions. They have received criticism for, and this is putting it gently, being a high control group (this is a newer scholarly term in regard to the study of cults/high control groups) with very strict, to the point of destructive, rules. Highly recommend looking them up and reading about them. They're just one of the many infamously... we'll say "intense" South Korean Christianities.

[@shishsquared]

@@james-b7j7v mostly due to the strong amount of control and destructive power they hold over the lives of their members. Their theology is also nutso. Mike Winger has done some great videos breaking it down

[@chadswaney2048]

I have always respected Joshua for how hard he works to have a neutral point of view, so I think it says a lot that the first time he seems to express an opinion about a church, this is the thing he chose. Bravo, Joshua

[@shanep1223]

I've been looking for a new church to feel at home in. I didn't know much about the different denominations of nondenominational churches until I saw this video. It turns out that there are several different kinds of nondenominational churches, and each one has its own distinctive beliefs and practices. This video was very helpful in educating me about the differences among them.

[@LuciusClevelandensis]

I've always known that "nondenominational" is a lie at least 99% of the time. You have done a great job of exposing and explaining this deception. Thank you very, very much. I loved this vid!

[@Doomreb]

Yea, it's getting pretty interesting as to why so many want to be called this nowadays. I wonder if it's a money thing or something in the future that we don't know yet.

[@truthnottradition7]

If they keep Sun-Day and not the 7th day Sabbath they ARE a denomination of protestantism.

[@marklindsey1995]

@@truthnottradition7 As opposed to those that meet on Saturns-Day?

[@NothingButTheFacts777]

The sad TRUTH is that most of the denominational corporate churches are just as lost. People want to be tickled. The truth is lost. Second Timothy 4:2-3.

[@costakeith9048]

@@truthnottradition7 The 7th day is the sabbath, the 1st day is the Lord's Day. The faithful of Christ gather on the first day, the day of his resurrection, as our most joyous feast... on the sabbath we pray for the souls of the dead."

[@Luke-jo4to]

"Non-denominational just means you're a baptist church with a cool website and coffee in the lobby" ~Tim Hawkins

[@OnlybyGrace-e57]

Lie. We’re non denominational- means we are sovereign - we enjoy freedom of worship and not under any other headship but the Bible

[@livelyy.]

​@@OnlybyGrace-e57 defensive much? Tim Hawkins is comedian. It's a joke. Also, your church has a history and an intellectual lineage, and talking about it isn't gonna take away your organizational freedom. Calm down

[@OnlybyGrace-e57]

@@livelyy. just to clear the misinfo.

[@luckypurl]

Love this posting. Thanks a ton. You have such an incredible knowledge of denominations. I feel your frustration with how nondenoms try and hide the fact that they do actually have denominations

[@thesilentgeneration]

Beware of fast talking, slick false prophets who try to deceive the elect. Read the Bible and abide by what it says, not by man. Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@janellestoermer5479]

This is good. I feel non-denominational churches often come off as self-righteous, as if "denomination" is a dirty word and churches that do have a denomination affiliation are less spiritual. I'm a Baptist from Southern California (now living in Arkansas), but my whole life as a Baptist in Southern California, I would meet brothers and sisters in Christ, with whom I shared the most important things in common, and yet they'd snobbishly put me down for going to First Baptist Church. I feel the non-denominational trend is stronger in California.

[@brandonp7503]

"It's not a religion, it's a relationship." That's another thing people get unjustifiably snobby about. "Oh, really. And in what style of worship does your 'relationship' engage?" Lol

[@DiNY-u9k]

Denomination is a dirty word. It is a schism in the true church, the body of Christ. That is all true believers in and followers of the teachings and commands of Jesus. Jesus spoke against human rules and traditions. God spoke this to Isaiah, Isaiah 29:13. Only Jesus was and is God. The others are all mere mortals without a complete understanding of the truth of God. He was speaking of false non-denominational churches. They claim to be non-denominational but are actually branches of a denomination. The only way to be a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus. The only way to be a follower of Jesus is to follow His teachings and commands. Anything else goes against God. It is human rules.

[@thesilentgeneration]

@@DiNY-u9k In addition, Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Kindness: Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Luke 6:35 - But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Proverbs 11:17 - A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. Colossians 3:12 - Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Proverbs 31:26 - She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Proverbs 19:17 - Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. 1 John 3:18 - Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. Galatians 6:10 - So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. 1 Peter 3:9 - Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

[@DiNY-u9k]

@@thesilentgeneration That is only true if you follow the teachings and commands of Jesus instead of those of men, Matthew 15:3-9, Mark 7:5-8, Isaiah 29:13. Christians are followers of Jesus. Those who don't follow Jesus, aren't Christians.

