Do I have to be in any certain denomination?

[Victor in Christ]

If this is the case, then I would choose Protestant churches (not Calvinist Protestant ones) if your purpose is to evangelize them in secret. Protestant churches seem to be the closest to the truth (even though I still strongly disagree with them). Granted, I could not do it because I am strongly against Once Saved Always Saved and or Belief Alone-ism (and I could not help but to rebuke them), but if you are looking to make friends and to witness to them in a subtle way, then by all means. Just do not let their teachings influence you, brother. I would also still encourage you to find sold out believers who follow Jesus, too. Keep praying to find such believers (No matter how long it takes).

may i humbly suggest there is a difference in Calvinism which needs to be addressed. At its core Calvinist doctrine believes in the grace of god for our eternal salvation through that endless fountain of life through Christ's shed blood on the cross. The opposite view of that believes when we make one slight screw-up in life we have an automatic ticket to hell. That's where we will start to begin to seek salvation every day through works.

Calvinism as simply put is about god's grace working within a sinner to prick their heart they are on the wrong path in life, a path of destruction. Once you've truely repented and sought Christ, (saved/born again) you are truly saved and the Lord will strengthen you through the valleys in life and you'll praise him climbing the mountains, his grace will grow in you as you'll supernaturally adhere to the fulfillment to the NT law and want to know more about him and have fellowship with other Christians. You will know when a deceiver/a worldling comes along and tries to tempt you back into the world. The holy spirit will prick your soul and tell you not to, even if that worldling is the kindest person you've met.

Hyper Calvinism is something i don't agree with. They shut themselves away (like hermits) believing God's divine mercy is enough for souls to be saved. I believe hyper- Calvinists/like many other churches/people through Christian history and currently ongoing can be compared to Christ's parable of the talents. One servant had only one talent, but he buried it for he feared the Lord. He didn't share the simplicity of the gospel to others, he was selfish in spreading the Gospel and wanted to only make sure of his own salvation and also because he doubted the Lord's protection that he may get corrupted by going into the world to spread the gospel.

 

[Albion]

What church follows the Bible the closest?

That question will almost always get you a dozen conflicting answers, depending on who is reading the post.

I do not believe in once saved always saved either.

Okay. Scratch all Reformed churches and Presbyterians, although some are not particularly OSAS anymore.

For the longest time I have been looking for a church that fits the "evangelical born-again Christian" title but I am unable to find that certain church.

Again, "Evangelical" is a word that means different things to different people. For some, it's a synonym for Fundamentalist and for others it just means Gospel-centered.

Would you know? Also, would the church that suggest be 5 point arminianism if one such thing exists?

I have a hunch that you might be a Methodist at heart, but I don't have enough to go on. The several other churches I mentioned earlier are closely related as offspring of John Wesley's work. As for Arminianism, it's similar in a way but--strictly speaking--it's a refutation of Orthodox Calvinism and has to be seen that way.

What you think about the clergy and the sacraments might give us a clearer cue about your preferred denominations.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Hello everyone,

Recently, I've been struggling with the thought of going to a certain denomination. I've been to Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, etc. churches. I was even involved in the Amish anabaptist churches (though they have their church services in other member's front rooms, barns, etc instead of having church in a certain building. To them, church is anywhere which is true. That was a really unique take on 'church'.)

The issue is that I don't know which denomination to go to. I wanted to go to a Greek Orthodox church because God gave me a sign. I went into town the other day, scoped out a Catholic church for me to potentially go to so I would finally quit going from church to church (because God gave me a sign to go to a Catholic church), and lo' and behold, a Greek Orthodox priest came to me and pretty much convinced me to be in the Greek Orthodox church instead of a Catholic church. And who am I to disobey God's sign? So, I went and looked up the Greek Orthodox church, read what they are about, and now I have my sights set out to go to a Greek Orthodox church and to talk about getting involved with that.

This same thing actually happened to me when I was in another state (Ohio to be exact, which is my home state.) I went to the local Baptist church, and a nice Amish man came up to me and told me that being Amish was the way to go. That was fun to be honest. Working out, being Amish, dressing like them, plowing, etc. It was hard work! I moved though to NC so I had to pick another church.

