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New to Christianity at 25.
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WanderedHome
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Welcome Jake. I haven't read all the other replies, but I am certain you have gotten many views/opinions on how to live the Christian life. I don't want to add yet another view, but just simply to say, don't worry about the many different denominational divisions among Christianity. Many of these differences are based on a particular group's understanding of certain Bible passages (which may be weak) or self-proclaimed "revelation". I am not pointing fingers at anyone specifically, but this is an unfortunate reality.
Many of them are simply theological opinions and have no basis in either sound Scriptural interpretation or historical accuracy of what the Church has believed, and looked like, throughout time.
I would recommend reading the Church Fathers (both Western and Eastern), along with the Bible, and seeking to understand them as a whole. This is really the surest way to find true, unadulterated Christianity.
Then look for the church body that most accurately reflects those beliefs... For Christianity is not simply an intellectual study of having right beliefs (which are important), but one must also apply it to their life in right practice.
Don't worry about understanding everything right away, just be faithful to what God has revealed to you and don't ever stop being a "seeker."
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intoalltheworld
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Hello Jake
Being born again is trusting and accepting Jesus to forgive your sins and accepting Him in to rule your life. All done by faith. Ask Him now to show you His will and save you forever. He will do it.
Being born again is trusting and accepting Jesus to forgive your sins and accepting Him in to rule your life. All done by faith. Ask Him now to show you His will and save you forever. He will do it.
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Bruce Leiter
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Welcome, Jake, to God's people and to this forum! It's partly because there are many mysteries in the Bible, especially about God, who has revealed himself there but who is also beyond human thought. It's also because of the limits of human understanding and the fact that all Christians also have sinful natures left in us that we are struggling with. In other words, all Christians are imperfect and make mistakes in interpreting the Bible. My way of interpreting it is letting the Bible interpret itself by comparing different passages and the Bible's own meanings of words instead of assuming their meanings are the same as dictionary.com.
I recommend that you tell Jesus you want him to forgive and guide you. Read the Bible every day (I recommend starting with Mark (if you want to see Jesus' actions first) and start visiting churches in your area. Make sure you visit only the ones the second time that preach the Bible and Jesus as the only way to God the Father.
By the way, being born again is the miracle God has given every true Christian. The new birth is God's gift of new life in us from unbelief to beginning new trust in Jesus. Jake, you are on my daily prayer list!
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Bruce Leiter
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Jake, I answered on another place on this thread, but I had another thought. Some are recommending the King James Bible. The problem is it is like Shakespeare with the thees and thous. Perhaps, you would like a modern translation that's easy to read and is just like the original Bible. I prefer the New International Version. You can get it at any bookstore of online.
After you finish reading the gospels, I suggest that you might start at the beginning with the book of beginnings, Genesis. When you get to the long lists of names there and in other parts of the Bible, I suggest that you just get the idea and move on to the history and the teachings of the Bible. Good reading!
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- Aug 14, 2019
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Hello Jake,
If I've already replied to you, please ignore this. The following link will help you in your quest.
Are you absolutely sure you are born again? - Christian Life Frankston
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Welcome, I hope you'll find the answers to your questions. I would say keep a daily prayer time to start off your day, rather than using your phone to start your day off. When you're going to bed, pray rather than watching tv to fall asleep. Let your day begin and end with prayer and connecting with God.
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Welcome to God's family!
This chart shows Bible versions by reading level. I would advise against reading a children's Bible, but something like the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) would be a good choice. You can try them out at BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
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- May 1, 2020
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Greetings Jake2495,
Being born again is when you admit you are a sinner. You ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart. You believe that He is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for your sins. You believe God raised Him from the dead for your justification. Then you are saved, God's Holy Spirit will then indwell you and lead you into all truth. Then you get baptized as a symbol of you being crucified with Christ on death. Arising out the water a symbol of your new life in Christ.
