What does being a christian mean and entail of one?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Athlon4all

I'm offline indefintely
Feb 6, 2002
525
2
37
Visit site
✟15,965.00
I decided quite awhile ago that I wanted to become a christian. I haven't found a church I like, or feel I have given up all things that are morally wrong yet.
Don't worry about finding a Church, you have all you need to grow in grace prolly already, a Bible (Romans 10:17 "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God"), you can praise and worship him by yourself, jsutr praise him with your prayers/words when you are alone (Exodus 34:1-9), and if you would like sound examples of praising him, look to the psalms, and then fellowship with believers (which you can do right here at the Christian Forums) and I will add that fellowship shouldn't necessarily be a social thing, when you are "fellowshiping" with fellow believers, talk about spiritual things, like what the Lord is doing in your life. Another verse that I would just encourage you with is Philipians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" also I would point you to I John 1:9 (see below).

Something that really helps is prayer. Ephesians 6:18 says "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Praying really helps when dealing with your sins.
So, I am curious about what kind of things I should do to make myself a better chrisian.
See above
Develope a relationship. God is a relationship orientated God, He wants to be a father, a friend, and a comfort to you. Start by reading the Bible and asking God what He is saying (I mean really ask Him). Don't be afraid to ask out loud even when you friends are studing with you (God may give them the answer). God will always give you the answer that you ask for, its promised in His word. Ask Him what is He trying to say in the scripture, and what is He trying to say to you. God will talk to you, I promise.
AMEN!!!! That is so true!!!
Another thing I wonder about is the kind of music I listen to...how can I tell whether it not fit for a christian to listen to? (I tend to listen to heavier stuff)
I Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" Ask yourself, is the music giving glory to God? This is something that we should all ask ourselves and make changes cause many of us do things that may not be bad, but are they glorifying to God?
I feel guilty every time I do something I know is wrong. Will God keep forgiving me, or is there a point where he won't?
I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Thats what the Bible says:) Praise the Lord for that being true!!!:)
BTW, I am not baptized yet.
I haven't either but that is something that I would do soon cause our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to (Matthew 28:19-20). It doesn't even necessarily need to be at a church, any believer with more than one believer present can't baptize you  in a body of water where you can be fully submerged.But like someone mentioned, you do not need to be baptized to be saved.
I feel guilty every time I do something I know is wrong.
Thats God trying to help you grow:) Now try to make changes:)

About Sex, that is something that many do struggle with, and while there is absolutely no excuse for sin, that is somewhere many chrisitans are weak and the Devil knows it,  and thats why he uses it to hamper so many Christians' walks'. I really would encourage you to read your Bible and Pray, if there is anything that has helped me grow over the last 2 years since I actually became a believer, it has been my persistance (even tho it didn't always seem like it was helping) in reading my Bible. I just cannot encourage it enough, READ YOUR BIBLE!!!!:)

I send my love and I will be praying for you. Its a wonderful thing to grow and be in a relationship with Jesus Christ!!!!
 
Upvote 0

layne

ByKr ChYk
Sep 12, 2002
420
9
✟640.00
Faith
Pentecostal
<DIV>Athlon, I didn't quite understand what&nbsp;you meant by not having to be baptized in a church.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>That's another question...if I am baptized at a Catholic church, does this mean I am a Catholic?</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I also don't understand about being nondenominational and going to a denominational church. (denominations means Catholic, Anglican, etc, right?) </DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>What is it you have to do to become part of that denomination?</DIV>
<DIV>Is it the act of baptism or attending that church? Are unbaptized people considered non-denominational?</DIV>
 
Upvote 0

Reformationist

Non nobis domine sed tuo nomine da gloriam
Mar 7, 2002
14,273
465
51
✟37,095.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Originally posted by layne
All of my posts have this &lt;DIV? thing! What am I doing wrong here?! Maybe this only appears that way to me?

Are you typing up your posts in a different application?
 
Upvote 0

Athlon4all

I'm offline indefintely
Feb 6, 2002
525
2
37
Visit site
✟15,965.00
hehehe. Lynne, I have a very recent exdperience regarding being Baptized. I wanted to be baptized at a Independant Baptist Church, but I do not see any biblical evidence for requiring me to become a member but they said I had to become a member if I was baptized, so truth is, prolly all denominational churches will require you to become a member. If you don't become a member, I wouldn't say that you are non-denominational, you just aren't a member of the worldly denominations (which I think is fine, we're all a member of the largest and only true church in the world, the Body of Christ).