The issue though with moving and picking another church is that I don't really know if what I am doing is right and if I act on things too quickly. I have Asperger's syndrome you see, so seeing God's signs is quite difficult for me. So when I see a sign I'm so excited because those are normally small things that I miss due to my autism and so I act on those right away! (This is why I have 8 different bibles in my house by the way. I go and buy a study bible on the Baptists then one on the Anabaptists and then one on this denomination, and then one and another one. It is because I think God wants me to know more about that certain denomination because he wants me to be in it! It is because he gave me a sign! If I have autism and it's hard for me to see signs then God shows me a sign instantly and I act on it! In those moments I feel so close to God but then he tells me to change and then I am away from God again )

In all honesty though, I'm actually sort of scared to choose a denomination because I'm afraid that I will miss God's signs because I will be blinded by that denomination's thought process, but at the same time I feel like God wants me to be in a denomination on purpose so I can get his message in the best way and so I can be even more closer to the church which means that I can be closer to God. Right now I'm struggling with the thought of being in the Greek Orthodox church and going to that church and having the right things done to officially be in that church. Yesterday, I was struggling with being in the Catholic church. It's all very confusing and God just keeps throwing signs at me and I have to weed it all out despite me being held back by my autism.

A secondary problem is that I can't really get "closer" to God unless I'm at a church (aka being involved in a denomination.) And you know that there are many denominations of churches so who is to say that the denomination that I'm in is one that God would not agree with? I obviously won't see God in a church that he would not agree with so I can't get "closer" to God so he can give me more direct answers instead of vague ones like I'm getting now. If I find that God wants me somewhere else then it's like a light switch and that church doesn't help me anymore, and I have to to go another church. It is a little sad. I guess I'm following the holy spirit??

I find though that if I am in church I get very VERY direct answers and my life goes well. But then when I am away or when God calls me somewhere else and I am in question and I cannot ask a pastor about something then I get lost because I don't know.

Could I have some advice on this? This has been a lifelong struggle with me and I am not sure how I can maneuver this life when I have issues trying to see God's signs clearly. I don't think he wants me to switch churches like you switch out a pair of socks but I'm just so confused and I don't know what to do. I pray a lot but I'm scared that if I ask God to slow down he will stop giving me signs all together and I will just end up in a church that does not show me any of Gods signs. Despite me going nearly nuts about this, I wouldn't want him to put me on the back burner and stop giving me his gifts because I don't want to sound ungrateful. I've had some great things happen to me under God! I'm just scared that I will be without God's gift again and I will fall into a deep state of depression without him like before.

Could anyone help me out on this? Thank you

(also, yes, you might say that I'm gullible but I can never tell if it's the person talking or if it is God speaking through the person. I find that if I reject what I am given then things do not go well for me [I get sad] so I just stay quiet and just go with it (least the alternative is being depressed again if I ignore God).)

Oh, and I also wanted to say that Ohio is also my home state, but I do not currently live there anymore, though. If I were to move back up North (to some capacity - Lord willing), it would be the Pittsburgh, PA area. I like beholding God's creation (the country and or nature).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

What church follows the Bible the closest? I do not believe in once saved always saved either. For the longest time I have been looking for a church that fits the "evangelical born-again Christian" title but I am unable to find that certain church. Would you know? Also, would the church that suggest be 5 point arminianism if one such thing exists?

While I have not talked with them personally and or done a deeper study on all of what they believe, these two churches appear to be for the truth of God's Word, God's grace, and for true Sanctification (i.e. holy living by God's power).

1. International Fellowship of Bible Churches: International Fellowship of Bible Churches
   (Locations can be found here:
   Ministry Locator – International Fellowship of Bible Churches)
   
   
2. Position Papers Missionary Church (1 church in Fort Wayne, IN):
   https://www.mcusa.org/position-papers/

 

[Bible Highlighter]

may i humbly suggest there is a difference in Calvinism which needs to be addressed. At its core Calvinist doctrine believes in the grace of god for our eternal salvation through that endless fountain of life through Christ's shed blood on the cross. The opposite view of that believes when we make one slight screw-up in life we have an automatic ticket to hell. That's where we will start to begin to seek salvation every day through works.

