Ok - So Which Way???

[beehive2]

Zak & I are SO confused these days. As many of you know, we have been trying to renew our Christian faith for weeks now. And we have researched so many different religions and beliefs until we felt as if our heads were going to pop-off... literally. :o

I *feel* in my heart that Christianity is the way to go, it's been in my family since I can remember and I do believe they are trying to follow God's word as much as humanly possible. There are so many holes in all religions. How do we know which is the right path? I mean, first we read that Christmas should not be celebrated and the crucifix is a symbolic idolatry. Then we read only 144,000 make it to heaven, all being Jews (or according to JW's, Witnesses). Then we are left thinking, wow, all this symbolism going on, all these forms of idolaltry, give 10% to the church, give this, give up that, worship this and that and it's just all so very confusing!!!!!

To add to this, not one of asked to be born of this earth. So, how can we believe that although we were not asked to be born, we are here, andi f we do not follow this way or that way, we will be forever tortured in hell for something we didn't even ask for? I hope I'm making sense here! And I'm not trying to offend anyone. But seriously, why would this be?

I am not sure what type of answer I am seeking. I'm only looking for guidance to the path to God. The right guidance. So how can one be sure when picking their faith, one they want to practice for life? How can we really be sure which one is the right path the follow? I have prayed and prayed and the only answer I am getting is confusion on top of confusion.

We are ready to give up picking and choosing a religion to follow and just go by the Bible itself. And in this I mean, no church, no baptism, no following of any religion of any kind. Does the bible actually TELL us which religion to follow? If it does, please quote exact scripture please!

How do we know? And how can we be sure we are not practicing false religion and idolatry?

So confused!

 

[Jeff Mills]

Hi my friend. Yes, life can be very confusing! I am a born-again Christian, and when I repented of all my sins I cried out to Jesus for a relationship with him, and I got blessed and saved. Religion brings many problems, but Christianity bring a relationship with Christ and the promise of eternal life. Religion is man-made. Christianity is Christ-made. Never mind about the 144, 000 that are saved. They come from the 12 tribes of Israel. As you study the BIble ask god o give you revelation. He will not let you down.

 

[Veritas]

ZaksDarlin wrote:
I am not sure what type of answer I am seeking. I'm only looking for guidance to the path to God. The right guidance.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6


Thats pretty simple.

We are ready to give up picking and choosing a religion to follow and just go by the Bible itself. And in this I mean, no church, no baptism, no following of any religion of any kind. Does the bible actually TELL us which religion to follow? If it does, please quote exact scripture please!

The Word is the starting point. The Word doesn't spell out that you should be Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Baptist, Presbyterian, Reformed, Non-denominational, Orthodox, etc... but the Bible does let us know we should simply be in fellowship with other Christians. That's what Church is. You are part of a Christ's Body now!

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one bodyâ€â€whether Jews or Greeks, slave or freeâ€â€and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27

So, find a church you think lines up with the Bible the most, and go from there. Keep in mind there are no perfect churches because there are no perfect people, but try not to get discouraged, together, we still are the Body of Christ! Anyways, its good to have relationships with "real" people. Think relationship... not religion ;)

 

[Gabbylittleangel]

Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.


This is one of the verses that have you confused. Notice that John writes that these folks are of the tribes of the children of Israel. Jews. What John saw was at some point in time that 144,000 Jews entered into heaven.
No where does it say that that is all that there will ever be.

Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

There is a popular childrens song "I am a whosoever!"

The best way to get rid of the confusion is to talk to God Himself. No one can teach you better than He. Tell Him that you want to believe the truth. You don't want any of the lies and confusion. Ask Him to teach you, and to protect you. I find it helpful to repent of any lies that I have been told.
To repent of such things is simply telling God that it never should have happened. You don't even need to try to figure out which thoughts are lies and which ones are true. Give them all up to Him, and let Him give back what is right.

May the Lord guide you in all knowledge of the truth, and protect you from false teachings, false doctrines, and all manner of evil. I pray that the Lord raises you both up for His glory.

 

[ÃÂoppleganger]

Just trust in God's word, read it for yourself. Don't listen to man, read it with your heart. And study the text, as close to the original, using Strong's. The Companion Bible is also a very good version, for ferreting out the true meaning of the text. .... http://www.thecompanionbible.com
Has anyone ever been called God, or called themself God or equal to God who wasn't a nut or a fraud? Has anyone ever healed someone blind from birth or raised the dead?

 

[beehive2]

Just trust in God's word, read it for yourself. Don't listen to man, read it with your heart. And study the text, as close to the original, using Strong's. The Companion Bible is also a very good version, for ferreting out the true meaning of the text. http://www.thecompanionbible.com
Has anyone ever been called God, or called themself God or equal to God who wasn't a nut or a fraud? Has anyone ever healed someone blind from birth or raised the dead?

