I'm new and i dont know who i am!

[LaineyHarrison]

Hello, I'm Elaine. I'm 17 from England. I lose my faith a lot these days. More a few years ago, but once in a while, i lose my trust. I'm a teenager and i dont know who i am. I don't know what type of Christian I am or who am i supposed to confide in. All i know is that i believe in God and his teachings, i believe in The Bible and that i will be safe as long as i have faith in the Lord. I really would like to know the difference between all the types of Christianity and i'd love to learn about it. If anyone would like to message me and give me advice, that would be lovely. Sorry if i've put this in the wrong place, or wrote something i shouldn't.

God Bless x

 

[Peripatetic]

Welcome to CF! The interesting thing about wisdom is this: the more we get, the more questions we have. Christians who "have it all figured out" are some of the most ignorant because they don't understand their own pride. Your heart is in the right place. Keep seeing different perspectives, but always keep God's word as your anchor.

Learning about the differences among Christianity can be helpful, but it can also be distracting. Many topics and doctrines that separate Christians are not essential. I believe there is room for diversity in many of these areas, while maintaining unity as a Christian family.

 

[1watchman]

You will do well if you have the Lord Jesus in your heart, and esteem His Holy Word. There is much one can learn by reading their Bible every day and praying for God's guidance, and ever seeking to honor the Lord in all your ways. Look up always!

 

[parsonsmom]

Hello, I'm Elaine. I'm 17 from England. I lose my faith a lot these days. More a few years ago, but once in a while, i lose my trust. I'm a teenager and i dont know who i am. I don't know what type of Christian I am or who am i supposed to confide in. All i know is that i believe in God and his teachings, i believe in The Bible and that i will be safe as long as i have faith in the Lord. I really would like to know the difference between all the types of Christianity and i'd love to learn about it. If anyone would like to message me and give me advice, that would be lovely. Sorry if i've put this in the wrong place, or wrote something i shouldn't.

God Bless x

==============================================

Greetings Elaine; Matt,Mark Luke and John. I would start with John; than
1 John.1; THE WORD OF LIFE We Are writing about the Word of Life in Him; Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our own eyes, Whom we have gazed upon for ourselves and have touched with our own hands. And the Life; an aspect of His being was revealed; made manifest, demonstrated, and we saw as eyewitnesses and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life in Him Who already existed with the Father and Who actually was made visible; was revealed to us His followers.
What we have seen and ourselves heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And this fellowship that we have which is a distinguishing mark of Christians, is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ the Messiah.
we are now writing these things to you so that our joy in seeing you included may be full, and your joy may be complete. this is the message; the message of promise which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all no, not in any way. So if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are both speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth which the Gospel presents. But if we really are living and walking in the Light, as He; Himself is in the Light, we have true, unbroken fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses; removes us from all sin and guilt; keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations.
If we say we have no sin; refusing to admit that we are sinners, we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth; which the Gospel presents is not in us; does not dwell in our hearts. If we freely admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just; true to His own nature and promises; and will forgive our sins; dismiss our lawlessness and continuously; cleanse us from all unrighteousness; everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action. If we say,or
claim we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is not in us; the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts. Parsonsmom

 

[ALoveDivine]

Hi there. I'm glad to hear of your faith, I can understand being confused. I think what's more important than jumping right into the nonessential issues that divide us is coming to know the essence of what Christianity is. I will try to sum this up the best I can.

We are all sinners, we have all broken God's holy law. We've all lied, we've all stolen things (yes music over the internet counts), we've all used God's name in vain (blasphemy), we've all been angry with someone (making us murderers at heart), and on and on it goes. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and the bible says that all liars and blasphemers and immoral people will have their part in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8). God is just, and God is holy. If he is truly just he cannot simply forgive us. The Lord declares that convicting the innocent and acquiting the guilty are both abominations (17:5). We are all guilty, and God by virtue of his own perfect holiness and justice cannot acquit us. If anyone dies apart from Christ, he or she will stand before God as a guilty sinner, to be condemned to an eternity in Hell.

But God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). God the Son became a man in the person of Jesus Christ, he lived a perfect life in absolutely perfect obedience to the Father in heart, word, and deed. He came to save his people from their sins, but his own people rejected him, gave him over to be sentenced to die as a criminal, and nailed him to the cross. Upon that cross the father displayed him publicly as a propitiation, that is a sacrifice, for our sins (Romans 3:25).