Calvinism as simply put is about god's grace working within a sinner to prick their heart they are on the wrong path in life, a path of destruction. Once you've truely repented and sought Christ, (saved/born again) you are truly saved and the Lord will strengthen you through the valleys in life and you'll praise him climbing the mountains, his grace will grow in you as you'll supernaturally adhere to the fulfillment to the NT law and want to know more about him and have fellowship with other Christians. You will know when a deceiver/a worldling comes along and tries to tempt you back into the world. The holy spirit will prick your soul and tell you not to, even if that worldling is the kindest person you've met.

Hyper Calvinism is something i don't agree with. They shut themselves away (like hermits) believing God's divine mercy is enough for souls to be saved. I believe hyper- Calvinists/like many other churches/people through Christian history and currently ongoing can be compared to Christ's parable of the talents. One servant had only one talent, but he buried it for he feared the Lord. He didn't share the simplicity of the gospel to others, he was selfish in spreading the Gospel and wanted to only make sure of his own salvation and also because he doubted the Lord's protection that he may get corrupted by going into the world to spread the gospel.

I responded to your post in another thread because we are not supposed to debate in the advise section of the forums. You can check out my reply to you here:

Shades of Calvinism vs. the Gospel

 

[Bible Highlighter]

@I Love History & Archaeology

As for the mention of sacraments in the thread:

There are no sacraments but the ones mentioned clearly in the Bible. The Lord's supper as it is defined in the Bible, and baptism are ones that I would endorse because they are clearly demonstrated in the Bible. Going beyond what Scripture says on these practices is dangerous in my view. Some take the Lord's supper to a whole another level that the Bible does not specifically talk about (that I do not agree with - for example: Transubstantiation is something I do not see taught in Scripture) (Note: I also do not see infant baptism taught in Scripture, either).

As for the recommendation in the thread for the Methodist churches of today:

Well, unless it is an indepenent Methodist church (that stresses holy living and the inerrancy of Scripture), I do not see the tradition Methodist churches of today following what Wesley originally started or taught. According to Gotquestions, they are one of the leading proponents for Ecumenism. Methodism today also has a low view of inerrancy in the Bible, too. There are other problems, as well. You can read about their beliefs at Gotquestions to learn more.

 

[Christian Sonic Fan]

What you think about the clergy and the sacraments might give us a clearer cue about your preferred denominations.

I don't believe in sacraments as I think that it is unbiblical. There are 7 of them but Grace alone through Jesus is all that is needed.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The word “sacrament” is defined in the dictionary as “ceremony” (Although I prefer not to use the “s” word in most cases (not all cases) because it is associated with Catholicism or Orthodox churches of which I do not agree with). There are only 3 New Covenant ceremonies I see in the Bible for the Believer:

#1. Voluntary Marriage Covenant Ceremony Between a Believing Man and Believing Woman (Symbolizes Relationship Between Christ and His Bride, i.e. the Church, or the true faithful body of believers).
#2. Water Baptism Ceremony or Ritual (Symbolizes the Death and Resurrection of Christ, and in Being Dead to Sin; Note: Also done as a public answer to having a clean or good conscience before God that you are already saved).
#3. Lord's Supper Ceremony (Symbolic of His Death and Resurrection, and We Partake of It in Rembrance of Him, and What He has done for us).

Side Note:

I do not see the laying on of hands to receive the Spirit as a Ceremony or even something that must be done for all believers. This was done under unique circumstances, and it was not really an elaborate ritual, but merely a biblical action done to give another of the Spirit (if they did not receive the Spirit when they first sought forgiveness with the Lord or in believing the gospel).

 

[Albion]

I don't believe in sacraments as I think that it is unbiblical. There are 7 of them but Grace alone through Jesus is all that is needed.

If by "unbiblical" you mean not to be observed at all, you have the Quakers, Salvation Army, and the Unitarians (?). If you mean that there are some sacraments but they are only symbolic, you are definitely at the Baptist end of things, denominationally speaking. No Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Reformed, or even Methodist variety of Christianity.

