Can you be simply Christian? (Not Eastern or Catcholic)

[FireDragon76]

I used to go to an Orthodox church but now I'm Lutheran. What you describe happening in church sounds typical of Orthodox piety as I experienced it. It can be very heavy in its atmosphere.

Lutheranism is much more moderate. We do have some confession and penitence but we also have some laughs sometimes in church, children's sermons, and so forth, that gives church a different atmosphere. Sometimes people talk before church, and we always have a passing of the peace and people will greet each other. Plus, we don't take our own efforts at piety too seriously. I just find it more "human", while at the same time it is still somewhat reverent and orderly. We are there to receive the free gifts of God, and there is less emphasis on how we perform in church.

My orthodox priest I had was a well-meaning man but he simply didn't have alot of real human experiences outside of religion. Our pastors, on the other hand, typically enter the ordained ministry after some life experiences, and our church life is more focused on laity as the center. My pastor has worked as both a longshoreman and a lawyer and he's a well-rounded human being who is very approachable.

 

[paul1149]

I've been a couple of times in Church, i never felt calm inside. Don't get me wrong, not that i felt bad, just i feel more comfortable with a Bible in a corner than in the Church. Something feels wrong to me. Priest asking you to kiss their hand, its full of candles and religious paintings, somehow i dont picture God's home like this.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him -Col 2:6​

You're doing very well. You've made the most important decision of your life. Everything from here on out will be based on it. I would advise you to take your time and not do anything you don't feel comfortable with. If you're better off praying by yourself right now, then that's what you should do. You could try visiting various churches, too, to see how they worship and if it feels right to you. It would be a great boon if you could find a body of believers to plug into, so give it priority if at all possible. But if not, don't panic. Remember, Paul went out into the desert rather than be taught by man.

Give Romans 14 a read, and Colossians 2. You're going to get a lot of diverse opinions, that's the way the Body of Christ is. God was big enough to save you, and He is well able to keep you if you are committed to following Him. So focus on Him as you've been doing, and don't let man's various religious beliefs, however well-intended they may be - disturb you or get in the way of pure devotion. Keep that up, and you are going to come out on top.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. - Philippians 1.6​

 

[stanilovesGod]

Maybe i should research more, i will check when they gather and probably attend some of the ceremonies, i am very new to this. I will share my experiance but again, for some reason its scary to me, maybe since i have some mental issues as well. I think God understands me well on this

 

[redleghunter]

I have interesting question for you friends. I am born in Bulgaria, that is Eastern Orthodox Church. Bulgaria was socialist state, meaning relgion was, althou not banned, very very low grounded. I was born thank God after that but, most people here seem to don't understand a lot. My parents and grandparents, except from my grandmother that died while i was little (she was religioun always saying God have mission for everyone), no one really explained religion to be. Non of my friends is religious. All consider ourselves Christians, Belive in God, but thats it. Atleast my surrondings. I have to admit, since recently, when series of events brought me close to God, i did not knew neither what the commendmants were, neither what is Holy Spirit, i didnt even knew why Christ died on the cross. I only knew there was God and that we dont have to steal, lie or murder people.
I've always felt Him in my heart though, knowing what is good or bad. So i am now trying to become closer to Him. I start reading the Bible. But i dont know anything about Eastern Orthodox Church. There is a lot of corruption here in Bulgaria even in the church, i dont want to tell you but some priests were watches for 10 000$ dollars, some were guys, doing horrible things, they were exposed by the local tv. I am not saying all are like that, but i simply dont trust them. I also feel very unconfortable with Eastern Orthodox icons (painting of Christ), they don't seem right to me. I prefer to pray in a corner of my home, with a Bible or a cross. I don't turst this Church Yerarchy. I just trust in God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus as my personal savior. I started to read more about religions and it seem this is how Protestant churces are. There is very beautiful such churches in my town. I belive in a Church there should not be icons or statues, just cross and happy people. My parents say i was baptised as kid, there are also pictures, but they also are not more religious than simply beliving personally in the lord. If i was baptised as Eastern Orthodox Church, but my ways of praying are more similar to the Protestant Church from what i read, i am doing something wrong? From what i know Protestants simply trust in Jesus as saviour, that whoever belives in Him shall not perish, and that you should repent and personally talk only to Him, not to church emplpoyes or whatever their yeratchy level is. I am a bit confused. I still go to Church on Eastern, but thats the only time i ever go. Am i doing something wrong, shall i be baptised again, since i was in a way unbeliver for many years. Please give me your advices Thanks .