[@blackbette07]

​@@thesilentgenerationThat's not true. The physical church does matter to you. Otherwise you Protestants would still be Catholics. Stop the cap.

[@HazMat1012]

I went to a church that was "non-denominational," and the Pastor said (and I'm paraphrasing) 'they were honestly a non-denominational with a Baptist influence' and I appreciated the honesty. I also currently go to a Calvary Chapel and the Pastor said there was a level they were "pentecostal with a seat belt."

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@ryanehlis426]

@@HazMat1012 seat belt means religion and control, I’d advise loosing the religion.

[@HazMat1012]

@ryanehlis426 When the Pastor said that, he was saying it in a light-hearted way. He said it as descriptive, not presscriptive (describing, not mandatory). He was saying there were similarities to Pentecostal, but not as instese as them. The same Pastor also encourages questioning any teaching. He also says that if a church doesn't allow you to question its teaching, it's a church that wants control. And I don't follow religion. It's to man made. I willingly choose to follow Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me." Not through the Pope, not through Muhammad, not through any man made, works based religion, but through a relationship with Him.

[@lemon93]

​@@HazMat1012how is christ and Mohammed different then. It's just saying that the only right way is to worship Jesus how is this any different then Islam except the persons name

[@HazMat1012]

@lemon93 In Christianity, Jesus died for people's sins and rose from the dead. Jesus is also God. From my understanding, in Islam, Mohammed was a prophet but didn't die for people's sin and didn't rise from the dead. Also, from my understanding, Mohammed was just a prophet/messenger for Allah, but he wasn't Allah.

[@mikenixon2401]

I've see several of your videos and waited to get a genuine idea from where you are coming. Some things I agree, some I don't. But to me genuine believers can disagree based on experience as long as they are both seeking an answer from our Savior. So I'm ready to subscribe for now and see how it goes. Blessings in your work.

[@Kopaka-ep7ug]

I’ve always thought of these non-denominational churches as like that couple where when you ask them what their relationship status is, they reply smugly about not wanting to put a label on their relationship.

[@thesilentgeneration]

Read your bible. Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@georgerafa5041]

The smug thing is so true. They're so insufferably pretentious

[@Brityf]

Our relationship is the bride of Christ. Him first and last.

[@NAYR8]

Jesus is 2k years late ⏰ very lazy and gets nothing done. He has a dad and his dad has no wife

[@ducktender397]

I think the appeal for non denominational churches is to not factionalize your Christianity or give to much power to that faction.

[@TurtleMarcus]

I once heard someone saying something to the effect of: "Non-denominational just means Baptist in sacraments, Methodist in salvation theology, and Congregationalist in church polity."

[@ethanmoon3925]

While that's true for the average, this is what really defines Non-denominational churches - we saw the previous generation getting into real fights over their denomination labels. We refuse to do that. If you want to talk with us about an issue, forget about your label, just show us your position in scripture and we'll respect that.

[@christianfillysecretagents4477]

​@@ethanmoon3925yeah

[@christianfillysecretagents4477]

My church is non denom and although we're congregationalist in church polity, the teaching is basically reformed Baptist (Calvinist salvation theology, Calvin's view of the Lord's Supper, Amillennial, Covenant Theology, Believers Baptism, Continuationist)

[@dragondancer1814]

I attended a fire department funeral at a Family Worship Center in our town. They claim to be nondenominational, but their service just _screams_ Pentecostal, especially the end of the funeral service where the minister made everyone stand up and repeat after him that they were accepting Jesus Christ as their savior! As a Wiccan, I stood out of respect, but I kept my mouth tight shut because conversion is Never. Gonna. Happen!

[@gangstalkingvictim]

@@christianfillysecretagents4477 sounds pretty confusing and worldly. i follow the doctrines given to us by Jesus Christ, who established the Church militant on Earth and gave its keys to his apostle Paul. Kyrie Eleison

[@brianshaw373]

Extremely educational and delivered at a good pace and authoritative tone!

[@SolaPastora]

I tried to tell people this before. Thanks for shedding the light on the topic.

[@Blindriverside]

3:46 this kind of direct approach to every topic you discuss is exactly why I like your channel

[@gunslinger5132]

I’m glad you’re making a video about this. so many churches hide that they’re part of denominations like the Christian missionary alliance

[@JRBWare1942]

But "Christian and Missionary Alliance" is the name of a denomination.

[@gunslinger5132]

@@JRBWare1942 many non demon church’s advertise themselves as non denominational but are members of it.

[@edwinholcombe2741]

I have seen that myself.

