I want to know how many different types of christianity there are, and what they do. If you are reading this and you are a christian, what is the name of your group? And how do you know you are the right group? Do your prayers get answered and if so, how?
I am a christian, but I feel discouraged by the fact that there are so many different groups and they all believe themselves to be right. I'm not sure whether we just believe what we were brought up to believe or if we actually believe it ourselves. I'm wondering if I only believe because this is all I know, or if this is actually the right way.
Another question I would like to ask is, how did you come across your group, were you brought up in it or did you find it some other way?

Christian is somebody that believes that Jesus Christ is lord. Anybody who believe in Jesus Christ is a Christian.

Now there are different denominations that belong to the same belief held by the bible. For example, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Protestant just to mention a few.

If you mean what denomination I was brought up in and what church I go to when I do go, would be the Roman Catholic Church.

It does not matter whether I am in the right group or not. I have my personal belief in God. I have my own thoughts and feelings about God. I feel more comfortable in a Catholic church because I was brought up in one but I also used to go to a baptist church as well. Each of us have our own personal relationships with God and I personally feel that every one has its positives and negatives. We have to find the one that closely matches our feelings and thoughts and like minded individuals that make up a certain church. My prayers are answered all the time. Not once did I never have a prayer that was not answered. We need to always remember when we pray to God that we put all our trust in him and know that we will be taken care of. That he knows what is best for us and for him to always do things at his will. I prayed for a job, a wife, a child. To have a family to have health. You know what, I have all those things and without God none of those things would have been possible. My parents were not strict with me about religion, but I have always had a strong belief and I always read the bible even at the age of 10 on my own. Prayed daily on my own. This was always in me, and it was not because of what I was told to believe or brought up to believe it was something that was always in me. Why does there have to be an absolute right way or wrong way?

Joe

Who decides what is the "right group" in this? Everyone has their pesonal beliefs as reflected by the Church they attend. But we all have the belief in Jesus and His teachings.
So there is only one type of Christianity - I do not know of three or four or more. But there are a plethora of churches and there are many versions of the Holy Bible. Yes there are some churches who say they are the only one who is right and true. I tend to disbelieve that part of theology but do believe we are all Universal in believing Jesus is Lord.

Hey, I am a non-denominational Christian. Simply said, stays generally teaching the trinity and the gospels and the rest of the Bible. Lots of modern singing, too. Anybody who teaches the trinity and the gospels and believes the Bible is on the right track in my book.

I know I am on the right track because of a miracle I once had. I was in a very bad marriage. My husband abused me mentally and physically, on a daily basis. I was considering leaving, but I was young and scared. I was also the first in the family to talk about divorce.

I went to see a pastor to counsel about this situation. When I entered the room, a thought came to me. It was, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you", which I remembered as a Bible verse, but only dismissed it as a thought.

Well, I was in such a state at that time in my life, that my mother was in constant prayer for me. She called when I got home that day and told me God sent a word for her whilst in prayer for me. It was the same verse at the very same time I received it.

It took nine years for that promise made to me that day, by God, to be fulfilled. I am now living a blessed life. I had been living in sin prior to the bad marriage, and it did end in divorce. God restored me and gave me a husband that all women dream of. I followed his instruction in the verse, and He fulfilled His promise.

Everyone has blessings and miracles to help them see that they are on the right track. If you are a Christian, then reflect upon these things and it will all be illuminated. Blessings to you and yours.

I was raised by atheist parents, but never bought into it as a kid. After a lot of reading and well church hopping, I joined the Catholic Church in my late thirties and then dropped out later mostly for the very reason you mention here. I have found a means to enlarge my spirituality without necessarily being a part of any group. Had I felt a need for a group, I might have sought out the Unitarians next. I claim to be spiritual without being of any denomination. I hope that offers an interesting perspective.

I think that there are many people who worship in various ways in types of services that makes them happier than others, but I think we are all one body ( even if some parts of that body don't like the other parts)

We all believe in Christ as the Son of God and believe in him for our savation. The actual method of worship while perhaps important to us as men with our own selfish desires, it is just the love of Christ that is the one founding belief among all Christians

So while some may be baptist, methodist, lutheran and others,

And you know I bet God is a non denomination also, ( and he was a Jew)

For myself, I am part of a independent Catholic Order.