Welcome to CF Stani!
Can you be a Christian without a church label? Yes. You just gave us testimony you love and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I would recommend becoming a member of the Christ loving Church near you. One which will lead and teach from Holy Scriptures and has a desire to teach, serve one another and preach the Gospel to all those in your community.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Can you be simply Christian? (Not Eastern or Catcholic)

Very good question. For me, the answer is yes, absolutely, and with some of the denominations around these days as well as some older ones, I would highly recommend it.

Be a bible believing Christian, and be very careful of how others might spin the bible.

 

[Kenny'sID]

she was religioun always saying God have mission for everyone

No offense to Grandma, but that is exactly what I mean by being very careful of someone else's opinion of scripture. In this case it's not really your Grandma, but many preachers preach "God has a plan for all of us", or we all have a mission, when I have no idea where they got that from.

 

[chevyontheriver]

My personal opinion, i may be very wrong, from what i know from history, Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox somewhere in 1000s simply could not understand each other, separating each other. And once Constantinopole fail to turks, the center of Eastern Orthodoxy turned to Russia. Is it possible, that following all those rules by both churces be somehow now what Jesus once meant. I hope i am not saying something sinful here. I am sorry if i do. I just feel like this separation and those Catholic or Eastern laws are somehow man- made, not coming from the Bible or from Jesus teachings.

The separation is mostly because they didn't talk, didn't stay in touch, drifted apart. You are right about that. And yet where it really matters the Orthodox and the Catholics are essentially the same. Catholics, for example, recognize the validity of all the Orthodox sacraments. The separation is man made. Jesus said in John 17 that his prayer was that we could be one, not two or 500 or thousands upon thousands. There are many Orthodox and most all Catholics that want to end the separation of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. Some day we will reunite. This separation is not something which should keep you from attending church every week though. You can find Jesus in a Catholic or an Orthodox church. It's better than sitting outside of either church. Once inside, pray for unity. That's the only way unity will happen anyhow, through much prayer.

 

[JohnB445]

Now that you have the Holy Spirit in you, it would be good to pray daily asking God to guide you where he wants you to be. Ask God and trust in him, maybe ask for a vision or dream from God to give you a visualization of maybe where he wants you.

Also I would pray to God to help grow in the faith, I recommend reading the Bible along with prayer. Daily communication with God is important, as he will show you where to go.

 

[anna ~ grace]

The separation is mostly because they didn't talk, didn't stay in touch, drifted apart. You are right about that. And yet where it really matters the Orthodox and the Catholics are essentially the same. Catholics, for example, recognize the validity of all the Orthodox sacraments. The separation is man made. Jesus said in John 17 that his prayer was that we could be one, not two or 500 or thousands upon thousands. There are many Orthodox and most all Catholics that want to end the separation of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. Some day we will reunite. This separation is not something which should keep you from attending church every week though. You can find Jesus in a Catholic or an Orthodox church. It's better than sitting outside of either church. Once inside, pray for unity. That's the only way unity will happen anyhow, through much prayer.

That is beautiful, Chevy. And True.

 

[Athanasius377]

I have interesting question for you friends. I am born in Bulgaria, that is Eastern Orthodox Church. Bulgaria was socialist state, meaning relgion was, althou not banned, very very low grounded. I was born thank God after that but, most people here seem to don't understand a lot. My parents and grandparents, except from my grandmother that died while i was little (she was religioun always saying God have mission for everyone), no one really explained religion to be. Non of my friends is religious. All consider ourselves Christians, Belive in God, but thats it. Atleast my surrondings. I have to admit, since recently, when series of events brought me close to God, i did not knew neither what the commendmants were, neither what is Holy Spirit, i didnt even knew why Christ died on the cross. I only knew there was God and that we dont have to steal, lie or murder people.
I've always felt Him in my heart though, knowing what is good or bad. So i am now trying to become closer to Him. I start reading the Bible. But i dont know anything about Eastern Orthodox Church. There is a lot of corruption here in Bulgaria even in the church, i dont want to tell you but some priests were watches for 10 000$ dollars, some were guys, doing horrible things, they were exposed by the local tv. I am not saying all are like that, but i simply dont trust them. I also feel very unconfortable with Eastern Orthodox icons (painting of Christ), they don't seem right to me. I prefer to pray in a corner of my home, with a Bible or a cross. I don't turst this Church Yerarchy. I just trust in God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus as my personal savior. I started to read more about religions and it seem this is how Protestant churces are. There is very beautiful such churches in my town. I belive in a Church there should not be icons or statues, just cross and happy people. My parents say i was baptised as kid, there are also pictures, but they also are not more religious than simply beliving personally in the lord. If i was baptised as Eastern Orthodox Church, but my ways of praying are more similar to the Protestant Church from what i read, i am doing something wrong? From what i know Protestants simply trust in Jesus as saviour, that whoever belives in Him shall not perish, and that you should repent and personally talk only to Him, not to church emplpoyes or whatever their yeratchy level is. I am a bit confused. I still go to Church on Eastern, but thats the only time i ever go. Am i doing something wrong, shall i be baptised again, since i was in a way unbeliver for many years. Please give me your advices Thanks .

