That wasn't long, but thanks for the warning... lol.
Okay, so if we can easily put everyone in the same sanctuary, why don't you start the movement? Since most 1st day Christians don't really think it matters which day we worship, start by encouraging all your friends to start going to church on Saturday instead (that would be much easier than trying to get 7th day Christians to go on Sundays). I know it's a small start, but if one is passionate enough about it, that passion could catch on. So let's all start by going on Saturdays. Even though adventists don't speak in tongues or shout, the rest of us who do can just be quiet and hold our peace. That's not a big deal, is it? Who cares about eating pork? You can give up bacon and ham for the sake of unity can't you? You don't have to BELIEVE in their teachings, you just have to.... well heck, I don't even know what you'd want them to do, pretend? Go with the flow?
How do you combine two different sets of people who believe two different - substantially different - things?
And the Acts/Matthew thing is not quite that simple, since on the surface (key phrase: on the surface), those scriptures say two different things. Some baptize using the wording from Matthew, some using the wording from Acts, and many think there is a difference and that it matters. It's not necessarily man wanting to make something complicated - it could be that man has a deeply rooted belief. How do you put those two competing beliefs together under the same church government/leadership?
I guess my whole point is just that what you're suggesting simply isn't realistic. It's idealistic, to be sure, but definitely not realistic.
I don't think we (in general) want to judge. I think there are select groups (and only a few, at that) who do that. Most Christians are accepting of others who may not believe in the doctrinal issues they believe. Of course there are others who aren't accepting, but they don't represent the majority. Most people I know fellowship with churches that don't belong to their organization or denomination. Perhaps your area is just different in that regard. But I don't knock those that prefer to fellowship with like-minded folks of "like precious faith." Pastors have to be careful who they expose their members to; if you fellowship with folks who teach something you don't believe, you have to do all kinds of damage control. You can teach your members to be open-minded and accepting and non-judgmental without bashing the concept of denominations (not saying you were bashing)... which, simply put, just ain't going nowhere. You are combining two different concepts: fellowship across denominational lines and completely erasing denominational lines for the purpose of eliminating denominations altogether (which means everyone believes the same thing). Truth is, there are people in and out of denominations who think that what they believe is the only right way - you find that in the work place, in marriages, in schools, in other religions, in politics... it's not unique to Christianity at all.
My bottom line: there's nothing wrong with denominations. There's something wrong with people.
There is a lot wrong with denominations and a lot wrong with people.
What you have stated is indeed truth. You can't just throw it away. There isn't a simple solution to this situation. We can't just erase denomination, because it does have a purpose. If you don't shout or speak in tongues, that's fine. It is when denomination starts to take the place of salvation, is where I draw the line. How does one become saved, if every denomination has their own way of salvation?
The Acts/Matthew thing, you are right. Some baptized using wording from Matthew and wording from Acts, but the scriptures are saying the same thing, which is be baptized in the name of Jesus. I am reminded of this scripture
Mark 2V4. - "And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken [it] up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay."
V5 - "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."
V6 - "But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,"
V7 - "Why doth this [man] thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"
V8 - "And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?"
V9 - "Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?"
V10 - "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)"
V11 - "I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house."
V12 - "And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."
Those two scriptures are saying the same things using different wording. Just as the scribes felt that it was blasphemy, to say that your sins are forgiven, unless you are God; some may believe that it isn't genuine if you don't use a certain type of wording. Either way, your sins are forgiven and you are saved.
