Why I could never...

I agree with your own assessment.

 

KK,

I rejoice in your recent salvation Sounds like you have some concerns that are very real to you. However, you do need to find someplace where the Word of God is faithfully taught so that you can grow in your relationship with the Saviour. It may not be a Baptist church, but you do need to be praying and looking for godly church fellowship.

BTW, being new here you may not have noticed that some of the forums are labelled "Baptist only." If you would like a moderator for this forum can move your thread to another "All Christian" forum.

 

AMEN!

So I can go out and kill and the church should not judge me. I should still be allowed to fellowship and to work in the ministry. Because hey, it is more exciting to comit murder than it is to sit in youth group or sunday school! YAWN! YAWN!

Not a good way to think KK. We must be examples of the people who watch us. The unsaved. And trust me when I tell you THEY ARE WATCHING! People will watch a christian and can not wait to point the finger and tell them all they did wrong.

People watch and christians are under attack by the devil. They devil has give us all the secular things. The satanic music, the dressing to catch even a married man or womans eye, the alcohol that leaves your mind blank so that satan can take it over and do things with you, you wouldn't normally do.

We have to live our life as best as we can for Christ. And we must be an example to all our enemies.

Praise God that you were saved, now you need to grow in Him. You need to consult with Him and have Him lead you to where He wants you to go. But you do need a church to fellowship in and learn and grow. A good bible believeing church. I pray you will find the right one and grow abundantly in Him.

LAURAB

[ April 19, 2004, 11:03 PM: Message edited by: Gina L ]

 

It's because of the same reasons you point out that I've been giving serious thought to leaving the Baptist fellowship in favor of the Reformed or Presbyterian faith.

 

AMEN!

So I can go out and kill and the church should not judge me. I should still be allowed to fellowship and to work in the ministry. Because hey, it is more exciting to comit murder than it is to sit in youth group or sunday school! YAWN! YAWN!

Not a good way to think KK. We must be examples of the people who watch us. The unsaved. And trust me when I tell you THEY ARE WATCHING! People will watch a christian and can not wait to point the finger and tell them all they did wrong, and then get on the computer at noght and go on all the porn web sites and wake up feeling good about themselves.

People watch and christians are under attack by the devil. They devil has give us all the secular things. The satanic music, the dressing to catch even a married man or womans eye, the alcohol that leaves your mind blank so that satan can take it over and do things with you, you wouldn't normally do.

We have to live our life as best as we can for Christ. And we must be an example to all our enemies.

Praise God that you were saved, now you need to grow in Him. You need to consult with Him and have Him lead you to where He wants you to go. But you do need a church to fellowship in and learn and grow. A good bible believeing church. I pray you will find the right one and grow abundantly in Him.

LAURAB </font>[/QUOTE]

[ April 19, 2004, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: Gina L ]

 

Keith, I won't try to persuade you to 'be a Baptist' because I think you have other issues with these 'regulations' but I do want to say that MY Southern Baptist Church has youth and teens with purple hair, loads of earrings, tattoo's and we also have some contemporary Christian bands come on Sunday nights.

Don't let vocal people in cyberland convince you that you'll never find a church to fit you! Call around and speak with the youth ministers at some churches or ask if they have a website. My church has a website just for the teens with a chat room, pictures that change several times a week and lots for the kids to do.

Diane

 

I agree with what Diane said, Keith. I just joined a SBC church and there are a lot of things going on for the kids and teens. And nobody says anything about how anybody dresses. Don't let some of the things you read posted on these forums get you discouraged.

Call around, do a google search for a SBC church in your area of Kansas. And pray about it - God will lead you to the church where you can be ministered to and help you grow in Jesus and where you can be involved and be allowed to grow in Him.

 

Keith,

Remember that all churches are populated with humans - humans are inherently imperfect. You'll always have those who are more concerned about the outward things, no matter what denomination you choose. You're not the only person to feels this way. But like Diane said there are many Baptist churches that are more accepting of some social conventions of today - and you're correct in asserting that these things are not INHERENTLY sinful. I think you might have a little more trouble in a little country church that hasn't changed hymnals since 1885!!

 

KeithKorg19,

It is always wonderful news to hear about a perosn coming to the saving knowlwdge of our Savior Jesus Christ. I would humbly ask that you not be be too hard on the people on BB. You will find plenty of loving, honest, and humble people on this board. Every church is different so I would suggest that spend time praying and ASKING God to guide you to a church. I have been on BB for about a year and I am seriously considering becoming a Baptist. The thing that draws me the most is that Baptists hold the Holy Scriptures as THE final authority in all matters of truth, faith, teachings, and life. The Word of God is His revelation to us. He mainly speaks to us through His Word (not that He won't or can't speak to us in other ways, He does). I find this refreshing to know that universal eternal truth exist and that it is God's Word.

