Trying out a Christian Church

[LucyT25]

I have been reading the bible a lot lately. I was raised as a Catholic. I felt an urge to try a different church. There is a lot of things that the Catholic church does that I questions such as confession to a priest, the idea of purgatory, and praying to Mary and other saints. I decided to try a Christian church in town. I really liked the sermon and how it was based on bible passages. Since going to church there and reading the bible I feel different. I know this is weird but it is like I feel lighter. Anyone experience something like this? Also, I have heard that you need to be saved. I’m not really sure what that means. I know now that I do believe in God and I do know that Jesus came to Earth to be our savior. Does that mean I am “saved”? Thanks

 

[Faith Alone 1 Cor 15:1-4]

If you want to read nice article i suggest

Catholic Questions - questions from Catholics and about Catholicism

Scroll down there are plenty of topics i was catholic myself , but read 1 Cor 15:1-4 first , love you good luck.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I have been reading the bible a lot lately. I was raised as a Catholic. I felt an urge to try a different church. There is a lot of things that the Catholic church does that I questions such as confession to a priest, the idea of purgatory, and praying to Mary and other saints. I decided to try a Christian church in town. I really liked the sermon and how it was based on bible passages. Since going to church there and reading the bible I feel different. I know this is weird but it is like I feel lighter. Anyone experience something like this? Also, I have heard that you need to be saved. I’m not really sure what that means. I know now that I do believe in God and I do know that Jesus came to Earth to be our savior. Does that mean I am “saved”? Thanks

Hi; good to see you.

John 3.1-16; John 14.1-6; Acts 2.41-42; Romans chapter 5; 1 Timothy 2.5 and John's First Epistle (after 1 & 2 Peter and before Jude and Revelation) are great passages to read, with answers.

God bless His Word to you.

 

[Solomons Porch]

it is like I feel lighter

Thats not weird that's proof, God bless you in this Keep going forward

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Go to whichever one you feel is right to you. If a church or denomination seems to have to many things that you don't seem to agree with then go elsewhere.

 

[Root of Jesse]

I have been reading the bible a lot lately. I was raised as a Catholic. I felt an urge to try a different church. There is a lot of things that the Catholic church does that I questions such as confession to a priest, the idea of purgatory, and praying to Mary and other saints. I decided to try a Christian church in town. I really liked the sermon and how it was based on bible passages. Since going to church there and reading the bible I feel different. I know this is weird but it is like I feel lighter. Anyone experience something like this? Also, I have heard that you need to be saved. I’m not really sure what that means. I know now that I do believe in God and I do know that Jesus came to Earth to be our savior. Does that mean I am “saved”? Thanks

As a convert to Catholicism, let me ask you something? How far did you get in your Catholic education? Were you Baptised, did you do CCD in grammar school, Confirmation while in early high school?

If you were baptized, you are saved. You still need to work out your salvation, but Baptism is the gateway to salvation.

One thing I have to ask...it sounds like you don't believe that Catholics are Christians...I would like to recommend something for you to watch, to see if it explains the faith of your upbringing better. Sometimes, poor understanding of the faith you were taught is the culprit. If you're interested, please PM me.

 

[Root of Jesse]

Go to whichever one you feel is right to you. If a church or denomination seems to have to many things that you don't seem to agree with then go elsewhere.

People disagreed with Jesus and went elsewhere...does that mean Jesus was wrong?

 

[Albion]

I have been reading the bible a lot lately. I was raised as a Catholic. I felt an urge to try a different church. There is a lot of things that the Catholic church does that I questions such as confession to a priest, the idea of purgatory, and praying to Mary and other saints. I decided to try a Christian church in town. I really liked the sermon and how it was based on bible passages. Since going to church there and reading the bible I feel different. I know this is weird but it is like I feel lighter. Anyone experience something like this? Also, I have heard that you need to be saved. I’m not really sure what that means. I know now that I do believe in God and I do know that Jesus came to Earth to be our savior. Does that mean I am “saved”? Thanks

Hi, Lucy. Well, an Episcopal or Anglican church would come the closest to retaining the general feel and style of the Catholic church except they reject all those things you listed as Catholic beliefs that you could not accept either. But there are other Bible-oriented denominations that might be what you are looking for, too, such as the Lutherans. Anyway, I always think that, when people ask what you asked us, that it is essential for them to take a little time, read up a little, and then--for sure--visit a range of churches.