[@chadmeidl1140]

Yes, CM&A will call themselves a "Community Church". We have one in a nearby city.

[@amyclutter7259]

Why would they want to hide that they’re CMA?

[@omaha42000]

This is a useful YT channel! Thank you Joshua. I wish there was a reliable nationwide, insightful database of churches that told prospective members what the church organization truly is.

[@r0kus]

I appreciate that you covered this topic. I'm a bit old-fashioned, though, and IMO you are using a modern interpretation of what a "denomination" is, instead of allowing the word to mean what it means. I.e., a denomination is a group of people who take a name to identify themselves so as to differentiate themselves from others. If the group rejects the idea of taking a common name, it would be, by my understanding, non-denominational. So I use a separate term to refer to such unnamed commonality, "associating". I.e., we associate with those others, not based on name, but because we agree with them on many things. This difference will sound pedantic to many, but I don't know how anyone can read First Corinthians 1:10-17 and conclude Christians should take names for themselves, i.e. denominate. Agreements and disagreements with other Christians is bound to happen, but if you are not using a name to separate yourself from other Christians, you are non-denominational. That's not to say whatever common understandings they have are correct or incorrect, simply that they are following Paul's advice in this matter and avoiding naming themselves as this or that. Thus I am glad you identified who is associating with whom, but referring to these groups of people as "denominations" is incorrect, IMO.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

The Church at… The Church that meets in the home of… Is how ekklesia were identified in the Bible

[@jankragt7789]

It is correct that what you believe is important and people need to know what your history & beliefs are to join or visit.

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@willx9352]

Someone once told me that they were a member of a christian church that met at a location in my city and refused to state a denomination. My response was that is good to know that their church believed in the assumption of Mary (by the way I am not Roman Catholic, merely being controversial). Of course they declared this not to be the case. An interesting discussion ensued. My opinion is that churches and organisations claiming to be non-denominational are being fundamentally dishonest.

[@beckybelmont7704]

So agree with this!

[@alanamccool7409]

Thank you! There is a church just down the street that calls themselves "The Church in [townname]", and now I know that they are with The Local Churches and follow that model and use the Recovery Version. This is really a resource, not only a lot of information in this video but also tools to figure out the denomination for any non-denom church.

[@11JohnBooker22]

This was great, II had a conversation 15 +/- years ago about this topic with my brother. We shared several good laughs about the fact that the various "non-denominations" are in fact branches of various denominations. 😁

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@AndrewRayGorman]

Even as a non-christian, something always felt off about non-denominationalism when I found out about it 15 years ago

[@Michael-bk5nz]

This is the closest I have seen to this channel being polemical “quit lying by claiming to be non-denominational” would be a less polite way of saying the same thing

[@run4cmt]

You are a non-Christian but are watching this channel. Are you looking into finding a church? This channel is a good place to do reserach.

[@dogsandyoga1743]

​​@@run4cmtI imagine many non-Christians watch this channel because it's both incredibly interesting and informative. Me being one as well 😊

[@heatherclark8668]

​@@dogsandyoga1743I am an ex-Christian and I find this fascinating as well

[@tjenadonn6158]

​​@@run4cmt I'm an ex-Christian (specifically ex-Catholic) pagan (in the spirit of honesty we're fostering here my main influences are the British Witchcraft Revival, Thelema, Reconstructionist Celtic Polytheism, and chaos magic: if you call me New Age hands will be thrown) who is just here because I'm a massive religion nerd.

[@ClarionMumbler]

A phrase I never would have associated with your channel... Bro be spittin facts

[@Michael-bk5nz]

It is amazing how many times I’ve gotten into arguments over this basic issue. I sometimes like to say to people who claim to belong to a “nondenominational” church “I have a baby I would like to get baptized, will you do it”, the answer to that question reveals so much about them that for some reason they don’t seem to want people to know

[@raykidder906]

I suspect the nondenominational churches do not administer water baptisms to babies, so they claim they should wait until later. I also suspect that they view denominational differences as mainly the differing views on baptism and Holy Communion. Because they believe these are mere ordinances, they think they are unimportant and that denominations place too great importance on these sacraments, so they classify themselves as non-denominational.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

They don’t want ppl to know they’re biblical?

[@Michael-bk5nz]

@@YeshuaKingMessiah everyone claims to be “Biblical” including Mormons and Muslims

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

@@Michael-bk5nz I think both uphold their book as far above the Bible

[@Michael-bk5nz]

@@YeshuaKingMessiah but they both claim their beliefs are consist with the Bible. It is commonly claimed that “ you can prove anything from the Bible”, strictly literally that isn’t true, for example you can’t prove that there are 27 persons in the Godhead, but it is nevertheless very easy to claim the Bible supports contradictory views.