Thank you for all your answers, it is very interesting and puts things in a different perspective. Some are only brought up to see things the way their parents saw them, so I'm glad for some other views.. although most of you seem to say "serve the way you think is right and the way that feels most comfortable for you" I am not quite sure I agree with that, but I cannot doubt that miracles do happen. Why and how are two big questions

To add part two to what I posted: you asked about praying and I don't pray anymore. I gave that up along the way as it was unavoidably hitting me like me attemtping to tell God what to do no matter what form I put it in. Instead I believe (and now live) so that I am instead listening, always listening and learning how God wants me to be. As for miracles, while I have seen some extremely surprising things in my time, nothing I have seen would fit the term miracle but I trust in some vague way that they do happen. Often though what I do see is what one person calls a miracle, I call someone who is waking up like I did. Some of those are pretty sudden and I can see how it feels miraculous to them.

Hi Val, it is so nice to see you again. Please for a moment, consider that you know me and what I posted earlier on this subject is absolute truth, which it is, but you cannot know that. But if for a moment you put yourself in the place of believeing me, how then can that experience be anything but a miracle? Also, it happened in a biblical way. With not just prophecy, but confirmation which is absolutely necessary else ANYONE could have told me about the scriptures. Since I was the person that was given it, it leaves no doubts for me. I cannot NOT believe after that.

My sister, who is not a Christian, says I am the most changed person she has ever met. She is always marvelling at my lack of nievetee and at my logic when it comes to situations, and my ability to always have all situations turn out better for me. This is true even when I have to fight for something... which is rare thankfully. The thing is, I know I have been extremely blessed. I know my thinking is a product of that blessing. To look at the beginning of my life and my lack of self confidence, you would never dream I am the same person. I had few friends, and now people gravitate toward me... and the love in my life is overwhelming.

The fact is, people do not recognize blessings and miracles on a regular basis. I really think, if they did, the blessings wouild flow in abundance and people, in general, would complain a lot less and work with what they have so much more. By the way, this is not directed at you... I am absolutely generalizing.

Anyway, I know you say you trust in a vague way that miracles happen. I just want to say, from a person who has expereinced them... they do happen.

Have a wonderful day as you are a very sweet person, from your posts. (smile)

Thank you Sexybeasty, that was very interesting, I believe you are telling your truth too and I appreciate your take on me as well.

As you heard, I don't claim miracles don't exist. I have given this topic much thought. People could probably say the transformation in me is a miracle but here is how I know it: 10% my doing, 50% others helping and 90% God's doing and yes LOL I know that math doesn't add up. What I have learned is profound but its not a miracle, its just "how the world works" because of how the creator created it.

My 10% was critical, I learned without that NOTHING (and I do mean nothing) would have taken place. So I am in the mix.

The 50% of others is important and I needed to learn how to avail myself of that bigtime. It was not easy at first but it became easier and easier. On some level I had to trust God (90%) let the help help or it wasn't going to help. 10 + 50 = only 60.

And the 90% is God's because when I sought his help, he sent me the 50%ers. But he isn't about to cram it down my throat -- free will and all -- so its not 100%. Notice that it takes my 10 + his 90 = 100 here, okay? Now before you say that leaves out the 50%, I would remind you that part of my 10 and part of God's 90 is to trust the 50 he sent. And more significantly this kind of help is available ALL the time to EVERYONE. So is that a miracle or just an incredibly amazingly unbelievably marvelous way in which the world is made?

My world in some ways is either all miracles or none, as Einstein eluded to. Just because I tend to see it as not a miracle doesn't mean it's a bad thing, it means I believe its possible for EVERYONE when the right mix of percentages and attitudes and actions come together. In regard to these kinds of "miraces" there just isn't anything supernatural about it to me. Or in other words, many people are only 10% away from what may look like a miracle to them. I post here often in the hope that I may get some of them to see that. Maybe that explains it a little better?

Thanks Val, and by the way, I respect your opinion.

By the way, I followed those sites at the end. The first was a looooonnnnngggg post, so I just gave up. The second one, though was a good one. Thanks again.

There are many different types of Christians in this world. I'm a Baptist Christian. In my church we are very casual and easy-going. We don't have to wear our best clothes or anything like that and have really interesting services. We even get fun days when we go bowling or have pizza lunches right after the service! We also have activities for every age.

I am Baptist. I was raised in the church. I am raising my daughter in the Baptist church as well.
I think we all believe that there is only one true saviour, Jesus Christ, and that He died on the cross for our sins.
Sometimes I think we get caught up in the small differences of religion. For discussion sake, Take Catholics and Baptist
Catholics christen their babies - Baptist Baptize those who have accepted Jesus into their hearts.
Catholics don't have a problem with drinking or smoking or even gambling
Baptist have a problem with all of that.
Catholic priest never marry
Baptist preachers often have a wife and kids.

