Can you be simply Christian? (Not Eastern or Catcholic)

Radagast

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That is the big old church beside Sahat Tepe. They don't seem to say much about their beliefs, but visiting can't do any harm. I'm guessing (from their international affiliations) that they are mainline/liberal Protestants.


Taking a look at this website, they seem to be:
  • Nicene Christians -- which is good
  • Pentecostal -- which means speaking in tongues etc. (I don't believe in that myself)
  • Baptist -- they would want to rebaptise converts from Orthodoxy (people like you)
  • Pretrib/Dispensationalist -- they have specific beliefs about the end times that I disagree with
I see no reason not to visit. The only possible problem is if they think that your mental illness is a demon or something. If you attend and they react that way, I'd stop attending.


There seem to be a whole lot of different churches there.
 
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stanilovesGod

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Dont worry. It have mental problems with OCD, but i am not stupid and i wont easily be influenced. I manage to cope with it very well to the outer world :) I wont share with them my problems until i am certain that they are the right way. :) You keep mentioning Sahat Tepe. This is a hill here in the city. If there is a church with the same name, please post a website or anything if you can. Have you ever been here? :) Oh way i got what you meant, you meant the first church is the one you are talking about.
 
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Radagast

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You keep mentioning Sahat Tepe. This is a hill here in the city.

...Oh way i got what you meant, you meant the first church is the one you are talking about.

That's right. Their building seems to be famous because it is old. However, I can't discover much about what happens inside.

I updated and clarified my post #42, by the way.
 
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stanilovesGod

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Thanks friend, you did more than enouigh :) I really wish to attend that one that i told you aboutm not to mention its 2 mins from my place the one that provides more info. They seems nice people there. But i will wait for a while, i wan to find out more about it. Overthinking it makes it difficult :)
 
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Radagast

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I really wish to attend that one that i told you aboutm not to mention its 2 mins from my place the one that provides more info.

That's why I tried to give you a reasonably complete analysis. They seem to be very much like similar churches here.


This seems to be another Pentecostal church, but affiliated with different overseas groups. I'm not quite sure how it differs from the other one.
 
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I've always felt Him in my heart though, knowing what is good or bad. So i am now trying to become closer to Him. ................. also feel very unconfortable with Eastern Orthodox icons (painting of Christ), they don't seem right to me. I prefer to pray in a corner of my home, with a Bible or a cross. I don't turst this Church Yerarchy. I just trust in God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus as my personal savior. ...................I belive in a Church there should not be icons or statues, just cross and happy people. ..................... From what i know Protestants simply trust in Jesus as saviour, that whoever belives in Him shall not perish, and that you should repent and personally talk only to Him, not to church emplpoyes or whatever their yeratchy level is. ................. Am i doing something wrong, shall i be baptised again, since i was in a way unbeliver for many years. Please give me your advices :) Thanks .

It looks like God is calling you to serve Him. There is no perfect denomination, so don't worry too much about it. Keep reading the Bible! The Old Testament is a great collection of books, but I suggest you start with the New Testament.

The gospels are fundamental, but in my interpretation we Christians don't have to obey all of the Lord's commandments (that He gave to the Jews during His earthly ministry) because they are basically a reinterpretation of the law of Moses. Jesus told His disciples to sell their property to charity, obey the scribes and Pharisees, perform animal sacrifices, keep the Sabbath, observe festivals, etc. We don't have to do any of these things to be saved.

The letters of Paul are actually teachings of Jesus after His resurrection. Contrary to what many Bible teachers say, Paul's letters are more important than the gospels with respect to salvation.

You're on right path to eternal life -- feeling the presence of God in your heart is a great privilege.
 
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Prepper Pete

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I think that the Church in Bulgaria probably did what it had to do to survive during the years of communist oppression, but I don't know to what extent that that effect lingers on. Perhaps what you see in Protestant churches are churches that weren't impacted by having to survive Soviet domination, and what you are seeing is how things should be.