As for your other question, yes, I have felt what you say you are feeling. It's very liberating. About being saved...most churches think similarly about this, but they may describe it variously or put more or less emphasis upon some part of the process. But the idea of conversion is that, at some time in life, one has to make a commitment to Christ as one's Lord and personal savior. It sounds as though you have.

 

[LucyT25]

As a convert to Catholicism, let me ask you something? How far did you get in your Catholic education? Were you Baptised, did you do CCD in grammar school, Confirmation while in early high school?

If you were baptized, you are saved. You still need to work out your salvation, but Baptism is the gateway to salvation.

One thing I have to ask...it sounds like you don't believe that Catholics are Christians...I would like to recommend something for you to watch, to see if it explains the faith of your upbringing better. Sometimes, poor understanding of the faith you were taught is the culprit. If you're interested, please PM me.

I was baptized, went to CCD, and Confirmation. I do think Catholics are Christians.
I do feel there are things I don’t understand. I don’t understand why I have to confess to a priest. I also don’t understand why Catholics pray to Mary, and why if someone should get a divorce they can’t take communion? There isn’t a mention of purgatory in the bible. These are some of my questions. Any help with these would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Take Heart]

@LucyT25 You're not alone in feeling that way. Those are the exact same questions I had when I was a Catholic. It's been about 4 years since I've attended a Catholic mass. I've since been going to a Christian Church. Definitely check Christian churches out. See what they teach and stand for. If they have a website, they usually put in a 'faith statement' or 'what we believe' description which helps you have an idea of their beliefs and how if it's in alignment with God's Word.

 

[Root of Jesse]

I was baptized, went to CCD, and Confirmation. I do think Catholics are Christians.
I do feel there are things I don’t understand. I don’t understand why I have to confess to a priest. I also don’t understand why Catholics pray to Mary, and why if someone should get a divorce they can’t take communion? There isn’t a mention of purgatory in the bible. These are some of my questions. Any help with these would be appreciated, thanks!

1. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).
2. We pray to Mary because Jesus loves his mother. Prayer is not worship. See http://www.catholicscomehome.org/your-questions/church-teachings/mary-the-saints/
3. It is not correct that someone who gets divorced can't receive communion. If someone is divorced and remarried, they must go through some processes to receive communion, though.
4. Purgatory-Christ refers to the sinner who "will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matt. 12:32), suggesting that one can be freed after death of the consequences of one’s sins. Similarly, Paul tells us that, when we are judged, each man’s work will be tried. And what happens if a righteous man’s work fails the test? "He will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Cor 3:15). Now this loss, this penalty, can’t refer to consignment to hell, since no one is saved there; and heaven can’t be meant, since there is no suffering ("fire") there. The Catholic doctrine of purgatory alone explains this passage.

 

[Root of Jesse]

@LucyT25 You're not alone in feeling that way. Those are the exact same questions I had when I was a Catholic. It's been about 4 years since I've attended a Catholic mass. I've since been going to a Christian Church. Definitely check Christian churches out. See what they teach and stand for. If they have a website, they usually put in a 'faith statement' or 'what we believe' description which helps you have an idea of their beliefs and how if it's in alignment with God's Word.

What pushed you away from the Catholic Church? I realize that some teachings are hard, and this is an honest question.