I remember the first time I met my husbands uncle (who was a lutheran minister) - we were at a birthday party for his wife and when I walked into the house he had a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. His entire congregation was there. I was a little shocked - because you would never see a baptist preacher like that.

**Disclaimer: Like I said, I am baptist - If I have misrepresented anything about the Catholic church - I apologize! Please don't bite my head off :) **

There are a lot of people out there that call themselves Christians but don't believe in the whole bible but like the parts that make them feel good with the life they are living like God is Loving and forgiving so they think they are doing OK.

I have been a christian for just 10 years although at first you wouldn't know it, I still sinned and saw no evidence that I was "born again"

I attended a penticostal church for no reason that the guy that witnessed to me went to one.

I saw people falling out in the spirit and talking in togues I thought to myself "what a way to attract attention to yourself"

I don't even know why I went to church.

One day the wife came in after church one Sunday mornin to the store we owned and said you have to go tonight. I wondered what the hell has she been smokin? (She went to morning service I went to evening so one of us could run the store)

I said yea I always go.. my only chance to get out of the store lol.

Well any way there was this evagelist from south africa there as guest speaker he starts into his sermon and after only about 10 minutes ha stopped and said "the holy spirit is here and wants to take over,..and Im not about to get in its way so if you want to get closer to the Lord come forward and we will pray".

So I said to myself "ok i will call your bluff this should be good."

He started praying in togues and standing in front of people holding there hands, and they were dropping like flies.

I looked down the line and said to myself wait till he gets to me cause there is no way that anything this joker can do that will make me fall down... I mean you at least have to believe in this stuff for it to have any effect... right?

Well he gets to me and touches my hands and Im praying... well speaking to the Lord anyway I was praying "well here I am ..do me show me what you got" I know what sounds silly but that was my prayer.

And didn't my legs get wobbly and Im thinking I hear one of the ushers behind me saying "hes going" and I thought no friggin way I have been standing here for a friggin hour its nothing that this joker is doing.. so I leaned forward and locked my knees back to fight it... then I hit the floor and I could not move I tried my hardest to get back up right away.. I mean I don't know why I fell but I couldn't move a muscle I could move my eyes but that's about all,

That's when I knew I was a Born again spirit filled Christian.

I know speak in togues sometimes the Holyspirit takes me for a ride when I do most of the time no. I lay hands on people... thats another story hehe

And the Lord speaks to me when he wants me to do something.

So in answer to your questions how many different types a lot

What is the right one? The one that teaches Jesus as Lord and teaches the whole bible not just some of it.

Prayers get answered ? Yes they do I can say the Lord has always taken care of me.

As for how did I find my group well that's another story I don't go the pentecostal church right now I go to another that the Lord led me too. Ask the lord to open doors to lead you to the church he wants you to go to and close the doors to the others.

Here is a prayer that I pray when I want the Lords help

Jesus I except you as Lord over my life you are my saviour I am saved by grace because of what you did for me on the cross. I ask you Lord to guide me in my life open doors you want me to go through and close those that you don't. And Lord make easy for me to discern the way as you know Im a little dense in that area. I thank tou Lord for all you are doing and will be doing in my life ty Lord In Jesus name Amen

I hope that helps with your walk with the Lord If you want to talk I am here for you ;-)

Simply put... A Christian is one who believes firstly, in God the Father and Creator. That He came to earth in the flesh. God came to Mary a virgin in a vision/dream and instructed her to call this child who would be the Messiah, Jesus. He came to earth, born in a barn and lie in a manger. His purpose- to pay and die for our sins with His own life. If you believe in God's Holy and precious Word, believe in the Birth, Death, Resurrection and Ascention of Jesus to Heaven, who sits at the right hand of God, you are a Christian. Being a Christian is believing in the Jesus Christ our Savior and following the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus He provided to His diciples to spread around the World. We as true believers of Christ are also diciples and to be ministers of the Holy Word. We should not be ashamed of but boldly speak the gospel "so that no one will perish." Those precious and life-giving Words are in the Holy Bible. There are no divisions among true Christians, different groups, religions, sects, etc. God calls us to fellowship at a Church (definition of Church is "body of believers.") We are to support each other through times of joy and grief and suffering. We are warned not to pervert the Holy word by twisting it, changing it to adapt to how we believe or desire to live our lives. We are warned not to deviate from the Word, but rather when we don't understand it to pray and ask for God to open our minds and hearts to understand His Wisdom. In other words, to "gain His knowledge". We are warned not to take away from or add to His Word, but write His word across our hearts. Prayer is essential to a Christian's life in order to remain in touch/connected with our Father... whether sitting in your car at a light or saying grace before taking a morsel in your mouth. Give thanks for everything, Heaven and a crown awaits those who abide and obey. The only way to the Heavenly Father is through His Son, Jesus Christ.

