I need help.

[Greter]

Hello everyone.

I am looking for a church, I am not baptised but for around a year I slowly accepted christ as my saviour and realised I wish to be a christian and meet people similar. I just have a problem. There is no church around me (I think) that my beliefs suit.

I would like to talk to others from different christian denominations, that believe my beliefs fit their church. I am in the UK (Bristol, precisely) so preferably the churches are in the UK (obviously)

Here is an overview of my beliefs:

There is one God, he exists in three. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Bible is the literal truth, everything in it happened, it should be the only source of faith and information. If it is not backed by the Bible then it is not Christian.

Jesus will literally return and there is a literal heaven and hell.

Sunday is the sabbath day.

Homosexuality is an absolute abomination, it is an evil act which should never be accepted.

Speaking in tongues, prophecies and other gifts ceased along time ago.

Pacifism, while important (and should always be attempted) is not always the right approach. There is a time for peace and a time for war. ( I agree fully with the Just war theory)

Baptism is essential but not necessarily important, it is purely symbolic. I also support infant baptism.

I am not really concerned with the organisation of a church, I believe it's up to us. I couldn't care less as long as they follow the Bible.

Just every church I look at looks more like a rock concert than a church, with awful Hillsong-esque music. I would also like to rule out the Church of England, I want nothing to do with a church that is heading quickly towards secularism and is continung to support abominations.

I'm looking for a church that follows no man, no ideology. Just for the Bible, by the Bible.

This has lead to much frustration and made me feel hopeless.

Feel free to ask any more questions you may have about my beliefs.

 

[HawkBlue27]

A Baptist Church would be good. But then you said you support infant baptism. So I do not know. The bible (IMO) doesn't support it.

Finding a good church these days is hard. I have heard it's even harder in European countries.

These two guys are in England, you should check them out. They are called "excatholics" and they are also on youtube and I ask them questions on their youtube channel. Maybe they can help you with this. You can e-mail them.

http://www.excatholicsforchrist.com/

 

[Greter]

A Baptist Church would be good. But then you said you support infant baptism. So I do not know. The bible (IMO) doesn't support it.

Finding a good church these days is hard. I have heard it's even harder in European countries.

These two guys are in England, you should check them out. They are called "excatholics" and they are also on youtube and I ask them questions on their youtube channel. Maybe they can help you with this. You can e-mail them.

Honestly, Baptism isn't such a big thing to me. I believe it is essential, that's all.

Thank you for the website also. I will contact them.

It is very hard, if you are pentecostal you will be fine. In my city there are plenty of pentecostal churches, AoG, non-denom etc plenty of them.

 

[HawkBlue27]

Yeah, they are pretty good. The main guy also helped me with how to grow and have assurance of my salvation.

 

[GreatExpectations]

Have you ever considered one of the reformed churches in your area?

 

[SavedFromChrist91]

Just thought I should say Baptism is accepting Jesus as your savior and obtaining the Holy Spirit, Water baptism is a bit different, it's just to show to others your commitment but I don't think It shows any different to Jesus.

Baptist churches are probably the best idea, but my one problem with Baptist Churches is they think once you're saved you are always saved, although scripture says a bit differently.

But It's tough, just remember anyone who believes in Christ is the church (your body). But I understand how socializing and connecting with other believers is important too.

Good luck.

 

[Greter]

Have you ever considered one of the reformed churches in your area?

Yes but the URC church in the UK is the first church to allow civil partnerships in their churches. I feel like I would be out of place there. I have no problem with Calvinism/Presbyterianism but there is none near me, only the URC.

 

[Greter]

Just thought I should say Baptism is accepting Jesus as your savior and obtaining the Holy Spirit, Water baptism is a bit different, it's just to show to others your commitment but I don't think It shows any different to Jesus.

Baptist churches are probably the best idea, but my one problem with Baptist Churches is they think once you're saved you are always saved, although scripture says a bit differently.

But It's tough, just remember anyone who believes in Christ is the church (your body). But I understand how socializing and connecting with other believers is important too.

Good luck.

How can we lose that salvation? Do you mean that they believe that once you're baptised then you are saved and will never lose the salvation? If so then I fully disagree with that.

 

[SavedFromChrist91]

How can we lose that salvation? Do you mean that they believe that once you're baptised then you are saved and will never lose the salvation? If so then I fully disagree with that.

