A Confused Christian

[-Illini Fan-]

Okay, for you to understand my quesiton/problem, I have to tell you a short story about my life.

I attended a small Methodist Church in Weldon (pop. 400) (the town I used to live in) from around the ages of 10-12. Then I moved to a bigger town, Clinton, pop (7500). I stopped going to church for a while, don't really know why. Then I tried out the Methodist Church there, which was larger, and for some reason didn't really like it, probably because it's a bigger church. I only went several times. Recently I've accpeted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior again (I'm 16 now) and I know attend the First Christian Church in Clinton (many of my friends go there and it's a fun church), which is a fairly large church. Everything's great right. Well yes and no. I'm so excited to be a follower and worship of Jesus Christ, but sometimes I still feel ties to the Methodist Church and I've recently thought of being baptized again.

I was baptised at the Methodist Church in Weldon by sprinkling and the way that is primarily done at the First Chirstian Church in Clinton is by emmersion. I'm not really sure what the difference between the Methodist Church and the Christian Church are, other than baptism and that Wesley formed the Methodist denomination. I know that the main point is that I'm worshiping the LORD, but I'm just really confused about denominations and if I want to get baptised at First Christian Church or not and whether or not to become a member. I plan on talking to the Youth Minister at the First Christian again about my situation. But I was wondering if anyone had any advice about this.

I would be honored of someone could explain a little bit about each denomination or give me a link to a website that showed me the similarites and the differences.

Thank you and God Bless!

 

[Radagast]

You don't need to be baptised again, but they may ask you to if you join. Talking to the Youth Minister is a good idea.

-- Radagast

 

[chilibowl]

http://www.cybrtown.com/~fccbucyrus/ (new church)
http://biblestudy.churches.net/CCEL/B/BANGS/HISTORY_/HMEC34.HTM (Old one)
From what i read this SEEMS like a good christ centered church, with a lean toward a consertive christian world view... It sounds like a place to start, but gaurd your heart because the enemy is always on the look out for brothers and sisters looking for that "change" get involved talk with people and find out what they are really like, pray about it and if this is your new home don't be afraid to get baptised again.. there is nothing wrong with it.

GLGB

 

[bliz]

I'm a twice baptized Christian. I was sprinkled as an infant in a Presbyterian church and dunked as a teenager at the Baptist church.

You can get some pretty heated debates going about the different thinking on baptisim! It is not necessary for salvation. Some people feel that it is biblically mandated action to be taken once one has found salvation. Some chruches require it for membership. The argument would be that as an infant you did not yet know Jesus, and you certainly did not decide to be baptized so you should get it done again. Others would argue that you alrady were baptized and so it is not necessary to do it again now that you have come to know Jesus personally.

I think you should schedule a time to talk with your youth pastor about this matter. Me? I think I caved to peer pressure being dunked as a teenager and responded out of fear that I had not done all the necessary things in order to be saved, even as I knew it was not necessary. But then again, my faith at age 15 was nowhere near as mature as it is now!