Perhaps your heart for how things should be can be a help to the Orthodox Church locally by you being a part of the restoration of that faith to something that future generations will appreciate... like you did with your grandmother.
 
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BNR32FAN

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I have interesting question for you friends. I am born in Bulgaria, that is Eastern Orthodox Church. Bulgaria was socialist state, meaning relgion was, althou not banned, very very low grounded. I was born thank God after that but, most people here seem to don't understand a lot. My parents and grandparents, except from my grandmother that died while i was little (she was religioun always saying God have mission for everyone), no one really explained religion to be. Non of my friends is religious. All consider ourselves Christians, Belive in God, but thats it. Atleast my surrondings. I have to admit, since recently, when series of events brought me close to God, i did not knew neither what the commendmants were, neither what is Holy Spirit, i didnt even knew why Christ died on the cross. I only knew there was God and that we dont have to steal, lie or murder people.
I've always felt Him in my heart though, knowing what is good or bad. So i am now trying to become closer to Him. I start reading the Bible. But i dont know anything about Eastern Orthodox Church. There is a lot of corruption here in Bulgaria even in the church, i dont want to tell you but some priests were watches for 10 000$ dollars, some were guys, doing horrible things, they were exposed by the local tv. I am not saying all are like that, but i simply dont trust them. I also feel very unconfortable with Eastern Orthodox icons (painting of Christ), they don't seem right to me. I prefer to pray in a corner of my home, with a Bible or a cross. I don't turst this Church Yerarchy. I just trust in God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus as my personal savior. I started to read more about religions and it seem this is how Protestant churces are. There is very beautiful such churches in my town. I belive in a Church there should not be icons or statues, just cross and happy people. My parents say i was baptised as kid, there are also pictures, but they also are not more religious than simply beliving personally in the lord. If i was baptised as Eastern Orthodox Church, but my ways of praying are more similar to the Protestant Church from what i read, i am doing something wrong? From what i know Protestants simply trust in Jesus as saviour, that whoever belives in Him shall not perish, and that you should repent and personally talk only to Him, not to church emplpoyes or whatever their yeratchy level is. I am a bit confused. I still go to Church on Eastern, but thats the only time i ever go. Am i doing something wrong, shall i be baptised again, since i was in a way unbeliver for many years. Please give me your advices :) Thanks .

Hi friend. I’m very sorry to hear that there is much corruption in the Orthodox Churches in your area. It is truly sad when God’s church is defiled by evil men. I would say that when it comes to doctrines I tend to side more with the Orthodox beliefs. Most Protestants teach things like eternal security which means once a person believes they receive salvation and cannot lose their salvation no matter what they do. I don’t believe the Bible teaches this. I can explain in more detail why I disagree with this teaching if you like but since this is not an eternal security discussion I will not explain in this message. My church actually teaches eternal security and I disagree with it. But I stay at my church because I see the love and devotion to God in my church. I also see the love and devotion to each other in fellowship in my church. I think the best advice I can give is just look for a place where you can see the Holy Spirit at work in the people and the church leaders. Pray and ask The Lord for guidance and visit several churches in your area. Most importantly keep studying your bible and always pray and ask The Lord to reveal His word to you the way He intended it. Pray for understanding. Don’t rely on someone else to tell you what the Bible says. Studying the Bible for yourself is the only way to determine what is truth. I’m not saying not to study in a bible study group I’m simply saying don’t rely on someone else to teach you what the Bible teaches. Let the word of God do the teaching and discuss it with other Christians to get their perspective. God bless you friend I’m confident the Holy Spirit will lead you to exactly where He wants you to be. :)
 
