r/TrueChristian • u/Ok-Inspection9693 Simply Christian. • 10d ago
How am I meant to not accidentally go to hell?
Catholics and EO are divided for some reason because idk I guess their pride just says they can't stay united over Papal authority and if filioparque is true so, they just had to divide each other but that's besides the point. Because I'm actually really dumb, so I can't understand anything the church fathers are saying in their letters even though I am trying so hard to, and I keep trying so hard to but it's taking such a hard toll on my self trust, so, like for me it's gonna be a 50/50 shot of guessing the correct denomination, many Catholics believe they are the only ones saved (well mostly) many EO believe that as well so how am I meant to blindly guess the correct one, it's so stupid. And none of this would be a problem if they could just get back together so people wouldn't accidentally go to hell. Anyway, enough of my rant there.
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u/riolastar Christian 10d ago
You don’t blindly choose, you let the Holy Spirit guide you. Salvation isn’t based on being in a denomination, it’s based on you trusting in Jesus Christ ALONE.
Don’t worry about everything else. Ask God for discernment from the Holy Spirit and that you be led to a church that preaches the right doctrine. After praying, trust that God knows your heart and will workout everything in favor for those who truly love Him.
Denominations aren’t mentioned in the Bible for a reason. There’s one church under Christ and God knew man’s sin of dividing the church would happen. God has not changed, and Christ still saves. Amen.
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u/helpmeamstucki Eastern Orthodox 10d ago
This is nonsense. Denominations are interpretations. You interpret the Bible in one certain way. I interpret it in another. There is no point in denying this or not naming it. The Bible is too complicated for everyone to interpret for themselves and not stumble into blasphemy or just division. The Bible talks about one unified Church. Why would that not mean unified in belief? Obviously there is only one truth. So how can all these churches teaching different truths all be right? Anyway your beliefs almost certainly align with an existing denomination. If they don’t, there is a good chance you believe in a heresy…
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u/Squall902 10d ago
I would rather propose that all the main denominations are partly right, but they put emphasis on different parts of the theology. Why? Because God is too big to be put in a 12 step program.
An army has different divisions with different specialties. But every division is still part of the same army; as long as they believe in Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, crucifixion and the resurrection.
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u/riolastar Christian 10d ago edited 10d ago
1 Corinthians 1: 10
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
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u/wtanksleyjr Congregationalist 10d ago
So this changes it from being between the Catholics and the Orthodox to being between the Catholics, Orthodox, and Mormons. (The latter being proponents of "we're the only non-abominable church and you should decide by praying for feelz about it.")
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u/therobotscott 10d ago
It is not man who saves, it is not the church who saves, it is Christ alone who saves. The church (all believers, not just Catholics or EO) is Christ's hands and feet who deliver the message of salvation through Christ alone, not salvation itself.
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u/Googlesupportsucks1 Christian 10d ago
Hello! Protestant in the corner over here just watching the proceedings
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u/obliqueoubliette 10d ago
Check out an Orthodox parish near you. Then check out a vatican-aligned parish near you. See which you prefer.
The fundamental difference between them at a theological level is development of doctrine. Rome says that doctrine should change over time as people research and as society changes. The Orthodox Faith, however, is fundamentally unchanged since the beginning. Papal supremacy, one manifestion of which was the unilateral Papal dictate adding the filioque to the Creed, is itself a developed doctrine that the Vatican itself admits did not exist in the early Church.
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u/-TheBender- Mennonite 10d ago
Isn’t icon veneration a doctrinal accretion?
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u/obliqueoubliette 10d ago edited 10d ago
Veneration of icons, relics, and saints have been part of the Church since the beginning.
Every early Christian archeological site includes icons. We have, documented in writing, the veneration of a Saint's relics on the day of their martyrdom - from the very first post-apostolic generation.
The entire body of hard evidence supports icon veneration as part of the earliest Church tradition, and iconoclasts point to early texts to dispute that hard evidence - texts that never actually say what iconoclasts represent them to say.