And there are some non-denominational congregations and unclassified churches that might work. All in all, perhaps the churches mentioned earlier--Assemblies of God or other Pentecostals and maybe the Holiness churches, so called, or Wesleyans.

 

[rockytopva]

So much depends on the senior pastor!

 

[Bible Highlighter]

As for the mention of the Quakers and to briefly explain why they are unbiblical:

To many Quakers, 'sin' is merely a vestigial remain within a man which can be removed by doing good. Satan is said to be a figment of the imagination and Jesus Christ is said to have been just a very good man. They see mankind as generally good.

This clearly not in line with Scripture. Man is lost and he needs a Savior, and he needs to be saved by God's grace (via by believing the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).​

As for the mention of the Salvation Army and to briefly explain why they are unbiblical:

The Salvation Army is mixed up in Masonry. If you Google Masonry, you will see this is clearly not biblical in the slightest.​

As for the mention of Unitarians and to briefly explain why they are not biblical:

They deny the clear teaching of the Trinity (Which is taught to us in 1 John 5:7 in the King James Bible).​

I hope this helps, and may God bless you all.

 

[lsume]

Hello everyone,

Recently, I've been struggling with the thought of going to a certain denomination. I've been to Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, etc. churches. I was even involved in the Amish anabaptist churches (though they have their church services in other member's front rooms, barns, etc instead of having church in a certain building. To them, church is anywhere which is true. That was a really unique take on 'church'.)

The issue is that I don't know which denomination to go to. I wanted to go to a Greek Orthodox church because God gave me a sign. I went into town the other day, scoped out a Catholic church for me to potentially go to so I would finally quit going from church to church (because God gave me a sign to go to a Catholic church), and lo' and behold, a Greek Orthodox priest came to me and pretty much convinced me to be in the Greek Orthodox church instead of a Catholic church. And who am I to disobey God's sign? So, I went and looked up the Greek Orthodox church, read what they are about, and now I have my sights set out to go to a Greek Orthodox church and to talk about getting involved with that.

This same thing actually happened to me when I was in another state (Ohio to be exact, which is my home state.) I went to the local Baptist church, and a nice Amish man came up to me and told me that being Amish was the way to go. That was fun to be honest. Working out, being Amish, dressing like them, plowing, etc. It was hard work! I moved though to NC so I had to pick another church.

The issue though with moving and picking another church is that I don't really know if what I am doing is right and if I act on things too quickly. I have Asperger's syndrome you see, so seeing God's signs is quite difficult for me. So when I see a sign I'm so excited because those are normally small things that I miss due to my autism and so I act on those right away! (This is why I have 8 different bibles in my house by the way. I go and buy a study bible on the Baptists then one on the Anabaptists and then one on this denomination, and then one and another one. It is because I think God wants me to know more about that certain denomination because he wants me to be in it! It is because he gave me a sign! If I have autism and it's hard for me to see signs then God shows me a sign instantly and I act on it! In those moments I feel so close to God but then he tells me to change and then I am away from God again )

In all honesty though, I'm actually sort of scared to choose a denomination because I'm afraid that I will miss God's signs because I will be blinded by that denomination's thought process, but at the same time I feel like God wants me to be in a denomination on purpose so I can get his message in the best way and so I can be even more closer to the church which means that I can be closer to God. Right now I'm struggling with the thought of being in the Greek Orthodox church and going to that church and having the right things done to officially be in that church. Yesterday, I was struggling with being in the Catholic church. It's all very confusing and God just keeps throwing signs at me and I have to weed it all out despite me being held back by my autism.

A secondary problem is that I can't really get "closer" to God unless I'm at a church (aka being involved in a denomination.) And you know that there are many denominations of churches so who is to say that the denomination that I'm in is one that God would not agree with? I obviously won't see God in a church that he would not agree with so I can't get "closer" to God so he can give me more direct answers instead of vague ones like I'm getting now. If I find that God wants me somewhere else then it's like a light switch and that church doesn't help me anymore, and I have to to go another church. It is a little sad. I guess I'm following the holy spirit??

