What should I do??

I am in the same situation. I continue to go to an Evangelical church, but I have found that I disagree with some of the stand-points. I will continue to go to my regular church until I find one that suits me better. The sermons are still great and that is enough for me until I find my church home.

Well, I disagree with my church's beliefs on losing one's salvation. They believe you can, I believe you can't. Although there may be individuals in the church who share my belief. But personally, that's not enough for me to go looking for another church. The differences would really have to be major. Of course, maybe the OSAS issue is major for you.

Hello Holly:
Our salvation does not depend on us. Following the faith pray in which we declare Jesus as our Lord and Saviour...Bible says we born again.
Nicodemus said: Born again?
We are now clean individuals since Jesus have taken our sins away. We must let him to live in our hearts to give fruit. This will keep us away from sining!!!If our salvation would depend on what we do...good or wrong...would it by by grace?
What do you think on salvation? Maybe we could get into a nice talking about it.
You say you are currently attending X church which means you have had a long way with churches. I think it´s not correct (sorry for this...) trying to find a good church as if you were an erudit in Scriptura and judging every church you´ve been through, evaluating if they are good or wrong. In my oppinion, you must stay in that church in which God put you into the very first time and learn with humility. If you have any doubt, try to ask your pastor or even the Holly Spirit and maybe you could get some...unthinkable answers. Just dont try to fit doctrine to your OWN doctrine.
Sorry for my comment.
Pax
Hugo.

Holly3278 said:

Hi everyone. I am currently going to an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist church becuase they fit my beliefs relatively well. However, their doctrines differ from mine on some things like once saved always saved and spiritual gifts like tongues, discernment of spirits, and others. As for once saved always saved, I believe in it but I have my own variation of it. Basically I believe that the only way God will take your salvation away is if you intentionally sin repeatedly. Basically if you're intentionally living in sin then God will take your salvation away unless you repent. They teach that the gifts of the spirit such as tongues are not for today. I believe they are but that some people misuse them. This church does teach from the KJV though which is something I like. I believe it is the best Bible version. Also, their sermons are easy to understand are full of good and practical advice. I want to get baptised though and I'm afraid they'll make me a member of the church if I get baptised. However, I don't want to be a member of a church whose doctrines disagree with me on some points. Also, is it ok for me to continue going there? Maybe someday I'll find a good church whose doctrines are similar to mine. But until then, this church seems to fit me the best. What should I do?

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My advise would be to find one that fits your criteria however you will not find one that is perfect...for example the Baptist church I attend are pretty liberal...I would like them to be strict Calvinists with large doses of dispensationalism...however most of the congregation do not even know what these are!! I am cessationist they are not, I am against women pastors, they are not...basicly I make my views known and if anyone wants to know more i tell them. However unless your church denys the fundamentals of the faith or you feel that the Holy Ghost is leading you elsewhere, I would stick with them. BTW I was baptised at this church but I will not become a member...hope this helps!

Well i believe that, if you gonna get unsaved then when you asked Jesus in to your heart the first time, you didn't truley mean it. If you truley mean it, you won't want to fall back meaningly. Sometimes us christians back slide and go through problems, and do bad stuff constintly, but Gods testing us, and then he breaks us, and he always gets us through. If your not truley saved already your not going to make it through. Its like what my dad said, im your father but even if you would rebel against me, i would never say your not my daughter i would still love you. God is more loving then my father, so why would he say, your not my daughter or son anymore. God is a loving God. If you truley mean it, God will break you from your backsliding ways and bring you back.

Holly, I go where I'm fed, whether I believe all their doctrines or not. I was recently baptised (immersed - had been sprinkled as an infant) and joined. I'm OSAS and don't even know how the church feels. The worship is fantastic; the sermons are Biblical. The congregation is loving - that's enough for me!

Yup, i go to a wonderful church. They believe that you can be saved and then un saved, which i don't believe. But everything else is just so awesome, and im not going to leave just cause of that small thing. They are great christians who are on fire for God. Thats how i started to get on fire for God was by going there. They can believe that you can get un saved, but doesn't mean i have to. Everything else is good.

