Looking for any help.

Hello,

For most of my life my parent's never took me to Church, my father didn't want us to go, and so my mother never took us. Then when I moved out on my own, I joined my grandmother's Church. (I was also Baptized there). However I don't know if i'm a presbyterian. I just know that that's where they go and I join them every know and then.

I would like a direct relationship with God. I'm quite conservative, in more ways than one. I believe that Jesus Christ is not God incarnate, but God's firstborn son. Jesus is Lord and Savior; God of this earth; creator of all in heaven and earth as directed by God the Father.

Could anyone give me some pointers, or at least places to research?

Thanks;
Emily

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Hopefully, the above will help somewhat. You say you don't believe that Jesus is incarnate? Does this mean you don't believe Jesus is God? If not, I'm not sure what church you would go as this is a basic christian belief.

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Plan to slip in the back, and tell yourself you're allowed to leave if you need to. You are in charge of what you do.

Try a few evening and mid-week services, special speakers and concerts. That gives you a feel for what the church likes to promote.

Hi Emily,

I know of only one mainstream church that believes in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior but denies that he is God incarnate. By denying this they believe that Jesus is not God. I'm not sure if that is what you mean when you say "not God incarnate". Anyway, this church is usually classified by Christians as a non-Christian church.

The scripture they use to validate their beliefs on Christ is from their own Bible which they translated differently than every other Christian Bible out there. One verse in particular would be John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God". "the Word" is Jesus. In this particular church the verse goes like this: In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. Notice the "a" and the lower case "g" at the end. This church believes that Jesus is merely a god and not God. Keep in mind that Jesus is called Immanuel meaning "God with us". (Matthew 1:23)

I hope this all doesn't sound confusing. Jesus was God in the flesh born of virgin Mary, so their is the man aspect in Jesus. The flesh of Jesus was not God, but Jesus was fully embodied with the spirit of God or God incarnate. If you agree with this but are just having difficulties with the word incarnate then this particular church would not be for you.

Anyway... if you haven't guessed the church already... they also don't celebrate birthdays, Christmas or any other holiday I'm aware of. They are the Jehovah's Witnesses.

In any case, heron had a great suggestion to try out some different places and slip out if you get uncomfortable.

Cheers!

Emily,

Dear God's beloved child. That you have not accurately reflected on who Jesus Christ is and how He is God's only begotten Son yet without beginning is not your fault. You just need a little help is all. But the god of this world is Satan, he is a sneaky lion prowling around to find someone defenseless. Better watch out for him.

But I feel God is calling you so be patient. Seek spiritual knowledge from a pastor who can explain who Jesus Christ is. A good Lutheran pastor who has been properly trained can help. He can also direct you to some basic books on how to understand the Bible.

Peace,

Cos

Emily,

There are two basic practices that will lead us to a rich and life-filling relationship with God… frequent prayer and the reading of his word, the bible. These two things invite the Holy Spirit into our lives. Once that happens, we have guidance, sight, protection and his blessing.

Personal prayer and studying the word are developed skills that don’t always come easy.

To help develop good prayer, I recommend, ‘A Praying Life’ by Paul E. Miller
For learning to read the scriptures, I would recommend, ‘Knowing the Scriptures’ by R.C. Sproul

Both books are inexpensive through Amazon Market Place. If not those, persist in finding others, but learn how to seek him. At first, avoid books or people that will tell you how to think. Learn how to express yourself in prayer and how to learn his word, so that he can speak directly to you. The words of men can be deceptive. There are many people worth listening to, but always require solid proof and never be afraid to let go of a belief if God's word reveals an error in your thought. This is how he refines us.

A close relationship with God is built on knowledge and faith. Once you have that relationship, matters of belief and fellowship will be much easier to deal with. You’ll have the strength and protection of his word and faith in his love.

Emily,
I noticed you said you really want a direct relationship with God. That's great to hear because God's desired that ever since man was in the garden, to walk and talk with man directly. As far as what kind of Christian you are, I would say a Christian. Paul warned the early Church about splitting up and dividing over issues. He called them carnal and in need of milk (the very basics) what are the basics? That if you are in Christ and I am in Christ, then we're apart of the same Church and thats all there is to it! So I would encourage you not to worry what sect of Christianity you are, we've done enough splitting up already. Just turn to the word of God and see for yourself what it says, and know that If you're a Christian and Im a Christian, then we're one family. Hope this helps God bless - Mike

I suggest visiting different congregations until you find one that ministers to you personally. You won't have to guess when you find it. The Spirit will feel strong to you, and while you might not know a soul in this church, we are all Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus and most will warm up to you real quick. I did this myself, so I speak out of experience. I tried 2 Prebesterian churches, 3 Methodist Churches, 2 Church of Christ churches, 2 Pentecostal/Charismatic churches, 1 Episcopal church, 1 Lutheran church, and about 4 Baptist churches. In the end I found a very special Baptist church where I knew noone to start with that ministered not just to me but my wife also. Now I am am member and live for Sundays!

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For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries. (Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, W.W. Norton, New York, 1978, p. 116)