Finding a church

[Darcy23]

I'm moving in five months to a new city but I want to start going to church and getting baptized now. My town is somewhat small and there are more denominations in the city I'm moving to. I like the Episcopal church and there is one there but not here. I don't know what I should do. I also like the Presbyterian Church and the Catholic Church, but I want to see all my options before I choose one. Should I just attend the one I like most here and then reassess when I move? Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Bible2]

Darcy23 said in post #1:

I'm moving in five months to a new city but I want to start going to church and getting baptized now.

In order to be baptized correctly (i.e. by immersion), you could attend a Baptist church.

It's very good that you want to get baptized now, for in order to be saved ultimately, believers must get water-immersion (burial) baptized into Jesus Christ's death for our sins (Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Romans 6:3-11, Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:27, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16).

If people believe with all their heart that Jesus Christ is the human/divine Son of God (Acts 8:37), they can get baptized anywhere there's water (Acts 8:36) into which they can be fully-immersed (buried) (Romans 6:3-11, Colossians 2:12). They need to make sure to be baptized in the name of God the Father; and of the Son, Jesus Christ; and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38). As was pointed out above, believers can get water-immersion baptized at, for example, a Baptist church.

Besides getting water baptized, believers can also get Holy Spirit baptized (Acts 11:15-16, cf. Acts 10:44-46). They usually have to ask to receive the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13b) baptism, because it isn't usually automatically given to them the moment they become believers; that's why Paul the apostle asked some believers: "Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed?" (Acts 19:2).

Believers usually receive the Holy Spirit baptism through prayer accompanied by the laying on of hands, subsequent to water baptism (Acts 8:15-17, Acts 19:5-6). Holy Spirit baptism won't result in speaking in tongues for everyone (1 Corinthians 12:30), but for almost everyone, as speaking in tongues is one of the lesser gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 14:5).

Many believers haven't yet experienced the Holy Spirit baptism simply because they haven't yet asked for it, under the principle of "ye have not, because ye ask not" (James 4:2b). Many believers haven't yet asked for it because they've come under the influence of mistaken teachings which say that it's no longer in effect. Believers can get hands laid on them to receive the Holy Spirit baptism at, for example, a Pentecostal or charismatic-type congregation.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10), which operate in believers who have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6, Acts 11:15-16 & Acts 10:44-46), won't cease operating until Jesus' second coming. For 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 means that just as only when children become adults do they put away childish things, so only when believers will become perfect when they see Jesus face to face at his second coming (1 John 3:2) will they no longer need the Spiritual gifts of prophecy, tongues, and the word of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8,10). During the coming tribulation (which will precede the second coming: Matthew 24:29-31), are some in the church going to reject the ministry of the two witnesses simply because it will involve the two witnesses prophesying and performing miracles (Revelation 11:3,6)?

Because the second coming (like the tribulation) hasn't happened yet, all the gifts of the Spirit are still operating in the church today (within Pentecostal and charismatic-type congregations, which can be found within different denominations). God's Word commands believers to operate in the Spiritual gifts when believers come together (1 Corinthians 14:26-31). So congregations today must be careful never to quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19), such as by despising prophesyings (1 Thessalonians 5:20) or forbidding all speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39b).

Tongues are one of the Spiritual gifts which the Holy Spirit miraculously gives to believers (1 Corinthians 12:8-10) through which believers can be regularly edified (1 Corinthians 14:4-5,12,26). As was pointed out earlier, not all Holy Spirit-baptized believers will speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30), but almost all will (cf. Acts 19:6, Acts 10:45-46), for tongues are one of the lesser gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 14:5).

Different believers receive different kinds of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10). Some tongues are languages which can be understood by humans (Acts 2:4,8) while other tongues are languages which can't be understood by humans (1 Corinthians 14:2), not even the speakers (1 Corinthians 14:14). Unintelligible tongues could include ancient human languages which are unknown to history, ancient human languages which are known to history but aren't understood, and angelic languages (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Unintelligible tongues aren't useless, however, because when they're prayed or sung privately to God without interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:2,28) they edify the spirits of those who speak or sing them (1 Corinthians 14:4,14-15, Jude 1:20), to bless God and thank God (1 Corinthians 14:16). And when unintelligible tongues are prayed or sung out loud in a congregation, and then Spiritually interpreted (1 Corinthians 12:10b-11), their interpretation edifies the whole congregation (1 Corinthians 14:5b,12-13,26). When Christians sing in tongues to God they are singing the "spiritual songs" which Paul distinguishes from psalms and hymns (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).