Hi Stanilovesgod,

What you are describing in your native homeland is what I hear from many where the Orthodox church has the majority of believers. I don't know if this ignorance is a result of the former communist regime or it was that way before the communist takeover. Either way the result is the same. To answer your question, "Can you simply be a christian"? The answer is most certainly yes. What you should not be is a solo christian. What I mean is Christian without a church is never a good thing so you will need to find a church/fellowship that you can attend regularly if possible.

I would start first with prayer. Try and work prayer as part of your bible reading. As for learning about the Christian faith I would recommend working through one of the classic catechisms. As a Lutheran I would recommend Luther's Small Catechism. It is not overly complex and is meant to the memorized by children. I believe there is a version that has been translated into Bulgarian. There are Lutheran churches in Bulgaria but our presence is really small. Visit one of the local churches and talk with the pastor. Ask any question you can think of. If you feel it is good fit then ask the pastor if there are adult instruction classes and then join.

 

[bcbsr]

I have interesting question for you friends. I am born in Bulgaria, that is Eastern Orthodox Church. Bulgaria was socialist state, meaning relgion was, althou not banned, very very low grounded. I was born thank God after that but, most people here seem to don't understand a lot. My parents and grandparents, except from my grandmother that died while i was little (she was religioun always saying God have mission for everyone), no one really explained religion to be. Non of my friends is religious. All consider ourselves Christians, Belive in God, but thats it. Atleast my surrondings. I have to admit, since recently, when series of events brought me close to God, i did not knew neither what the commendmants were, neither what is Holy Spirit, i didnt even knew why Christ died on the cross. I only knew there was God and that we dont have to steal, lie or murder people.
I've always felt Him in my heart though, knowing what is good or bad. So i am now trying to become closer to Him. I start reading the Bible. But i dont know anything about Eastern Orthodox Church. There is a lot of corruption here in Bulgaria even in the church, i dont want to tell you but some priests were watches for 10 000$ dollars, some were guys, doing horrible things, they were exposed by the local tv. I am not saying all are like that, but i simply dont trust them. I also feel very unconfortable with Eastern Orthodox icons (painting of Christ), they don't seem right to me. I prefer to pray in a corner of my home, with a Bible or a cross. I don't turst this Church Yerarchy. I just trust in God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus as my personal savior. I started to read more about religions and it seem this is how Protestant churces are. There is very beautiful such churches in my town. I belive in a Church there should not be icons or statues, just cross and happy people. My parents say i was baptised as kid, there are also pictures, but they also are not more religious than simply beliving personally in the lord. If i was baptised as Eastern Orthodox Church, but my ways of praying are more similar to the Protestant Church from what i read, i am doing something wrong? From what i know Protestants simply trust in Jesus as saviour, that whoever belives in Him shall not perish, and that you should repent and personally talk only to Him, not to church emplpoyes or whatever their yeratchy level is. I am a bit confused. I still go to Church on Eastern, but thats the only time i ever go. Am i doing something wrong, shall i be baptised again, since i was in a way unbeliver for many years. Please give me your advices Thanks .

