I am a new convert from a baptist church and I am trying to learn as much as I can

Caleb1823 · Jan 4, 2021

I recently decided I wanted to explore eastern orthodoxy because I found it had more truth and it felt more original and within my belief system. I admire how you guys are the only real original church left when everyone else have seem to gone down a new age modern path of Christianity. I am still trying to learn as much as I can but I feel one feel I have learnt is the salvation process that you have to grow in christ more for salvation (Is this right?)

I love how you have kept a lot of the traditional ways of the church compared to most others that have gone down hill thru a more modern Liberal path putting peoples feelings before actual doctrine like a lot of protestant churches are doin. I am witnessing a lot of modern christian churches are playing a lot of this contemporary music with these rock bands and all I really see this as is a way that stimulates the kundalini serpent. You would have these folks in the church bashing drums and singing loudly and fast paced and then all of a sudden they are slow.

This is what I feel is a hindu practice in nature. I admire how you guys are a lot more original with music and have kept the old way going for centuries on end. Is there anyway I can learn more about this faith? Thanks

Pavel Mosko · Jan 4, 2021

I actually found this testimony very useful in a number of ways and welcome!

From First Baptist to the First Century

Caleb1823 · Jan 4, 2021

Pavel Mosko said:
I actually found this testimony very useful in a number of ways and welcome!

From First Baptist to the First Century

Thanks I am glad it helped.
I will check out the stuff you have sent too.

ArmyMatt · Jan 4, 2021

check out your closest Orthodox Church, experience the services, talk to the priest, repeat.

returntosender · Jan 4, 2021

WELCOME!
Lots to learn here from the wonderful Christians here and you!

HTacianas · Jan 4, 2021

Caleb1823 said:
I recently decided I wanted to explore eastern orthodoxy because I found it had more truth and it felt more original and within my belief system. I admire how you guys are the only real original church left when everyone else have seem to gone down a new age modern path of Christianity. I am still trying to learn as much as I can but I feel one feel I have learnt is the salvation process that you have to grow in christ more for salvation (Is this right?)

I love how you have kept a lot of the traditional ways of the church compared to most others that have gone down hill thru a more modern Liberal path putting peoples feelings before actual doctrine like a lot of protestant churches are doin. I am witnessing a lot of modern christian churches are playing a lot of this contemporary music with these rock bands and all I really see this as is a way that stimulates the kundalini serpent. You would have these folks in the church bashing drums and singing loudly and fast paced and then all of a sudden they are slow.

This is what I feel is a hindu practice in nature. I admire how you guys are a lot more original with music and have kept the old way going for centuries on end. Is there anyway I can learn more about this faith? Thanks

If you would like a lot of information in an easy to read format have a look here:

The Orthodox Faith

Hermit76 · Jan 4, 2021

I'm a former Baptist/Pentecostal pastor. The books are good but as Fr. Matt suggested, it must be experienced. You will learn from the prayers.

One piece of advice... Don't harbor anger towards your past but leave it there. 99% of my problems I brought with me.

OrthodoxWanderer · Jan 4, 2021

ArmyMatt said:
check out your closest Orthodox Church, experience the services, talk to the priest, repeat.

I'll second this wholeheartedly (not that it needs it, but). Online resources are wonderful but really there is no substitution for the experience. Because it's not only a belief but a true experience of reality. You'll see yourself, if you show up

ArmyMatt · Jan 4, 2021

OrthodoxWanderer said:
I'll second this wholeheartedly (not that it needs it, but). Online resources are wonderful but really there is no substitution for the experience. Because it's not only a belief but a true experience of reality. You'll see yourself, if you show up

yep.

rusmeister · Jan 4, 2021

What everybody else said. My two cents: bear in mind that people in the Church are going to disappoint you sooner or later, because we are all fallen sinners. You’ll even run into people on the inside who reject clear Orthodox teaching they personally don’t like, with all of the reasons the world gives, and in spite of the words of Christ, the saints and fathers of the Church. The Church is a hospital forvthe sick, not a club of holy people.
And don’t look for feelings or try to manufacture them. Often you won’t feel anything. That doesn’t matter. Just do what you should, regardless of how you feel.
Welcome, and as the priest who helped me convert said on parting not long before his death some 17 years ago, “Have a wonderful life!”

