I need help to become Christian

[Forge3]

I'm Isabella from SouthWales and I'm 16.
I want to become a Christian, and I'm trying, but I need some help.
There is next to no churches here, and through different schools and various places I've been I've never met a Christian to talk to. I do not know of any churches I can go to, and I have looked, what can I do? Am I supposed to pray to Jesus, or God? I do not know what to do to become. Any help?

Unusual that there is not a Church in your area to go to (not judging). Pray to Jesus in your own words as that is more precious to Him than following a script. The Church is for praying with and finding fellowship with the community of believers. But your heart is the true temple of worship not a building (not putting down a Church). And I do hope you find a church to help you sort out your questions on the life of faith. Just Pm me if you like and I will instruct you on the ways of faith and devotion or simply ask your questions here.

 

[Radagast]

The New King James Version (NKJV) is a good translation for a new Bible reader. It is close to the original Hebrew and Greek and it is easy to read and understand.

The ESV is much closer to the original Hebrew and Greek, and much easier to read as well. The NIV is also good.

 

[Radagast]

Here are some possible churches: South Wales Evangelical Churches | Find an Evangelical Church in South Wales

 

[Bible2]

Harry3142 said in post 15:

The most dangerous sin that any of us are tempted by is not a sin of the flesh; it's Pride. And if our salvation depended on our own actions in order to make ourselves perfect, that sin would rear its ugly head. But as it is, there is no reason for any of us to boast, since our salvation cannot be earned as a salary by any of us, but instead must be received as a gift, totally unearned and undeserved. So the credit for our salvation must be recognized as due God, and him alone.

Amen.

It's impossible to believe or continue to believe all the right things apart from God's miraculous gift of faith (Eph. 2:8, Jn. 6:65, Heb. 12:2) & some measure of his Spirit (1 Cor. 1:18-2:16), just as it's impossible to perform or continue to perform all the right actions as believers apart from God making it possible for believers to do that (Philip. 2:12-13, Jn. 15:4-5), & just as it's impossible to repent if a sin is committed apart from God making it possible to do that (2 Tim. 2:25, Acts 11:18, Rom. 8:13). So even if believers do continue to believe, act, & repent as they ought to, they must stay so humble they never give themselves any credit or glory (Lk. 17:10, Gal. 6:14, 1 Cor. 1:31). But at the judgment of the church, at Jesus' 2nd coming, he'll give them some credit (Mt. 25:21). Also, God does glorify saved people (e.g. Rom. 8:30).

While initial salvation is by grace through faith without works (Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Rom. 4:1-5), initially saved people must have both faith and continued works of faith (1 Thes. 1:3, Gal. 5:6b, Titus 3:8) (not works of the letter of the Old Covenant Mosaic law) if they're to obtain ultimate salvation (Rom. 2:6-8, Jas. 2:24, Mt. 7:21, 25:26,30, Philip. 2:12b, 3:11-14, 2 Cor. 5:9, Heb. 5:9, 6:10-12, 2 Pet. 1:10-11, Jn. 15:2a). For believers must actually continue to do righteous deeds if they're to continue to be righteous (1 Jn. 3:7, Jas. 2:24,26).

 

[Ark100]

Hi Isabella, Basically there are so many different forms of Christianity. The best advice i can give to you is to speak to God as a friend. It is much easier to connect with him on a deeper level. The biggest thing is to keep the relationship with Christ strong. As for the lack of Church's in SouthWales There is not much you can do about it, just keep your nose in the book of God
you will be told/shown where to go and what to do with your life. Just give it time. (This was my experience as a Born Again Christian)

God Bless!

I agree with the above. Welcome to Christianity. Getting to know Jesus is sweet. Sweeter than anything I know or ever known or will ever know. When you develop a personal relationship with Christ, your life becomes totally transformed, and you have a God who will never fail you when you stick by Him.
He will never leave nor forsake you when you become His child.

John 10: 27-30

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Jesus and the Father are one. All that accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour become the Children of Most High God, and the Father will love them.