A brother in Christ,

ChurchBoy

 

KeithKorg19,

I was saved when I was eleven years old. My parent's denomination had rules especially for young unmarried women and older ladies, and in my day you were not allowed to go to the movies for example. Finding Jesus is a liberating experience; please, never lose that encountering feeling that the Lord has given you.

My suggestion as a pastor to you would be -you come to your own convictions about how you want to live your Christian life. Some old saints are so 'dry' that they might blow away at any time. Yes, they are orthodox but dead as dead can be. You will find them in all denominations.

Let your Bible and the Holy Spirit direct your life and not some legalistic saint. The Spirit of God will not let you get off course. If you sense in your heart that you have failed Jesus, you will have 'grieved the Holy Spirit. [Ephesians 4:30] If you fail Him confess it sincerely to Him and don't look back at that forgiven sin. Probably all Christians have experienced the evil one reminding them of past sins. When He forgives us we get to make a new start in being more obedient to Him.

I sense it that you don't like it when people tell you how or what to do as a Christian. By the same token, when you come to have some inner convictions, do not make your standards--- the rule for other Christians to keep. The reason why I say this is because you know how it feels.

One of the most exciting experiences is to lead a friend to Christ and to help them with a prayer so they can receive Him into their life.

 

KeithKorg19,

You have touched on an interesting issue that Jesus rebuked the Pharisees about. He rebuked them about them concerning themselves with keeping "the outside of the cup" clean and not focusing on keeping "the inside of the cup" clean.

 

Good points,

But as a person's heart is conformed to the image of Christ then his lifestyle will also be conformed to the image of Christ. I am not talking purple hair and pierced body parts. These are merely externals. What I am talking about is a life which truly reflects a Christlike image to all around.

 

KEITH - you point out that Baptists have faults as if they were human instead of perfected saints. You will find the same is true in every other church. You will also find that every one of the people, even as they behave judgementally and in smallness instead of with the Love Christ commanded we show, is beloved of Our Lord.

This is a test for you. Can you learn to love all God's children as much as God does, even when they are not being loving back at you?

 

Keith,

The Christian life isn't always about an "...exciting life of fun and excitment". Many times it is a hard life. Read the Bible and I think you will find that scripture bears me out on this. If this isn't the kind of life you wish to have, I would suggest that deciding whether or not you want to be a Baptist is the least of your worries. It is not the Church's job to entertain you and your lost friends. The Church's job is to preach the Word, disciple new believers, etc...

I am not talking about externals because I don't think God is worried about that. But, I do tend to worry when the lost go to a Church and feel absolutely at home and have no conviction of sin. It is not our job to convince them to enter in. That is for God to do. Our job is to Preach the Word, not the wisdom of this world.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Michael,

I am not trying to beat up on you or anything. I would like to give you some things to think about however:

1. Where in the Bible do you find that it is our job to "attract the unsaved"?

2. If you really think this is something Christians should be doing, what would you suggest that we should do to attract them?

I used the word "exciting" for lack of a better word. What I was looking for is a word to contrast the word "conservative."
But still, I don't generally associate the word "exciting" with murder.

KK [/QUOTE]

What exactly do you think is wrong with being conservative?

Joseph Botwinick

[ April 19, 2004, 11:06 PM: Message edited by: Gina L ]

 

Wow. The speed at which everyone agreed with "poorly written" was amazing and disheartening. Sorry, Keith, for that. I thought it was written rather well, from the heart, unlike some here.

Now Joe,

I recommend reading the Great Commission for starters. I don't think he meant "attract" in the sense you took it. Maybe "bring into the church" would be a better phrase.

Again, I think you are misinterpretting. How about "uptight", "close-minded", or "isolated". I think that describes it better. I, myself, ama conservative, but still manage to enjoy life.

 

Keith,

If you are looking for the perfect church/denomination you are not going to find it this side of heaven.

God Bless

Sheila

 

I have quite a bit to say about this response as I recently did a little study on this subject during a private conversation with a friend in Texas. Since I need to get ready and go to work, I'll leave you with this question to ponder for now: What do you think we should do to "bring into the church" those who are lost?

Again, I think you are misinterpretting. How about "uptight", "close-minded", or "isolated". I think that describes it better. I, myself, ama conservative, but still manage to enjoy life. [/QUOTE]

You know what Jesus says about judging others, don't you?

Joseph Botwinick

[ April 19, 2004, 11:07 PM: Message edited by: Gina L ]