The diff between denominational and non-denominational is well, I dunno. heh. Denominational are much more organized, like they have specific doctrinal guidelines and rules for thge church government, etc. There are other things, but anyways.

The point I was trying to make is that if you cannot seem to find a church that you feel God is leading you to and a church refuses to baptize you without making you become a member (like in my case) then you can just ask a believer friend to baptize you, u just need Christians there to witness and as I said, you need to have enough water to fully submere yourself in water (sprinkling is not biblical).
 
Upvote 0

SnuP

A son of the Most High
Jul 22, 2002
1,060
9
47
Florida
Visit site
✟9,400.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Non-denominational church are generally charismatic in nature. They usually have no parent churches or parent organisations. They gather their beliefs not from history or set doctrines but supposably from the Holy Spirit. The intersting thing about them is that though they are usually not connected to each other, they seam to share common beliefs.
 
Upvote 0

layne

ByKr ChYk
Sep 12, 2002
420
9
✟640.00
Faith
Pentecostal
So if I went to a christian church, that isn't said to be one denomination, they will still base their talks on the bible? Or just what they are feeling? I also don't want to go anywhere that insists you give x% of your monthly salary. I don't mind contributing, but not when I know it's going into a priest's home renovations...
Someone suggested a church for me called Cavalry somethingerother. I am going to have to look at the link, but it is supposed to be totally bible oriented and not over charismatic. Which is good because it would make me feel totally uncomfortable!
 
Upvote 0

TruelightUK

Tilter at religious windmills
The whole denominational / non-denominational thing is, truly, something of a minefield. There are so many variants around - and many of them claim to be totally Bible-based yet copme to different conclusions on various matters. I wouldn't get too hung up on it - find a local congregation that honours the Word of God, in its teaching and in its lifestyle, and you won't go too far wrong, whatever denominational flag it nails to its mast! Personally, I'd probably advise against joining a 'non-denominational' church, unless it is well-established and of good repute in the local community and with other chruches in the area (as some can be decidedly 'wonky'!). Which is the kind of test I'd use to help choose any Church; are their words matched by their actions.

I'm not sure about the 'bieng baptised makes you a member' thing. I was baptised in a Baptist Chruch, while still a member of an Anglican congregation; they made no attempt to 'poach ne' for their denomination. Likewise, the Elim Pentecostal church I attended for some 3 years recently distinguished totally between baptism and membership. Baptism is into the univeral Body of Christ, of which the local congregation and/or denomination is just one manifestation (as recognised by the fact that most mainstream churches will recognise the baptism of another denomination as 'valid'; you don't have to be 're-baptised' every time you move churches - unless from an infant-baptising group to a Baptist or similar). 'Membership' of a particular assembly or denomination should be another matter entirely.

Anthony
 
Upvote 0

TruelightUK

Tilter at religious windmills
Most of the established, historical churches baptise infants, normally either by 'sprinking' or 'pouring' - Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist - on the parents' confession of faith; this is then traditionally ratified (or 'confirmed') at a later date, when the older person decides for themself to commit to the way of Christ. Most non-denominational churches (together with Baptists and anabaptist-derived churches [Mennonites, Brethren etc.] and most Penteostals) do not; they may well 'dedicate' babies, but baptism is reserved for mature persons on personal confession of faith. The historical churches, however, will (and increasingly do) baptise adults (possibly by immersion), provided they were not previously baptised as infants.

Anthony
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

EJO

Hellafreak
Sep 4, 2002
524
3
51
Seattle
✟8,395.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
" Most of the established, historical churches baptise infants, normally either by 'sprinking' or 'pouring' - Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist - on the parents' confession of faith; this is then traditionally ratified (or 'confirmed') at a later date, when the older person decides for themself to commit to the way of Christ. Most non-denominational churches (together with Baptists and anabaptist-derived churches [Mennonites, Brethren etc.] and most Penteostals) do not; they may well 'dedicate' babies, but baptism is reserved for mature persons on personal confession of faith. The historical churches, however, will (and increasingly do) baptise adults (possibly by immersion), provided they were not previously baptised as infants. "

WOW! I am lost with all those doctrines,and beliefs... Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist,Baptists,Mennonites, Brethren,Penteostals.
It is like the skit on Monte Python- What type of cheese do you want? .... on on on on.