Paul sets no restrictions on how much believers can pray and sing to God in tongues out loud at home, or silently in church (1 Corinthians 14:28) (just as regular praying can be done silently: e.g. 1 Samuel 1:13a,17). Indeed, Paul prayed and sung to God in tongues in private more than anyone (1 Corinthians 14:18-19). But with regard to church meetings, Paul sets very strict rules on speaking tongues out loud: they must never be spoken out loud in church meetings unless there's someone present who can Spiritually interpret them to the whole congregation (1 Corinthians 14:28).

And even when a tongues-interpreter is present in a church meeting, at the most only three people should in turn speak out loud in unknown tongues, which should then be interpreted to the whole congregation (1 Corinthians 14:27). Everyone who has received the gift of tongues should be praying for the separate gift of the interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10b), so that he or she can edify others (1 Corinthians 14:12-13).

 

[PROPHECYKID]

I'm moving in five months to a new city but I want to start going to church and getting baptized now. My town is somewhat small and there are more denominations in the city I'm moving to. I like the Episcopal church and there is one there but not here. I don't know what I should do. I also like the Presbyterian Church and the Catholic Church, but I want to see all my options before I choose one. Should I just attend the one I like most here and then reassess when I move? Any advice would be much appreciated.

My advice is this. There is one point in which I agree with the previous poster and that is that true water baptism is by immersion. Sprinking is UNBIBLICAL. The greek word translated baptism means to dip or immerse.

You need to find a church which helps you to learn the ways of God and not the ways that you like. If you are imperfect and have weak areas (like we all are), you can't search for a church to fit your perceptions of wrong and right because how will that church help you? How does the church help you to meet the soon coming Saviour. Does their doctrine point you to the scriptures. Do they teach commandments of God or commandments of men because they bible says that we can worship God in vain if our doctrine is based on the commandments of men. These are the things I think you should consider.

 

[wildfood]

Yes, you should visit the churches you want to and then remain with the one you are led to by the interior promtings of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Malachi814]

The Church of Christ consists of those who possess the Spirit of Christ. If we all share the same Spirit, yet belong to different parts of the body then it does not matter. Denominations are meaningless; Christ prayed to the Father for unity in Love amongst believers. Go to the Presbyterian Church, their teachings will hold the most truth.

Peace =D

 

[William II]

Might I suggest the United Church of Christ. It's a bit on the liberal side, but sticks to traditional values at the same time. It's a very nice blend, in my opinion.

 

[salida]

Take this as it may help-Also visit all of them.

Denomination Test
▷ ▶Christian Denomination Selector SelectSmart.com free Religion personality test, selector quiz, matching, choose, compare.

Try Church of Nazarene

 

[Malachi814]

You people don't understand. Denominations are meaningless. Unite in love; do not focus on what is different about denominations, but on the similarity we have in Jesus. A time is coming when the eyes of the saints will be opened and they will see this. Start now, unite in love as God is love.

Ask your pastors this what they think of Jesus' prayer which he prayed for us - all those who believe in him, not all those who follow a certain denomination.
Jesus prayed to the Holy Father

"I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one."

 

[parsley]

See if there's an Anglican church -- they have the same roots.
You might like Lutheran too -- their services can have similar liturgy.

 

[Aino]

Five months is a long time to remain without a church so I recommend you to go to a church for fellowship and baptismal regardless of whether you'll stay in the same church after you've moved or not. After all, remember that you can always change from an earthly community to another but church is a place of communing with God and his body - the believers. You'll need a believers community regardless of location or specific community; they still worship the same God and celebrate the same communion. The difference after further studying into the practices and doctrines of each particular church is all irrelevant.

All of the churches you named are good, but I suspect it's going to be harder to get in and out of the catholic church. However, if you really feel called to serve there, it is nice since you're going to find one anywhere you go to and each catholic church is going to be the same essentially, when any protestant church will have more local variance. I'm not going to say anything more specific about them or any other denomination though. I rather recommend you to pray to God for guidance and to visit your local churches as soon as possible and then, when you've found on you're comfortable with then join. You'll have plenty of time to think of the church in your next destination when you actually move; now think of today and the spiritual body you'll join.

