Does someone single who goes to a Baptist church have the right to date a single from a Pentecostal background? Or any other denomination. Many singles are asking this question and there is no general answer.

First, let’s go back to our basics. Jesus is the only way to the Father; He is the only one who can give us eternal life. When He became flesh and came to teach men how to enter the Kingdom of God, He did not come to create a religion. He has never been very keen on religious titles and rituals. What Jesus came to establish is a way to have a personal relationship with God, and it is in this relationship that our spirit is awakened. (If this basis is not clear to you, read this other article.)

John 1:12-13 clearly explains that not everyone is a child of God. “12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (NKJV). We are all creatures of God, but to become His child, we must believe in the name of Jesus and receive His salvation. There are therefore two types of humans: those who are children of God and those who are not. And it is not belonging to a religion that decides our spiritual state, it is our own decision, before the sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross.

The Bible says it many times and in different ways that a child of God must not marry a person who has not made that decision. If we are born again, we must choose only a partner who is born again. (For more details on this basic principle, read this other article.)

Even though many religions or denominations preach salvation by grace and not by works, it is not a membership to a Christian church that makes someone truly Christian. Some people grew up in a church preaching the right doctrines, but they never took the time to think about their eternity, their sins, and made the personal decision to give their lives to God. When we are Christians of heart, we must seek a person who not only wears the name of Christian but who is a disciple of Christ. (To learn how to identify a “true” Christian, you can also read this other article.)

All of us Christians should be united by the same Spirit. But since we do not all have the same revelations at the same time, and because of other questionable reasons, there are divisions in Christian doctrines. Some people do not believe in healing and miracles, while others believe in them. Some churches are very strict about the dress code and others have no rules in this regard. The list of differences may seem endless. So, is it possible for two singles from two different denominations to be a couple?

This will require the two singles in question to take the time to reflect on their personal position on the issues that separate them. For the relationship to work, they will need to agree on the same doctrine, because once married, they will have to attend the same church. When you start dating, take the opportunity to visit the other person’s church. If the woman notices that all the women in his church wear a skirt in church and he agrees with that principle, she must expect that once married, he will also ask her to wear a skirt. If she does not agree with this principle before marriage, it is better to put an end to this relationship before getting engaged: the doctrinal differences will eventually destroy the marriage.

We must also think about the children. If the father does not believe in healing and miracles, but the mother believes in them, what will happen if their child gets sick? The mother will want to pray for healing, but the father will not agree? It is important to discuss these topics before the wedding, so there are no ugly surprises later. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” (Luke 14:28 NKJV).