If you have not said these words aloud, please read below and say them aloud and let it come out genuinely from your heart.

"Dear Father, I believe you sent Jesus to save me from sin. Today I confess my sins and
accept Jesus as the Lord of my life and my personal savior. I turn my life over to You
today. Please make me a new creature through Your Holy Spirit and change my heart.
Help me walk in Your ways as You reveal yourself to me. Thank You Jesus for dying for
my sins. I accept Your gift of salvation today and confess that You are Lord."

When you have prayed this prayer, you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, and He will continue to guide, lead and direct your steps. If you can get a Bible that would be great, studying the word of God everyday, and while studying or after, pray to The Lord. Talk to God, anything that comes to your heart, He is there listening to you.

I hope you find a church soon to help in your growth with the Lord.

 

[Bible2]

Ark100 said in post 25:

John 10: 27-30

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Jn. 10:26-27 means those who are Jesus' sheep (the elect) will hear his voice in his Word & eventually believe in him at some point during their lifetime (Acts 13:48b), whereas those who aren't his sheep (the nonelect) can't possibly ever hear (accept) his Word & believe in him (Jn. 8:42-47). The elect come to Jesus & get saved only because they'd previously been given to Jesus by God the Father (Jn. 6:37). And they come to Jesus only by God the Father drawing them to Jesus (Jn. 6:44). Faith is a miraculous gift from God (Eph. 2:8, Jn. 6:65, 1 Cor. 3:5b, Rom. 12:3b, Heb. 12:2). The elect believe & are initially saved by God's choice, not their choice (Rom. 9:16, Jn. 1:13, 15:16). But the ultimate salvation of the elect will depend on their choices subsequent to their initial salvation (Heb. 10:26-29, 6:4-8, Mt. 25:26,30), for salvation doesn't take away free will.

Jn. 10:28-29 means saved people will never perish so long as they remain in God's hand, & that no one outside of a saved person can ever take him out of God's hand. But Jn. 10:28-29 doesn't mean saved people are imprisoned in God's hand, that saved people can't wrongly employ their free will to jump out of God's hand themselves, such as by committing apostasy, to the ultimate loss of their salvation (Heb. 6:4-8, Jn. 15:6, 2 Tim. 2:12). Also, Jn. 10:28-29 doesn't mean God himself can't in the end cast saved people out of his hand, that they can't in the end lose their salvation, if they don't continue in his goodness (Rom. 11:20-22), such as by wrongly employing their free will to commit sin without repentance (Heb. 10:26-29, 1 Cor. 9:27, Lk. 12:45-46), or to become utterly lazy without repentance (Mt. 25:26,30, Jn. 15:2a, Rom. 2:6-8).

Jn. 10:28-29 doesn't mean a saved person's will is kept in God's hand in the sense that a saved person can't wrongly employ his will to the ultimate loss of his salvation. For any such "kept" will would be nothing but a destroyed will; it would make saved people like people who've been lobotomized & drugged & locked up in a cell. Thank God he doesn't do that to saved people, but leaves them as free people with free wills. And because he does, they themselves have to choose each & every day for the rest of their lives to deny themselves, to take up their crosses themselves, & to continue to follow Jesus (Lk. 9:23) to the end. And the Bible gives no assurance every saved person will choose to do that (e.g. Heb. 10:26-29, 6:4-8, Jn. 15:2a).

 

[toLiJC]

the main in Christ is the love to the humans(note: the word "man" in the Bible means "soul being" on the whole), e.g., compassion/pity, mercifulness, forgiveness, non-blameworthiness, kindness, charity, etc., expression of such things makes the believer true

Blessings

 

[Unix]

I've been interested in different English Bible versions for 8½ years. I know all of them by heart: year issued, some facts about each.
The best Bible to use as a main Bible, which has modern scholarship, and is ecumenical, and doesn't have any big errors, is the 1966 Jerusalem Bible Reader's Edition. It's especially suitable for a new believer and much easier to understand than the ESV. I would avoid using the ESV as it has reformed bias. It is much more modern than the NKJV. The Jerusalem Bible Reader's Edition has less bias than the NIV. If You order it, be careful to pick exactly that version, as there are other versions with similar names (it's NOT similar or inferior to the New Jerusalem Bible Reader's Edition). It's available free on the internet also, I can PM You the URL later on if You are interested!

