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Featured How will I know which church?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by jprieto, May 2, 2012.

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  1. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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    If i relocate to another part of town, or another city ..... and i seek to join a bible teaching church .... how will i know which is bible based?

    After all, many churches these days no longer flag their denominations? These days churches either call themselves "community church" or use fancy-sounding names like "NewLife Center".

    and they all say they are christians and followers of Jesus. That's what the local catholic churches are saying.

    you know if i go to a lutheran church i will be taught one thing, if i go to a catholic another thing, a penticostal yet another, and baptist something completely different.

    why are they doing this?

    why cant a baptist church just say they are baptist and keep me from being exposed to false doctrines?

    why have they added to the problem?

    this is like telling kids they must stay in school but the kids wont. Why can they just rid of school bullies so school can be something kids look forward to?

    why are baptists saying "make sure you attend a bible-believing church" when they know very well that it is impossible since denominations are no longer identified?!

    must they be exposed to tons of false teachings, and kiss the pope's hand, before they find a real bible teaching church?

    last time many baptists here favored not mentioning the word baptist in their church name to draw a larger crowd

    why do that?

    why add to the confussion?

    whatever happened to relying on God and a good soul-winning (door knocking) ministry to bring the crowd in?

    oh my baptist brothers, what have you done?!
     
    #1 jprieto, May 2, 2012
  2. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Look on their websites. Churches who have websites usually put their belief statements and mission statement on there. You could also make an appointment to see the pastors and ask them about what is taught and practiced at a particular church.
     
    #2 Scarlett O., May 2, 2012
  3. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    The biggest problem with this premise is that the word "baptist" on a church is no guarantee of biblical faithfulness. Even if every "baptist" church had baptist in their name, some of them would not be faithful bible churches.
     
    #3 12strings, May 2, 2012
  4. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    It's no guarantee, but it's a better than brand X.

    The only real way to determine whether a Baptist church is faithful to the scriptures is to listen to the preacher's sermons for a few Sundays; go to a Sunday School Class, listen to the teacher for a few Sundays; read the church's statement of doctrines and practice.

    Or, quicker yet, talk to the pastor, ask him the questions you want answered.
     
    #4 Tom Butler, May 2, 2012
  5. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    When you notice that they are interpreting scripture in light of its historical context instead of a "repeat after me" theology that was told to the preacher by someone else.

    You are making quite an assumption that Baptist churches teach correct doctrine. I once pastored a Baptist church and got the shock of my life when I first showed up. They had a regular practice of inviting the Mormon bishop to preach once a year.
     
    #5 gb93433, May 2, 2012
  6. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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    Uhm... so we should continue endorsing the confussion?

    teaching the bible correctly is one thing
    being faithful to what it's being taught is another

    I assure you baptist churches, however weak in faith they may be, however sinful it is in its leadership, will likely teach salvation by faith and proper doctrines --- the odds are VERY HIGH.

    Just like there is no guarantee that neither YOU or MYSELF will not backslide in the future -- yet we are baptists -- but I bet you anything that anyone who crosses path with you or me will definitely hear the truth about salvation, regardless of how faithful we may or may not be.

    Im not referring to conduct, or anything else, just the fact that the real plan of salvation is surely to be taught in baptist churches ... whether they are faithful to their faith or not

    there is a popular website posting arrests of baptists for conducts of rape, child sex predators, and other sex related crimes -- and the numbers are sadly quickly increasing

    Nevertheless, they teach the truth.

    its like a boxing coach: he knows the techniques, yet he does not box himself.

    some baptists know the truth, yet they practice it not

    this is the dilema written about in the bible

    ROMANS 1:18-32

    VERSE 18
    "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;"

    this verse talks about individuals who "holds the truth"
    that is, that knows what is right, what is written, what God expects, what Jesus taught

    it does not say "hold the twisted truth" -- it says "the truth"
    meaning these people ARE christians, and they KNOW the bible


    when you become baptist, you still remain human, and the sinful nature remains in you, and unless you are totally commited to God, sin in you will cause you to fall, and bring shame to christianity, and to the denomination.

    it is why we must all be on guard, praying always, and making servitude to God our one and only agenda

    therefore......

    lets put the "baptist" word back in the churches' names

    what say you?

    do you still think baptist should contribute to the cofussion?

    its like saying there are many who die in automobiles, so lets not use them any more

    there are many GOOD BAPTISTS who are faithful, and rightly dividing the word of God ....we need not be ashame, for the world owes much to the baptists

    read baptist history
     
    #6 jprieto, May 2, 2012
  7. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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    why waste a sunday hearing false teaching? how many false sermons must i listen to, per your instructions?

    would this waste of many sundays not be avoided by simply going to a baptist church?
     