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Hi friend. I’m very sorry to hear that there is much corruption in the Orthodox Churches in your area. It is truly sad when God’s church is defiled by evil men. I would say that when it comes to doctrines I tend to side more with the Orthodox beliefs. Most Protestants teach things like eternal security which means once a person believes they receive salvation and cannot lose their salvation no matter what they do. I don’t believe the Bible teaches this. I can explain in more detail why I disagree with this teaching if you like but since this is not an eternal security discussion I will not explain in this message. My church actually teaches eternal security and I disagree with it. But I stay at my church because I see the love and devotion to God in my church. I also see the love and devotion to each other in fellowship in my church. I think the best advice I can give is just look for a place where you can see the Holy Spirit at work in the people and the church leaders. Pray and ask The Lord for guidance and visit several churches in your area. Most importantly keep studying your bible and always pray and ask The Lord to reveal His word to you the way He intended it. Pray for understanding. Don’t rely on someone else to tell you what the Bible says. Studying the Bible for yourself is the only way to determine what is truth. I’m not saying not to study in a bible study group I’m simply saying don’t rely on someone else to teach you what the Bible teaches. Let the word of God do the teaching and discuss it with other Christians to get their perspective. God bless you friend I’m confident the Holy Spirit will lead you to exactly where He wants you to be. :)

I agree! I know many "Christians" who advocate OSAS and live in fornication and adultery. If they don't repent they'll never be saved.

The big problem with most churches is that they are much better at justifying their beliefs than at searching and accepting the truth.
 
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Jude1:3Contendforthefaith

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I have interesting question for you friends. I am born in Bulgaria, that is Eastern Orthodox Church. Bulgaria was socialist state, meaning relgion was, althou not banned, very very low grounded. I was born thank God after that but, most people here seem to don't understand a lot. My parents and grandparents, except from my grandmother that died while i was little (she was religioun always saying God have mission for everyone), no one really explained religion to be. Non of my friends is religious. All consider ourselves Christians, Belive in God, but thats it. Atleast my surrondings. I have to admit, since recently, when series of events brought me close to God, i did not knew neither what the commendmants were, neither what is Holy Spirit, i didnt even knew why Christ died on the cross. I only knew there was God and that we dont have to steal, lie or murder people.
I've always felt Him in my heart though, knowing what is good or bad. So i am now trying to become closer to Him. I start reading the Bible. But i dont know anything about Eastern Orthodox Church. There is a lot of corruption here in Bulgaria even in the church, i dont want to tell you but some priests were watches for 10 000$ dollars, some were guys, doing horrible things, they were exposed by the local tv. I am not saying all are like that, but i simply dont trust them. I also feel very unconfortable with Eastern Orthodox icons (painting of Christ), they don't seem right to me. I prefer to pray in a corner of my home, with a Bible or a cross. I don't turst this Church Yerarchy. I just trust in God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus as my personal savior. I started to read more about religions and it seem this is how Protestant churces are. There is very beautiful such churches in my town. I belive in a Church there should not be icons or statues, just cross and happy people. My parents say i was baptised as kid, there are also pictures, but they also are not more religious than simply beliving personally in the lord. If i was baptised as Eastern Orthodox Church, but my ways of praying are more similar to the Protestant Church from what i read, i am doing something wrong? From what i know Protestants simply trust in Jesus as saviour, that whoever belives in Him shall not perish, and that you should repent and personally talk only to Him, not to church emplpoyes or whatever their yeratchy level is. I am a bit confused. I still go to Church on Eastern, but thats the only time i ever go. Am i doing something wrong, shall i be baptised again, since i was in a way unbeliver for many years. Please give me your advices :) Thanks .



OP, There are Tares among The Wheat in every single Christian Sect but there are Real Legit Christians with in them also.

Stay in The Orthodox Church and just try to find the Real Christians in your life.

Orthodoxy is the best and correct way, but there are legit Christians with in Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches also.
 
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BNR32FAN

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OP, There are Tares among The Wheat in every single Christian Sect but there are Real Legit Christians with in them also.

Stay in The Orthodox Church and just try to find the Real Christians in your life.

Orthodoxy is best and correct way, but there are legit Christians with in Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches also.

