Where do I go?

[DHK]

How thankful we can be that Walter Martin confirmed that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination is not a cult.

Now if I could just get DHK to read Walter Martin's book.



in Christ,

Bob

And so??
Hundreds of authors and Christian apologists did not.
Just because one person is weak-kneed and falters does not mean the rest of Christianity is.
I have much better books to read than Martin's books.

 

[steaver]

I will take a look at it. I thought Christian and Missionary Alliance was only a missions organization, so this is interestin info. Thanks for sharing, Steaver!

Bunny

:wavey:

The C&MA is a full service denomination of the Christian faith. Our focus is on fulfilling the Great Commission Jesus gave instruction on in Mark 16 which is preach the gospel and make disciples.

Each church within this denomination is autonomous so you will get varying styles of preaching, worship and outreach.

It is an interesting read how this denomination came into being. It wasn't created as such but inevidably became one.

 

[BobRyan]

Did you bother to read the thread beyond the OP? I was the second person to respond and told her to look for a Reformed Baptist church and, if none are around where she is, to try a SBC church. She thanked me kindly for the advice. It is Steaver, not me, who has interjected extraneous issues into this discussion. What Bob Ryan said does not deviate from the advice I originally gave and I believe it to be sound. As they say, "Even a blind hog will find an acorn occasionally."

I am blessed to see the grace displayed by my baptist friends. Thanks for the support. :jesus:

in Christ,

Bob

 

[steaver]

One could rightly believe the Bible teaches faith + works = salvation, but that is not a debate for this thread.

Impossible

Bunny asked for advice based on what her beliefs are. Now you and others don't want to answer her question but rather interject what you perceive as truth into the discussion. She asked a simple question, so why can't you take the facts she (or he) gave and work with them rather than introduce things not asked about?

She is searching for a "Christian denomination". Some Christians do not realize that there are churches using the name of Christian who are not biblically sound on the Christian fundamentals of Faith Alone.

Yes, but haven't you ever been reading the Bible and got hit right between the eyes by a truth you had not previously realized?
This is the case, Steaver. Use your considerable power of reasoning, and get over the fact that even someone with whom you disagree can sometimes be right. Even a stopped clock will give you the correct time twice a day

Catholics believe that Jesus is the Son of God, so do the SDA, the Mormon, the JW. But any one who teaches salvation other than grace alone through faith alone is preaching "another gospel".

So I just want her to beware as she searches. Good Christians get caught up in these misguided churches everyday which are outside sound biblical precepts such as faith alone.

 

[BobRyan]

SDA do not qualify as a Christian "denomination"

John 9 and John 15 insist that free will have its own degree of freedom.

doing the best that they can to be right on doctrinal truths. By the very fact that you are a SDA you cannot entertain any thought that you may not be correct on all points argued by any Christian denomination.

Why is this so?

Because the SDA has something no Christian denomination has. You have an extra authoritive prophet which no Christian denomination has. In fact, all Christian denominations only accept the 66 books of the bible as authoritively from God.

If your claim that our acceptance of 1Cor 12 is making us non-Christian or that the non-Biblical prophets of 1Cor 14 (or Anna in the Temple, or Philips Daughters, or the NT non-Bible prophet Agabus or ...) makes the NT church non-Christian, or if you have imagined that the Bible-writer David who goes to the non-Bible writing prophet Nathan for counsel from God would make David a non-Believer - then perhaps a bit more study on the role of inspired nonBible writers is in order for your future study some day. The NT is clear that we are not to reject spiritual gifts or those through whom God chooses to manifest the gift of Prophecy. In 1Cor 12 God says he distributes gifts according to his own choosing - nothing there about limiting the 1Cor 12 gifts according to Steaver's dictation.:godisgood:

in Christ,

Bob

 

[BobRyan]

Originally Posted by BobRyan
1. Always go with whatever church you believe to be following "Most closely" what you find the bible to teach. That might mean you have to look around a bit. There are saved saints in each of the churches so when you find the one that comes the closest to what you find in scripture - you are in a good place - until one comes along that is even closer.

2. Always be willing to review the Bible based positions that you hold - in case you also may be in some doctrinal error.


Consider this - you are one of Ten Christians in a room - each from a different Christian denomination. They will have variations on some doctrines - and at BEST there is only ONE of them that is in fact right and has not let man-made-tradition blind them to the truths of at least ONE point of difference in the Bible. At WORST - they area ALL wrong to some degree on what they think the Bible is teaching.

This is good advice. Steaver, I dare say you would admit the same if it came from someone else. Nowhere did Bob suggest that Bunny embrace SDA teachings or any other teachings than the Bible.

Good point - returning to the main point of the thread itself.

:godisgood:

in Christ,

Bob

 

[Bunny]

Hey guys, just to again make myself clear my question was where do I go within the framework of Baptist beliefs based on what I had stated in my OP.
This is why I chose to enter into discussion on this, the Baptist Board and not on say a Jehovah Witness or Catholic board.
I apprecieate the answers I have gotten and they have solidified (?) my understanding as to what Baptist church might be the best fit for me.
Thanks everyone for being so welcoming and helpful, I hope to learn from you in the future as we respectfully debate and share eachothers views.

Bunny

:wavey:

 

[annsni]

Bunny - I would recommend that you start looking at church websites and/or calling them to get their statement of beliefs. I'm sure you will find some churches that have the same beliefs as you - but then it will be a matter of fine-tuning. When we were looking, there were a number of churches that were where we are theologically but there were some other things that either made it not feel like "home" or just didn't fit our needs. We needed a good children's program so a church that was very tiny and had 10 kids didn't fit what we needed so that cut out two churches. Two others had music styles that we couldn't get comfortable with and while that wouldn't prevent us from attending but if there was another church that had music that we could more easily worship with, we'd go there. Another issue is how good a communicator the pastor is. Some are dry, some are amazing and some are pretty good. So even if a church has all of their theology right, you need to go someplace where you would feel comfortable in the service - and where you would feel comfortable to serve as well.

Bunny - I hope you find someplace that will bless you and that will be blessed by you. :wavey:

 

[BillySunday1935]

Bunny - I would recommend that you start looking at church websites and/or calling them to get their statement of beliefs. I'm sure you will find some churches that have the same beliefs as you - but then it will be a matter of fine-tuning. When we were looking, there were a number of churches that were where we are theologically but there were some other things that either made it not feel like "home" or just didn't fit our needs. We needed a good children's program so a church that was very tiny and had 10 kids didn't fit what we needed so that cut out two churches. Two others had music styles that we couldn't get comfortable with and while that wouldn't prevent us from attending but if there was another church that had music that we could more easily worship with, we'd go there. Another issue is how good a communicator the pastor is. Some are dry, some are amazing and some are pretty good. So even if a church has all of their theology right, you need to go someplace where you would feel comfortable in the service - and where you would feel comfortable to serve as well.
Bunny - I hope you find someplace that will bless you and that will be blessed by you. :wavey:

From post #32:

Thank you DHK!! This is precisely the dilemma I find myself in. In making this decision I am tyring not to be led by my emotions so how I feel is not my primary concern. Thanks for all you are doing DHK.
In response to HP's question, the answer is no.

Bunny

Whether one finds the preacher's style dry, or whether one likes the music, or whether a church has 10 members or 10,000 should NOT be the driving concern.

The seminal important question is this: Where is God leading me - what is His plan for my life - not where do I "feel" comfortable. God comes first - not individual wants or desires. This is the problem (and I believe the prevailing attitude) in many - MANY churches in the US. It's all about "me" isn't it.

I think Bunny has it right.

Peace!

 

[BillySunday1935]

Impossible



She is searching for a "Christian denomination". Some Christians do not realize that there are churches using the name of Christian who are not biblically sound on the Christian fundamentals of Faith Alone.



Catholics believe that Jesus is the Son of God, so do the SDA, the Mormon, the JW. But any one who teaches salvation other than grace alone through faith alone is preaching "another gospel".

What about love there steaver?

Peace!

 

[annsni]

Whether one finds the preacher's style dry, or whether one likes the music, or whether a church has 10 members or 10,000 should NOT be the driving concern.

The seminal important question is this: Where is God leading me - what is His plan for my life - not where do I "feel" comfortable. God comes first - not individual wants or desires. This is the problem (and I believe the prevailing attitude) in many - MANY churches in the US. It's all about "me" isn't it.

I think Bunny has it right.

Peace!

No. The driving concern should be fidelity to the Word of God. Number one, no compromise. But from there, there are preferences, needs fulfilled, etc. Of course if God is leading one to a particular church, that is where you should be but I don't know many who have been led to a church that would make them uncomfortable. God led us to our particular church and there are others that are just as good as our church and even would meet our needs but God led us here. It's not "all about me" but one certainly needs to go to a church where the leadership is solid, one is able to use their ministry gifts in a way to bless God and bless the church AND one needs to be able to be fed too. I'd not go to a church where the pastor's sermons might be Biblical but very dry and not a full study of Scripture. I don't do shallow preaching - I want meat. I'm not going to go to a milk church. Does that make it all about me?

 

[BillySunday1935]

No. The driving concern should be fidelity to the Word of God. Number one, no compromise.

Do you believe that God would lead you to a church that didn't hold to the fideltity of scripture?

But from there, there are preferences, needs fulfilled, etc. Of course if God is leading one to a particular church, that is where you should be but I don't know many who have been led to a church that would make them uncomfortable. God led us to our particular church and there are others that are just as good as our church and even would meet our needs but God led us here.

You set the criterion for Bunny - find a church with which you're "comfortable" and "feel" at home. It seems as though you are back-tracking a bit.

It's not "all about me" but one certainly needs to go to a church where the leadership is solid, one is able to use their ministry gifts in a way to bless God and bless the church AND one needs to be able to be fed too. I'd not go to a church where the pastor's sermons might be Biblical but very dry and not a full study of Scripture. I don't do shallow preaching - I want meat. I'm not going to go to a milk church.

In summation:
You would go "where one is able to use their gifts" or where "one needs to be able to be fed" and "you don't do shallow preaching" and "I want meat."

I need this - I want that - I demand this - I don't do that.

Does that make it all about me?

Only you can answer that question, but - I think you have validated my previous statement.

Peace!

 

[DHK]

Do you believe that God would lead you to a church that didn't hold to the fideltity of scripture?

That was already stated and answered; no need to ask it again.

You set the criteria for Bunny - find a church with which you're "comfortable" and "feel" at home. It seems as though you are back-tracking a bit.

A false statement. Bunny set the criteria herself. Read the OP.

In summation:
You would go "where one is able to use their gifts" or where "one needs to be able to be fed" and "you don't do shallow preaching" and "I want meat."

Every person ought to desire the meat of God's Word, as Paul states in his epistles.

As Bunny has stated that she has received the answers that she wanted, this thread will be closed.
Thank you to those who have contributed.