"WHY IS IT...?"
And other questions people have asked
Some have asked why some denominations do not appear in any of the ChristUnite.com listings. This page has been created to explain these things.
Please do not interpret denominational preclusion as a form of judgement; keep in mind that all
who truly believe in the Blood of Christ are saved by His grace (Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 5:5-7) and will be educated by Him in due time (Zephaniah 3:9).
*Please note that some groups are included in multiple categories below
BAPTISM
We believe that all Christian denominations should offer baptism to their membership (Matthew 28: 19-20). Therefore, we preclude groups that do not offer baptism, such as:
Church of Christ, Scientist, a.k.a. Christian Science
Unity Churches, a.k.a. Assoc. of Unity Churches
Unification Church, a.k.a "Moonies"
Quakers, a.k.a. Society of Friends
Salvation Army, The
We also believe that baptism must be in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20), nothing more, nothing less. Therefore we preclude groups who baptize in only one of those names, in someone else's name, or who baptize in the name of their denomination. Such precluded groups include:
Church of our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith -- Does not baptize in the name of the Father or of the Holy Spirit
Jehovah's Witnesses -- Baptizes members into the name of their organization
BIBLE
We believe that all Church doctrine should be taken only from the Holy Bible and nothing or nobody else. We believe that, if it isn't in the bible, then it isn't Christian doctrine (Galatians 1:8-9). Therefore we preclude the following groups:
General Church of the New Jerusalem a.k.a. The New Church
Church of Christ, Scientist a.k.a. Christian Science
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Unification Church a.k.a. "Moonies"
Reformed Latter Day Saints
Christ Community Church
Fundamentalist Mormons
Swedenborgian Churches
Roman Catholic Church
Unitarian Universalists
Church of Jesus Christ
Progressive Christians
Jehovah's Witnesses
Bible Students
Scientologists
We also believe that the entire bible is necessary in order to properly understand God's will (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, we preclude the following:
Church of the Brethren
COMMUNION
We believe that those who accept Jesus Christ should take Communion (1 Corinthians 11:24-26). We believe Communion to be wine or grape juice with bread as a remembrance of Christ's blood and body (Luke 22:19-20). We will not include groups who do not offer, severely restrict, or reject an original element of the communion. Therefore, we preclude the following groups:
Jehovah's Witnesses -- Allows only a scant few of their membership to take communion
Church of Christ, Scientist a.k.a. Christian Science -- Does not offer communion
Unity Churches, a.k.a. Assoc. of Unity Churches -- Does not offer communion
Latter Day Saints/ Mormons -- Replaced the grape product with plain water.
Unification Church, a.k.a. "Moonies" -- Does not offer communion
Quakers, a.k.a. Society of Friends -- Does not offer communion
Salvation Army -- Does not offer communion
HOMOSEXUALITY
We believe the bible clearly defines homosexuality as an unnatural lifestyle against God's intended purpose (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27). Therefore, we preclude groups who accept and affirm homosexuality:
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Christian Church -- Disciples Of Christ
Metropolitan Community Church
Anglican a.k.a. Episcopalian
Quakers a.k.a. Society of Friends
Swedenborgian churches
United Church of Christ
IDOLATRY
We believe that acts of worship belong only to God and nobody else (Revelation 19:10, 22:8-9). We are to pray only to God, with the Son as our intercessor (John 14:13-14). There are no other intercessors besides Jesus Christ (John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5). Therefore, we preclude groups who pray to Mary, the saints, or anyone other than the Father and the Son:
Unification Church a.k.a. "Moonies"
Anglicans / Episcopalians
Eastern Orthodox Groups
Roman Catholic Church
Progressive Christians
Universal Unitarians
We also disagree with the Roman Catholic practice of titling the Pope as "Holy Father", since scripture states we are not to be calling anyone "Father" here on earth (Matthew 23:9).