[@gjbondhowe139]

Thanks for this. We've noticed that Baptist churches were ceasing to be (called) Baptist, and we were wondering what it was all about.

[@francismarion6400]

Probably because of so many like Westboro Baptist giving anything Baptist a black eye.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

@@francismarion6400I’m not even Protestant, and whenever I think of the word “Baptist”, Westboro isn’t even on my mind. I think more of the many local churches that dot the rural parts of the state of Georgia where I grew up, where you’d be likelier to find one than a gasoline station in some areas. To me Westboro is rather fringe and (thankfully) not indicative of most Baptist congregations. Certainly in recent decades with many Northerners moving south, your average Baptist tends to be much friendlier towards Catholics like me, whereas a WBS congregant would just picket at our funerals because they believe that worn-out “Babylon” nonsense. Folks there think it’s still 1874 for whatever reason

[@Steven-hq3go]

​@@DiamondKingStudiosProtestantism is still relevant today, especially in light of the modern changing theological position in the church of Rome.

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@brandonnotsowise2640]

@@francismarion6400anyone who is moved by that statement is likely not Christian to begin with. It’s ridiculous not to call yourself baptist bc of one apostate church.

[@r0bbiegill]

I really appreciate your break down of question one and two. As someone firmly planted in the mainline tradition, when I ask about denomination affiliation, I am 100% always asking question two. I would never have guessed that some/most people use the first definition. That’s helpful to know.

[@AndyMetz-x6q]

A few years back, we went to a startup "store front" non-denominational church with one of the "catchy" modern names they use ("The Connect Place", etc.). We tried to pin them down as to whether they belonged to a larger "umbrella" group that sponsored them. Like trying to pull hen's teeth. (Even though this "umbrella organization" sent in Inspection teams with checklists to determine if this particular "start up" church was meeting all their criteria to receive funding!). I finally elicited from them the name of their sponsoring group supporting them was called "Arise Arizona". (I could find nothing in an online search for an organization by that name other than a Women's ministry located in Phoenix). The same pastor asked me, "How did you find our church?" I said, "You have a large billboard sign advertising services on the street in front of your church. That's how we found you." His response? "That's not the way we wish to grow our church." Actual response. Lol. (We didn't go back)

[@Em2bits]

So grateful for this, I grew up in a nondenominational church and was always so confused trying to figure out how we fit in to other Christian denominations. As an adult I’ve gone back and looked on their statement of faith and educational backgrounds of the pastors (spoiler: we we evangelical lol) but it’s such an interesting way to disguise more extreme beliefs from the public! And to not be held accountable to any larger organizations… 😅

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@jpanda79]

As always a well made video from you. Glad our church is proud to say we are WELS and open about our affiliation and beliefs

[@bhilbert11]

This may be the best video you have ever published!

[@thesilentgeneration]

Beware of false prophet using clever word to deceive. Read the bible for yourself, then you will know. Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@rbittick]

Excellent video! "Denomination" comes from a root that means "to name." Technically, to be non-denominational means "not to name," which is what non-denominational churches are not doing (they name themselves by their statement of beliefs). Personally, I find churches that call themselves non-denominational to be insidious in that they are not fully disclosing their true identity so to attract attendees. In other words, it is a marketing technique one would find among some businesses. A minister in the Presbyterian Church in America told me they keep the denomination's name off their church website because people in their city will not attend a church that advertises a denomination. I also found this troubling because I would expect a church to state their affiliations somewhere on their website. Full disclosure of beliefs and affiliations is being honest and upfront.

[@craigbenz4835]

That's certainly one way it can happen. Another is that they have a set of beliefs that are eclectic enough to not allow them into some denomination. Either way it is a red flag.

[@rbittick]

@@craigbenz4835 Good point!

[@Michael-bk5nz]

@@rbittick I am equally suspicious about Lutheran churches that have “Lutheran” on the sign but no designation of which specific Lutheran denomination, ELCA, LCMS,WELS etc, they want whatever prestige may be attached to the “Lutheran” label but without taking a clear stand on any of the controversial issues among Lutherans

[@ClansmanK]

I have not encountered a single body of so-called believers that do not openly state what they want you to believe are their core beliefs.

[@Koki-qe7vz]

In otherwords. You like people identifying by their church. Not in being Christs.