 

[Take Heart]

@Root of Jesse
Hi Brother, I became increasingly uncomfortable with the statues and images of Mary. I felt like Mary was being held in almost..a higher regard than Jesus Christ Himself and is even seen as our mediator when the Bible says 1 Timothy 2:5- "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus". And the praying, especially to mother Mary..for me it seemed like we kept on repeating the same prayer without really taking the words into heart- it was just repetition. It was something we all prayed about out of habit instead of a sincere prayer that comes from our hearts. And that the earthly priest is the only means to attain forgiveness of sins through confession. Just by simply confessing one's sins outloud or even in your thoughts directed towards God Himself and prayed in Jesus Christ's Name is enough and of course one needs to make the effort to repent from said sins. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." At the time, I was reading my Bible daily and would be convicted of these things and would always find myself uncomfortable and asking these types of questions in my thoughts during Catholic mass.

 

[Root of Jesse]

@Root of Jesse
Hi Brother, I became increasingly uncomfortable with the statues and images of Mary. I felt like Mary was being held in almost..a higher regard than Jesus Christ Himself and is even seen as our mediator when the Bible says 1 Timothy 2:5- "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus". And the praying, especially to mother Mary..for me it seemed like we kept on repeating the same prayer without really taking the words into heart- it was just repetition. It was something we all prayed about out of habit instead of a sincere prayer that comes from our hearts. And that the earthly priest is the only means to attain forgiveness of sins through confession. Just by simply confessing one's sins outloud or even in your thoughts directed towards God Himself and prayed in Jesus Christ's Name is enough and of course one needs to make the effort to repent from said sins. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." At the time, I was reading my Bible daily and would be convicted of these things and would always find myself uncomfortable and asking these types of questions in my thoughts during Catholic mass.

Brother, let me just say this: If you are uncomfortable with images and statues of Mary, then the problem is with you. It is you're feeling that Mary was being held in higher regard. (I will say that some people DO give her high stature, but that is not what the Church teaches, and that's what you need to be aware of-the Church does not put her above God in any of the Three Persons)
Regarding praying to Mary, first, prayer is not the same as worship, though prayer can be worship. Asking Mary for something is like me, the other day, asking my fellow pew-sitters to pray for me while I was in surgery. It is true that some people just repeat the prayers, but that doesn't mean the prayer is wrong-it means the person is wrong. I believe you're referring to the Rosary, which is supposed to be a walk through the Scripture, contemplating the events of the Gospel-Christ's life. We repeat the Hail Mary while meditating on the particular Gospel scene. I will admit that I personally have a problem focusing on one thing while saying another, so when I pray the Rosary, I think of the gospel while others pray the prayers.
Regarding confession, it is not the priest that forgives you. It is Christ. He only wants to hear you say you're sorry. The priest is who Christ was speaking of when he said "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven".
Regarding the Mass, the entire Mass is Biblical. It is entirely reflected in Revelation.

 

[CoolDude68]

You'll know when you find your church home, there's no doubts then. There's tons of denominations and various churches on this planet but I believe someone is "called" to a particular church for a reason. I'm glad you found one that you can get the message from!

 

[Sanoy]

Lucy. I am so happy to hear that you are beginning to see Gods calling upon your heart. You are Gods child, and He loves you very much. You asked what being saved means. It is not a procedure but a response to His calling upon your life. Lucy we are all sinners, you and I both. To sin is to turn your heart away from God. All have sinned. Christ died freely so that we might overcome this gap of sin and have a personal relationship with our Father in heaven by grace. Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live," When we act upon the calling that you feel now and say "Yes, God, I want to know you! I have sinned against you, and by the promise of your Son who died for me, I ask for your forgiveness that I might know you!" that is salvation. When we turn our hearts to God and accept Him, His Spirit dwells within us testifying to our hearts that we are His children. It is that same Spirit that calls upon you.

 

[LucyT25]

If you want to read nice article i suggest

Catholic Questions - questions from Catholics and about Catholicism

Scroll down there are plenty of topics i was catholic myself , but read 1 Cor 15:1-4 first , love you good luck.

Are you still Catholic, if not why did you switch?