I find though that if I am in church I get very VERY direct answers and my life goes well. But then when I am away or when God calls me somewhere else and I am in question and I cannot ask a pastor about something then I get lost because I don't know.

Could I have some advice on this? This has been a lifelong struggle with me and I am not sure how I can maneuver this life when I have issues trying to see God's signs clearly. I don't think he wants me to switch churches like you switch out a pair of socks but I'm just so confused and I don't know what to do. I pray a lot but I'm scared that if I ask God to slow down he will stop giving me signs all together and I will just end up in a church that does not show me any of Gods signs. Despite me going nearly nuts about this, I wouldn't want him to put me on the back burner and stop giving me his gifts because I don't want to sound ungrateful. I've had some great things happen to me under God! I'm just scared that I will be without God's gift again and I will fall into a deep state of depression without him like before.

Could anyone help me out on this? Thank you

(also, yes, you might say that I'm gullible but I can never tell if it's the person talking or if it is God speaking through the person. I find that if I reject what I am given then things do not go well for me [I get sad] so I just stay quiet and just go with it (least the alternative is being depressed again if I ignore God).)

I strongly suggest that you seek The True Church that Christ Heads. With all that you are try seeking The Truth.

 

[Christian Sonic Fan]

If by "unbiblical" you mean not to be observed at all, you have the Quakers, Salvation Army, and the Unitarians (?). If you mean that there are some sacraments but they are only symbolic, you are definitely at the Baptist end of things, denominationally speaking. No Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Reformed, or even Methodist variety of Christianity.

And there are some non-denominational congregations and unclassified churches that might work. All in all, perhaps the churches mentioned earlier--Assemblies of God or other Pentecostals and maybe the Holiness churches, so called, or Wesleyans.

I think those might work honestly.

But here is another thing. I don't think that water baptism is necessary (aka being a Baptist). The only baptism we need is the baptism of the belief of Jesus. Belief plus water baptism is not necessary. That sacrament is not biblical either. It is based entirely on belief in Jesus. The only thing that is necessary is belief in Jesus, not the water, though it may be an outward expression. I should say that I believe in Jesus and that should be the best outward expression there is.

I could be wrong on this but verse to verse varies on this. I take the side that you only need to say that you believe and you are "immersed" in the holy spirit while it is optional to be immersed in water except only that you are showing others that you do believe. This should not hold you back though to join a baptist church. A simple statement of how Jesus saved me could be enough and that is it. Members would welcome you to the church.

This is from reading Acts and other alike verses of course. Maybe I did not read them correctly but that is what I got from it. Again, maybe I am wrong.

 

[Albion]

I think those might work honestly.

Good. You understand that I'm not recommending any one denomination, just hoping to narrow the list--based on what you've told us here--for your consideration.

But here is another thing. I don't think that water baptism is necessary (aka being a Baptist). The only baptism we need is the baptism of the belief of Jesus.

That would put you in good company with the Baptists and, naturally, any of the other ones I mentioned that have no sacraments at all.

Bear in mind that with the beliefs you have outlined here, the list is actually getting very small and you are facing joining churches that are not generally known for the elegance and majesty of Catholic/Anglican/Orthodox worship which you said at first made an impression on you. That means that to be true to yourself, you probably will have to compromise on something.

Therefore, this could be the point at which making visits to the different churches becomes more important than might have been thought initially.

Belief plus water baptism is not necessary. That sacrament is not biblical either. It is based entirely on belief in Jesus. The only thing that is necessary is belief in Jesus, not the water, though it may be an outward expression. I should say that I belief in Jesus and that should be the best outward expression there is.

 

[Bruce Leiter]

Hello everyone,

Recently, I've been struggling with the thought of going to a certain denomination. I've been to Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, etc. churches. I was even involved in the Amish anabaptist churches (though they have their church services in other member's front rooms, barns, etc instead of having church in a certain building. To them, church is anywhere which is true. That was a really unique take on 'church'.)

