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Inspired by a previous related question I asked specifically targeting LDS, I would like to ask a generalized version of said question:

If a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and then experiences the fullness of the Holy Spirit and is led by the Holy Spirit to all truth, does any denomination believe that such a person will unequivocally be led by the Holy Spirit to join them? In other words, is there a denomination X such that it is not possible to be a Christian full of the Holy Spirit and simultaneously not be eventually led by the Spirit to join denomination X, according to denomination X?

If no such denomination X exists, would that mean that there are genuine Christians full of the Holy Spirit in multiple denominations, despite potential irreconcilable doctrinal differences?

Note for the curious reader: if interested in an enlightening and well-rounded reformed perspective on the concept of "being filled with the Spirit", I highly recommend this article by John Piper.

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    Jul 14, 2021 at 5:06
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    There are some denominations that believe that they are the only true Christians. Inevitably they must believe that any Christian "led by the Holy Spirit to all truth" must wish to join them. Jul 14, 2021 at 15:14

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There is a group of churches teaching that. They are collectively known as The International Churches of Christ (ICOC). They are part of the Restoration Movement, and were formed in 1993. They have a network of over 700 non-denominational churches in about 150 countries. However, they claim to be non-denomination, which threatens to throw a spanner in the works of your question!

The ICOC believes that anyone who is not baptized is not saved and must be “evangelized” and brought into the church. Baptism is a work that God requires before he grants salvation. Further, the ICOC teaches that the only “valid” baptism is one performed by the ICOC. No other baptism will do. Further still, the ICOC does not allow anyone to be baptized until he or she is first a “disciple” committed to the organization.

The group is exclusivist, claiming that the church is meant to be divided only by geography. Any church outside of their unified system, i.e., not under the ICOC’s leadership, is not a part of the “true church.” This is where the aspect of the Holy Spirit comes in, because if one religious group says they alone are the true church, they are saying that only they have the Holy Spirit’s operation and blessing. To be outside of them is to be devoid of the Holy Spirit’s operation and blessing.

Any church, denomination, or group of congregations that don’t claim to be a denomination but which claim to be the “one true church” and that all others are false churches is likely to fall into the category your question asks about. And there are various others, not simply the ICOC.


Sources: https://www.gotquestions.org/International-Church-of-Christ.html
https://carm.org/synopsis-international-church-christ

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    @TKoL It's far from the norm. Most denominations believe that Christians in other denominations are truly Christians. The might believe that they are the Christians closest to the truth, but very few believe that they are the only valid Christians. Jul 14, 2021 at 15:17
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    I would expect that other Restorationists, such as the Latter Day Saints and Jehovah's Witnesses, also believe this. Jul 14, 2021 at 15:18
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    My experience is different. LDS certainly require re-baptism of other Christians joining them, unlike most other denominations. Jul 14, 2021 at 15:34
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    No. But I had lots of conversations with members. Jul 14, 2021 at 16:03
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    Yes. LDS view other denominations as second rate believers whose churches don't have authority. They redefine the word "Christian" to mean "people who try to follow Jesus but don't really have the truth or the authority, unless LDS who are the real deal". And this means they believe anyone who is genuinely led by the Spirit to all truth must come to believe what their church believes. Jul 15, 2021 at 15:09

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