Question re: returning to Baptist Church

[JesusFreak877]

Hello everyone - I've been praying about my church situation - or lack of a church to go to and I feel led in my spirit to return to a small independent Baptist Church which have not been to in a while. Illness and other circumstances led me out of the Baptist Church after I left the Catholic church so now I list myself as non-denominational until I sort out where to go for church. I've been studying the threads in this forum about what Baptists believe and it seems like the independent Baptist Church is a good church for me - my only hesitation is that I feel I feel guilty for not being more of a supporter of this church and for dropping out on them. Well, yesterday, like an answer to prayer, I received from them a bulletin/invitation to come to church, so I guess they are welcoming me to come if I decide to.

So I basically have decided to go this weekend and take it one day at a time with church and not to go overboard as I have done in the past (leading to burnout).

I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts and if my beliefs line up with this church, does that make me a Baptist rather than a non-denominationalist? I was hesitating whether to pick a Baptist Icon when I joined the forum since I've been away from the church but I guess not in my beliefs. I also have been watching Charles Stanley at First Baptist Church in Atlanta when I can't physically go to church.

Thanks for any thoughts or prayers!

God bless,
JesusFreak877

 

[SumTinWong]

I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts and if my beliefs line up with this church, does that make me a Baptist rather than a non-denominationalist? I was hesitating whether to pick a Baptist Icon when I joined the forum since I've been away from the church but I guess not in my beliefs. I also have been watching Charles Stanley at First Baptist Church in Atlanta when I can't physically go to church.

There is an old joke that says, going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car. Replace the Christian with Baptist and, well there you go.

In your beliefs you have been Baptist, so I would say use the Baptist icon. Hope that helps

 

[JesusFreak877]

*posted duplicate in error*

 

[JesusFreak877]

There is an old joke that says, going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car. Replace the Christian with Baptist and, well there you go.

In your beliefs you have been Baptist, so I would say use the Baptist icon. Hope that helps

Thanks Lollard! What a great analogy! That is very helpful to me. I created a needless mental hurdle about all of this and it's great to get other people's input here!

God bless,
JesusFreak877

 

[SumTinWong]

That is truly the amazing thing, that God even works on the cesspool known as the internet Glad I could help, Peace to you!

 

[@@Paul@@]

We are all members of the One Holy Baptist Church, whether we know it or not...



sorry, it's been a while since i used that one.

 

[JesusFreak877]

We are all members of the One Holy Baptist Church, whether we know it or not...



sorry, it's been a while since i used that one.

LOL I like that!

God bless,
JesusFreak877

 

[FreeinChrist]

Well, if it helps, I go to a nondenominational church, but see myself as a Baptist. Of course, my nondenom is Baptist in theology (baptism of the believer by immersion, being born again, priesthood of believers, communion as eing done in remembrance, etc) but not the name.

So if you use the icon or not, won't change who you are.

 

[JesusFreak877]

Well, if it helps, I go to a nondenominational church, but see myself as a Baptist. Of course, my nondenom is Baptist in theology (baptism of the believer by immersion, being born again, priesthood of believers, communion as eing done in remembrance, etc) but not the name.

So if you use the icon or not, won't change who you are.

Thanks FreeinChrist

As it turned out, last night when I asked my husband (unsaved) about going to Sunday night services on Sunday at my church, he said NO to both morning and evening services and was adamant that I can't go now. So I guess I will have to watch a service on TV/internet. Thanks for sharing your experience with me because it helps me not get caught up in making a big deal about what church I physically go to. What matters is that we trust and follow Christ and know who we are in Christ. Very well said! Thanks again.

God bless,
JesusFreak877

 

[SumTinWong]

If you want there is a place on the internet where you can download and or listen to sermons on your computer. www.sermonaudio.com . Pretty cool place although I do not agree with allof the pastors, there are some gems, among the coal.

I have prayed for your husband to let you go.

 

[JesusFreak877]

If you want there is a place on the internet where you can download and or listen to sermons on your computer. www.sermonaudio.com . Pretty cool place although I do not agree with allof the pastors, there are some gems, among the coal.

I have prayed for your husband to let you go.