The issue is that I don't know which denomination to go to. I wanted to go to a Greek Orthodox church because God gave me a sign. I went into town the other day, scoped out a Catholic church for me to potentially go to so I would finally quit going from church to church (because God gave me a sign to go to a Catholic church), and lo' and behold, a Greek Orthodox priest came to me and pretty much convinced me to be in the Greek Orthodox church instead of a Catholic church. And who am I to disobey God's sign? So, I went and looked up the Greek Orthodox church, read what they are about, and now I have my sights set out to go to a Greek Orthodox church and to talk about getting involved with that.

This same thing actually happened to me when I was in another state (Ohio to be exact, which is my home state.) I went to the local Baptist church, and a nice Amish man came up to me and told me that being Amish was the way to go. That was fun to be honest. Working out, being Amish, dressing like them, plowing, etc. It was hard work! I moved though to NC so I had to pick another church.

The issue though with moving and picking another church is that I don't really know if what I am doing is right and if I act on things too quickly. I have Asperger's syndrome you see, so seeing God's signs is quite difficult for me. So when I see a sign I'm so excited because those are normally small things that I miss due to my autism and so I act on those right away! (This is why I have 8 different bibles in my house by the way. I go and buy a study bible on the Baptists then one on the Anabaptists and then one on this denomination, and then one and another one. It is because I think God wants me to know more about that certain denomination because he wants me to be in it! It is because he gave me a sign! If I have autism and it's hard for me to see signs then God shows me a sign instantly and I act on it! In those moments I feel so close to God but then he tells me to change and then I am away from God again )

In all honesty though, I'm actually sort of scared to choose a denomination because I'm afraid that I will miss God's signs because I will be blinded by that denomination's thought process, but at the same time I feel like God wants me to be in a denomination on purpose so I can get his message in the best way and so I can be even more closer to the church which means that I can be closer to God. Right now I'm struggling with the thought of being in the Greek Orthodox church and going to that church and having the right things done to officially be in that church. Yesterday, I was struggling with being in the Catholic church. It's all very confusing and God just keeps throwing signs at me and I have to weed it all out despite me being held back by my autism.

A secondary problem is that I can't really get "closer" to God unless I'm at a church (aka being involved in a denomination.) And you know that there are many denominations of churches so who is to say that the denomination that I'm in is one that God would not agree with? I obviously won't see God in a church that he would not agree with so I can't get "closer" to God so he can give me more direct answers instead of vague ones like I'm getting now. If I find that God wants me somewhere else then it's like a light switch and that church doesn't help me anymore, and I have to to go another church. It is a little sad. I guess I'm following the holy spirit??

I find though that if I am in church I get very VERY direct answers and my life goes well. But then when I am away or when God calls me somewhere else and I am in question and I cannot ask a pastor about something then I get lost because I don't know.

Could I have some advice on this? This has been a lifelong struggle with me and I am not sure how I can maneuver this life when I have issues trying to see God's signs clearly. I don't think he wants me to switch churches like you switch out a pair of socks but I'm just so confused and I don't know what to do. I pray a lot but I'm scared that if I ask God to slow down he will stop giving me signs all together and I will just end up in a church that does not show me any of Gods signs. Despite me going nearly nuts about this, I wouldn't want him to put me on the back burner and stop giving me his gifts because I don't want to sound ungrateful. I've had some great things happen to me under God! I'm just scared that I will be without God's gift again and I will fall into a deep state of depression without him like before.

Could anyone help me out on this? Thank you

(also, yes, you might say that I'm gullible but I can never tell if it's the person talking or if it is God speaking through the person. I find that if I reject what I am given then things do not go well for me [I get sad] so I just stay quiet and just go with it (least the alternative is being depressed again if I ignore God).)

I identify with you in some ways. I was christened as a Methodist (was one for the first 6 years of my life), grew up in a church that didn't preach the Bible but undergoing confirmation and immersion, became a Christian in a Baptist church where I heard the good news about Jesus' death and resurrection, attended a cult that had a dynamic preacher who taught and preached unbiblical ideas, and joined the Christian Reformed church that preached the Bible with its own assumptions, not people's ideas imposed on it. I'm now a retired Christian Reformed pastor.

My advice is that you stop looking for those signs, which may be in your mind, from Satan, or from God. Rather, look for a church that clearly preaches and teaches the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit as the one only true God. Also, compare their teachings to the Bible. In other words, they need to preach Jesus as fully God and fully human, who died to rescue (save) us from God's verdict of guilty and rose to give us new life.