I'm studying Greek, Latin, English, Ethics and Maths.

I could be friends with You and share my e-books with You - You would get a wealth of fully searchable books so that You can research topics or about specific verses on Your own, and I could assist You. We could discuss every aspect of Christianity You want to discuss!

I'm very eager to discuss.

What You'll need is a phone and a decent computer (Intel i5 (second or third generation i5 makes a difference in speed) or Core 2 Duo CPU or better; minimum 4 GB RAM and 50 GB free harddrive space (SSD makes a lot of difference in speed but is not required); preferably Direct3D support (I think all modern computers have that); preferably minimum 1440 x 900 pixel monitor or better). The computer can be a Windows (XP, Vista or 7) or Mac (OSX 10.5 or newer). A DVD-player and/or broadband internet is needed. I'll explain to You by PM why this would be required, if You are interested!

Soon I won't have internet anymore. That's why I'm asking if You have a phone, preferably a desk phone. I have a desk phone, it's cheap for me to call from it to desk phones: 1.3 p a min. But I will still have a computer and there are public libraries 0-3 miles from here and a library with extended opening hours 12 miles from here.

But You don't need to give me Your email address, we can communicate over PM. You know - if You pay Christianforums a fee (using PayPal), You get rid of ads and Your PM storage space is increased from 70 to 1000 PMs.

I'm not a Facebook user, I have never been and never will be, I have not even seen it.

I don't listen to a lot of music - I have no real stereo at home and I have never had a TV and I've went extremely rarely to cinema.

Regarding Ethics I'm a Fundamentalist, but other than that I read critical Christian scholarship. Yes, I believe God created humans.

I've been a Christian for 16+1¼ years. What it means is that I've converted to Christianity twice, and in-between I was an atheist. So I'm familiar with the struggle of faith.

I'm not interested in talking about travelling, and I don't get along with people of my own age because they expect so weird things.

Currently I have only one friend. It's been really hard to find anyone to discuss theology with who has a desk-phone. At the moment I am very poor, so I don't have the energy to be outgoing as I almost don't have food. But this is only temporary. You don't need to feel sorry.

I have a lot of time. My studies are probably not starting until January 2013 and my job is probably not starting soon.

There is lots of "versions" of the Bible, is there any specific I should be reading?

 

[tbeliever]

KJV read the great Bible - I will pray for you darling

 

[Fobulous]

I'm Isabella from SouthWales and I'm 16.
I want to become a Christian, and I'm trying, but I need some help.
There is next to no churches here, and through different schools and various places I've been I've never met a Christian to talk to. I do not know of any churches I can go to, and I have looked, what can I do? Am I supposed to pray to Jesus, or God? I do not know what to do to become. Any help?

Hello! I am glad that you want to be a Christian! I am just a little surprised to learn that there are no churches near where you are? Isn't South Wales mostly Christian forgive me if i sound ignorant.

 

[Sketcher]

That's South Wales, UK right?

Tipperary Christian Fellowship - Directory of Evangelical Churches in Wales

 

[salida]

Repent-Say your own prayer or Dear Lord,
I am sincerely sorry for having offended you.
And I detest all my sins, because they offend you, my God,
You are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace
To confess my sins, repent and to amend my life.

(water baptism)
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2;38,Receive the holy spirit. He will give you the power to live a christian life. Human effort alone can't do this. Pray and you will get it. This will give you the inner strength to live the christian life.