Upon that cross the perfectly holy and spotless Son of God, fully God and fully man, God in the flesh, bore our sins in his own body (1 Peter 2:24), and was crushed under the just wrath of the Father in our place (Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:10). In imputing our sins to Christ, and condemning him in our stead, God can both be just and the justifier of the wicked. The wages of sin is death, and Jesus Christ shed his blood and died for our sins. He died, and he was buried. Three days later the Father raised him from the dead, declaring him the Son of God in power (Romans 1:4), and in so rising the Lord Jesus Christ has defeated death, sin, Satan, and Hell.

He lives today! He is at the right hand of the father always making intercession for his people, having made the perfect sacrifice that we might be justified before God and be adopted as beloved children through Christ our Lord. He stands and knocks, and all who will repent and put their trust in him and in him alone for their salvation will be saved. Have you given your life to Christ? Many will say to him on the last day, 'Lord, lord' and he will tell them that he never knew them (7:21). Being raised in a Christian home does not save you, and saying a little prayer one time does not save you.

But if you believe the gospel, and come to Christ in faith, recognizing that you are a sinner deserving of Hell, and knowing that Christ died for you, you will be saved. Jesus Christ is both Lord and savior, and he is offering you not only heaven but newness of life. Coming to Christ is not a means by which you can escape Hell and then live just like the world. No, coming to Christ means embracing him as your savior, and surrendering to him as your Lord. It does not mean you have to be a righteous person before you come to Christ, no, Christ will take you as you are. But you must be willing to forsake your sin and surrender to his Lordship over your life, keeping in mind that apart from him you can do nothing.

If you have given your life to Christ, then praise God and welcome to the family! If you have not then I would encourage you to do so right now, for you never know how much longer you have in this world. Jesus said to come to him, and that whoever comes he will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).

If you understand all of this and have in fact given your life to Christ, then my suggestion would be to read the bible daily, pray for all things and rely upon the Lord to guide your steps, and find a good bible-believing church in your area to fellowship with. Above all trust in the Lord in all things and he will take care of you, leading you into all understanding and righteousness.

 

[SuziTiri]

God Bless,,,if you need to someone to talk to just let me know. I have no judgement and would never tell you what to do but wish Gods love for you There are many different kinds of Christianity with different beliefs but personally i believe in love and caring and support and grace and compassion

god Bless friend,,,so much love Jesus has for you!

 

[asiyreh]

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12

Now this is debatable of course but there's only two large groups who do that completely - The Messianic Jews and the Seventh Day Adventists.

Now I'm not sure about this Ellen White issue the SDA have (personally I'm still undecided and still researching) and that whole vegetarianism thing too - hmmm not so keen. Although on the plus side their knowledge and study of the bible is unsurpassed IMHO.

Now with the Jews they like to enforce some of the Mosaic / Levitical law which Christ nailed to the cross. As a gentile you don't need to be getting involved with that.

If your looking for an opinion and you really want to be sure you're obeying all God commandments completely I'd go with the SDA.

If you can accept Paul changed the Sabbath day commandment and you can feel comfortable with that, I go with the Baptists.
Avoid the R.Catholics like the black plague, I know I used to be one.

 

[timf]

I really would like to know the difference between all the types of Christianity

Hi Elaine,

Christianity can sure look confusing. In fact, Christians are told to avoid factions, divisions, and what can be called denominations in the Bible. We came to this because people turned Christianity into a a system that elevated priests and reduced people to just do what they were told. This system got further and further from the Bible until about the 1500s when various people tried to "reform" the church.

Today there are various conservative denominations that start to look like the Pharisees and various liberal groups that start to look like the Sadducees. There are charismatic groups, social justice groups, and even monastic type groups all saying they are the right ones.

While people like to put themselves and others in "boxes", God loves you as a person. He wants you to know him better through His word. Consider that the goal for all Christians should be to grow into the full image of Christ;

Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

It is sad, but almost no churches even attempt to fulfill this objective.

You say you don't know who you are. You can start with who the Bible says that you are. You are a sinner saved by grace and in the process of becoming like Jesus.

Satan runs the world (for now and insofar as he is allowed by God). Satan has designed the world with many roles that people can step into to find their identity. There is the business man or woman, the scholar, the athlete, the musician. All of the roles that are available require some sort of performance and work to weave a type of social dependency such that you are drawn further and further into the world.

When you step out of the world of artifice into the world of truth, it can be unsettling. If you are used to the comfort of predefined roles (and predefined acceptance), standing on your own can seem overwhelming.