    #7 jprieto, May 2, 2012
  8. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Hubby and I went to a Baptist church on vacation and the woman pastor had a fair sermon but not much different than the Methodist church would have taught.

    Instead, the best way to know is to meet with the pastor and then attend the church for a time, then meet with the pastor again. You can't know by reading a sign but instead need to speak to the leadership.
     
    #8 annsni, May 2, 2012
  9. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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    they were similat because most church agree on some doctrines

    which christian church does not teach brotherly love?

    the difference is mainly in how salvation is interpreted (by grace? by works? for a fee? etc)
     
    #9 jprieto, May 2, 2012
  10. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    What were the names of the churches Paul started? What were the names of the churches Jesus taught at? The Baptist Church at ___________?
     
    #10 gb93433, May 3, 2012
  11. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    I'm saying I disagree with your assesment of baptist churches. I'm saying some will not teach the basic message of salvation. Some have made it more of a social gospel, some health and wealth, some simply assume the gospel and don't actually preach it.

    As far as the name, I'm happy that my church is called calvary Baptist. But I have nothing against another church that decides not to use the word.

    We are also a 99% white (caucasian) church. Whites have contributed much to American and Christian life. No one should be ashamed to be called white. However, if our church was called "Calvary White Baptist Church". That would seem to be overly restrictive. It's unnecessary. Some see the word Baptist this way, since we should consider ourselves Christians, first, before "baptist".
     
    #11 12strings, May 3, 2012
  12. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    would say that get a statement of their beliefs, read their theology off website, and take in a few weeks of sermons to get the flavor of the service, as even if have good theology, might not worship way you like, or be set set up way you expect!
     
    #12 Yeshua1, May 3, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2012
  13. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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    how many christian denominations existed back then?
    you see?

    my second reason to eagerly look forward to the rapture
    is to hear what baptist have to say to the lord for vcontributing to the confussion
    ha! i will not miss it!!
     
    #13 jprieto, May 3, 2012
  14. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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    i rather go straight to were the possibility of hearing the truth is very high
    a baptist church

    im like that because im against wasting time visiting false churches
     
    #14 jprieto, May 3, 2012
  15. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    When you find a perfect church let us know.
     
    #15 gb93433, May 3, 2012
  16. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    it would be the one that I am not in! As mine was perfect, but then I showed up!
     
    #16 Yeshua1, May 3, 2012
  17. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    My late brother-in-law worked in a job which required a lot of travel and extended periods away from home. His wife was able to travel with him and stay with him at the motel during those times.

    Although he was Presbyterian (his wife was Baptist), he was quite conservative, so they looked for a church with "Bible" in its name, figuring that the odds were good that the Bible was taught and preached there. That was fine until one day they visited a church in which suddenly folks began dancing, shaking and falling out in the flood, speaking in tongues, and other stuff.

    They quietly made their way out of the building.

    From then on, they sought out a Baptist church because they knew that almost always they would hear Biblical preaching. (He later became a Baptist).

    The point is, there may be a dud of a Baptist church around, but your odds of finding a Biblically solid Baptist church are high.

    And the other point, having "Bible" in your church's name guarantees nothing.
     
    #17 Tom Butler, May 3, 2012
  18. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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    tom butler .... you are a wise man!
    if only the others can understand this as well as us
    its about the percentage of possibility of a church being biblical as we stated .... not about it being the perfect church!
     
    #18 jprieto, May 4, 2012
  19. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    come on ....Ive seen more wing-nuts in Baptist Churches.....really OPX would have been perferred by your late Brother-in Law.... then your at least he would have been guaranteed orthodoxy....unless that is not what your looking for. Then stay home & watch Joel Olsteen.
     
    #19 Earth Wind and Fire, May 4, 2012
  20. DiamondLady

    DiamondLady New Member

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    But WHICH Baptist is the REAL Baptist? Which one is Bible based?
    Is it the Southern Baptists? American Baptists? Northern Baptists? Independents? Fundamentalists? Old Regular? GARB? Primitive?
    Missionary? Evangelicals? Calvinists? Reformed? Free-Will? General Baptist? Landmark? and that's just a start of the over 200 different Baptist organizations.

    So which ones do you think teach false doctrines? Which ones aren't Bible-based? Which ones no longer knock on doors?

    I guess what I'm saying is you need to spend a lot of time on your knees asking God to LEAD YOU to the church where HE would have you serve. HE may well send you into the lion's den or the fiery furnace. He may put you to work. God wants workers, not pew sitters. We should look for a church where we can serve, not look for a church that serves us. If that is the church where God wants you HE can change the sermons to feed your spirit, change the music..reminds me of the chorus...God can do anything, anything, anything...God can do anything but fail.
     
    #20 DiamondLady, May 4, 2012
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