[@justicecountryman4060]

I will add that because there are many definitions of what a denomination is, what churches mean by that is quite subjective. For instance, almost every (if not all) Reformed Baptist church is congregational and does not have any authority or organization above them. However, Grace Community Church is open open there beliefs, even holding to a document such as the 1689 confession. This is an example of how many people use "non-denominational" to simply mean that they are independently owned, congregational, ect. Whereas, dome others might qant to detach themselves from the word "church" so as to redefine themselves in such a way so as not to ward people off who don't like that word. Great video!

[@questor5189]

Thoroughly researched and sincerely appreciated.

[@TheAutisticApologist]

Being a member of independent Christian Churches (mentioned by you in passing), I very early on understood the problems of calling oneself "nondenominational." We don't meet the definition in your Question 2, as all of our churches are autonomous, but I think it's impossible for any church not to meet Question 1 in some way. The Campbells wanted to shed all the man-made accretions of denominational churches and follow just the format found in the New Testament. But every time they attempted to do this, they just ended up forming a new denomination, by definition, because denomination just means "a collective designation", and there's no way to form a group without that group having a collective designation. You can say "We are Christians only", but everyone will know you as an independent Christian church, and bingo, all the churches like you have a collective designation, i.e., a "denomination." It's an admirable goal, but it's impossible not to have some label attached to it no matter what you do, because that's how words work and how our human brains work; we put things in categories. Denominations.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

The Church at… The Church meeting in the home of… Those very simple biblical titles work well Ekklesia is rly just translated assembly, not church

[@TheAutisticApologist]

@@YeshuaKingMessiah I agree that some of the words we use in modern Bibles are confusing, because they aren't modern words but often carry-overs from decisions made by the KJV or even older translations. "Church" derives from the Greek "kuriakon", meaning [a house] belonging to a lord, but the Bible never once uses that word for the church, but rather uses "ekklesia", meaning [those who are] called out. So the word "church" in modern Bibles carries with it the baggage of "a house or building", which it shouldn't have. "The assembly" or "congregation" would be a better rendering. Similarly, "baptism" isn't even translated, but merely transliterated. Baptism literally means, "to immerse", but since by the time the Bible was being translated into English, so many churches were dipping, pouring or sprinkling, the translators decided to just transliterate the word rather than translate what it really meant, so as not to ruffle any feathers. And some of our other "Bible" words are in need of updating or at least explaining: nobody knows what "sin" means anymore, or "repent"; these are words that fell out of English usage, except in churches, at least 200 years ago.

[@heretolevitateme]

Smiths/Joneses/Campbells and Stoneses all thought that denominations were artificial old-world constructs that prevented believers in the New World from worshiping together. They were right at the time, but reality is that we don't live on the frontier anymore. It's a pretty weird pretext for being unnecessarily ambiguous.

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@adams1625]

How helpful this channel is for discernment.... Awesome

[@FeroxMiles]

Great information in this video! You made me chuckle in one part of the video. Sometimes when you walk into a "non-denom" church you always have to ask what denomination it is. When you walk into a Catholic Church, you know it's the Catholic Church. St. Peter, ora pro nobis.

[@ReadyToHarvest]

I wouldn't be so sure! There are several denominations where a person could (and many have) gone inside thinking they were (canonical) Catholic churches, but they are not. For example: Polish National Catholic Church pncc.org/ Ecumenical Catholic Church ecumenical-catholics.org/ Society of St Pius V web.archive.org/web/20171015033208/sspv.org/

[@thesilentgeneration]

The Catholic Church is not mentioned in the bible. Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@carolyngetchman-iq1bv]

st peter first bishop or rome, later first pope . Jesus said he was now peter and upon this rock Peter , I will build My church, there were not protestAnts then , only christian, upon the start of those who protested (protestants) we got all these other denomonations and the FIRST christian church became known as Catholic, no confusion there.

[@Snommelp]

When a church obscures its denominational affiliation (by question 1), I tend to just assume that they're a certain type of fundamentalist evangelical but know that those words don't play well in their local area

[@thesilentgeneration]

No, it is biblical. Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@mfritts0975]

Well the women sit on this side, men on this side, we only read KJV because Christ spoke Olde English… my pastor who has never taken any teaching or church history classes screamed it at me in his very nice suit.

[@ShadeTreePastor]

Great video, and I absolutely agree. A couple additional thoughts: Another way to tell what denomination a nondenominational church actually is, besides looking at their "what we believe" statements is to look at where their pastor received his or her training. What seminary did he go to? What Bible college or other training? That will often tell you the denomination behind their non-denominational church. Another way to look at it besides talking about denominations, especially if someone gets hung up on the definition of that word, is to look at theological traditions. A given church might not officially belong to a mainline denomination, but I can guarantee you they follow a historical theological tradition. Calvinist or Lutheran or Catholic or orthodox or holiness or Pentecostal, etc.. And for me the thing that bugs me the most about so-called non-denominational churches is that they do indeed, as you said, try to paint themselves as some sort of theologically neutral ground. And that is simply false. In fact, one could quite easily argue that it rises to the level of beinga lie. And it needs to be called out. Thanks for doing that!

