How do I know?

[j4c3]

That any church is true? I hve prayed and consistently felt no higher power, but I'd be open to trying more. Does anyone have any real evidence for truth in a christian god?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Jace

 

[StormHawk]

Jesus set up His church in Acts 2 by them specifically receiving His Spirit.

Try reading that chapter, *putting yourself there*.

Other useful verses: John 14:17-21, Acts 19:1-6, 1 Coirinthians 12:13; 14:2, 4.

 

[mr73140]

That any church is true? I hve prayed and consistently felt no higher power, but I'd be open to trying more. Does anyone have any real evidence for truth in a christian god?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Jace

The entire Holy Bible speaks of Him. The church was established during the Acts of the Apostles.

What are you praying? He does exist; He will hear you and save you. I know because He saved an old wretch like me. Actually, I did not feel a higher power either. I felt love and loved; I felt joy in my heart and peace in my mind; I knew that my sins were forgiven; and I was glad.

 

[paul1149]

Hi Jace,

Here's the first step:

If any desire to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or I speak from myself. -John 7:17​

The first step toward God is to clear some space for Him. To say, Lord, there is much I don't know or understand, but if you are there I want to please you.

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently search for him.-Hebrews 11:6 -heb 11.6​

Then back it up with action. Search the scriptures, to see if the things reported about Jesus are true (Acts 17.11). Begin to bring yourself into alignment with what light you do have. We have been assured that if we are faithful in little things, we will be entrusted with much more (Luke 19.17; 16.10). And that is an ongoing process (2Cor 3.18).

If you are diligent, before you know it you will be on your way.

BTW, it's ultimately not a question of which manifestation of the visible church you choose, it's the issue of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Keith Green once said that when he set out looking for God, Jesus was at the very bottom of his list, because of what he had seen in the church. But he then added that he found that God has ways of quickly getting us to the bottoms of our lists.

My own testimony followed that same path. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusts in Him (Psalm 34.8). Accepting Christ is the defining decision of life.

BTW, there are forums here for seekers where you might get other questions answered.

Be blessed,
p.

 

[j4c3]

My apologies if this thread was misleading, but I'm not looking for scripture, I'm looking for evidence of a christian god. If I do find enough evidence for me to believe it, I will gladly turn to scripture, though

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

Mod Hat

Thread has been moved to Exploring Christianity.

 

[Nanopants]

That any church is true? I hve prayed and consistently felt no higher power, but I'd be open to trying more.

Repetition will get you nowhere. Christian "religion" will get you nowhere.

Does anyone have any real evidence for truth in a christian god?

I sincerely doubt that you will find anyone who can provide you with sufficient evidence. There is evidence to be found but you must find it yourself. True Christianity is a spiritual journey, and if at some point you look back and realize that you understand its teachings, then that is how you will know.

 

[j4c3]

So you're saying christianity is really just about gaining morals and spiritual experiences, altho there is no logical evidence for it's truth?

I actually came here while searching for any hard evidence of a christian god, but after searching I feel that there is no more evidence for christianity than there is for romand, bhuddist, or hindu gods atm. I would still gladly hear anything anyone has to say.

 

[Nanopants]

So you're saying christianity is really just about gaining morals and spiritual experiences, altho there is no logical evidence for it's truth?

No. What I'm saying is that there is probably no sufficient evidence that anyone can provide for you. Have you ever had a dream? How could you prove to me that you have, and that dreams exist? You can't. But then if I experience my own dream then I would have all the proof I need.

 

[E.C.]

So you're saying christianity is really just about gaining morals and spiritual experiences, altho there is no logical evidence for it's truth?

I actually came here while searching for any hard evidence of a christian god, but after searching I feel that there is no more evidence for christianity than there is for romand, bhuddist, or hindu gods atm. I would still gladly hear anything anyone has to say.

Define "hard evidence".

 

[j4c3]

Evidence that comes from an unbiased source to show a miracle in the bible was true, or something of the sorts. ie, I would prefer it wasn't from the bible or a personal experience

 

[j4c3]

No. What I'm saying is that there is probably no sufficient evidence that anyone can provide for you. Have you ever had a dream? How could you prove to me that you have, and that dreams exist? You can't. But then if I experience my own dream then I would have all the proof I need.

So you're saying the only way you can know if christianity true is through personal experience?

 

[Nanopants]

So you're saying the only way you can know if christianity true is through personal experience?

I'm not so sure that anything can be known to be true apart from personal experience.

 

[paul1149]

So you're saying christianity is really just about gaining morals and spiritual experiences, altho there is no logical evidence for it's truth?