The Catholic and Orthodox churches do believe those doctrines, but my problem with them is their addition of other ideas, for example, the Catholics' addition of the Popes' doctrines about Mary and pergatory, which aren't in the Bible. I'm not as familiar with the Orthodox beliefs. Also, beware of churches that preach human stories instead of the Bible.

 

[Nick Moser]

I believe the church congregations are seven...

Messianic - The first one beginning with the Apostle to the Circumcision, Peter
Gentile - The second one beginning with the Apostle to the Uncircumcision, Paul
Orthodox - Beginning with Constantine
Catholic- Beginning with Charlemagne
Protestant - Beginning with Martin Luther
Great Awakening - Beginning with John Wesley
Materialistic "Laodicean" - Beginning with DL Moody

As I would read from Revelation. In which, they all seem represented here on the CF. I find things of interest in each congregation. So what to do?

These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; - Revelation 2:1

If Christ walks in the midst of the seven congregations I don't see why you can't either. I can say I have been to our area's Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Word of Faith, and Catholic churches all in good conscience.

Actually one can argue Jan Hus started Protestanism. John Wycliffe and Pierre Vaudès also came before Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli.

 

[Radagast]

I was in the OPC which is the Orthodox (Straight traching) Presbyterian church and I really liked that and I was serious with that as well.

I do not believe in once saved always saved either.

You do realise that the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is Calvinist, right?

I'm noticing that your posts are flip-flopping all over the place. That makes advice difficult, except for my earlier suggestion that you just pick one and attend, already.

 

[Christian Sonic Fan]

You do realise that the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is Calvinist, right?

I'm noticing that your posts are flip-flopping all over the place. That makes advice difficult, except for my earlier suggestion that you just pick one and attend, already.

I don't mean to go all over the place, I do apologise. If it changes things, I don't agree with "once saved, always saved" and I didn't really go to the OPC church that long. I just liked it it because they were very conservative in their teaching. My Bible study teacher in college suggested the church to me and he has been a pastor for many MANY years and he was well into age so I believed him.

I guess what I sort of want is just a Conservative teaching church that isn't too crazy about changing their beliefs to fit how people are today. That is why I like the Southern Baptists because they are Conservative.

Am I wrong though on believing 5 point Arminianism? I don't think that God has already rejected the people that he wants. He has saved everyone and thus he has chosen everyone but we choose to reject him. But if the OPC rejects that then I am fine, I can live with it. It's just a small difference.

I just don't like infant baptism so I don't agree with Presbyterians on that issue.

Maybe I am just a Baptist.

 

[rockytopva]

I don't mean to go all over the place, I do apologise. If it changes things, I don't agree with "once saved, always saved" and I didn't really go to the OPC church that long. I just liked it it because they were very conservative in their teaching. My Bible study teacher in college suggested the church to me and he has been a pastor for many MANY years and he was well into age so I believed him.

I guess what I sort of want is just a Conservative teaching church that isn't too crazy about changing their beliefs to fit how people are today. That is why I like the Southern Baptists because they are Conservative.

Am I wrong though on believing 5 point Arminianism? I don't think that God has already rejected the people that he wants. He has saved everyone and thus he has chosen everyone but we choose to reject him. But if the OPC rejects that then I am fine, I can live with it. It's just a small difference.

I just don't like infant baptism so I don't agree with Presbyterians on that issue.

Maybe I am just a Baptist.

I used to enjoy the fellowship of the Freewill Baptist while I went to a private business college.

 

[Radagast]

I just liked it it because they were very conservative in their teaching.

Yes, that's why they are Calvinist. The OPC teaches what the Bible teaches, and the Bible teaches Calvinism.

That is why I like the Southern Baptists because they are Conservative.

Good choice! Most of them are Calvinist too!

Am I wrong though on believing 5 point Arminianism?

In my personal opinion, yes.

I just don't like infant baptism so I don't agree with Presbyterians on that issue.

Infant baptism is also practised by the Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, and Reformed churches.