[@tbstoller]

When we were looking for a new church, I searched church websites for this information. I finally resorted to emailing pastors to ask about denomination and several other questions. One pastor told me they fee both Arminian AND Calvinist. 🙄 I finally decided that hiding the denomination was deceitful and eliminated them from my list of possible churches for us.

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

any church who doesn't list their denomination or doesn't actually join one is a church to avoid

[@martytu20]

They're both within the reformed tradition, tbh.

[@nathanielkleber1443]

@@jalapeno.tabascothat is false sir it’s not about religion it’s about the heart toward Christ. I go to one and it’s amazing I feel the Holy Spirit move through there

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

@@nathanielkleber1443 1. Christianity is a religion, the Bible even calls it that 2. "it’s amazing I feel the Holy Spirit move through there" really? what exactly is that feeling? where does the Bible say we "feel" the Holy Spirit? John 3:8 says we don't see Him, we hear Him, i don't recall anything about feeling Him and the heart is deceptively wicked, who can know it? emotions are the easiest thing in the world to manipulate Christianity is about truth, not feelings, it's just the emotionally charged music and atmosphere, these churches manufacture this experience

[@brandonp7503]

"We're a mix of Armenian and Calvinist" means they probably mix and match the doctrines, but that doesn't work. In Calvinism, for instance, predestination has to be the case BECAUSE of the total depravity of man. Contrarily, in Armenianism, predestination is unnecessary because man is NOT totally depraved. All the doctrines specified in the distinction are interdependent like that. People who mix the two generally do so because they're not comfortable with some aspect of one or the other, so they change it, not because they've put a lot of thought into it. All that is to say that the pastor may not have been attempting to obfuscate. He may genuinely have a hodgepodge theology.

[@joshuamiller9853]

Cue “You keep using that word, I don’t think it means what you think it means” meme. I’ve attended a few “nondenominational” churches over the years and they all were somewhere between Baptist and Pentecostal.

[@CA-by2br]

So baptistcostal?

[@leovolont]

Thumbs up! Your report gets and A. That was really a lot of good research. Thank you.

[@nickit7655]

KZbin knows that I like to watch your videos on Sundays and now they will show up at the top of the page every Sunday

[@steventerry593]

In addition to denominational affiliation, people also would like to have an idea of how and where their tithes/offerings are being spent, and the type of church government that exists. They want to know what happens if a pastor becomes abusive or starts deviating from sound doctrine or one or more of the elders does the same. Joining a church is a HUGE investment. Investment of money, time, emotion and more. After a while, a church becomes like family. Healthy families are usually "stable and reliable". The main question we should ask is; "Is Almighty God being worshiped here in spirit and in truth"? Unfortunately, many times it is hard to tell on the surface.

[@margaretschwartzentruber3154]

I like your last line! "Once they're in the door, they want answers." A few years ago, the pastor of a small town Pentecostal church in my Northern Ontario Canada region, saidvthey were thinking of dropping the name Pentecostal. "It scares people away." I suggested they keep their name and be honest about who they are & what they believe. So far, not changed.

[@richardbaranzini8805]

With churches either claiming to be non-denominational or displaying a denominational name, but no longer holding to the beliefs and confessions of the denomination they name, it is a difficult time for someone new to the city or community and looking for a church that matches their beliefs.

[@fatphobicandproud9003]

Bloody nominalism

[@thesilentgeneration]

Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@kathymokris3078]

Excellent! I know there are churches who claim "Non-denominational" status yet still belong to a group of churches, but I had no idea there are so many of those groups. And you're correct - we want to know the beliefs/characteristics of the church.

[@Jae20818]

You freaked me out showing my hometown sign…. That was awesome!

[@kensanders7558]

as always, outstanding work and presentation. This pattern of secrecy really bothers me. After 5 years attending a local "mega" church, in a mens bible study a video lesson presenter made a disparaging remark about those of non reformed theology. A class discussion followed regarding free will discussion. Later upon inquiry, I found all the degreed staff were Dallas Theological Sem grads and a subsequent email to the pastor and his response confirmed their reformed theology. No one in the congregation was aware of this including at least one elder. This deliberate hiding of the real theological roots of non-denoms offends me greatly.

