What do I call myself?

[extremebiblereader]

I haven't posted much on here in a while. Since the last time i've been on here. I have been in and out of a IFB church and an Apostolic/pentecostal church, and a UPC church. I believe a little bit of each to be truth. What in the world do i call myself? I couldn't be more confused...when people ask me what i am.

 

[D28guy]

extremebiblereader,

"What in the world do i call myself? I couldn't be more confused...when people ask me what i am."

What do you tell people you are?

Christian.

Child of God.

A born again person.

One who knows Christ.

(If you will check my profile you will see what I put for "denomination".)

God has planted me in the following fellowships at different times in my 23 years as a christian:

Southern Baptist(1 year)

Charismatic(less than a year)

A house church(less than a year)

A fellowship that met at a Holiday Inn meeting roon.(2 years)

A "Cambellite" mega-church(1 year)

Southern Baptist(4 years)

Pentecostal/Charismatic(6 years)

And I am currently involved with both a Pentecostal fellowship as well as a Baptist church where I am good friends with some members there.

I havent moved around due to being thrown out or anything like that. Sometimes it was due to moving from one location to another, and other times because God simply wanted to move me somewhere else, or I chose to for some particular reason. But I dont call myself anything, and never have called myself anything, except those things the scriptures call me.

Christian.

Child of God.

A born again person.

One who knows Christ.

You dont need to call yourself anything but what the scriptures call you. I'm not saying there is necesarrily anything wrong with saying "I'm a Baptist", or "I'm a pentecostal" or "I'm a Charismatic", or "I'm Assemblies of God", or "I'm Methodist" etc.

But you're not obligated to call yourself anything like that, as it sounds like you feel you must. Personally, I never call myself by any denominational name...even when I am a part of one. I simply wont do it. I strive to biblical in my ways, rather than denominational.

I hope this helps in some way.

Grace and peace to you,

Mike

 

[gb93433]

Hopefully you are a Christian. I do not let people call me a Baptist as if to signify I believe like so many other Baptists (whatever that is). I am a follower of Christ first. I Believe in making disciples and happen to go to a Bible believing and preaching church which happens to be a Baptist Church. If the local Baptist church was lazy and liberal I would go somewhere else. Being on a Baptist membership roll does not get one into heaven or guarantee growth. There are so many Baptists I have shared my faith with over the years who are not believers and they know they are not.

 

[hillclimber]

You should call yourself confused, because you are.
Find yourself a small bible believing church, that is unassociated with the Baptists, in order to lesson your confusion.

 

[music4Him]

extremebiblereader~
I see where the "My religion / denomination:" is, you put Baptist. You stated that you "believe a little bit of each to be truth", when talking about the different denominations you have been part of.

I would say your non-denominational.

If you look at my profile you'll see I have "Combination between Baptist and Full Gospel." There has to be something to this Baptist/Petecostal denomination? I have a Aunt that calls it Bapt_icostal_penta_holy.

 

[tamborine lady]

I have heard that one before too, Music, and I believe it's spelled "Bapti-costal-penta- holy"

I'm listed as a Full Gospel Evangelist.

I have been to quite a few churches myself over the years.

1. Advent Christian

2. Assembly of God

3. Church of Christ (charismatic)

4. Baptist

5. UPC

6. non-denom

7. Full Gospel Currently

But I think the label we should use (if you must call yourself something) is in the Bible in

Acts 11-26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

That word Christian seems pretty good to me!

Peace,

Tam

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by extremebiblereader:
I haven't posted much on here in a while. Since the last time i've been on here. I have been in and out of a IFB church and an Apostolic/pentecostal church, and a UPC church. I believe a little bit of each to be truth. What in the world do i call myself? I couldn't be more confused...when people ask me what i am.

I think you're a pentabapticostastolic.

More importantly, you're a follower of Christ. There's no such thing as a "perfect" church. If you find one, don't join it, because it will cease to be perfect when someone joins it

 

[extremebiblereader]

Well, thanks for all the replies. I wasn't really expecting anything.

 

[Jim1999]

People get the best answers from me when they call me Jim....

I am a retired Baptist minister, now a member of an ANglican Church, and approved by the Bishop to serve the Anglican Church. What does that make me? I am still Jim, who happens to have Baptist convictions, and belongs to an Anglican Church.

Cheers, love it,

Jim

 

[D28guy]

"I think you're a pentabapticostastolic.

Isnt there a 10 step program for people with that?

Just kidding.

I'm actually a Pentebapticostal as well.

And I Praise God with...uplifted hands...for it!

Mike

 

[trogdor76]

'Christian' works just fine for me... but that response usually doesn't cut it for most people as they will generally ask what denomination/assembly you belong to.

 

[tamborine lady]

Christian works for me too, but I have come up with another answer just in case that is not enough.

Since I am a Full Gospel/Sabbath keeper, I will call myself a "Sabacostal".

But seriously folks, I'm sure God is not going to ask us where we had our "letter"!!

God Bless,

Tam

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by trogdor76:
'Christian' works just fine for me... but that response usually doesn't cut it for most people as they will generally ask what denomination/assembly you belong to.

That is less likely to happen where there is more opposition from the world.

 

[hillclimber]

I am a born again, thus redeemed saint, of the Body of Christ. I fellowship with like minded saints in a building in town.

 

[Jim1999]

In my opinion, no matter what answer one gives, it will be called into question. I fear we can get caught up in trivialities and our cleverness just doesn't work.

The world will never understand whilst they are in their natural fallen state. A simple answer is always best, and trust the Lord to lead to further discussion in His time.

Incidentally, I "realized" the Christ during my confirmation classes. I had always believed in Jesus, but only then did I realize the need to make my salvation personal. So we can grow up in a knowledge of the Bible and still miss the boat, so to speak. Only the Holy Spirit can bring about that effectual calling unto saving faith.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Pastor_Bob]

The Cathedral Quartet said it best when they sang, "It's what He finds inside your heart, and not what's over the door." This, of course has to do with salvation being eternally more important than church membership.

If you've had a personal, saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are a Child of God first and foremost. Just being a part of any church will not save you.

I do, however, believe very strongly in the local, visible, New Testament Church and would encourage you to find a good Bible-preaching, Missions-minded, sinner-loving, evangelistic church to belong to and then become as active as you can in the ministries available in this church.