Amazon.com: The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict Fully Updated To Answer The Questions Challenging Christians Today (9780785242192): Thomas Nelson: Books

 

[oi_antz]

The truth of the matter is quite serious, there's a lot of energy for and against faith in Jesus, this is why the secular world has no records of Him and the Bible has extraordinary records of Him. If it wasn't such a contentious issue then there would be no discrepancy. So you just need to investigate whether you would rather think in favor of Jesus or against Jesus. It's a free choice for you.

Here's how He said it:

Matthew 10
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.

- Are you able to do this, to say to your friends and family that you believe Jesus is right?
- Why do you suppose it is even a difficult thing to do?

33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

- Again, why do you think someone would feel pressured to disown Jesus? Do you feel ashamed to say that He is right?

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

- Here is that verse, either you will be with Jesus or against Him, and if you start looking at people's attitudes you will see that people are divided by this issue.

So my advice to you is stop treating "Christianity" as some sort of entity and begin looking to see whether you believe Jesus was right or wrong.

 

[E.C.]

Evidence that comes from an unbiased source to show a miracle in the bible was true, or something of the sorts. ie, I would prefer it wasn't from the bible or a personal experience

Sadly, you're basically asking to build a house with no walls.
Although there was a study done sometime in the 60s or 70s which found that within the Earth's crust is a layer of rock that at one point in time experienced an extreme amount of water which just so happens to dated to the time of the flood of Noah.


Miracles still happen. They didn't end with the Bible and sadly since secular sources aren't very keen on legitimizing any religion they shall probably have very little if anything.

There is a town in Alaska called Sitka. Sitka was founded by the Russians and was the capital of the Alaskan territory up until the US bought it. Naturally with the acquisition of territory comes the missionaries such as St. Herman of Alaska. There was a bad fire outside of Sitka which was coming close to the town and about to take it out. Fortunately, St. Herman took an icon of Christ and his mother to the outer edge of the town set it in the ground and prayed for hours and hours. He prayed until the fire died down, but the entire time the flames did not go past him or to the town.
The only evidence you will find of that is within a record of St. Herman's life, Native Alaskan oratory or if you ask around at the church in Sitka. You will not find it in a secular source because record-keepers in Alaska in the 18th century didn't care for the missionaries there since the missionaries defended the Natives and were constantly at odds with the local government to not treat them like slaves. Science will probably never be able to explain why this huge forest fire wasn't able to take out Sitka because many can not accept the fact that things happen beyond their control.


A note about sources: there is no such thing as an unbiased source. Using the example of St. Herman above, a religious source would be discarded by scientists because "it is religious, therefore it is wrong". A government source would not have a record of any divine town-saving because the government authorities at the time hated the missionaries and anything that would make them look good was simply out of the question.
To top it off, the "why?" and "how?" or miracles are mostly unexplainable outside of three important things to consider: 1) the power of prayer and 2) God helps on His clock, not ours and 3) Most divine happenings can not be explained in human terms.

 

[Annoula]

i agree with E.C.

no matter how much evidence someone gives us about something we don't get the grip of it unless we experience it ourselves.
i could tell you that an earthquake is a terrifying thing, you may understand it with your mind, but you certainly don't know how it feels if you haven't been there.

if you are true in your search you will get answers that you alone will be able to feel. God communicates with us in ways that we are able to understand.
if you go share these answers with others you'll most probably see that they have not interest in them.

good luck in your journey.

 

[j4c3]

Thanks all for the comments, I have another more specific question about christianity, is it appropriate to ask it here, or should I make another thread?

 

[LOCO]

The truth of the matter is quite serious, there's a lot of energy for and against faith in Jesus, this is why the secular world has no records of Him and the Bible has extraordinary records of Him.

Hello oi_antz,

No entirely true, the Vatican Library and secular institutions such as universities and museums have Roman records of Jesus.

We know that at the time of his death Jerusalem was under the rule of Romans. They were good record keepers, all trials, executions etc were recorded.

Some of the events described of his trial and execution correspond with events and names in the Bible e.g. Pontius Pilate the Prefect of the Roman Province at the time.

 

[Celtic D]

That any church is true? I hve prayed and consistently felt no higher power, but I'd be open to trying more. Does anyone have any real evidence for truth in a christian god?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Jace

No church is 100% true, all have their errors, that is why there are so many different varieties.

God is true though and is waiting patiently for you to talk to Him, to talk to Him with conviction, to have faith in Him and when you do He will reveal Himself to you.

We have no hardfast evidence, that is why it is called faith.