[@polikuszka]

i remember trying to find out the theology of a local church a few years ago, and it felt like trying to pull teeth. like, i’m very glad that you’re a community church that loves Jesus and welcomes everyone and reads the Bible and praises God and works with the Holy Spirit and is located in the center of town and is open all week and has a large selection of services, but i still don’t know what you believe! the most i could find out was that they’re part of the Evangelical Alliance - which doesn’t narrow it down very much.

[@JRBWare1942]

I had that experience--with the church I grew up in. They said we were simply Christians and nothing else. I believed this until my last year of high school. A teacher there told me that my chapel was actually Plymouth Brethren. I didn't know what that was. When I started asking questions, I was literally told to shut up. I moved on to another church a couple years later. It was only in the last few years, with the help of the internet, that I figured out it was Open Brethren, and more specifically, it had come out of the Gospel Hall Assemblies--although this chapel was completely independent as far as I can tell. It was run completely on the whims of the minister.

[@Punnery]

They might not believe anything--sort of I Corinthians 2:2 taken to an illogical extreme. There's something to be said for that position (cutting down on dogmatic quibbling, for example); on the other hand, people who insist on believing in nothing may fall for anything. And of course if they really believe something but won't admit it, that's a bit disturbing... and self-defeating.

[@thebowshot9341]

@@JRBWare1942 That's interesting to me, coming from a (so-called) "exclusive brethren" perspective. The believers with whom I walk in fellowship regard ourselves as simply Christians and nothing else, and I would say we're very careful to keep it that way. I also want to be careful with my words, and I want to avoid being critical of the many faithful believers who are part of the so-called "Open Brethren" movement, but I'm of the conviction that the movement itself was wrong in its very origin (the Bethesda matter, etc), and what you're describing here are some of the fruits of that. It seems that those who were 'in charge' at the chapel you attended were caught in a conundrum - having followed the early principles of the "Plymouth Brethren" movement to a certain extent, but then having got away from them onto the ground of independency (a sectarian position), they didn't want to be associated with the origins from which they'd departed. Then we have the matter of the chapel being run on the whims of the minister - which is exactly the error which led to the Bethesda question. To me - and to my brethren - the matter of being "simply Christians" is of the utmost importance, as we've seen what results from getting away from the principle, both among "Open Brethren" and in the abhorrent and evil system of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.

[@JRBWare1942]

@@thebowshot9341 I've never heard of the Bethesda matter before. The history of the Plymouth Brethren is very shadowy. The minister at my chapel liked to mock Calvinism every so often. I was always mystified by this, since I didn't know what Calvinism was. I think this may have something to do with the Darby-Muller split, Darby being a Calvinist. My chapel adhered to Free Grace theology--which was not a name they used for it. (They had no name for it.) Now that I know something about church history, I find this very funny because I live in an area that is dominated by the Methodist Church. I never heard the minister mention Arminianism once. I had someone on these boards tell me once that at his church, J. N. Darby was mentioned at every meeting. At my chapel, the names Darby and Muller were never uttered.

[@thebowshot9341]

@@JRBWare1942 There a number of 'histories of the brethren' published, but I don't know how widely available they are. I think a short version of Mr Andrew Miller's history of the movement is available online, and that - in my view - is a true account, including the sad matter of Bethesda and the origin of so-called "Open Brethrenism". Church history is a fascinating study, for sure, although often a sobering one. It's interesting that J.N. Darby is reckoned to be a Calvinist. I always understood from his writings that he held Arminianism and Calvinism to be two erroneous extremes. He says (Collected Writings, Vol. 42, p. 212), "The question of life and responsibility, and of the incompatibility between the the two has been settled at the cross. Arminianism and Calvinism, i.e. the tree of grace and the tree of man's responsibility, are both found in Paradise, nor can we reconcile these two things in man, except it be in Christ," &c. Amongst those with whom I walk in fellowship, I can't recall Arminianism ever being mentioned, and Calvinism very rarely, and really only in relation to the falseness of the doctrine of predestination to damnation. I think I saw the same comment regarding Darby and Muller - or, a similar one at least. We use the J.N.D. Bible when we gather, but Mr Darby himself isn't often mentioned - he is occasionally quoted. I would say that most of us have J.N.D.'s _Collected Writings_ in some form, as well as his _Synopses_ and other ministry. I've personally had a great deal of enjoyment and profit from it over the years, and I've begun to narrate it for my YT channel.

[@Fiery154]

I just found your channel! I like it! Thanks for answering so many questions!

[@josephmartin1540]

I’ve dealt with this problem for over fifty years, but this is actually - even with theological schooling - heard a clear definition of definition one! So thanks for that. Consequently I’ve struggled a great deal to try and explain this perspective regarding various churches. Only hearing two, I thought in one, but tried to explain two! Never knew what people were really asking! PS in multiple cases I’ve never found any statement of faith on such church website! Instant red flag!