Basically I believe that the only way God will take your salvation away is if you intentionally sin repeatedly. Basically if you're intentionally living in sin then God will take your salvation away unless you repent.

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Basically correct - but the repeatedly needs to be deleted. "Intentionally living in sin" needs to be defined - if, to you, it means that the person is aware of having sinned and does not repent of it, your concept here is accurate. Then too, repentance needs to be given its proper definition - to turn away from - to make a firm decision to not repeat the offence(s) (and of course, to act on that decision).

They teach that the gifts of the spirit such as tongues are not for today.

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To be consistent with Biblical record, such a teaching would have to eliminate preaching and teaching as well. (Not to mention that we would have to be living post apocalypse). The record of both the Old and New Testaments is clear - the gifts are parcelled with the New Covenant which is in force throughout the "Last Days."

Also, is it ok for me to continue going there?

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- Of course - provided it doesn't interfere with your own adherence to the truth. Would advise against continuing in your current church ONLY if that church tries to set its own group as being the only (or one of a very select few) church that knows anything of truth (unless of course, that claim is demonstably accurate).

Maybe someday I'll find a good church whose doctrines are similar to mine.

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That would be right about the same time the sun sets in the east.

their sermons are easy to understand are full of good and practical advice.

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hmm.... Who would have guessed that a church would actually do a sermon the way it is supposed to be done? Count yourself priveleged to be able to attend such a church.

I want to get baptised though and I'm afraid they'll make me a member of the church if I get baptised.

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Not all churches will make a stipulation that the person must endorse those churches' teachings before they will conduct a baptism - and for some pastors (self included), all that is required is a good reason to believe that the "applicant" (for want of a better term) is sincere and willing to accept sound doctrine.

Your beliefs appear to line up with the Church of God (the one which is governed in Cleveland TN). I will find one in your area and get back to you.

Go to chofgod.org to find a Church of God in your area. And our beliefs.

Honestly, with any church, I'd ask myself if I thought these folks (in general) were Heaven bound. If you see differences in theology that make the difference between being saved and not, choose a different church in a hurry.

Having come out of two churches who were way off in their beliefs, I'd say these differences are fairly minor.

Not sure if this helped but one sure solution is to just pray about it.

Holly3278 said:

Hi everyone. I am currently going to an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist church because they fit my beliefs relatively well. However, their doctrines differ from mine on some things like once saved always saved and spiritual gifts like tongues, discernment of spirits, and others. Maybe someday I'll find a good church whose doctrines are similar to mine. But until then, this church seems to fit me the best. What should I do?

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Hi!!
Honestly the first thing that I thought of when I read this, is what I had to do. Pray. Tell God what you are thinking and ask Him what His will for you is. There can be good from your staying involved, as that we have no idea how God might want to use you there. However, There is something to be said about visiting other churches a few times each (I think it takes more than one or two times to get a good feel unless it is obvious right off the bat)

The Spirit will be your guide if you are open to it. Communicate with God your needs, He promises He will answer.

I think that is the best advice I have to offer. It is working for me and I just returned to church since 1986 and Love it! But there are some things at my church that have not only raised my eyebrows but caused me to think and grow. I also had been raised in a first Southern Baptist and in the early 70s swiched to Independant Fundemental Baptist. I now attend a Baptist, I believe it is fundemental. Not sure if it is part of the SBC.

I have also found, in over 300+ versions of Baptist. I believe it is common for people to find differences in opinion regarding salvation. Some like me believe it is a gift, nothing we can do to earn. If you can loose it you have to wonder if you truly believed in the first place. And we are not talking about those times of shaky faith. I believe we will battle with sins as that santification is a life long process. To the final stage of glorification. But I have run into people that believe that their interpertation of the Bible, or legalism is correct. And I have ran into people whom think this gives them a free lease on sin. From one end of the specturm to the other. As we all know, when we mature in Christ, we grow. Changes do not happen overnight, but we are never satisfied as Christians with ourselves. I might stick around sometimes if there are many other assets to the group or church etc..

