How should I proceed?

[Kehaar]

Hello all

I would like to ask for some advice regarding my involvement in church.

I should give a little backgroup first, to help put things in perspective. I am a very new Christian - I was saved only a few weeks ago. It was an amazing (if very sudden!) experience that erased all doubt in my mind and brought me to God.

Since then I can't seem to get enough of God whether it be through church, scripture, prayer or just talking to other Christians. I had hoped to take communion for the first time next week too but this has been met with caution from my Christian elders.

I've been told that they've seen many people 'fall by the wayside' after an initial burst of enthusiasm after they became Christian or that 'young' Christians really need to stop and think about the commitment they're making before they take communion or are baptised etc.

I do understand their caution and I do understand that they are looking out for both myself and the church by doing this but I can't help but feel slightly frustrated. I feel I am being doubted too and I find that hurtful.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks,

Astral

 

[ShetlandRose]

Hmmmm. That's interesting. Throughout the New Testament Book of Acts new believers were baptised immediately. (Acts 2:38; 2:41; 8:12-13; 8:36-38; 10:48; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16)

Some churches have a "closed" communion, where only members of the church or denomination can take communion. But, personally, I think partaking of the communion is a commandment of Christ, and very special between the Christian and God, and should be open to all believers and not forestalled in new Christians.

I suppose there are people who "fall by the wayside" after an initial burst of enthusiasm after they became Christian, but I have seen laws created by men kill the enthusiasm in a new Christian also.

My advice is to DELIGHT in the new joy of your salvation! And maybe think about starting to look around at some other congregations too.

 

[tateziwin]

I know how you feel.
A few weeks ago I too, felt drawn to God, I guess that means I was "saved" (? not really sure if that is right term).
But I have been immersing myself in God...reading, researching the Bible, listening to christian music etc.. and now I have a real urgent desire to get baptised.
But I seem to be having a hard time finding someone who will do it cos I want it done now!!
Not in 3 or 6 weeks time after I have done some course , afterall as Shetland Rose mentioned , new believers were baptised immediately so why are they making it so difficult for me? You see, I have a fear that what if Jesus returns next Tuesday or tomorrow and I'm not baptised??
I know it isn't essential as there have been exceptional circumstances but it also is a command of Jesus that we do get baptised...so what gives??
I think I should just be able to walk into ANY christian church regardless of denomination and ask for baptism and for them to welcome me with open arms and say 'come on in, we want you in here sinner, come now!!'... surely that's what they did in the NT days?
Surely, if I fall by the wayside that isn't something that the church can predict or assume is possible so it is something that only God & I can sort out.
sorry, I am just getting so frustrated with all the reasons I am being given on why I CAN'T be baptised...God knows my heart, not anyone else.

 

[Sahz]

Astral, can I ask what kind of church you've been attending?! I know a lot of the Baptist churches where I live adopt a similar policy!! I agree with Shetland here and perhaps you should look into some other congregations!

 

[Kehaar]

Hi,

thanks for your replies!

Sahz - I currently attend Church of Scotland. I've been along to the episcopal church too for one service (not that I can really fairly judge on one) but their congregation seemed much more 'open'. I feel I do need to find somewhere better suited but I am so new I feel I could easily make a mistake - and I don't wish to church hop

tateziwin - thanks for sharing how you feel, at least now I know I'm not the only one encountering this.

ShetlandRose - thank you for your advice. I very much DO want to delight in my salvation, it just puzzles me that others don't seem that keen. It makes me feel like I'm not being accepted and I don't understand why.

One thing I've started to ask myself is if they even consider me Christian. I know I was saved and have called myself Christian since that point but I feel like, with this congregation, I fail to make the grade. When am I considered Christian - when I know I was saved or when my Christian elders tell me so? I know I am very new, I know I have a phenomenal amount to learn yet but I had thought I would find more support. Like tateziwin said - its frustrating

Astral

 

[ShetlandRose]

You are a Christian when you believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him into your heart. Period. People are not instantly made mature in Christ when they are saved. There is a wonderful learning process where you grow closer and closer to God and begin to intimately know Him and act like Jesus.

Don't worry about considering different churches as a new Christian. Looking around for a good, solid fellowship is not church hopping. Church hopping is when you get miffed about this and that and criticize various people constantly because they are not perfect, etc., and it is a pattern in your life, and you therefore go from church to church never satisfied.

You will find plenty of Christians who will welcome you with great gladness into their fellowship. God is your shepherd and if you take it day-by-day He will lead you, little lamb.

 

[Blessed-one]

true, there's nothing wrong with baptising new christians, but try looking it from their perspective. They've seen many new christians fall away, just having the moment but no long term commitment. To some churches, more conservative side in terms of thinkings, christians should take a serious look inside them before getting baptised. For once baptised, your commitment to God should stay no matter how much hardship and doubt comes afterwards. (since the christian road is not an easy one.)

if what the elders said bothers you so much, perhaps you can try another church, but keep their sincerity in heart with forgiveness and understanding. They're only trying to help, if perhaps, going the wrong way for you.

One thing I've started to ask myself is if they even consider me Christian. I know I was saved and have called myself Christian since that point but I feel like, with this congregation, I fail to make the grade. When am I considered Christian - when I know I was saved or when my Christian elders tell me so? I know I am very new, I know I have a phenomenal amount to learn yet but I had thought I would find more support.

what exactly do you mean by that? the baptism or are there others?