INTERFAITH
Since the bible makes it clear that we are to keep our faith separate from non-Christian influences (2 Corinthians 6:14-18), we do not include groups which actively promote worship with non-Christian faiths. Therefore we preclude the following groups:
Spiritual Growth Fellowship
Progressive Christians
Universal Unitarians
Scientologists
Baha'i
JESUS CHRIST
We preclude groups whose membership does not require belief in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31):
Interfaith groups (not the same as interdenominational)
Spiritual Growth Fellowship
Progressive Christians
Universal Unitarians
Scientologists
Baha'i
We also believe that Jesus Christ existed in Heaven before living on earth as a human (John 6:38, 17:5). Therefore, we also preclude the following groups:
Unity Churches, a.k.a. Assoc. of Unity Churches
Biblical Unitarians
Christadelphians
MARRIAGE
We believe that marriage is to be monogamous: One wife, one husband (1 Timothy 3:2,12, 1 Timothy 5:9, Titus 1:6). Although we acknowledge that some bible characters lived polygamous lives, we also acknowledge that this was done solely through human desire, never by decree from God. We preclude polygamous groups such as:
Fundamental Mormon Church
Latter Day Church of Christ
Church of the Lamb of God
Apostolic United Brethren
We also believe that marriage ends at physical death (Romans 7:2-3).Therefore, preclude groups who teach that marriage continues in heaven:
General Church of the New Jerusalem, a.k.a. The New Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Swedenborgian Churches
PROPHECY
We do not include groups that have a record of false prophecy/ false prophets. Since true prophecy from God will be 100% accurate 100% of the time (Deuteronomy 18:20-22), we do not support groups whose prophets have been proven wrong. Therefore we preclude the following groups:
Worldwide Church of God, a.k.a. Grace Communion International
Church of God -- Preparing the Kingdom of God
Jack Van Impe Ministries
Seventh Day Adventist
Benny Hinn Ministries
Living Church of God
Jehovah's Witnesses
Christadelphians
SPIRITISM
We do not support groups who perform spiritistic practices such as ouija boards, seances, re-incarnation, divination, clairvoyance (not the same as prophesying), and other similar activities (Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Therefore we preclude the following groups:
National Spiritualist Association of Churches
Christian Wiccans (yeah, they do exist)
Unification Church a.k.a. "Moonies"
Progressive Christians
Unity Church
Scientology
Santeria
Voodoo
SUPREMECY
We do not include groups who display hatred, intolerance, superiority, or persecution towards others (Acts 17:26, 1 John 4:20-21). Therefore we do not include the following groups:
Nation of Yahweh
Ku Klux Klan
Bobo Shanti
Rastafarians
So, then, which groups do we include?
MANY!
Although individual congregations within a group may step aside from the norm, we generally support the following:
African Methodist Episcopal
African Methodist Episcopal Zion
American Baptist
Amish, Old Order
Assembly of God
Assoc. Of Free Lutheran Congregations
Bible Baptists
Calvary Chapel
Christian Methodist Episcopal
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Church of God
Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
Church of God (Seventh Day)
Evangelical Covenant Church
Evangelical Methodist
Free Baptists
Free Methodists
Free Will Baptists
Fundamental Baptists
Lutheran -- Missouri Synod
Lutheran -- Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Mennonites
Messianic Jews
Nazarene
Pentecostal (some)
Presbyterians USA
Primitive Methodist
Reformed Churches
Seventh Day Baptist
Southern Baptist
United Methodists
Wesleyan
At times we do include an individual ministry of a precluded group if the ministry serves an important humanitarian purpose that is not served sufficiently elsewhere. We base this on Christ's words that we must offer mercy over sacrifice (Matthew 12:7) We would also like to state that at times we err in our understanding of a particular group or ministry and may unintentionally add a listing that we wouldn't include if we understood it better. We are open to correction, so please don't hesitate to inform us if you find such a listing.
And Lastly:
Please remember: Due to human imperfection and Satan's rampant influence in the world, there are no perfect Christian groups existing at this time. Please do not use this list as a means for judgement, shunning, or other unloving action; instead, take the opportunity to witness the truth of Christ to others and pray for those who are being misled.