[@Austin8thGenTexan]

It exasperates me when a church changes its name, then calls itself a "worship center". Reminds me of the laundry room in my condo building - called a "laundry center." How boring and plain... 🤯

[@katie7748]

As Carlin said, "soft language." Additionaly, I can't tell you how many people I've heard refer to it as "worship service," so vague and diplomatic, then spout a bunch of cherry-picked verses supporting their belief that a special building with a specific name isn't Biblical. If church isn't a building, then why do you GO to such a building instead of meeting at a park or each other's homes?

[@mfritts0975]

We have a very good pastor at the what was Victory Worship Center turned Zion City…. Yup that’s it. No worship center, church, congregation or anything…. No one knows it’s a church anymore until you explain it. I’m hoping they make signage/name changes… maybe a cross outside🤷🏽‍♂️ the head pastor is going through seminary now AoG doesn’t require it, and just when we were ready to leave he started hitting the expository preaching, citing church fathers, historical fathers…. Pentecostal is what it says every Sunday I feel like we’re becoming closer to Presbyterian/Reformed Baptist with a rock band

[@lynnglidewell7367]

Thank you for keeping these duplicitous churches honest about themselves. I like anything that exposes frauds for what they really are. Keep up the good work you are providing.

[@blynkers1411]

Any church that removes denominational identifiers from obvious signage, should have all the labels in their food pantry removed from their aluminum cans and boxes. It’s petty, manipulative, and deceitful.

[@ronlanter6906]

Perfect rebuttal 👍👍

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

What a ridiculous statement

[@jec1ny]

So, 99% of the time the term non-denominational just refers to church polity (usually congregational). This strikes me as borderline deception by omission.

[@whosweptmymines3956]

I don't see the problem. Non-denominational always just means that they're an independent church, not that they don't have any doctrine. Every church is going to fall within the bounds of some broad tradition or other.

[@KRoy-lx4xg]

​@whosweptmymines3956 I disagree. Most people use the word "denomination" to mean "tradition+doctrine", and they ask about it because they want to know if the church preaches what they understand to be true. Questions about church government and organization come later, if the person starts thinking about joining or tithing there.

[@chedelirio6984]

@@KRoy-lx4xg Right -- As the video puts it "Question 1" refers to whether this church is Baptist in teachings and practices, or Pentecostal, or Methodist, or COC and that's what the vast majority of times is being asked. "Question 2" is whether the church is truly independent or in a voluntary association or in a subordinate structure.

[@Fishnbred]

Great video, well done. I have visited the living hope church you mentioned and learned more from what you said than what they did.

[@clarencehammer3556]

I heard a while ago that many Baptist churches were dropping the word “Baptist” from their name but never understood why.

[@thesilentgeneration]

Because it is not John The Baptists church. It is God's church with Christ at its head, Read your bible. Denominations are not mentioned in the Bible. There is only one church, God's church with Christ at its head. The Church Of God. No matter what physical church you attend, if you are born again and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are a member of The Church Of God. The Church Of God is mentioned over and over again in scripture: Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints.” 1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 21 helpful votes If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 3:17 - If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Ephesians 2:19 KJV 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[@Mixer-he2wb]

On denomination, thank you. I feel like sometimes I'm in the twilight zone. Went to one"non-denominational" church. Every senior staff member was a graduate of Southern Baptist Seminary. Hmmm. They directly sponsored and supported over 50 missionary families. Hmmm. Not saying the work was wrong, but quack waddle swim. Hmmm.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Sending out missionaries is frowned upon in certain denominations? Sad

[@rickschwarz3902]

It seems to me that denominational terms of Baptist, Pentecostal, and Presbyterian have largely disappeared from my area; I have assumed that those terms have become 'dirty words' and churches become 'such and so' community church, shaking off negative connotation.

[@RonJones_eVisibleMarketing]

This was helpful. As my favorite KZbin pastor says, "I put the "fun" in fundamentalist." Many years ago, my first experience with code words that some use, was during visitation. A teenager at the time, I was speaking to a bright, friendly woman who asked excitedly "is yours a spirit filled church?" To which I innocently and honestly replied, beaming "yes ma'am!" It wasn't until later that I discovered "spirit filled" means speaking in tongues 🤣 (but without the required interpreter).

[@andyontheinternet5777]

When someone tells me their church is non-denominational, I ask if the church is more Baptist or Charismatic. That usually gives me a clear idea of what to expect.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Just ask if they operate in the gifts