 

[Rafael]

Pray that God will open doors for you, and if you feel an uncertainty about going to a certain Church, then wait until God confirms a place for you to go. Perhaps these others are not being clear why they are hesitant for you to have communion, but it is really only yourelf that can count the cost - that you are dying to self and rising to new life.
By the way, have you been baptised yet? Being baptised into the body of Christ should be the first step before communion, and that may be the hold up. You identify yourself with Christ's death in baptizm, and when rising out of the water you symbolize rising to new life in Him. Then you are ready for the communion, after the show of repentence of the old and the taking on of the new. Taking the Lord's supper in a wrong manner is dangerous, and they may be looking out for you by denying it until your ready. Remember, taking it unworthily, a person can drink curse upon themselves - even death.
Don't be easily discouraged, satan will be always there to steal your new faith, so be patient and steadfast in your walk towards God's will for your life. It will happen if you want it to, but be willing to listen and learn with a teachable spirit.

1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

 

[Kehaar]

Thanks for the replies

ShetlandRose - thank you for your further advice and support, I appreciate it very much. I have been keen to try other churches not really because I'm miffed at anything within my current church (tho I feel frustrated I do understand the argument of my elders) but because I have a desire to take part in more activites and various forms of worship. Before I was saved I did attend church but I did not have the passion for worship and involvement I do have now. My current church is quite formal with a quiet and reserved congregation but I attended a service at an episcopal church early last week and was surprised by how outgoing and vibrant they were in their worship. I came away from that service feeling very invigorated and inspired and I believe this has caused me to pause and think about the church I attend.

Blessed-one - thank you for your reply. You have more-or-less echoed the feelings of my elders and I appreciate this is necessary. I do understand their concerns and the points that both they and yourself raised are valid.
They have obviously had experience of new christians becoming disheartened and it makes perfect sense that they are cautious now. I know that I am getting frustrated because of my enthusiasm but I also know that they are looking after both the church and myself by being cautious, and I do respect that.

Sorry, Blessed-one but I didn't quite understand your last question after you quoted me

Raphe - thanks for your reply and your continued advice (I believe you've answered other posts and queries from myself).
You very much hit the point - one of my elders keeps telling me that he understands where I am coming from but that I have to be absolutely sure that I have counted the cost and fully understand my commitment. I know a Christian life is not easy and I have begun to count the cost, infact I seem to find new things every day! The more I think about this, the more I believe he is correct. I'm not having second thoughts in any way but I know that I must understand, to the best of my ability, what I am entering into.

You also asked if I had been baptised - I haven't. I had enquired about this too, last week but it was recommended that I give myself more time.

I think I have let my enthusiasm get the better of me! Thanks again to all who replied.

Astral

 

[Rafael]

Thanks for the replies

ShetlandRose - thank you for your further advice and support, I appreciate it very much. I have been keen to try other churches not really because I'm miffed at anything within my current church (tho I feel frustrated I do understand the argument of my elders) but because I have a desire to take part in more activites and various forms of worship. Before I was saved I did attend church but I did not have the passion for worship and involvement I do have now. My current church is quite formal with a quiet and reserved congregation but I attended a service at an episcopal church early last week and was surprised by how outgoing and vibrant they were in their worship. I came away from that service feeling very invigorated and inspired and I believe this has caused me to pause and think about the church I attend.

Blessed-one - thank you for your reply. You have more-or-less echoed the feelings of my elders and I appreciate this is necessary. I do understand their concerns and the points that both they and yourself raised are valid.
They have obviously had experience of new christians becoming disheartened and it makes perfect sense that they are cautious now. I know that I am getting frustrated because of my enthusiasm but I also know that they are looking after both the church and myself by being cautious, and I do respect that.

Sorry, Blessed-one but I didn't quite understand your last question after you quoted me

Raphe - thanks for your reply and your continued advice (I believe you've answered other posts and queries from myself).
You very much hit the point - one of my elders keeps telling me that he understands where I am coming from but that I have to be absolutely sure that I have counted the cost and fully understand my commitment. I know a Christian life is not easy and I have begun to count the cost, infact I seem to find new things every day! The more I think about this, the more I believe he is correct. I'm not having second thoughts in any way but I know that I must understand, to the best of my ability, what I am entering into.

You also asked if I had been baptised - I haven't. I had enquired about this too, last week but it was recommended that I give myself more time.

I think I have let my enthusiasm get the better of me! Thanks again to all who replied.

Astral

Your very welcome, my pleasure to exhort you.
About the baptizm and counting the cost. As another person mentioned earlier, baptizm was never withheld from anybody, and the Ethiopian enuch was baptized promptly after asking Philip only a few questions.
Counting the cost is a bit difficult to explain even to myself - because I figured that when I first started out as a babe in the Lord, I didn't really know how to count. I think we count the cost all along the way, and each day is new, requiring that we "daily" pick up our cross and follow after the Lord - denying ourselves. And we "daily" renew our minds in His Word. Some days we do better than others.......so continue to grow in grace, and don't let too much delay you in baptizm. By what you have said to me in your posts, I could not deny you baptizm, and I don't think anyone should. I will pray the Lord show you that right place to grow in Him. Praise the Lord for you. I am blessed.

 

[Blessed-one]

One thing I've started to ask myself is if they even consider me Christian.

sorry for being vague. i was asking whether there're anything else that make you feel they don't see you a christian besides the baptism issue (which i believe has been cleared).

 

[Kehaar]

Hi Blessed-one, sorry for misunderstanding.

It is primarily my elders reluctance for me to be baptised and take communion that was making me feel excluded. I do understand their reasons for being wary though, even if I do find it a little frustrating. They have been trying to encourage me in other ways - usually telling me to read and read and read.

Astral