May God bless those who are in search of truth and righteousness and apply the Word and Laws of the Holy Father to their lives. "Seek and she shall find; knock and the door shall be opened". Reach out to Him.

We are all born into a sinful world and are created with a sinful nature. I have to agree with a posting I reviewed on this site- I've known God from a very young age. Getting to know God is a journey. If I may share one word of importance- it would be to parents who are raising children... believe, give your life, accept the life by living it... actions speak louder than words and your children while they might stray, will have the ingredients and the knowledge where to go when they have deviated from the truth. Parents are instructed to impart and teach His wisdom to our children and "when they grow old, they shall not depart from it." Many believe that Baptism by Immersion is not necessary. While it does not prevent you from entering Heaven or a requirement to enter, (you will be judged for not following through). Jesus was Baptized in the River Jordan by John The Baptist. We are called to obey this command and upon our acceptance, we choose to live a life that honors, magnifies and glorifies our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Christianity is not complicated- it is not full of icons, idols but simply His Word and learning the Word will teach the true desires of His heart and what He desires for our lives. YOU CAN HAVE A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD- no intermediators are necessary. YOU CAN HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD simply by studying and applying His Word.

May God's garden be filled daily with a precious new blossom! May the Lord use me as an instrument of peace and to share the Good news! Thank you God for the opportunity to serve you, in Jesus name I pray.

I just want to answer your questions to the best of my ability. This is a task that I take seriously and one that I hope to fulfil responsibly.

I am currently a member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran denomination. I have been employed in all aspects of church music for over 36 years. These have involved the following denomination (as well as some that may have slipped from my mind right now), Presbyterian Church U.S.A, United Presbyterian Church, Catholic Church, Unitarian Church, Various Baptist denomination, United Methodist Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Church of Christ, Scientist, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ and the Episcopal Church.

For me, out of all these denominations with which I have been involved, I found that the beliefs of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church spoke to my heart the most truthfully. So, I decided to join that denomination. I know that I am in the right group there because it is the one that mostly fits the choices in my beliefs that I have come to believe and what I perceive in my walk with Christ to be the truth.

I grew up in the Disciple of Christ denomination and am still also a member of the church where I grew up. But, that is for personal and family reasons.

The correct way to be a Christian is spelled out in the Holy Bible. For me, I have read and heard many things, and even though I have been tempted to be swayed many different ways, I have always come back to the basic Bible teachings and beliefs.

Also, my prayers always get answered. I live by faith and do not believe there is such a thing as luck. After all, if you have faith and believe that God is guiding your ways, how could there be such a thing as luck?

I just wanted to post again because if you are seeking some answers as to Christianity, you might want to consider becoming involved in one of the many Christian forums that are available on the Web. On the site we are on right now, you are going to get a cross section of basically the beliefs of the world. Not necessarily Christian at all. Being in a Christian community means sharing with others that have the same beliefs that you do. We all need support. You might like to take a look at the following links below.

Christian Forum :: Index

Christian Forums - The Online Christian Chat Forum & Message Board

http://www.christianforumsite.com/

Christian Forum :: Christian Bible Study :: Christian Blogs :: Christian Discussion - Christianity Board Christian Forum

Christian Bulletin Boards - Christian Forums - Worthy Boards

Crosswalk Forums

I think picking a church that teaches the uncompromised word of God is best. Im just a baby Christian and if I picked a church that I wanted I probably wouldn't be at one.
But knowing after I was "born again" that I should start going to church I didn't know where to go. A good friend told me pick one that teaches the "whole" bible not just the good parts and feel good parts so not to offend but the whole thing.

I was raised a Baptist, but I just prefer to be called a Christ Follower. Whatever you are in your heart is what you are, you can just be a Believer if you want, no religion is better or worse or more right or wrong, in my opinion. But we need all of the different denominations, because God made us all different.

Just wondering about "But we need all of the different denominations," part. Some denominations don't believe Jesus was born a virgin birth some don't think he rose again and some think you receive salvation by works,speaking in tongues,healing etc.

John 8:31 says Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."