Amen I consider myself a nondenominational with a tendency to lean towards Orthodoxy. I also believe there are true Christians in every denomination of Christianity. As Jesus said

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:8‬

And the scriptures say

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬

So I don’t believe that only people in one or certain denominations are seeking and knocking. I believe it is possible that many even tho they are in different denominations are right where the Holy Spirit has led them to be. At least for now. ;)
 
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JesusYeshuaisLord

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I have interesting question for you friends. I am born in Bulgaria, that is Eastern Orthodox Church. Bulgaria was socialist state, meaning relgion was, althou not banned, very very low grounded. I was born thank God after that but, most people here seem to don't understand a lot. My parents and grandparents, except from my grandmother that died while i was little (she was religioun always saying God have mission for everyone), no one really explained religion to be. Non of my friends is religious. All consider ourselves Christians, Belive in God, but thats it. Atleast my surrondings. I have to admit, since recently, when series of events brought me close to God, i did not knew neither what the commendmants were, neither what is Holy Spirit, i didnt even knew why Christ died on the cross. I only knew there was God and that we dont have to steal, lie or murder people.
I've always felt Him in my heart though, knowing what is good or bad. So i am now trying to become closer to Him. I start reading the Bible. But i dont know anything about Eastern Orthodox Church. There is a lot of corruption here in Bulgaria even in the church, i dont want to tell you but some priests were watches for 10 000$ dollars, some were guys, doing horrible things, they were exposed by the local tv. I am not saying all are like that, but i simply dont trust them. I also feel very unconfortable with Eastern Orthodox icons (painting of Christ), they don't seem right to me. I prefer to pray in a corner of my home, with a Bible or a cross. I don't turst this Church Yerarchy. I just trust in God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus as my personal savior. I started to read more about religions and it seem this is how Protestant churces are. There is very beautiful such churches in my town. I belive in a Church there should not be icons or statues, just cross and happy people. My parents say i was baptised as kid, there are also pictures, but they also are not more religious than simply beliving personally in the lord. If i was baptised as Eastern Orthodox Church, but my ways of praying are more similar to the Protestant Church from what i read, i am doing something wrong? From what i know Protestants simply trust in Jesus as saviour, that whoever belives in Him shall not perish, and that you should repent and personally talk only to Him, not to church emplpoyes or whatever their yeratchy level is. I am a bit confused. I still go to Church on Eastern, but thats the only time i ever go. Am i doing something wrong, shall i be baptised again, since i was in a way unbeliver for many years. Please give me your advices :) Thanks .

Love your post!! I praise God that he is in your life and that you want to know more about him!
The best place to start is always the bible, personal bible studies are great! If God is working in you, he will make you understand everything you read in his Word.

You could try to contact Bible league international, they provide bible-study type training around the world, there might be a group in Bulgaria: Church Planter Training – Bible League International

Regarding corruption in churches, every denomination has some corrupt people, sadly:

Matthew 13:24-30
The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’

Pray that God guides you to 1 or 2 good seeds that can strengthen your walk with him. The weeds will eventually be burnt.
 
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Brotherly Spirit

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Yes, I believe it's possible to simply be a Christian. I think it's so simple as @BNR32FAN said, "Let the word of God do the teaching and discuss it with other Christians to get their perspective."

Above all else it's our faith in Christ which defines us as Christians. The belief he alone is the begotten Son of God who's our Lord and Savior. His flesh and blood that was nailed to the cross for our sins. Gathering in his name as believers whether it's to worship or fellowship is for him in remembrance and reverence. Through Jesus we gain a better understanding of God, learning more about him and how we're to worship him in the same honor.

There's the Jesus in the Bible (God's word) and Jesus in the Church (Christ's body), we can't rely on our own understanding or even others. So it's necessary to seek your faith in Christ both in the Bible and in the Church, letting the Holy Spirit guide you to the truth. This requires humility and patience not rushing to a conclusion, but reconciling the differences until what's left is the will of God and accordingly the teachings of Jesus.
 
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