Being born again is when you admit you are a sinner. You ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart. You believe that He is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for your sins. You believe God raised Him from the dead for your justification. Then you are saved, God's Holy Spirit will then indwell you and lead you into all truth. Then you get baptized as a symbol of you being crucified with Christ on death. Arising out the water a symbol of your new life in Christ.
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You need somewhere to go: Church.
And someone to reach: the lost.
Anything else is up to your God (and is based on your relationship to Him).
(For me, Church is Grace Baptist Church Watsonia; the lost are the people I meet in the street; and my relationship to God is more or less a question of what I am willing to write, for His Name's Sake.)
And someone to reach: the lost.
Anything else is up to your God (and is based on your relationship to Him).
(For me, Church is Grace Baptist Church Watsonia; the lost are the people I meet in the street; and my relationship to God is more or less a question of what I am willing to write, for His Name's Sake.)
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agapelove
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Hi Jake!
I was born again at the age of 24 (or so I think
), so I am in this journey with you. I am not sure exactly what type of "advice" you are looking for or if I can even offer it at this point, but all I can say is that fully realizing the depth of how much God loves you (and has always loved... even before you knew or accepted Him) is the greatest feeling in the world! To discover how much he longs for a relationship with you is really what will drive you to get to know Him as well.
Be weary of fear-based doctrine, there is a lot out there.
1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."
Good luck with your journey into Christ! And remember that it is a "journey".
I was born again at the age of 24 (or so I think
), so I am in this journey with you. I am not sure exactly what type of "advice" you are looking for or if I can even offer it at this point, but all I can say is that fully realizing the depth of how much God loves you (and has always loved... even before you knew or accepted Him) is the greatest feeling in the world! To discover how much he longs for a relationship with you is really what will drive you to get to know Him as well. Be weary of fear-based doctrine, there is a lot out there.
1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."
Good luck with your journey into Christ! And remember that it is a "journey".
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apostoliclink.com
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About the Bible:
2 Peter 1:20-21
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
...
John 10:14
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
...
2 Peter 1:20-21
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
...
John 10:14
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
...
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Vieste
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Wonderful that you made this decision. With more enlightenment about Christianity, you will get to discern what is truth and what might not be.
I'm a newer Christian and found that I got the best basic knowledge of the Bible/God's Word from reading 2 Christian writers that I found online. I entered a topic I had questions about, then did a search for Christian writers who addressed such topics. After reading a few, I chose 2 who I felt were most clear and stayed with Bible references and simple Christian insight.
Also, take a few issues you would like addressed and search for these by entering ie: Bible Trust in God; Bible New Faith; Bible God's Love for us; etc. I found this gave me a connection with Bible passages in short increments, and led me to pursue other Bible sources which explained further things I wanted to know. The more you search, the more familiarity will come to you - gradually you'll get a bigger picture and better understanding of God's Word [which is the only word that is perfectly correct].
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Marumorose
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When i first accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and saviour, i felt a lot of weight lifted. And i felt like i received a new heart. I used to have a chest pain because i was not willing to forgive others. But after asking God for forgiveness and forgiving others, that pain disappeared completely and my heart was really renewed!
From that point on my whole life changed completely. I feel Jesus Christ in me. The holy Spirit is in me and it is guiding me everyday. When the Holy Spirit is in you, You will Know because you cannot stop thinking about God or Jesus Christ.
Keep seeking God and his wisdom and he will bless you so much more
May God Bless You
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John stones
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Hi Jake,
Welcome. Primarily Christianity is about love. God is primarily concerned about love and a broken and contrite heart. It's not this love like this follow these rules type of religion. Most christians will try and convince you to obey a certain set of rules then you are a Christian. Sadly that's not true. God loves His people. God is ready willing and able. You have to call out to him and ask for forgiveness of sin and believe that Jesus does for your son's and ask Him to do just that. I promise you He will .
John
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Grace does not give one license to sin.
Pick up your cross and follow Him. As Jesus said.
Pick up your cross and follow Him. As Jesus said.
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