Example... I accept Jesus Christ.. but I go out and get drunk every weekend and spur Racial claims about people... How can I be of the holy spirit if I am not becoming more like Christ our Lord..

The Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus, I have testimony as although I sin still... It's way different than before..

But yeah.. There are way too many scriptures that say just saying you believe but not having a difference in your life isn't the way.

 

[Greter]

Example... I accept Jesus Christ.. but I go out and get drunk every weekend and spur Racial claims about people... How can I be of the holy spirit if I am not becoming more like Christ our Lord..

The Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus, I have testimony as although I sin still... It's way different than before..

But yeah.. There are way too many scriptures that say just saying you believe but not having a difference in your life isn't the way.

I agree, that would be ridiculous and totally against the teachings of Christ.

 

[Greter]

Is there anyone from the URC here/anyone that knows more about them here? Would I fit in with my beliefs? I really don't know much about them but it looks like they are quite liberal.

 

[AndrewK9]

In my view, you would be best suited in a Baptist or Non-Denominational church. Keep in mind, not all of them are sound, but in my experience, they are more likely to be. (Yep, finding a sound spiritual home is very difficult these days!)

If you don't mind my asking, what do you believe about salvation?

 

[Greter]

In my view, you would be best suited in a Baptist or Non-Denominational church. Keep in mind, not all of them are sound, but in my experience, they are more likely to be. (Yep, finding a sound spiritual home is very difficult these days!)

If you don't mind my asking, what do you believe about salvation?

I think so too but the only non-denominational church near me is charismatic. I believe we receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone and that we can lose it if we don't follow his teachings.

 

[AndrewK9]

I think so too but the only non-denominational church near me is charismatic. I believe we receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone and that we can lose it if we don't follow his teachings.

Hmmm...since you believe in conditional security (the belief salvation can be lost) then I would probably say that a Non-Denominational Church, unless you can find some Free Will Baptist church where you live, then that would be a better fit. (But let's not turn this thread into a debate about that issue right now).

 

[Albion]

HawkBlue pretty much nailed the answer, Greter. That is to say, all that you outlined adds up to Baptist EXCEPT for the infant baptism comment.

Baptists are surely going to maintain that infant baptisms are invalid. However, there's hardly a person who is 100% in step with what his church officially teaches, and your own baptism would not be a matter of infant baptism, so maybe you can just work that out.

No other denomination that I know of fits your profile better.

 

[Greter]

Hmmm...since you believe in conditional security (the belief salvation can be lost) then I would probably say that a Non-Denominational Church, unless you can find some Free Will Baptist church where you live, then that would be a better fit. (But let's not turn this thread into a debate about that issue right now).

Thank you. Unfortunately there is no church like that near me, I will just end up joining a Baptist church I think.

 

[Greter]

HawkBlue pretty much nailed the answer, Greter. That is to say, all that you outlined adds up to Baptist EXCEPT for the infant baptism comment.

Baptists are surely going to maintain that infant baptisms are invalid. However, there's hardly a person who is 100% in step with what his church officially teaches, and your own baptism would not be a matter of infant baptism, so maybe you can just work that out.

No other denomination that I know of fits your profile better.

I'm pretty open on the subject of Baptism really. It's not a subject I've looked deeply into. Thank you for your help.

 

[AndrewK9]

Thank you. Unfortunately there is no church like that near me, I will just end up joining a Baptist church I think.

I guess it may be fair to say that nobody ever finds a church where they totally agree with everything it teaches or does perfectly. My Church for example, uses the NIV and ESV bible primarily and I think some other modern versions, whereas I prefer the King James. Sometimes the minor things play a part.

 

[Greter]

I guess it may be fair to say that nobody ever finds a church where they totally agree with everything it teaches or does perfectly. My Church for example, uses the NIV and ESV bible primarily and I think some other modern versions, whereas I prefer the King James. Sometimes the minor things play a part.

I agree. I doubt I would ever find a church where I agree with everything that it preaches. I believe it's about finding the one we agree with the most.

 

[Aibrean]

Presbyterian I would think appropriate. I am fairly sure they tick off all your requirements.

EPCEW for Presbyterian is I believe the only conservative branch: EPCEW

They are apparently traditional in worship and conservative in doctrine and are confessional (Westminster).