I would suggest finding and older wiser Christian woman who clearly shows the light and love of Jesus in her life and ask her to help you know Jesus as well as she does. You want to avoid following people who divert you into a predefined pigeon hole.

The Christian life should be vital and dynamic. You have the living God living inside of you. You can learn to walk by the Spirit and grow into the image of Christ. This is a much more vibrant life than getting circumscribed to a life of ritual and tradition and limited to the confines of the flesh.

Christian Pioneer - How do you walk in the Spirit?

 

[Harry3142]

Elaine-

So long as you remain within the mainstream churches you should find guidance that will be intended to enlighten you rather than conquer your will and make it their own. These churches include the Presbyterians, Methodists, Anglicans, and Lutherans.

But be careful to avoid the denominations and sects that are radical (aka fundamentalist and evangelical), especially since you are a young woman. When they teach that a woman must be submissive to her husband, they also include that church's heirarchy as having absolute power over any decision or goal that a woman might set for herself. They attempted these tactics with both my sister and my wife. My sister's husband recognized what they were attempting with her, and 'lowered the boom' on them for that. Likewise, I recognized what the heirarchy of the church where my wife and I were attending was conspiring to do to my wife, as well as the other women in that church, and promptly left that denomination.

Some Scripture that you can read quickly, and understand easily, are these passages:

1. Romans 3:19-5:10. Our salvation is a gift, not a salary. We did nothing to earn the righteousness required for salvation, nor can we do anything to repay God for his giving it to us.

2. Matthew 19:16-26. If a person wanted to earn his own way into heaven, keeping the laws and commandments would not be nearly enough for him to attain the perfection required. He would have to go 'the extra mile' to whatever extent God himself has decided that he must go. That's why with us salvation is impossible, but with God it is possible.Attaining righteousness goes far beyond the keeping of any set of laws and commandments. For a person to say that he is righteous due to his keeping a set of laws is comparable to a person's saying that he is a concert pianist because he is able to play 'Chopsticks'.

3. Luke 18:9-14. The person who boasts of his being righteous will not be justified before God. Instead, it is the person who recognizes his own sinfulness and calls on God's mercy who will be justified.

4. Luke 17:7-10. Whatever we do on behalf of the furtherance of the kingdom of God, and to whatever extent we do it, we are to see ourselves as having done nothing beyond what we should have done. For this reason, we are not to see ourselves as deserving of any reward.

5. Romans 10:5-13. The righteousness which is by faith is a righteousness that is based on our accepting as fact that Jesus Christ did indeed die as a sacrifice for our sins, and that God did indeed raise him from the dead. This faith, and only this faith, is the foundation of Christianity. All that comes afterward must be built on it or else be considered as worthless.

6. Galatians 5:16-26. We Christians have a code of conduct, but it is not one that relies on the keeping of a set of laws and commandments. Instead, it goes to the very desires and motivations which underlie all that we say and do. If those desires and motivations emanate from 'the acts of the sinful nature', then what is said and done must be seen as sinful, because what caused it to occur was a sinful motivation. However, if those desires and motivations emanate from 'the fruit of the Spirit', then what is said and done can be seen as righteous, due to the desires and motivations which were their origin being themselves righteous.

God bless-

 

[TrulyFulfilled]

Hi Lainey, welcome to the worldwide family of believers! My simple advice would be this.

1. Devote yourself to getting to know Jesus as a relationship. Talk to him about everything and ask Him to teach, guide and lead you.

2. Read your Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God's word to your heart.

3. Pray and seek out a local body of believers who you can have fellowship with, receive prayer from, and grow together.

 

[asiyreh]

I don't want to start a debate on your topic Lainey, but I must tell you as a Christian you are required to keep the commandments. Christ told us to pick up our cross and follow him. Anyone who tells you otherwise has no light in them and they are the ones that need to be avoided.

To the LAW (Commandments) and to the TESTIMONY! (Faith of Christ) If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light in them. Isaiah 8:20

Anyways good luck finding a nice Church you can grow into. I'm thinking for myself I'm going to go with the SDA. They seem like really nice people. They have a good Christian lifestyle and an strong faith in Christ and his word. I think I might prefer the Baptists but I'm worried about this Sabbath commandment and from my research I can't see how Sabbath has been changed to Sunday. But maybe that's just me...

One way or another you're probably going to end up in a pigeon hole of some type. Even people who claim their only creed is Christ or whatever, you'll usually find marinading in there own particular, nondenominational, denominational style of Christianity. So you might as well decide on a strong denomination from the outset, one with established principals. For as the wise man once said; those who stand for nothing, fall for everything.