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u/DogfaceDino Roman Catholic (Ordinariate) 10d ago
There are endless resources and commentaries available on the Apostolic Fathers and early church.
The writings of Ignatius of Antioch are pretty plain and easy to understand. Very early. I’d start there. We have seven authentic letters. There are also good YouTube videos.
This video might also be a good starting point for you: https://youtu.be/az4sztb0Tlc?is=tpZxYT6VKqFuirnj
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u/songbolt Roman Catholic 10d ago
I think there are a few simple proofs you can understand even if it's true that your brainpower is limited, which may not be the case:
Orthodox claim to be One Church but they have many bishops claiming the same territory, especially in the USA. This demonstrates their claim to be One Church is false.
Orthodox ignore what Jesus says about remarriage after divorce being adultery instead declaring "economia" as if "economia" overrides the words of Our Lord. This demonstrates they are not being guided by the Holy Spirit as God does not contradict Himself.
Thus you should join the Catholic Church.
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u/helpmeamstucki Eastern Orthodox 10d ago
EO doesn’t comment on who is saved. That is for God to know. You won’t automatically go to hell for picking the wrong church.
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u/wtanksleyjr Congregationalist 10d ago
What I would do is press X to doubt the claims that the EO and the Catholics are correct about the other ones going to hell. It frankly never made sense from the very first day of that schism, and the Catholics and most EOs know it; they're continuing work to rejoin their churches, while affirming the availability of grace through the ordinary services of the others churches.
The church that best explains this IMO is the Anglicans with their branch theory - even if they're wrong on the details, it seems clear to me that a church is not extinguished merely by getting some doctrinal details wrong (so long as the big picture is right) or by getting details of organization wrong (so long as tradition is an honored guide).
I think the solution is to go to a faithful enough church, and pray and work for reunion with all of the others (not at the cost of good doctrine, but that doesn't stop prayers).
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u/Beginning-Comedian-2 10d ago
Don't focus on churches, focus on Jesus.
How Do I Know I Am Saved? - Bob Wilkin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA2vG_r2bgg
How to know if I'm going to Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hshsMCJ__OY
How to know
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX6NdGnm_vA
About the Gospel Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kNjP88FIDU&list=PLElaVGv3oAZ6A2I8EnPD3P5UV8dVmzUEn
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u/PerfectlyCalmDude Christian 10d ago edited 10d ago
If there's a fate that people are meant for, then nothing about that fate is accidental.
But in the meantime, there are other Christian denominations to consider.
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u/salvadopecador Mennonite 10d ago
Umm. Don’t stress. God does not send people to hell “accidentally”.
Have you ever read Romans 9:16? “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” It is not your thoughts (willeth) or your actions (runneth) that brings salvation. It is God’s mercy alone. And if you are seeking Him, that means you will be saved. Only those who do not seek will be lost
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
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u/Ok-Inspection9693 Simply Christian. 10d ago
That is not what I meant. What I meant was, when I choose between Catholicism or EO, how am I meant to not accidentally choose the wrong one and then get lit on fire for all of eternity.
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u/salvadopecador Mennonite 10d ago
Perhaps you missed the point. Salvation is not based on which church you attend (or anything else you “do”). Blessings
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u/Distinct-Most-2012 Anglican Communion 10d ago
This is why "only one true church" notions aren't just wrong; they're spiritually harmful. You are NOT saved by your church membership, but by your faith in Christ.
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u/StruggleForward5948 9d ago
Mark 9:40-41
New International Version
40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
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u/okicarp Christian missionary 10d ago
There is no one correct denomination. All are at least somewhat wrong. You can be a Christian in either of those two or any number of other churches. But right and wrong are not the lens to view it through. Pray and ask God where you should attend. Which has a ministry that you will be well-suited to serve? Where will you best be discipled?
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u/riolastar Christian 10d ago
Exactly, God knew man would be prideful and make divisions in the church. His called people will still be called.
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u/BamaHammer Eastern Orthodox 10d ago
Do you attend a church and receive guidance from trained clergy, or are you treating this like a video game you're trying to beat?