Take one day at a time and get some inspirational friends that love God by their actions. Read the bible and pray daily. Get involved in a serious church. Its a life long lifestyle and you will know God more and more. True faith is demonstrated by actions than then the feelings will come.

Feel free to email me.

 

[Bible2]

salida said in post 32:

(water baptism)
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2;38,Receive the holy spirit. He will give you the power to live a christian life. Human effort alone can't do this. Pray and you will get it. This will give you the inner strength to live the christian life.

Amen.

In order to be saved ultimately, believers must get water-immersion (burial) baptized into Jesus' death for our sins (Mk. 16:16, 1 Pet. 3:21, Rom. 6:3-11, Col. 2:12, Gal. 3:27, Acts 2:38, 22:16). If people believe with all their heart 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) (Rom. 6:3-11, Col. 2:12). They need to make sure to be baptized in the name of God the Father; & of the Son, Jesus Christ; & of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19, Acts 2:38). Believers can get water-immersion baptized at, e.g., a Baptist church. Besides getting water baptized, believers can also get Holy Spirit baptized (Acts 11:15-16, 10:44-46). They usually have to ask to receive the Holy Spirit (Lk. 11:13b) baptism, for it isn't usually automatically given to them the moment they become believers; that's why Paul asked some believers: "Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed?" (Acts 19:2).

Believers usually receive Holy Spirit baptism through prayer accompanied by the laying on of hands, subsequent to water baptism (Acts 8:15-17, 19:5-6). Holy Spirit baptism won't result in speaking in tongues for everyone (1 Cor. 12:30), but for almost everyone, as tongues are one of the Spirit's lesser gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-11,28, 14:5). Many believers haven't yet experienced Holy Spirit baptism simply because they haven't yet asked for it, under the principle of "ye have not, because ye ask not" (Jas. 4:2b). Many believers haven't yet asked for it because they've come under the influence of mistaken teachings which say it's no longer in effect. Believers can get hands laid on them to receive Holy Spirit baptism at, e.g., a Pentecostal-type or charismatic-type congregation.

The Holy Spirit's gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-10), which operate in believers who have received Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 19:6, 11:15-16, 10:44-46), won't cease operating until Jesus' 2nd coming. For 1 Cor. 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 2nd coming (1 Jn. 3:2) will they no longer need the Spiritual gifts of prophecy, tongues, and the word of knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8,10). During the future tribulation (which will just precede Jesus' 2nd coming: Mt. 24:29-31), are some in the church going to reject the ministry of the two witnesses simply because it will involve them prophesying and performing miracles (Rev. 11:3,6)?

Because Jesus' 2nd coming (like the preceding tribulation) hasn't happened yet, all the Spirit's gifts are still operating in the church today (within Pentecostal-type and charismatic-type congregations, which can be found in different denominations). God's Word commands believers to operate in the Spiritual gifts when believers come together (1 Cor. 14:26-31). So congregations today must be careful never to quench the Spirit (1 Thes. 5:19), such as by despising prophesyings (1 Thes. 5:20) or forbidding all speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 14:39). Tongues are one of the Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-10) through which believers can be regularly edified (1 Cor. 14:4-5,12,26).

Different believers receive different kinds of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10). Some tongues are languages which people can understand (Acts 2:4,8) while other tongues are languages which people can't understand (1 Cor. 14:2), not even the speakers (1 Cor. 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 Cor. 13:1). Unintelligible tongues aren't useless, however, for when they're prayed or sung privately to God without interpretation (1 Cor. 14:2,28) they edify the spirits of those who speak or sing them (1 Cor. 14:4,14-15, Jude 1:20), to bless God and thank God (1 Cor. 14:16). And when unintelligible tongues are prayed or sung out loud in a congregation, and then Spiritually interpreted (1 Cor. 12:10b-11), their interpretation edifies the whole congregation (1 Cor. 14:5b,12-13,26). When Christians sing in tongues to God they're singing the "spiritual songs" which Paul distinguishes from psalms and hymns (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16).

