Feeling Overwhelmed!

[emilylauren]

I will be honest and say that I am a Christian, however I feel that this is the forum where I might find the most appropriate answer for this particular question.

While I do consider myself a Christian, I am having a few doubts as to certain teachings and I wanted some advice. I've recently re-committed myself to Jesus after what seemed like a few years of a lapse. I attended church, prayed and never really wavered in my faith in Jesus as my Savior, but I feel as if I did not really live my life for Jesus, but rather stumbled around blindly.

But for the question-- in coming back to Jesus I've recently really started to see the grand and differing point of views that people have in regards to scriptural interpretations. Most notably are those who argue over whether baptism is needed for salvation, whether or not we should keep the Sabbath as given in the Old Testiment (every seventh day to rest) or if that rest should be found (more symbolically) in Jesus himself and (more generally) what parts of the "Law of Moses" (if any) are kept and which (if any) are rejected.

I'm not really asking for advice on these particular issues themselves, but I do wonder how you decided what was being said? It seems that these doctrines go right against each other. Those in favor of keeping the Sabbath all day Saturday (for example) say that those who don't are sinning and will not be saved. But those who reject this idea claim that keeping the Sabbath "puts you under the Law" and implies that you are rejecting Jesus' grace and you will not be saved.

I've read plenty of essays and forum threads on these issues, and it seems that both sides of each of these controversial issues have plenty of scriptural quotes that back up their own position. So my question is how can someone be certain that they have gotten the correct interpretation? How were you able to feel confidant that you found the "Truth" in terms of these and other issues that come up between denominations.

Thank you for your time! I ernestly await your answers. :]

 

[Secundulus]

If you belong to an apostolic Church, i.e. Catholics, Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutherans then you can look at what the Church has always believed and always taught on these topics.

 

[Chesterton]

There was a time when there were no denominations; when the Christian Church was one. I look to that early time because it's foundational, and because Christ said he would send the Holy Spirit to guide the church. As time went on, and controversial issues came up, the issues were decided upon, sometimes in formal Councils. Looking to the early Church gives me about as much confidence in decisions as I think I can have.

It's a little hard to answer without sounding like I'm just advocating "my" church, which is not what you asked for, so I'll leave it at that. I think there are questions to which it is important to have the "right" answer. But other questions Christians disagree on may not have a "right" answer.

For what it's worth, that's what I did.

 

[Chesterton]

If you belong to an apostolic Church, i.e. Catholics, Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutherans then you can look at what the Church has always believed and always taught on these topics.

Yep.

 

[ephraimanesti]

I will be honest and say that I am a Christian, however I feel that this is the forum where I might find the most appropriate answer for this particular question.

While I do consider myself a Christian, I am having a few doubts as to certain teachings and I wanted some advice. I've recently re-committed myself to Jesus after what seemed like a few years of a lapse. I attended church, prayed and never really wavered in my faith in Jesus as my Savior, but I feel as if I did not really live my life for Jesus, but rather stumbled around blindly.

But for the question-- in coming back to Jesus I've recently really started to see the grand and differing point of views that people have in regards to scriptural interpretations. Most notably are those who argue over whether baptism is needed for salvation, whether or not we should keep the Sabbath as given in the Old Testiment (every seventh day to rest) or if that rest should be found (more symbolically) in Jesus himself and (more generally) what parts of the "Law of Moses" (if any) are kept and which (if any) are rejected.

I'm not really asking for advice on these particular issues themselves, but I do wonder how you decided what was being said? It seems that these doctrines go right against each other. Those in favor of keeping the Sabbath all day Saturday (for example) say that those who don't are sinning and will not be saved. But those who reject this idea claim that keeping the Sabbath "puts you under the Law" and implies that you are rejecting Jesus' grace and you will not be saved.

I've read plenty of essays and forum threads on these issues, and it seems that both sides of each of these controversial issues have plenty of scriptural quotes that back up their own position. So my question is how can someone be certain that they have gotten the correct interpretation? How were you able to feel confidant that you found the "Truth" in terms of these and other issues that come up between denominations.

Thank you for your time! I ernestly await your answers. :]

MY DEAR SISTER,

Perhaps the best way i can put it is that you need to disengage religion and enter into a relationship with God. God, i believe, is not the least bit interested in all the "controversies" which you mention--ALL HE CARES ABOUT IS DEVELOPING A LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU! Rules and regulations such as those you mention just get in the way.

Perhaps a good book for you to read at this point in your walk would be HE LOVES ME by Wayne Jacobsen. It has certainly turned my walk with God into a pleasure rather than a struggle to "play by the rules." The 2nd Edition of this books is available at most Christian Books Stores or at amazon.com. The first edition is available as a FREE DOWNLOAD at:

http://lifestream.org/helovesme/index.html

Just click on "Download 1st edition as a PDF file".

Check it out and see if most of your questions aren't answered and your oneness with God in a loving relationship assured.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[emilylauren]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm still praying about everything, but I think I'm moving closer towards an understanding.

You are all so helpful! Thank you! :]

 

[synger]

Welcome to Christian Forums! It's nice to see another Lutheran online. *smiles* I'd like to invite you to come visit the Theologia Crucis (Lutheran) forum here on CF. I hope to see you there!

As someone who has wandered all over the Christian spectrum in her faith journey, I can certainly relate to questions about the Ten Commandments, and the Sabbath. I used to keep the Saturday Sabbath, and it's still one of those doctrines I think a great deal about. There are some Christian groups that keep Saturday -- Seventh-day Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists, for two.

But the vast majority of Christians believe that Jesus has become our Sabbath, and we rest in him... and thus while Sunday, the Lord's Day, is a day of rest and the day we gather together to worship him and receive his gifts to the Church, it is not a legalistic "you can't make dinner or do laundry" sort of thing as it can be for Sabbatarians.

Coming from a Reformed background, where we studied and dissected and logicked our way through many doctrines, it's easy for me to get caught up in such side issues.

But the core of the Gospel is the same, no matter which Christian church you attend. (and if it isn't there, you may want to rethink your church affiliation) We have been separated from God because of our sinfulness. Christ died and rose for us, to forgive our sins and reconcile us to God, with the effect that we may learn to love God and serve our fellow man better.

The rest is interesting, and I certainly think it is important to study and hold correct, Scriptural doctrines. But if that core is missing, discussion on such side topics is pretty futile.