What does the bible say about it. That is(should be) the bottom line.
Why should my 6 month old baby have a "sprinkle" or a "dunk' for baptism, when they do not even know who Jesus is.
I was first baptized when I was like 4 or 5, all I remember is that I was scared to DEATH!.
I got baptized in a lake at a all church retreat last year. I knew what I was there for, and what I believed.
 
Upvote 0

TruelightUK

Tilter at religious windmills
I'm afraid we are getting side-tracked into a contentious debate which is unhelpful to Layne's needs at the moment. Various other threads are available highlight the theological issues around infant-v-adult baptism, which have exercised many sincere Bible-believing Christians for centuries!

For now, let's get back to the basics of what God requires of a new believer.

Anthony
 
Upvote 0

EJO

Hellafreak
Sep 4, 2002
524
3
51
Seattle
✟8,395.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Originally posted by layne
I decided quite awhile ago that I wanted to become a christian. I haven't found a church I like, or feel I have given up all things that are morally wrong yet.

So, I am curious about what kind of things I should do to make myself a better chrisian.

Another thing I wonder about is the kind of music I listen to...how can I tell whether it not fit for a christian to listen to? (I tend to listen to heavier stuff)

I feel guilty every time I do something I know is wrong. Will God keep forgiving me, or is there a point where he won't?

BTW, I am not baptized yet.

I appreciate any advice given to me!!

Hey Layne,
I can tell by chatting w/you are a very smart person.

Well, let me give you my 2 cents worth-
Make yourself a better Christian by reading the bible. mainly because there are truths in the word of God that will effect your day to day walk. Usually I have found that when I read something in the Word, God allows me to use what I read later to another person, to either help them, or encourage them. Also reading the Bible lets you know the MIND of God. Pretty awesome huh? It blows my mind sometimes.

The music question- I love the heavier stuff. I was reaised in Jr. High and High school on Metallica, Guns and Roses.. you know.
Well, christian music can be just as edgy, if not more... bands like; Skillet,Pillar,POD,PAX 217, Third Day, Blindside. I could go on and on. Check out: christainrock.net and jesusfreakhideout.com, or planetlightforce.com.

The last part about guilt- that is a good thing, the holy spirit works in our lives and uses guilt to convict us of when we do the wrong thing. If you do not feel guilty, then that is when you should be worried. Also, God knows you are going to sin, it is not a suprise to HIM, that is why He gave us grace,and mercy- ALL the time. Read Ephesians chaper 2.

God Bless-
EJO
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

layne

ByKr ChYk
Sep 12, 2002
420
9
✟640.00
Faith
Pentecostal
Yes, you guys are starting to scare me! I think I will go to an all female place if I can find one. Haha, J/J.
I agree about not baptizing a baby. And like I told EJO earlier, I don't want to go to a church who takes political stands or has a history of warring against other "christians". That's not what I think christianity is about. I want to find a place that will help me understand the bible a bit more.
 
Upvote 0

TruelightUK

Tilter at religious windmills
I don't want to go to a church who takes political stands
I think I know what you mean, but don't lets forget that, to be truly faithful to the message of Jesus Christ does involve making what could be called broadly 'political' decisions: How do we interpret the command to 'love our neighbour' within today's society? How do we work for the feeding of the hungry, clothing of the naked etc.? What about aspects of society which degrade and abuse the weak and defenseless? How do we react if a company we work for or trade with is involved in unethical practice, or the exploitation of thrid world labour? These are real issues, affecting real people whom God loves and values - the Church must not keep silent on such things! (See my thread on Repentance!)

Anthony
 
Upvote 0

Loser For Jesus

Active Member
Aug 14, 2002
212
0
USA
✟531.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Originally posted by layne
I decided quite awhile ago that I wanted to become a christian. I haven't found a church I like, or feel I have given up all things that are morally wrong yet.

The best advice I can give you on finding a church is this: Rather than finding a church which you like, ask God which church He wants you to go to, and then go to it. Most likely, it will not be a church that your flesh likes, but it will be a church that will help you grow as a Christian if you keep crying out to God and listening to His voice.

So, I am curious about what kind of things I should do to make myself a better chrisian.

The best advice I can give you on this is to read Luke 14:25-35. Jesus explains the starting point and the basics of Christianity very clearly.

love in Christ,

Malcolm
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums
Status
Not open for further replies.