I really need to know what group Iam.

Holop said:

Im going to church and all but when people ask me what type of Christian Iam I dont even know how to answer it because I dont know what type of christian I am.

Here is what we believe:
Cant have sex before married.
Cant drink, smoke, or drugs.
Can only participate in communion if baptized.
Feet washing is also included in communion.

ask for more if this is not enough. thannks

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When you say "type of Christian" do you mean "Which denomination is right for me?" or just are asking for a label that will explain to people something about your Christian perspective (fundamentalist, charismatic, dominionist, Calvinist, for examples)?

I have a hunch that it is the latter since you say that you are attending a church and don't say that you are dissatisfied with it, but if you can answer this it would help some. Do indeed all those items you listed square with the church you are attending?

None of those things would be out of place in the churches that I attend. I attend several different churches due to scheduling and location but they are all Southern Baptist. The only thing I haven't seen is the foot washing, but it wouldn't be out of place. I think it sounds nice.

Actually most of the things you are talking about shouldn't be the main focus in choosing a church. What are your feelings on things such as:

1. The Deity of Christ
2. The Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
3. The belief in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God (in its original language/form)
4. The promised 2nd coming of Christ.
5. Salvation (Do you believe in 'Once Saved Always Saved' or do you believe that salvation, once attained, can be lost)

These are all things that you should focus on when you are choosing a church. I am sure I missed some.

Holop said:

Here is what we believe:
Cant have sex before married.
Cant drink, smoke, or drugs.
Can only participate in communion if baptized.
Feet washing is also included in communion.

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The first two, when it comes down to it, is up to the person. By this I mean that it is the individual who does the things. However, there are churches that condone them. Most, as far as I know, do not.

The third sounds like any Closed Communion group.

And the last one is something I have not heard of. The only time that any foot-washing comes to mind, is when I was Roman Catholic, every Holy Thursday (day before Good Friday) the deacon or priest in the parish would wash the feet of eleven or twelve people to symbolize Christ washing the feet of the Apostles.


SCJ did make a good point. These aren't really the first things to look for in a church.

Holop said:

Well I don't know what to say to people when they ask me what denomination iam from. I just say Christian but i dont know anything else to say.

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Hi, Holop.

If you are satisfied with your own belief system, you could just say "non-denominational." That should satisfy them, since this is commonly-accepted terminology and every community and Bible church that is unaffiliated with any denomination uses such language. On the other hand, if you are keeping an eye out for a church body that does, actually, fit with your own beliefs as you outlined them for us here, I keep thinking "Seventh Day Adventist." Maybe you could peruse their forum on CF and see what you find out. That would commit you to a Saturday worship, but otherwise, I think that they are in line with a lot of what you wrote to us. Footwashing is observed; there are regulations against stimulants; there is a strong moral code of conduct; etc. Of course, there may be some other preferences you have that SDA would not be in tune with, but I'm going on the short list you gave us. And that list doesn't fit many other churches.

I believe Primitive Baptists wash feet. Also Seventh Day Adventist befor they celebrate the Lord's Supper. Do you wash feet in connection with the Lord's Supper?

Annie

I had my feet washed last Holy Thursday. Christ Jesus washed the feet of his supper guests - something which the servants would have done ordinarily. It is symbolic and shows us that we should serve one another.

I'd suggest you try some different churches out. Go seek, ask the LORD to open the door and you'll discover.

EmperorConstantine said:

The first two, when it comes down to it, is up to the person. By this I mean that it is the individual who does the things. However, there are churches that condone them. Most, as far as I know, do not.

The third sounds like any Closed Communion group.

And the last one is something I have not heard of. The only time that any foot-washing comes to mind, is when I was Roman Catholic, every Holy Thursday (day before Good Friday) the deacon or priest in the parish would wash the feet of eleven or twelve people to symbolize Christ washing the feet of the Apostles.


SCJ did make a good point. These aren't really the first things to look for in a church.

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I have heard about the foot-washing in Orthodoxy...I think I read it in my OSB, actually.

Holop said:

Here is what we believe:
Cant have sex before married.
Cant drink, smoke, or drugs.

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If you are drinking the New Wine, trhe Holy Spirit, by first receiving him then being taught of him daily, you will have a new love, joy & peae & won't want these old substitutes.

Holop said:

Can only participate in communion if baptized.

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The wine represents his blood which people drink by living by the Holy Spirit (John 6:53, 63).
Just because u r baptised does not mean u have received the Spirit - Acts 8:12-16. You will know if/when you have (Acts 2:4, 33, 39; 10:44-46)

Holop said:

Feet washing is also included in communion.
ask for more if this is not enough. thannks

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As often, Jesus was doing physically what would later be fulfilled spiritually, so it is prophetic not to be repeated generally - like physically spitting & making clay to put on people, walking on water, feeding 5000, turning water into wine etc, etc.

A closer look at the passage reveals:-
13:4: He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
Prophetic of how Jesus would lay aside his natural flesh and begin ministering by the Spirit

:7: Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
They understood natural foot-washing, not the spiritual ministry which enables people to walk on with God.
Eph:5:26: That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

:9: Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
:10: Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet,
Had Jesus physically washed their bodies?
No.

Holop,

I experienced this often also. I brought this to the attention of my Bible Study teacher and this is what he told me:

You are a believer and a follower of Christ.

Maybe this could help you too.

Sometimes church leaders just try it because they read about what a meaningful experience it was somewhere else. Is it a regular practice?

The sign outside the church would tell the denomination, or the bulletin. If it doesn't, it might be non-denominational, which really is a category.

If the people who are asking are inside your church, then maybe it's Unitarian, where people hold a broad range of beliefs and respect each others' beliefs.