 

[drjean]

I think the book of JOHN (4th book in the New Testament) is a wonderful one to begin with.... that and the book of the letter written to ROMANS where you can find the way of salvation (Romans 3:23; 6:23, 10:9-10)

 

[Shulamite7]

Read the Bible. Pray. Stand on God's word and His promises. Obey His commandments. You can listen to some good Bible teachers on the internet. I think Doug Batchelor is a good Bible teacher.

 

[Bible2]

pearlyharp said in post 36:

firstly,remember the very word of Yahweh is yr protection - keep it safe no matter coz satan will try endlessly to distract n then lead u astray!

Great point.

It's YHWH God's Word the Bible which is able to make people wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 3:15, 1 Pet. 1:23-25, Rom. 10:17, Acts 13:48, Jas. 1:18). All the Bible's teachings were given by the inspiration of God, and so they're all true and God's Word (2 Tim. 3:16-4:4). Jesus says: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" (Jn. 8:31). Christians must be willing to die before they would deny any part of his Word (Mk. 8:35-38). One of Satan's prime aims is to get people to reject all or parts of God's Word and to start believing something else which sounds better to them as humans (Gen. 3:1-6, Mt. 16:21-23, 1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Tim. 4:3-4), but which can't save them, so that they will end up in eternal suffering with Satan and his fallen angels (Mt. 25:41,46, Rev. 20:10,15, 14:10-11).

 

[Ace99]

I don't know if this helps but there is a Calvary chapel church in Brynmawr, I can't post links yet but if you type in Calvary chapel in south Wales it comes up. God bless

 

[Forge3]

Wow Op you have a lot of support and good words here. Take time to digest them. We are rooting for you.

 

[Emmy]

Dear IsabellaN7. Love is the great weapon of Christians, Love overcomes all
enmity and Love changes all for the better. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus tells us: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our Love, freely given and no conditions tagged on. How do we do this? We start treating all we know and all we meet, as we would love to be treated. Kindly and with friendly words, helpful advice and helpful hands, (if needed) and generally being a good neighbour.
God sees our sincere efforts, and God will bless us.
Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with
His Love, also. Then we thank God and share all Love and Joy with all around us. People will notice, and treat us the same, and we have started kind and loving relationships. Jesus told us: " ask and ye will receive," then thank God and share all Love and Joy around us.( Matthew 7, verse 7-8)
We might stumble and forget, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on loving and sharing, and caring, also. God is Love, and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. Slowly but surly we will change, and become the men and women which God wants. The world will notice and some, perhaps
many, will want what we have: Our Heavenly Father, who Loves us, and also
Our Saviour Jesus Christ, who will help and lead us all the way, in fact:
Jesus is The Way. And we learn to say and do all with love and charity, and
true followers of Jesus Christ our Leader and Saviour.
I say this with love, Isabella. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[Forge3]

Dear IsabellaN7. Love is the great weapon of Christians, Love overcomes all
enmity and Love changes all for the better. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus tells us: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our Love, freely given and no conditions tagged on. How do we do this? We start treating all we know and all we meet, as we would love to be treated. Kindly and with friendly words, helpful advice and helpful hands, (if needed) and generally being a good neighbour.
God sees our sincere efforts, and God will bless us.
Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with
His Love, also. Then we thank God and share all Love and Joy with all around us. People will notice, and treat us the same, and we have started kind and loving relationships. Jesus told us: " ask and ye will receive," then thank God and share all Love and Joy around us.( Matthew 7, verse 7-8)
We might stumble and forget, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on loving and sharing, and caring, also. God is Love, and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. Slowly but surly we will change, and become the men and women which God wants. The world will notice and some, perhaps
many, will want what we have: Our Heavenly Father, who Loves us, and also
Our Saviour Jesus Christ, who will help and lead us all the way, in fact:
Jesus is The Way. And we learn to say and do all with love and charity, and
true followers of Jesus Christ our Leader and Saviour.
I say this with love, Isabella. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

This^

Your words are Saintly.