 

[parsley]

Denominations are meaningless. Unite in love; do not focus on what is different about denominations

Actually, I have found after being in different denominations that a person might not be able to...

- Vote on budgets and elders
- View itemized expenses
- Teach in Sunday school unless an approved member for a year
- Serve as an elder if female
- Talk to people of the opposite gender without your spouse beside you
- Take communion if not part of the denomination
- Get married in the building, by the pastor unless a member
- Consider oneself saved and approved unless baptized in that church/denom
- Consider oneself saved and fully devoted to God unless speaking in tongues
- Consider oneself saved and fully devoted to God IF speaking in tongues
- Be socially acceptable if wearing jewelry, makeup, high heels, or skirts above the knee.

A few visits won't hurt anyone, but make sure you research if you decide to be a member.

 

[KatyAD111]

I've always heard go to a church that gives you a good dose of the bible. Or read directly from scripture. I do like the traditional churches...I was raised part of my life episcopalian...but the one that i went to was mostly saramonial. The one i go to now...is very active in the community and i get a lot of biblical teachings out of it. while you are ooking for one make sure you read the bible..and ask God to lead you. I told the lord I need a good church to go to...when i was going do something and he sent someone to get me there.

You should watch some of the morning services that come on in the morning. Joyce Meyer is a great bible teacher as well as Kenneth and Gloria Copland...they are also great bible teachers. You can go to their websites and check your local listings.
God Bless and good luck on your search.

-Katy

 

[ViaCrucis]

There were two factors I took into major consideration when I was church "shopping" for nearly a decade.

1) A church environment that was healthy, open, warm and friendly. I spent a lot of times visiting churches where either I found the people to be very clique-ish and unable to accept new people to the "group" and that was very put offish. Other times I found churches where you were practically rushed at the door with people trying to get you to become a member just by sitting in a pew once. Finding a community is essential, a club is very different from a community. Chances are you'll recognize the difference by intuition.

2) I spent a long time trying to figure out what I truly believe. Reading, studying, and for me I realized a while ago that I was a closet Lutheran. So finding a Lutheran church that I could fit and function became obvious to me. Though chances are I could function just as easily in an Episcopal/Anglican church.

I don't know where you are on the latter, but you seem pretty traditional and looking for a traditional Christian community. At that point, if you're comfortable with the liturgical-mainline Protestant churches (Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans/Episcopalians, etc) or Roman Catholic Church I recommend pursuing that and while doing that look for community. Luckily, I think many of these denominations/traditions are quite open and friendly bunch. In the case of the RCC, if you're not that familiar, most are invited to attend RCIA classes. Usually these are for people planning on becoming Catholic, but there's no pressure and you don't have to. People can go through RCIA without becoming Catholic, just as a means of learning more about Catholicism--most other churches offer similar education courses for those interested.

Again, I'd stress community.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[razeontherock]

I agree with the above and point out that the congregations doing the right things will be the ones teaching the right things. It's not rocket science, how those go together! This will be much more important than what denomination, and in fact the same denom in different cities may give you a very different experience.

Once you find a congregation, try to make an app't with the main leader, to ask about things that concern you. I do agree with the poster stressing Unity, and that would be on my list of questions.

Ultimately, Jesus is the Head, and He places us in the Body as He see fit! So a good dose of prayer (and even fasting) re: this very thing is in order.

 

[episkopos]

Bible Believing Church With A Faithful Pastor

 

[parsley]

Bible Believing Church With A Faithful Pastor

Yeah, not the ones you read about in the news who stick their wives in refrigerators.

Find a pastor who approaches their leadership role with intent to build others up in faith and service to God.

 

[chilehed]

I'm moving in five months to a new city but I want to start going to church and getting baptized now. My town is somewhat small and there are more denominations in the city I'm moving to. I like the Episcopal church and there is one there but not here. I don't know what I should do. I also like the Presbyterian Church and the Catholic Church, but I want to see all my options before I choose one. Should I just attend the one I like most here and then reassess when I move? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Since Christ set up his Church with a hierarchy, a visible institution that he promised would last forever and always teach the truth, then I suggest figuring out which denomination has been around since the time of the Apostles and join it.