Does your church invite people to petition God for knowledge?

[Kmaxb]

Hello friends. I have a question for those who belong to a specific denomination, and how specifically you minister to potential believers or “converts”.
Here’s my question: If I came to your church as a non-believer but showed sincere interest in knowing for myself if the Bible is true and if Jesus is truly the Savior of mankind, how likely is it that your pastor would invite me to study the Bible and then pray and ask God to reveal the truth to me through his Holy Spirit?
If you have a response I’d love to know also what specific denomination you belong to.
Thank you!!!

 

[for_his_glory]

First I am nondenominational, which means I do not believe in the various denominations that are out there and all the various doctrines each one teach, and I can not speak for every Pastor. Whatever church you attend needs to be a place where we are taught the word of God through the Holy Spirit speaking through the Pastor to teach us all truths of the word of God. Many are not called or anointed to be a Pastor and we have to be careful for what we are being taught. If what one teaches does not line up with scripture, as many will try and teach a different Gospel deceiving those who lack knowledge and teach from a carnal understanding and not a Spiritual understanding as only the Holy Spirit can teach us all truths. Everyone should be able to approach their Pastor with questions and concerns they have, but as sad as it is not every Pastor is approachable.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Please feel free to use the Question & Answer forum with any questions you have and we will try an answer them the best we can. Keep seeking and keep growing in the grace and faith of Christ Jesus.

 

[Kmaxb]

Thank you, I posted a more specific question in the questions and answers forum.

 

[Delete_me]

Churches are imperfect, and comprised of many different, imperfect people. I can think of two reasons why even good churches might NOT invite you to petition God for knowledge:

1) Because it's one of those things you say over and over again--to the point that eventually, you just take it for granted and just don't say it. By the time the nonbeliever steps in the church, it's already been said for the millionth time.

2) An immature believer might not accept challenges to one's faith well. We keep getting hammered into us, "believe, believe, believe, just believe; faith,", etc., and so do not want to invite in anything that appears to do the opposite. When you petition God directly for knowledge, at that point you are out of the church's control, and we don't know what that result will be. What happens if a nonbeliever petitions God--and hears nothing--because He doesn't believe in the first place--and because of that, that reinforces his unbelief? We don't like that. We can't control that. It's a threat.

Except we SHOULD invite these challenges. Do pray to God and petition Him for knowledge (or even dare Him to answer). Do pursue the history of how the Bible came to be. Do pursue whether the archaeological evidence proves that the Bible has errors. Do look into whether it is possible we could all be here without a Creator. Lay out the fleece (Judges 6, Hebrews 11:32). Put your faith to the test; let it rock your boat. If God's promises in the Bible are true, then He will come through. And if He doesn't, then at least now you know to go back to the drawing board.

I don't think a church is necessarily cult-like just because it seems they want you to get all your knowledge from the church, and not directly from God. It's possible they are simply imperfect--and need to work on some things.


p.s. I do belong to a specific denomination. But I will gladly visit a church of another denomination (or nondenominational) and accept them as brothers.

 

[Hopeful 2]

Churches are imperfect, and comprised of many different, imperfect people. I can think of two reasons why even good churches might NOT invite you to petition God for knowledge:

1) Because it's one of those things you say over and over again--to the point that eventually, you just take it for granted and just don't say it. By the time the nonbeliever steps in the church, it's already been said for the millionth time.

2) An immature believer might not accept challenges to one's faith well. We keep getting hammered into us, "believe, believe, believe, just believe; faith,", etc., and so do not want to invite in anything that appears to do the opposite. When you petition God directly for knowledge, at that point you are out of the church's control, and we don't know what that result will be. What happens if a nonbeliever petitions God--and hears nothing--because He doesn't believe in the first place--and because of that, that reinforces his unbelief? We don't like that. We can't control that. It's a threat.

Except we SHOULD invite these challenges. Do pray to God and petition Him for knowledge (or even dare Him to answer). Do pursue the history of how the Bible came to be. Do pursue whether the archaeological evidence proves that the Bible has errors. Do look into whether it is possible we could all be here without a Creator. Lay out the fleece (Judges 6, Hebrews 11:32). Put your faith to the test; let it rock your boat. If God's promises in the Bible are true, then He will come through. And if He doesn't, then at least now you know to go back to the drawing board.

I don't think a church is necessarily cult-like just because it seems they want you to get all your knowledge from the church, and not directly from God. It's possible they are simply imperfect--and need to work on some things.


p.s. I do belong to a specific denomination. But I will gladly visit a church of another denomination (or nondenominational) and accept them as brothers.

Yes, as it does agree with Peter who wrote..."But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)

You need to get past the idea that all churches are not of God.
One really is of God.

 

[Delete_me]

Yes, as it does agree with Peter who wrote..."But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)

You need to get past the idea that all churches are not of God.
One really is of God.

And one Church is comprised of many little churches, of many different denominations.

 

[Hopeful 2]

And one Church is comprised of many little churches, of many different denominations.

Though you are off topic, I will comment...The one church has no denominations.
It stands alone and all its members have the same mind.

 

[Delete_me]

Though you are off topic, I will comment...The one church has no denominations.
It stands alone and all its members have the same mind.

The one body is comprised of many different parts, and those bodies are comprised of many human bodies. Each of whom were created uniquely by God, and who each think independently with their own minds. Most denominations are merely different parts of that one body, with people who view the same theological thing from a different angle. We are Biblically commanded by 1 Corinthians 12 to celebrate those differences--not condemn them.

Besides, many denominations are merely a pooling of resources. Evangelical Covenant, for example is nothing but that. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering, for example, is decidedly Baptist. Just because the Christians who banded together to do this good deed call themselves a "denomination" does not make Lottie Moon evil. Or Baptist evil. Too often we condemn denominations as divisive, when in fact they unite.

 

[Hopeful 2]

The one body is comprised of many different parts, and those bodies are comprised of many human bodies. Each of whom were created uniquely by God, and who each think independently with their own minds. Most denominations are merely different parts of that one body, with people who view the same theological thing from a different angle. We are Biblically commanded by 1 Corinthians 12 to celebrate those differences--not condemn them.

Yes, but the parts are the people in the church, not different denominations.

Besides, many denominations are merely a pooling of resources. Evangelical Covenant, for example is nothing but that. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering, for example, is decidedly Baptist. Just because the Christians who banded together to do this good deed call themselves a "denomination" does not make Lottie Moon evil. Or Baptist evil. Too often we condemn denominations as divisive, when in fact they unite.

Each denomination is a schism from Christ's first and only church.