I think you said it right Dopple. Don't listen to man. And that is exactly what we have been doing. Listening to too many people. That is where all of the confusion has set in.

My biggest challenge is that I was baptized Catholic, and not to condemn the faith, I simply do not like the way they teach and I feel they have made up their own laws of religion. I would like to have myself and my children baptized by immersion since that is how John and Jesus went about it. So, in order to do that, I would have to pick one of the faith's that baptize by immersion, but I also have to become a "member" of that faith. :roll:

I prayed last night and He answered. Someone had opened my eyes this morning. They made alot of sense. And I think I know now what I should do, (other than the baptism part of things).

Thanks for all of your guidance. I appreciate it all. As far as baptism goes, I would like some opinions on that. Sprinkling VS Immersion.

 

[Jeff Mills]

think you said it right Dopple. Don't listen to man. And that is exactly what we have been doing. Listening to too many people. That is where all of the confusion has set in.
Zaks wrote.
My biggest challenge is that I was baptized Catholic, and not to condemn the faith, I simply do not like the way they teach and I feel they have made up their own laws of religion. I would like to have myself and my children baptized by immersion since that is how John and Jesus went about it. So, in order to do that, I would have to pick one of the faith's that baptize by immersion, but I also have to become a "member" of that faith.

I prayed last night and He answered. Someone had opened my eyes this morning. They made alot of sense. And I think I know now what I should do, (other than the baptism part of things).

Thanks for all of your guidance. I appreciate it all. As far as baptism goes, I would like some opinions on that. Sprinkling VS Immersion.

Wow Zaks. It brings a great joy to me to erad your testimony. Praise God you are walking with Jesus.

 

[ÃÂoppleganger]

Well, without straining the eye of a gnat or trying to fit a camel thru the eye of a needle. If you have already been baptized, theres really no need. All you need to do is ask his forgiveness, and apply his word to your heart. But, i understand your feelings as far as making some show of a public display of re-dedication. Some scholars would say that to be re-baptized would have you re-crucify Christ all over again. Anyways thats your descision. As far as the Sprinkling VS Immersion thing, I don't really wanna go there and open up a new debate. Christ was immersed not sprinkled, but if you can't immerse its ok to sprinkle. I think sprinkling started with newborns who couldn't decide for themselves if they wanted to dedicate there lives to Christ, which is the whole point of baptizism. Anyways, welcome home, and God bless you both!

 

[aj830]

My biggest challenge is that I was baptized Catholic, and not to condemn the faith, I simply do not like the way they teach and I feel they have made up their own laws of religion.

I would encourage you to not base your assumptions on what you feel. Christ established the true Church and you have already been baptized so why do you wish to be baptized again. Instead of basing your decisions on Sprinkling or Immersion you should be basing your decision on the Truth. Which Church has the fullness of the truth? Which Church did Jesus establish? Not Billy down the street or some english guy in the 16th century but Jesus. I would argue that you should look into your Catholic faith more and truly find out why it teaches what it teaches instead of leaving for what you "feel" they have made up.

 

[Solo]

My biggest challenge is that I was baptized Catholic, and not to condemn the faith, I simply do not like the way they teach and I feel they have made up their own laws of religion. I would like to have myself and my children baptized by immersion since that is how John and Jesus went about it. So, in order to do that, I would have to pick one of the faith's that baptize by immersion, but I also have to become a "member" of that faith.

I prayed last night and He answered. Someone had opened my eyes this morning. They made alot of sense. And I think I know now what I should do, (other than the baptism part of things).

Thanks for all of your guidance. I appreciate it all. As far as baptism goes, I would like some opinions on that. Sprinkling VS Immersion.

Your discernment concerning the Roman Catholic Church is correct. Salvation is not in any church or building or human institution like the Roman Catholics, Methodists, Anglicans, etc. Salvation is in Jesus Christ. The Bible does not teach you to join a church so that you can get saved. The Bible teaches that one must repent of their sinful ways, believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and follow HIM. When the Holy Spirit wakes you up to the point of understanding the Word of God which convicts you of being a sinner and needing a Saviour; then reveals that Jesus Christ died for your sins so that you could live and be resurrected just as He was; and that guides you to live according to His word by following Him; then you are born again. After one is born again, the first act of obedience is participation in believers baptism. Infant baptism is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. The only people that are baptized in the Bible are those that heard the Word of God and believed after which they were baptized.

I was baptized as an infant and was on my way to hell until I became born again at the age of twenty-eight. The Sunday following my Salvation, I was baptized. The Greek Word βαπτιζω is translated Baptize, and it is defined as follows:

• to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism.

 

[beehive2]

I would argue that you should look into your Catholic faith more and truly find out why it teaches what it teaches instead of leaving for what you "feel" they have made up.