Thanks Lollard for the link and for your prayers! You've been so kind and I appreciate the encouragement. I think it's just this weekend I can't go - my husband is big on Halloween and expects me to celebrate, so hopefully this is just temporary. I will try to go the following weekend but I would still love your prayers, especially that he will want to go too!

Thanks for this link!

 

[SumTinWong]

I tell you what. My Aunt lived with a man that scorned her for twenty plus years about being a Christian and she never wavered from her faith and devotion to God and her husband. That man saw the Christ in her, and became a Christian. A short time later he died. Never stop praying, and never stop being a Christian witness, and he will see the light. He may not respond as my uncle did, but one never knows.

My wife is not a Christian either, although she does act in a more humble and gracious way than most other Christians I know. She does however come to church with me, and has Bible talks with the pastor and his wife on Monday nights. So send your prayers this way as well

 

[BT]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Lollard again.

Ack!

 

[Gold Dragon]

I tell you what. My Aunt lived with a man that scorned her for twenty plus years about being a Christian and she never wavered from her faith and devotion to God and her husband. That man saw the Christ in her, and became a Christian. A short time later he died. Never stop praying, and never stop being a Christian witness, and he will see the light. He may not respond as my uncle did, but one never knows.

My wife is not a Christian either, although she does act in a more humble and gracious way than most other Christians I know. She does however come to church with me, and has Bible talks with the pastor and his wife on Monday nights. So send your prayers this way as well

Awesome testimonies Lollard!

 

[SumTinWong]

Thanks guys, keep sending those prayers

 

[@@Paul@@]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Lollard again.

Ack!

I rep'd him for the both of us.

 

[@@Paul@@]

LOL I like that!

God bless,
JesusFreak877

And along with Lolards suggestion, our church has sermons online.

http://www.opendoorbaptist.com/sermons.shtml

 

[BT]

Our church has audio sermons on-line too.

www.northsidebaptist.on.ca there's a button along the top banner "Sermons"

 

[JesusFreak877]

I tell you what. My Aunt lived with a man that scorned her for twenty plus years about being a Christian and she never wavered from her faith and devotion to God and her husband. That man saw the Christ in her, and became a Christian. A short time later he died. Never stop praying, and never stop being a Christian witness, and he will see the light. He may not respond as my uncle did, but one never knows.

My wife is not a Christian either, although she does act in a more humble and gracious way than most other Christians I know. She does however come to church with me, and has Bible talks with the pastor and his wife on Monday nights. So send your prayers this way as well

Hi Lollard! That is encouraging; I see signs too that my husband is somewhat a believer - but Jesus is not Lord of his life. How about this - the other day he tells me he saw a show on the History Channel that explains angels in the bible as UFO aliens and that Jesus could have been a visitor from outer space! I am working on the right approach to discussing this with him - so I will have to watch this program and find out exactly what it said and then refute it. He really believes this! Quoting scripture doesn't work with him, so I am praying that the Lord will show him differently.

I will pray for you and your wife also! Thanks and God bless!
JesusFreak877

 

[SumTinWong]

Hi Lollard! That is encouraging; I see signs too that my husband is somewhat a believer - but Jesus is not Lord of his life. How about this - the other day he tells me he saw a show on the History Channel that explains angels in the bible as UFO aliens and that Jesus could have been a visitor from outer space! I am working on the right approach to discussing this with him - so I will have to watch this program and find out exactly what it said and then refute it. He really believes this! Quoting scripture doesn't work with him, so I am praying that the Lord will show him differently.

I will pray for you and your wife also! Thanks and God bless!
JesusFreak877

It takes all kinds to make up the kingdom. I would suggest that if he is an intellectual to give him mere Christianity by CS Lewis. This guy came kicking and screaming into the kingdom. If not then I would have him read either: "Growing in faith (a guide for the reluctant Christian)", "inside out", or "what is so amazing about grace". Any of these books are not over loaded with scriptures to the extent that they are actually the Bible broken into different pieces. When i say have them read them I mean buy them as a gift or something.

If not for him read them for yourself that way you can give answer for any question he may have like for the erroneous "history" channel.

Just tips from one believer to another, and out of Christian love. Hope that helps and thanks for the prayers!