 

[parsonsmom]

Hi there. I'm glad to hear of your faith, I can understand being confused. I think what's more important than jumping right into the nonessential issues that divide us is coming to know the essence of what Christianity is. I will try to sum this up the best I can.

We are all sinners, we have all broken God's holy law. We've all lied, we've all stolen things (yes music over the internet counts), we've all used God's name in vain (blasphemy), we've all been angry with someone (making us murderers at heart), and on and on it goes. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and the bible says that all liars and blasphemers and immoral people will have their part in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8). God is just, and God is holy. If he is truly just he cannot simply forgive us. The Lord declares that convicting the innocent and acquiting the guilty are both abominations (17:5). We are all guilty, and God by virtue of his own perfect holiness and justice cannot acquit us. If anyone dies apart from Christ, he or she will stand before God as a guilty sinner, to be condemned to an eternity in Hell.

But God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). God the Son became a man in the person of Jesus Christ, he lived a perfect life in absolutely perfect obedience to the Father in heart, word, and deed. He came to save his people from their sins, but his own people rejected him, gave him over to be sentenced to die as a criminal, and nailed him to the cross. Upon that cross the father displayed him publicly as a propitiation, that is a sacrifice, for our sins (Romans 3:25).

Upon that cross the perfectly holy and spotless Son of God, fully God and fully man, God in the flesh, bore our sins in his own body (1 Peter 2:24), and was crushed under the just wrath of the Father in our place (Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:10). In imputing our sins to Christ, and condemning him in our stead, God can both be just and the justifier of the wicked. The wages of sin is death, and Jesus Christ shed his blood and died for our sins. He died, and he was buried. Three days later the Father raised him from the dead, declaring him the Son of God in power (Romans 1:4), and in so rising the Lord Jesus Christ has defeated death, sin, Satan, and Hell.

He lives today! He is at the right hand of the father always making intercession for his people, having made the perfect sacrifice that we might be justified before God and be adopted as beloved children through Christ our Lord. He stands and knocks, and all who will repent and put their trust in him and in him alone for their salvation will be saved. Have you given your life to Christ? Many will say to him on the last day, 'Lord, lord' and he will tell them that he never knew them (7:21). Being raised in a Christian home does not save you, and saying a little prayer one time does not save you.

But if you believe the gospel, and come to Christ in faith, recognizing that you are a sinner deserving of Hell, and knowing that Christ died for you, you will be saved. Jesus Christ is both Lord and savior, and he is offering you not only heaven but newness of life. Coming to Christ is not a means by which you can escape Hell and then live just like the world. No, coming to Christ means embracing him as your savior, and surrendering to him as your Lord. It does not mean you have to be a righteous person before you come to Christ, no, Christ will take you as you are. But you must be willing to forsake your sin and surrender to his Lordship over your life, keeping in mind that apart from him you can do nothing.

If you have given your life to Christ, then praise God and welcome to the family! If you have not then I would encourage you to do so right now, for you never know how much longer you have in this world. Jesus said to come to him, and that whoever comes he will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).

If you understand all of this and have in fact given your life to Christ, then my suggestion would be to read the bible daily, pray for all things and rely upon the Lord to guide your steps, and find a good bible-believing church in your area to fellowship with. Above all trust in the Lord in all things and he will take care of you, leading you into all understanding and righteousness.

===============================================


Shalom ALoveDivine;
Amen; His mercy endures forever; Good Word. Renewing
your mind in the Word and to the Word is necessary.
The words we speak are either LIFEor DEATH.


A brother offended is harder to be won over than a strong city, and their contentions separate them like the bars of a castle.
A man's moral self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied whether good or evil; Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it; for death or life.
Respectfully; Parsonsmom

 

[parsonsmom]

You will do well if you have the Lord Jesus in your heart, and esteem His Holy Word. There is much one can learn by reading their Bible every day and praying for God's guidance, and ever seeking to honor the Lord in all your ways. Look up always!

=======================================================

Shalom 1watchman.
Good advise; Parsonsmom

 

[parsonsmom]

Welcome to CF! The interesting thing about wisdom is this: the more we get, the more questions we have. Christians who "have it all figured out" are some of the most ignorant because they don't understand their own pride. Your heart is in the right place. Keep seeing different perspectives, but always keep God's word as your anchor.

Learning about the differences among Christianity can be helpful, but it can also be distracting. Many topics and doctrines that separate Christians are not essential. I believe there is room for diversity in many of these areas, while maintaining unity as a Christian family.