You can't go wrong if you study the scriptures and do what it says. I would focus primarily on the New Testament as they are what define true Christian beliefs. I myself have not pledged allegiance to any denomination and yet am confident in my convictions derived from personal study of the scriptures and through its practice. Feel free to peruse my website BCBSR - The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources: Bible Study Guides for Christians

 

[stanilovesGod]

Thanks all guys for your support and ideas .. I am currently recovering from horrible mental breakout, but that breakout was for good because it brought me to God, and i found my connection with Jesus. I feel so much better now. Right now, i am aiming to read the entire New Testament. I have only read a Bible for kids as a child, so i want to start step buy. Since i dont know any prayers, i am curently using one that i invented myself in the morning and at night. You have no idea how faith can change a man, i've never had that feeling of relief in my enitre life. There still battles to be fought though, i am still batteling my mental problems. So i really need a good place to talk with other Christians. The forums are okey ofcourse, but still knowing the person is better. I would be glad if you offer some facebook groups or pages for Christians so i could join I joined one group that was suggested from a person here in the forums
For the churches, i will make a good research about the options you gave me. I won't rush it. I will keep you udpated of my choices. God will guide us. I want to finish with the Bible first. I start as some suggested with the New Testament, i am not ready for the Old Testament yet, i am easily triggered and i want my mind to heal first. Thanks very much again for the help, wish you all the best to everyone

 

[Radagast]

The protestant church in the city looks a lot better. They have site, facebook page. They look like community. They have classes, youth community, elderly community, even religious trips.

I'm hearing you give lots of good reasons for attending that church. Perhaps you should.

 

[stanilovesGod]

Now i realized that it is evangelical Protestantism church. What does that mean. They are other protestant churches in the city, but this is the closest and biggest i know. Is that some sort of subtype of Protestanism?

 

[Radagast]

Right now, i am aiming to read the entire New Testament.

A great idea!

Since i dont know any prayers, i am curently using one that i invented myself in the morning and at night.

I'd suggest using the Lord's Prayer as a skeleton. This is how Jesus taught us to pray:

Our Father in heaven {thank God for making us His children and for loving us}
hallowed be your name {reflect on how great God is}
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven {pray that God will fix all the things that are broken in the world, by giving us a new world}
Give us today our daily bread {and everything else we need today}
And forgive us our debts {because we still do what is wrong}
as we also have forgiven our debtors {and ask God to help us do this}
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one {ask God to make us pure, and keep us that way}
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever {reflect again on how great God is}
Amen {reflect on how God can be trusted}

Or, for something simpler, ACTS:

• Adoration: reflect on how great God is
• Confession: admit your sin
• Thanksgiving: thank God for what He has done.
• Supplication: ask for what you need, and the same for others.

 

[Radagast]

Now i realized that it is evangelical Protestantism church. What does that mean.

There are different kinds of Protestantism, and "evangelical" can mean different things.

So I have no idea.

Maybe if you post a website link?

 

[Radagast]

i have some mental issues as well. I think God understands me well on this

Yes, He does.

 

[stanilovesGod]

I will make a deep research on all available churches in Plovdiv (my city), one step at a time, so what i wanted to know as if i am bound to Eastern Orthodoxy ways, and since i am not, i will feel free to find a best church for me. It may be eastern orthodox again, maybe there are better societies and churches in the town/ For now i will continue visiting the local (eastern orthodox church), although the atmosphere is heavy, i go to say a prayer from time to time. But my questions were answered for now. I talked with a firend about that local protestqant church and he told me it is evangelist church, he said this is sort of sect. I dont know what that means but he said its not a good thing. I am afraid not to make mistake here. I dont know which is a legitimate protestant church and how to find it out here .Thanks again, i will tell you what is going on with time )))

 

[stanilovesGod]

I will make a deep research on all available churches in Plovdiv (my city), one step at a time, so what i wanted to know as if i am bound to Eastern Orthodoxy ways, and since i am not, i will feel free to find a best church for me. It may be eastern orthodox again, maybe there are better societies and churches in the town/ For now i will continue visiting the local (eastern orthodox church), although the atmosphere is heavy, i go to say a prayer from time to time, while my reasearch is goind. The local protestant church is evangelist protestant church which i dont know what it is. I talked with a friend who is kinda religious he said this is sect. I dont know what exactly that means. He said its not a good thing. I fear not to make some mistake. But my questions were answered for now. Thanks again, i will tell you what is going on with time )))

 

[Radagast]

But my questions were answered for now. I talked with a firend about that local protestqant church and he told me it is evangelist church, he said this is sort of sect. I dont know what that means but he said its not a good thing. I am afraid not to make mistake here.

Hmmm. I'm not sure I'd trust your friend, necessarily. Could you post a link to a website here?

And are you talking about the big old church beside Sahat Tepe, or about something else?