Remember, Chruch is a hospital for sick people. The main thing is that the foundation (rock) is there. If it is not, that is the foundation and what happens to a foundation that is not firm? Or built on a rock?

It all boils down to how edifying the fellowship is with this church. I would urge you to explore a bit before making a rash decision, and pray about it.

Holly3278 said:

Hi everyone. I am currently going to an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist church because they fit my beliefs relatively well. However, their doctrines differ from mine on some things like once saved always saved and spiritual gifts like tongues, discernment of spirits, and others. As for once saved always saved, I believe in it but I have my own variation of it. Basically I believe that the only way God will take your salvation away is if you intentionally sin repeatedly. Basically if you're intentionally living in sin then God will take your salvation away unless you repent. They teach that the gifts of the spirit such as tongues are not for today. I believe they are but that some people misuse them. This church does teach from the KJV though which is something I like. I believe it is the best Bible version. Also, their sermons are easy to understand are full of good and practical advice. I want to get baptised though and I'm afraid they'll make me a member of the church if I get baptised. However, I don't want to be a member of a church whose doctrines disagree with me on some points. Also, is it ok for me to continue going there? Maybe someday I'll find a good church whose doctrines are similar to mine. But until then, this church seems to fit me the best. What should I do?

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Well, the hope of each of us should be to find a church that teaches the Truth rather than a church that "fits our beliefs reletively well." This, as difficult as it may seem, is much more likely unless, of course, we think that we cannot be wrong in our beliefs. So, I encourage you to try to understand why they believe what they believe, filter it through what the Gospel actually says, and ask God to enlighten you as to whether it is the Truth of His Word.

If you're simply looking for a church that teaches exactly what you already believe then you may have a tougher time. Whatever church you choose it should always challange you and cause you to study the Word and determine if their teachings are accurate. If you have questions you should speak to the Pastor about them. Don't give up on a church because of a few differences in understanding. This is the very reason that we are called, as a Body, to be Semper Reformanda. Our goal should always be to study God's Word to ensure that we have the most accurate understanding that we can as finite creatures.

I wish you well.

God bless

Holly,

It sounds to me like you are in a pretty good church already. If the OSAS issue is very troubling to you, then you may have to do something about it. I'm going to a church that doesn't fit my beliefs all the way also, but the differences are minor. If you are getting good and practical advice in the sermons and they're not teaching things that really cause doubt or confusion, then you're probably ok. You will NEVER find a church that fits ALL your beliefs consistently. Reformationist had some really great advice. You have to take what they teach, and filter it through the bible, continuously testing...
Oh, and they can't MAKE you join the church if you get baptised by them. If they are trying to do that, then there are some bigger issues. If you don't feel comfortable being a member yet, then don't; but I don't see why you can't be baptised by them.
Pray about it, the Lord put you in that church for a reason, if only for you to be challenged in your beliefs and grow from that. He may lead you to another church later, but He may still have use for you there....

God can reveal His truth to you at whatever church you attend.

Concerning the baptism, ask if you must become a "member" of that church.

If you are the Body of Christ, then you are already a "member" of the church. This was God's choice, not "man's"

ALL the denominations hold part of the truth, but ALL of the denominations also hold falsness.

Continue to seek God's truths with all of your heart and above everything else and He will reveal to you "understanding"

Trust God and follow after Jesus Christ, trust His power to give you what you need.

I pray that you, no matter where you are, will continue to seek all of the truth and God is faithful, he will give it to you.

speaking truth by the Holy Spirit
newname

Holly,

Are you at all interested in the True Teaching of God or are you just concerned about finding a church that meets your requirements? What makes you certain that your beliefs are correct? The Church is not supposed to accomodate your beliefs. You are supposed to strive to understand and believe the Truth, the doctrine of the Church. The Church is not supposed to believe YOUR doctrine. Explore Catholicism, they teach doctrine.

For me...

I don't think a church should determine my beliefs for me,
but my beliefs should determine which church I attend.

The Word of God is what the Church should base it's teachings on...and what the True Church is supposed to allign it's doctrine with. I don't think that it should be the other way around. Or the Church would then be the head, and not Christ, who is the Word of God.