=========================================================

Amen;

 

[asiyreh]

Many topics and doctrines that separate Christians are not essential

Whao that’s quite a statement! I hope you can back it up when you stand before your judge. I love to know what are these non essential issues?
I didn't get the memo for the new authority on sound doctrine. I must have missed that one.

Sound doctrine...

That reminds me of something.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3

I believe there is room for diversity in many of these areas, while maintaining unity as a Christian family.

Hmmm. Interesting. Will there be a great number of teachers in this united Christian family?

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: But strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13

Do you know what I think? I think this whole ecumenicalism is the ideology behind possibly the most Satanic doctrine ever to confront the modern church. You'll usually find it accompanied with the message. Let's not cause division in the body of Christ.

Question. Did Christ suffer the false teaching of the Pharisees? Or did he ask himself is this really a salvation issue. Or did he say this might cause division in my Church?
Did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego think to themselves maybe we might be causing division among our people, maybe we better just bow down to the golden image.

No they did not.

This is what they said.

O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.

And the most important part.

But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel :3 17-19

Does the bible teach unity in the face of compromise?

Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."
"I will be a Father to you, And you shall be my sons and daughters;" says the LORD Almighty." (2Cr 6:16-18)

Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; Revelation 18:4

Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. Isaiah 52:11

Suppose you that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, No; but rather division Luke 12:51

Question: are these verses teaching unity in the face of capitulation?

You know something, we're way to close to the arrival of the mark of the beast to be walking around thinking that everything's just going to be all better if we all could just agree.

But please don't listen to me; I am a fallen man just like everyone else on this rock.

All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Psalm 14:3

That's me up there guilty as sin and deserving of every condemnation the Lord could assign. And yes I really do mean that.

So don't listen to me.

Listen to Our Lord and hear is what he says on this issue...:-

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:21

 

[Peripatetic]

Whao that’s quite a statement! I hope you can back it up when you stand before your judge. I love to know what are these non essential issues?

Romans 14 is dedicated to this topic... Paul calls them "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). His primary example was whether or not to eat meat, but he also alludes to the proper day of the week for Sabbath and drinking wine, all of which were wrongly believed to be essential doctrines of the time. Paul counters this, and tells us (with repetition) not to judge or show contempt for others who differ on these disputable matters:

"The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not"
"and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does"
"Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?"
"Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind."
"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?"
"Or why do you treat them with contempt?"
"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another."
"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God."

Now, we can certainly debate what is and what is not "disputable". Let me give you a few examples of what I had in mind when responding to the original post:

Calvinism vs. Arminianism (questions of predestination)
Real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist vs. symbolic representation
Different types of rapture (pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, etc.)
Creation questions (figurative vs. literal six days, old vs. young earth)
What happens after death (soul sleep, purgatory, straight to Heaven)
... and many others.

All of the above questions have caused division in the Church and sometimes lead to new denominations. Proponents of any of the above positions can back them up with scripture. They have been debated for centuries because Christians do not agree on the interpretation of scripture. Yes, there are may essential doctrines. But my point was that a new Christian need not become preoccupied with these hot potato debates when examining the differences in denominations.

Does the bible teach unity in the face of compromise?
Question: are these verses teaching unity in the face of capitulation?

There is plenty of room for diversity without capitulation.

Some speak in tongues and experience physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Some do not.

Some prefer a formal, liturgical church service or mass, some prefer an informal service.

Some cry out and "raise the roof" when praying or singing. Some prefer quiet prayer and meditation.

Diverse. All Christian. "One holy catholic and apostolic church" (which is stated in the Nicene Creed that is shared by most Christians, and part of the statement of faith of this forum).

 

[parsonsmom]

Romans 14 is dedicated to this topic... Paul calls them "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). His primary example was whether or not to eat meat, but he also alludes to the proper day of the week for Sabbath and drinking wine, all of which were wrongly believed to be essential doctrines of the time. Paul counters this, and tells us (with repetition) not to judge or show contempt for others who differ on these disputable matters:

"The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not"
"and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does"
"Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?"
"Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind."
"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?"
"Or why do you treat them with contempt?"
"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another."
"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God."

Now, we can certainly debate what is and what is not "disputable". Let me give you a few examples of what I had in mind when responding to the original post:

Calvinism vs. Arminianism (questions of predestination)
Real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist vs. symbolic representation
Different types of rapture (pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, etc.)
Creation questions (figurative vs. literal six days, old vs. young earth)
What happens after death (soul sleep, purgatory, straight to Heaven)
... and many others.

