@Johann That thread would possibly have been derailed here is my answer.
Being somewhat new to Christianity, it can get very confusing with the seemingly endless variations, interpretations, and denominations. It’s akin to Babel, nobody can understand anyone else.
I believe, we should be following Christ, and walking the way He showed us, why and how is there room for a plethora of different houses and schools of thought when He was clear in His message, through Him is Heaven, God is the only God, the trinity of Father, Son, Holy Spirit is real, and that love is the way. Why all the discord, I think Jesus made it pretty clear.
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What is keeping you from going directly to the Scriptures yourself, seeking discernment from the Holy Spirit to distinguish truth from error before making a judgment about the many denominations?
1 John 4:1[1]
2 Timothy 2:15[2]
Rather than focusing on denominations, turn your attention to God’s Word and be nourished by it.
1 Peter 2:2[3]
Colossians 2:6–7[4]
Grow in it, and let it shape your understanding, your maturity, and your discernment.
Hebrews 5:14[5]
And in all knowledge and wisdom? Who knows, you could be our next reformer?
Right?
J.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God… ESV ↩︎
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. ESV ↩︎
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ESV ↩︎
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith… ESV ↩︎
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. ESV ↩︎
Nothing is stopping me, I am on my literal first read through and I am trying to take it in slowly, I’m not treating it like a novel, (I’m giving it more study then I did my old faith through the Denali Institute) I have a NIV bible, it’s the only one available to me, and incorporating what I learn into my life, I just feel a lot of people I talk to are confused or don’t understand the way or which way to follow. To me the way is clear, yet when I first began it was very… confusing to know which way to go, am I a baptist? catholic? you know what I mean? I don’t think the house of God should be divided.
While I may not be the most educated individual, while my past and present are clearly not the poster child image any Christian could see, I am whole heartedly steadfast in my faith and love the Lord. I may not be able to quote verses or passages but I am able to tell anyone He is the light in the darkness, He is life after death, He is love, and I am living proof of His mercy.
One day I hope to be able to quote scripture easier then counting to 5, and incorporate that into the answers I give, but for now the only one I have is God is Love, and He is real, and I will strive to be happy and kind, and show mercy as He did, not for any benefit but because it makes me happy and filled with love and thats the way to live.
I think alot of people focus to much on fitting in or arguing their point of doctrines, the church is divided for what? Just my point of view 
who knows I could be wrong myself.
Too many are turning away from the clear doctrines that Scripture itself lays down concerning salvation, justification, sanctification, and regeneration, and yet those same Scriptures expect us to understand and articulate what salvation truly is, not vaguely but with precision grounded in the Word.
Salvation is not an undefined experience but a divine act accomplished in Christ, applied by grace, and received through faith, as the gospel itself declares
“Christ died for our sins… he was buried… he was raised on the third day” [1] (~1 Corinthians 15:3–4),
and this saving work is applied by grace alone through faith alone
“by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works” [2] (~Ephesians 2:8–9).
Justification is likewise defined, not assumed, as God declaring the sinner righteous on the basis of Christ
“since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” [3] (~Romans 5:1),
and sanctification follows necessarily as the progressive work of God conforming us to Christ
“this is the will of God, your sanctification” [4] (~1 Thessalonians 4:3),
while regeneration is the sovereign act of new birth
“unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” [5] (~John 3:3).
So what has education to do with this?
Not worldly status, but scriptural formation matters deeply, because the Scriptures themselves command study, growth, and discernment.
Timothy is the model, not the exception
“from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings… able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” [6] (~2 Timothy 3:15),
and the Bereans were commended precisely because they examined doctrine carefully
“they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” [7] (~Acts 17:11).
Growth, therefore, is not optional, and remaining perpetually at the elementary level is rebuked in Scripture
“by this time you ought to be teachers… you need milk, not solid food” [8] (~Hebrews 5:12),
but the call is to maturity in discernment and doctrine.
Doctrine itself is not peripheral but central, repeatedly commanded and guarded
“keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” [9] (~1 Timothy 4:16),
and the church is built upon this transmitted body of truth
“what you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” [10] (~2 Timothy 2:2),
which means we are not starting from nothing but entering into the labours of those who have gone before
“I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor” [11] (~John 4:38).
There should therefore be no offence taken when some are further along in years and in the knowledge of Scripture, because teaching and growing in the Word is a calling under God
“he gave… pastors and teachers, to equip the saints… until we all attain… to mature manhood” [12] (~Ephesians 4:11–13).
The aim is not competition in knowledge but the edification of the body
“let all things be done for building up” [13] (~1 Corinthians 14:26),
for we are labourers together in God’s field
“we are God’s fellow workers… you are God’s field, God’s building” [14] (~1 Corinthians 3:9).
And finally, the weight of responsibility increases with what is given
“everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” [15] (~Luke 12:48).
Does any of this make sense to you? There is much more I could unfold, but I am not persuaded that you are in a place, at this stage, to bear it.
Scripture is the ultimate authority, not a “vacation away from God’s word”
Shalom.
J.
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures - ESV ↩︎
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast - ESV ↩︎
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ - ESV ↩︎
For this is the will of God, your sanctification - ESV ↩︎
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” - ESV ↩︎
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus - ESV ↩︎
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so - ESV ↩︎
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food - ESV ↩︎
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers - ESV ↩︎
and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also - ESV ↩︎
I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor - ESV ↩︎
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood - ESV ↩︎
Let all things be done for building up - ESV ↩︎
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building - ESV ↩︎
Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more - ESV ↩︎
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Believe me when I say, there is no offense taken. I recognize that you have studied scripture thouroughly and I respect that.
I am not in competition with you brother, and I appreciate the guidance. There is no competition for His love.
And I intend to one day be at the level of knowledge you are at.
we can only continue to learn and grow, God is limitless. we can only hope to glean what we are able to grasp
The “basics” you described might be where many Christians reside (immaturity).
Some denominations continually stress getting “saved” as if there were no step 2.
It can be confusing for someone new to even find out what walking by the Spirit is and how to be free from the flesh. Here are two resoures for someone new;
web page - Christian Pioneer - Christianity 101
pdf - https://christianpioneer.com/ebooks/Navigating%20Christianity.pdf
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By no means am I disregarding what comes after being saved, I don’t agree with that, it’s the countless other things that seperate them. Small differences in interpretaions causing entire schisms doesn’t seem like something that should exist, when through scripture we are given the road map.
also, I do appreciate the links, and will write them down, current circumstance prevents their viewing, don’t think I’m just disregarding them.
Believe me, I have made the effort to share sound biblical resources, freely and without cost, yet often they are disregarded or left unnoticed.
Meanwhile, those in the underground church earnestly seek out such sources, valuing access to the Scriptures and faithful teaching with a seriousness that is often lacking elsewhere.
J.
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I notice and appreciate , I just got done reading the topic regarding lilith, you, kp, and sincereseeker are among some of my most read. I enjoy the knowledge and the discussions, I’m learning from them.
Sadly, some of them are not here. I do miss sincereseeker. And Samuel.
Two great brothers in Christ Jesus.
J.
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