Yeshua HaDerekh · Jan 4, 2021

ArmyMatt said:
check out your closest Orthodox Church, experience the services, talk to the priest, repeat.

Come and see!

AMM · Jan 4, 2021

Caleb1823 said:
I recently decided I wanted to explore eastern orthodoxy because I found it had more truth and it felt more original and within my belief system. I admire how you guys are the only real original church left when everyone else have seem to gone down a new age modern path of Christianity. I am still trying to learn as much as I can but I feel one feel I have learnt is the salvation process that you have to grow in christ more for salvation (Is this right?)

I love how you have kept a lot of the traditional ways of the church compared to most others that have gone down hill thru a more modern Liberal path putting peoples feelings before actual doctrine like a lot of protestant churches are doin. I am witnessing a lot of modern christian churches are playing a lot of this contemporary music with these rock bands and all I really see this as is a way that stimulates the kundalini serpent. You would have these folks in the church bashing drums and singing loudly and fast paced and then all of a sudden they are slow.

This is what I feel is a hindu practice in nature. I admire how you guys are a lot more original with music and have kept the old way going for centuries on end. Is there anyway I can learn more about this faith? Thanks

Welcome! There’s lots of books on any and every topic, but prayer, prayer, prayer, visiting the services, prayer, meeting with a priest, prayer, meeting with a priest, prayer, visiting the services, prayer and prayer are really going to be the biggest things.

I’ll second what others have said - the Church is full of sinners, you’re gonna be disappointed at times. But she’s still the Church! I heard someone say once, we are like old icons - faded, worn away, maybe disfigured and broken, but still bearing the Image of Christ.

Speaking of icons, who is the saint in your profile picture?

SalemsConcordance · Jan 5, 2021

Welcome and may the Lord bless you on your journey!

I have found these helpful, as a ~6 month Catechumen (Mormon as a child, then agnostic/worldly fool for most of my life).

I also experience these continually convert pitfalls continually, and try to struggle against them with God's help.
Convertitis according to Father Seraphim Rose (about the beginners' problems) - The Ascetic Experience

Lots of prayer, because I have to remind myself I am, and will always be a beginner.

Lukaris · Jan 5, 2021

While there are various Orthodox catechisms, this one might be helpful:

An Online Orthodox Catechism » Catechism » OrthodoxEurope.org

FenderTL5 · Jan 5, 2021

I'm formerly Baptist. I was raised independent Baptist but spent over twenty years SBC as well.

First I agree with Army Matt, that you should attend services, and ask questions locally. There's a wonderful catechism in the services, hymns and prayers.

As for reading, I found this book very helpful:
Know the Faith, Michael Shanbour

Jude1:3Contendforthefaith · Jan 5, 2021

I grew up Baptist OP.

.

Light of the East · Jan 6, 2021

Pavel Mosko said:
I actually found this testimony very useful in a number of ways and welcome!

From First Baptist to the First Century

Wow! What a testimony that is!

gurneyhalleck1 · Jan 9, 2021

I’m with Rus. Realize that Orthodoxy is like any other church in one regard—-it is loaded with human beings and therefore full of egos and drama. For some reason, Orthodoxy attracts odd folks. Really odd sometimes. Some of the most eccentric oddballs I’ve met were in Orthodoxy, and they’re usually converts. The young converts are especially strange sometimes.

I know a widowed matushka, a dear friend of mine dying of cancer. She has told me on several occasions that she and her late priest husband always remarked that Orthodoxy is a weird folk magnet. :sorry:

Like Rus said, keep your eyes on the prize, take fasting slowly, avoid hyperdoxy and don’t read the Philokalia until you e been Orthodox for ten years! LOL

Light of the East · Jan 10, 2021

QUOTE="gurneyhalleck1 I’m with Rus. Realize that Orthodoxy is like any other church in one regard—-it is loaded with human beings and therefore full of egos and drama. For some reason, Orthodoxy attracts odd folks. Really odd sometimes. Some of the most eccentric oddballs I’ve met were in Orthodoxy, and they’re usually converts. The young converts are especially strange sometimes.

I know a widowed matushka, a dear friend of mine dying of cancer. She has told me on several occasions that she and her late priest husband always remarked that Orthodoxy is a weird folk magnet. :sorry: