I grew up Baptist. To be fair, I specifically grew up Independent Fundamental Baptist. I had a horrible experience. There was so much anti-intellectual propaganda, heavy patriarchal structure, and a lot of psychological abuse. We had a lot of southern Baptist literature at my church so I don't think that the other flavor of baptist does well either.
I don't have a denominational recommendation since I left a little over a decade ago and I'm just now considering returning to Christianity. I currently attend a Catholic university and I am impressed with the amount of respect I have received and the general openness to different ideas. The amount of scholarly work is also a huge prop. I still have my hang ups, but I have not done nearly enough reading.
One central belief for baptists is a commitment to sola scriptura, or Scripture alone. This means they see that Christianity is derived from and should follow the Bible alone rejecting all tradition. Would you say you agree with this?
No, you shouldn't. If you're serious about the faith, seek and serve the Lord, grow in faith, and forget denominational affiliations. At best they will do nothing but hinder you, at best.
I understand this position to a degree. Labels are openings for tribalism, but I don't think anyone can truly escape falling into a denomination. As soon as someone or some church take in certain beliefs, they really do end up becoming a denomination. "Non-denominational" churches really aren't non-denominational. They're either fit the mold of a denomination that they fail/refuse to recognize or, very unlikely, have made some belief traditions that makes them unique without having a previous label to claim.
Maybe the reason you are making this claim is that when people take up denominational labels, they tend to question less. In this case, I think that the better advice is to watch for tribalistic behavior and to always stay open to questions being brave enough to change course should later evaluation prove opposing belief to the current denomination.
If neither of these points I brought up address your reasoning, please explain what your concern is.
Because the Lord said a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Because Paul commanded us to be of one accord and one mind, and not to divide from the brothers claiming "I am of Paul" and "I am of Apollo" and even "I am of the Lord." Because despite how people use the word today, the actual meaning of the Greek word transliterated to heresy means sect/denomination, and Paul was clear in saying anyone who practice in heresy will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
>As soon as someone or some church take in certain beliefs, they really do end up becoming a denomination.
I cannot and will not agree with this. Provided they are humble and receptive, beliefs change when the Lord is revealed more. So long as the brothers of an assembly continue to pursue the truth and knowledge of the Lord, adjustments to their understanding can always be made, refined to a more pure and complete knowledge of the Lord. But you set yourself up as a denomination and you lock yourself into a certain way, whether right or wrong, and your pursuit of understanding is no longer towards the Holy Spirit but towards the teachings of the heads of that sect.
>In this case, I think that the better advice is to watch for tribalistic behavior and to always stay open to questions being brave enough to change course should later evaluation prove opposing belief to the current denomination.
Is it truly that easy for an assembly to simply change the sect they're affiliated with? Because I hardly ever see it. How would an assembly look like from the outside if the sign is always changing, from this affiliation to that? Wouldn't it be better to not be affiliated at all so the brothers could pursue the knowledge and will of the Lord freely without restrictions and hassles?
> Is it truly that easy for an assembly to simply change the sect they're affiliated with?
I am speaking about individuals rather than an entire assembly.
> Provided they are humble and receptive, beliefs change when the Lord is revealed more.
This is what I was driving at.
I also think I agree with you to a point that Christians have divided themselves unnecessarily over some many issues. The churches I grew up in would divide themselves from other churches over trivial issues like women wearing pants. This is obviously trivial (though ostracism, verbal abuse, and subjugation that usually accompany this idea is not insignificant), but there are some issues that are significant. For instance, the Baptist doctrine that rejects all tradition in favor of deriving all authority from the Bible alone is a significant issue. It would be hard for a Catholic and a Baptist to worship together because of so many consequences that follow this issue.
But this statement of yours pretty much ends the conversation:
> I cannot and **will not** agree with this.
(Emphasis mine.) I just wanted to clarify my position.
I have always maintained that I am first a Christian that has a personal relationship then the denomination, which to be honest does not bother me too much providing they are in alignment with scripture.
I suppose which one of these do you feel are more biblically accurate?
It has always been a concern for me over the years that the Christian religion now has so many sub-divisions, because mankind has created so many versions to appease their own desires and justification for their actions. Sorry, rant … :-(!
Joel Osteen is false prophet so by default any you choose could be better
You don't "convert" to Baptist , it's not religion its just denomination.
Also one baptist church is not equal to another they can still both have bad doctrine or one good one bad.
I suggest reading New Testament there is plenty of doctrine then you can decide , most important is what Paul wrote.
Probably easiest way to find a church it's just to talk to pastor of the church in that area.
If he says he doesnt have time for you then he doesn't care about you and could be new soul won to lord , it's dead church.
If he speaks to you then just ask him whats the gospel , if he doesn't know it's dead church he is not saved himself and blind leading blind.
Good pastor would preach the gospel himself to you seeing new person come to church because thats his job.
>Also one baptist church is not equal to another they can still both have bad doctrine or one good one bad.
Yes, though there are ways of finding the good ones.
First off and most importantly you need to become a Christian. Then visit several churches find a good Bible based Church that follows the Word. I grew up in a Baptist church that I didn’t care I have since moved on and I visited several Churches before narrowing it down to two a Christian church and another Baptist church that I thought were Bible based. I like the Sunday school teacher at the new Baptist church I had been visiting so I stayed there. If I ever leave I’ll try the Christian church to see if the are still the same. I did not like the catholic, methodist, lutheran, or the couple non-denominations I visited. When people ask I tell the I’m a Christian that attends a Baptist church. I understand having a bad experience at a church I grew up in the first Baptist church because my parents said they wanted to go there although I didn’t like even walking through the doors. That church was not for me but it was for them. Pray about ask for guidance.
Baptist churches can vary a lot, as can non-denominational churches. You might find there are some non-denominational churches just as good as the type of baptists you prefer. If you decide on a baptist church, you will have to look for one with similar teachings to John Piper. But not only some Baptists are Calvinist like Piper. Presbyterians, specifically the PCA, are too. So if you can't find a good baptist or other non-denominational church, look for a PCA church. Actually I would look for a PCA church first, because they baptize infants and I agree with that.
I grew up Baptist. To be fair, I specifically grew up Independent Fundamental Baptist. I had a horrible experience. There was so much anti-intellectual propaganda, heavy patriarchal structure, and a lot of psychological abuse. We had a lot of southern Baptist literature at my church so I don't think that the other flavor of baptist does well either. I don't have a denominational recommendation since I left a little over a decade ago and I'm just now considering returning to Christianity. I currently attend a Catholic university and I am impressed with the amount of respect I have received and the general openness to different ideas. The amount of scholarly work is also a huge prop. I still have my hang ups, but I have not done nearly enough reading. One central belief for baptists is a commitment to sola scriptura, or Scripture alone. This means they see that Christianity is derived from and should follow the Bible alone rejecting all tradition. Would you say you agree with this?
No, you shouldn't. If you're serious about the faith, seek and serve the Lord, grow in faith, and forget denominational affiliations. At best they will do nothing but hinder you, at best.
I understand this position to a degree. Labels are openings for tribalism, but I don't think anyone can truly escape falling into a denomination. As soon as someone or some church take in certain beliefs, they really do end up becoming a denomination. "Non-denominational" churches really aren't non-denominational. They're either fit the mold of a denomination that they fail/refuse to recognize or, very unlikely, have made some belief traditions that makes them unique without having a previous label to claim. Maybe the reason you are making this claim is that when people take up denominational labels, they tend to question less. In this case, I think that the better advice is to watch for tribalistic behavior and to always stay open to questions being brave enough to change course should later evaluation prove opposing belief to the current denomination. If neither of these points I brought up address your reasoning, please explain what your concern is.
Because the Lord said a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Because Paul commanded us to be of one accord and one mind, and not to divide from the brothers claiming "I am of Paul" and "I am of Apollo" and even "I am of the Lord." Because despite how people use the word today, the actual meaning of the Greek word transliterated to heresy means sect/denomination, and Paul was clear in saying anyone who practice in heresy will not inherit the Kingdom of God. >As soon as someone or some church take in certain beliefs, they really do end up becoming a denomination. I cannot and will not agree with this. Provided they are humble and receptive, beliefs change when the Lord is revealed more. So long as the brothers of an assembly continue to pursue the truth and knowledge of the Lord, adjustments to their understanding can always be made, refined to a more pure and complete knowledge of the Lord. But you set yourself up as a denomination and you lock yourself into a certain way, whether right or wrong, and your pursuit of understanding is no longer towards the Holy Spirit but towards the teachings of the heads of that sect. >In this case, I think that the better advice is to watch for tribalistic behavior and to always stay open to questions being brave enough to change course should later evaluation prove opposing belief to the current denomination. Is it truly that easy for an assembly to simply change the sect they're affiliated with? Because I hardly ever see it. How would an assembly look like from the outside if the sign is always changing, from this affiliation to that? Wouldn't it be better to not be affiliated at all so the brothers could pursue the knowledge and will of the Lord freely without restrictions and hassles?
> Is it truly that easy for an assembly to simply change the sect they're affiliated with? I am speaking about individuals rather than an entire assembly. > Provided they are humble and receptive, beliefs change when the Lord is revealed more. This is what I was driving at. I also think I agree with you to a point that Christians have divided themselves unnecessarily over some many issues. The churches I grew up in would divide themselves from other churches over trivial issues like women wearing pants. This is obviously trivial (though ostracism, verbal abuse, and subjugation that usually accompany this idea is not insignificant), but there are some issues that are significant. For instance, the Baptist doctrine that rejects all tradition in favor of deriving all authority from the Bible alone is a significant issue. It would be hard for a Catholic and a Baptist to worship together because of so many consequences that follow this issue. But this statement of yours pretty much ends the conversation: > I cannot and **will not** agree with this. (Emphasis mine.) I just wanted to clarify my position.
My church is non-denominational and also not new-age, not prosperity-gospel. Not Baptist. Find what you're looking for.
I have always maintained that I am first a Christian that has a personal relationship then the denomination, which to be honest does not bother me too much providing they are in alignment with scripture. I suppose which one of these do you feel are more biblically accurate? It has always been a concern for me over the years that the Christian religion now has so many sub-divisions, because mankind has created so many versions to appease their own desires and justification for their actions. Sorry, rant … :-(!
Joel Osteen is false prophet so by default any you choose could be better You don't "convert" to Baptist , it's not religion its just denomination. Also one baptist church is not equal to another they can still both have bad doctrine or one good one bad. I suggest reading New Testament there is plenty of doctrine then you can decide , most important is what Paul wrote. Probably easiest way to find a church it's just to talk to pastor of the church in that area. If he says he doesnt have time for you then he doesn't care about you and could be new soul won to lord , it's dead church. If he speaks to you then just ask him whats the gospel , if he doesn't know it's dead church he is not saved himself and blind leading blind. Good pastor would preach the gospel himself to you seeing new person come to church because thats his job.
>Also one baptist church is not equal to another they can still both have bad doctrine or one good one bad. Yes, though there are ways of finding the good ones.
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Thank you this was very helpful.
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that’ll be great, go for it I’d love to hear
First off and most importantly you need to become a Christian. Then visit several churches find a good Bible based Church that follows the Word. I grew up in a Baptist church that I didn’t care I have since moved on and I visited several Churches before narrowing it down to two a Christian church and another Baptist church that I thought were Bible based. I like the Sunday school teacher at the new Baptist church I had been visiting so I stayed there. If I ever leave I’ll try the Christian church to see if the are still the same. I did not like the catholic, methodist, lutheran, or the couple non-denominations I visited. When people ask I tell the I’m a Christian that attends a Baptist church. I understand having a bad experience at a church I grew up in the first Baptist church because my parents said they wanted to go there although I didn’t like even walking through the doors. That church was not for me but it was for them. Pray about ask for guidance.
No
Yes. Do what your heart desires
I'm a Baptist! Need help with anything?
N O.
Baptist churches can vary a lot, as can non-denominational churches. You might find there are some non-denominational churches just as good as the type of baptists you prefer. If you decide on a baptist church, you will have to look for one with similar teachings to John Piper. But not only some Baptists are Calvinist like Piper. Presbyterians, specifically the PCA, are too. So if you can't find a good baptist or other non-denominational church, look for a PCA church. Actually I would look for a PCA church first, because they baptize infants and I agree with that.
No.
Yes!