All of the above questions have caused division in the Church and sometimes lead to new denominations. Proponents of any of the above positions can back them up with scripture. They have been debated for centuries because Christians do not agree on the interpretation of scripture. Yes, there are may essential doctrines. But my point was that a new Christian need not become preoccupied with these hot potato debates when examining the differences in denominations.



There is plenty of room for diversity without capitulation.

Some speak in tongues and experience physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Some do not.

Some prefer a formal, liturgical church service or mass, some prefer an informal service.

Some cry out and "raise the roof" when praying or singing. Some prefer quiet prayer and meditation.

Diverse. All Christian. "One holy catholic and apostolic church" (which is stated in the Nicene Creed that is shared by most Christians, and part of the statement of faith of this forum).

===================================================


I believe that Gods Word must be kept first place in our lives; And do what it says;

Hebrews 2
King James Version (KJV)

2 Therefore we ought to do; give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? His Word. Respectfully; Parsonsmom

 

[asiyreh]

Romans 14 is dedicated to this topic... Paul calls them "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). His primary example was whether or not to eat meat, but he also alludes to the proper day of the week for Sabbath and drinking wine, all of which were wrongly believed to be essential doctrines of the time. Paul counters this, and tells us (with repetition) not to judge or show contempt for others who differ on these disputable matters:

"The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not"
"and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does"
"Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?"
"Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind."
"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?"
"Or why do you treat them with contempt?"
"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another."
"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God."

Now, we can certainly debate what is and what is not "disputable". Let me give you a few examples of what I had in mind when responding to the original post:

Calvinism vs. Arminianism (questions of predestination)
Real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist vs. symbolic representation
Different types of rapture (pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, etc.)
Creation questions (figurative vs. literal six days, old vs. young earth)
What happens after death (soul sleep, purgatory, straight to Heaven)
... and many others.

All of the above questions have caused division in the Church and sometimes lead to new denominations. Proponents of any of the above positions can back them up with scripture. They have been debated for centuries because Christians do not agree on the interpretation of scripture. Yes, there are may essential doctrines. But my point was that a new Christian need not become preoccupied with these hot potato debates when examining the differences in denominations.



There is plenty of room for diversity without capitulation.

Some speak in tongues and experience physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Some do not.

Some prefer a formal, liturgical church service or mass, some prefer an informal service.

Some cry out and "raise the roof" when praying or singing. Some prefer quiet prayer and meditation.

Diverse. All Christian. "One holy catholic and apostolic church" (which is stated in the Nicene Creed that is shared by most Christians, and part of the statement of faith of this forum).

Yes good post, I agree with you on all points but one.

but he also alludes to the proper day of the week for Sabbath

However I don't want this to go way off topic. Lainey's question was regarding her own development with Christ. I think Peri that we could agree in telling her that she should first of all love Christ, believe on his testimony and struggle every day to keep his commandments?

Now I suggest we go over here to have a discussion about this Sabbath issue. http://www.christianforums.com/t7675634/

 

[RaiseTheDead]

I really would like to know the difference between all the types of Christianity and i'd love to learn about it. If anyone would like to message me and give me advice, that would be lovely.

Welcome to CF Are you confused yet?

Let me point out that in the early church, it was never an idea to go shopping around for different ideas of what christianity might be, to see what we are most comfortable with. Instead, it was following someone you know and trust, for good reason.

So, whad'ya got?

 

[Catherineanne]

Hello, I'm Elaine. I'm 17 from England. I lose my faith a lot these days. More a few years ago, but once in a while, i lose my trust. I'm a teenager and i dont know who i am. I don't know what type of Christian I am or who am i supposed to confide in. All i know is that i believe in God and his teachings, i believe in The Bible and that i will be safe as long as i have faith in the Lord. I really would like to know the difference between all the types of Christianity and i'd love to learn about it. If anyone would like to message me and give me advice, that would be lovely. Sorry if i've put this in the wrong place, or wrote something i shouldn't.

God Bless x

Hi Elaine. Do you have a church at present? That would seem to be the most important thing to start with. It is possible to be a Christian without a church to love and support you, but it is far from easy. If you do have a church, then you can talk to your minister about your spiritual journey and get his or her advice. If you don't have a church, or if the one you attend does not quite seem to fit your own spirituality then I can help you to find one that will; fortunately we are not at all short of churches in England.