Maybe I should rephrase that. I KNOW I do not care for the religion. I was baptized as a child and if my parents would have waited, I wouldnt have been baptized Catholic, but Christian. I have many reasons why which I won't go into them. And how can one become Christian if they are never baptized in that faith?

 

[Fnerb]

Maybe I should rephrase that. I KNOW I do not care for the religion. I was baptized as a child and if my parents would have waited, I wouldnt have been baptized Catholic, but Christian. I have many reasons why which I won't go into them. And how can one become Christian if they are never baptized in that faith?

Baptism is a means of grace, but it is not the only means. The Lords Supper as well as His word.

Also, I believe the truth behind baptism to be far more important and what that water symbolizes. In 1 Peter 3:21 we are told, "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you alsoâ€â€not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[a] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"

 

[Jeff Mills]

Baptism is a means of grace, but it is not the only means. The Lords Supper as well as His word.

Also, I believe the truth behind baptism to be far more important and what that water symbolizes. In 1 Peter 3:21 we are told, "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you alsoâ€â€not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[a] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"

Let's go a stage further and get baptised in the Holy Spirt! Now when you receive the Holy Spirit your fire will BURN for Christ and you will be a wonderul tool to be used by Him. Oh what joy it is to serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords! Hallelujah!

 

[Guest]

Baptism is a means of grace, but it is not the only means. The Lords Supper as well as His word.

Also, I believe the truth behind baptism to be far more important and what that water symbolizes. In 1 Peter 3:21 we are told, "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you alsoâ€â€not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[a] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"

Fnerb - I would suggest that you need to but that verse in the context of the whole passage:

18For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

19in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,

20who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

21Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Note the "corresponding to that" - is in regards to the previous verses - chiefly verse 18 which states that salvation is in the cross of Christ. The reference to Noah's ark is not salvation through water - but rather the patience of God - that God was patient during the construction of the ark - even though evil was running rampant all around.

In other words, God is patient so that we have an opportunity to come to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is an expression of our faith in Jesus Christ.

 

[aj830]

Maybe I should rephrase that. I KNOW I do not care for the religion. I was baptized as a child and if my parents would have waited, I wouldnt have been baptized Catholic, but Christian. I have many reasons why which I won't go into them. And how can one become Christian if they are never baptized in that faith?

Ahh...so you won't even give your the Faith the acknowlegement of being Christian. You have already been baptized Christian, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Church is the Christian Church and it goes by the original Church teachings. Here is an excerpt concerning the Didache.

The Didache was written around A.D. 70 and, though not inspired, is a strong witness to the sacramental practice of Christians in the apostolic age. In its seventh chapter, the Didache reads, "Concerning baptism, baptize in this manner: Having said all these things beforehand, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in living water [that is, in running water, as in a river]. If there is no living water, baptize in other water; and, if you are not able to use cold water, use warm. If you have neither, pour water three times upon the head in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

So the earliest Christians and thought it was okay to baptize either way and the Christian Church still follows this today. I would tell you to please pray for God to lead you to the truth. You are in my prayers. Please PM me if you ever want to talk about it in private or if you want to give me some of your reasons why you wish to be re-baptized.

 

[Fnerb]

Note the "corresponding to that" - is in regards to the previous verses - chiefly verse 18 which states that salvation is in the cross of Christ. The reference to Noah's ark is not salvation through water - but rather the patience of God - that God was patient during the construction of the ark - even though evil was running rampant all around.

In other words, God is patient so that we have an opportunity to come to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is an expression of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Well, wouldn't you say that baptism is a means of the Holy Spirit working faith in us? aka a means of grace?

Baptism is a washing of sins. (Acts 22:16 Ephesians 5:25-27)
Gives us rebirth. (John 3:5 Titus 3:5)
Clothes us in the righteousness of Christ. (Galatians 3:27)

 

[Guest]

I would say that as a result of grace - one is baptized as an expression of faith. I would not say that baptism - in and of itself is a means of grace or salvation.

As God, Jesus would not have any need of being baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Rather, Jesus provided an example for us to be baptized.

 

[jgredline]

I would say that as a result of grace - one is baptized as an expression of faith. I would not say that baptism - in and of itself is a means of grace or salvation.

As God, Jesus would not have any need of being baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Rather, Jesus provided an example for us to be baptized.

Yes, I agree with this..Good post

 

[Solo]

I would say that as a result of grace - one is baptized as an expression of faith. I would not say that baptism - in and of itself is a means of grace or salvation.

As God, Jesus would not have any need of being baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Rather, Jesus provided an example for us to be baptized.

I also agree.

 

[Jeff Mills]

There wasn't much water about when the Eunuch got baptised! I know that in some countries they baptize with sand because of lack of water!