Changing Denominations

What Scripture would force her to attend a church against her will? And, what type of husband would "require" (or even ask) her to attend a church where she did not want to be??

In our home, it is a family decision. OK, more of a mom and dad decision, but we take our children's views into account account as well.

I can't imagine mandating that "this is our church and this is where we will be attending." Doesn't sound very servant-leader to me.

 

riverm,

bmerr here. I can't see Jesus "leading" anyone into the apostasy forewarned of in 1 Thes 2:3-12, 1 Tim 4:1-3, and Rev 12:3, 13-17, among others.

If I were in your shoes, I'd ask myself, "Is the church which Jesus built a denomination?"

I'd look for identifying marks of the NT church and see if I could find a group that fit the description. If I could find that, I'd find the Lord's church, and I wouldn't have to choose any of the 100's of denominations.

I know you didn't ask, but that's what I'd do.

Concerning your actual question, I'd say that each of us ought to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29), even if that person is our spouse. The cost of Christianity can be that high.

In Christ,

bmerr

 

Speaking as the wife, I believe I would have to draw the line at attending a church which I believed was outright unBiblically sound and actively teaching false doctrines. This is a far cry from just going to a church my husband liked better than I did.
I'd also do everything I could to keep my children out of such a church. You understand, I would consider the difference between Catholic and Baptist as being more than merely denominational.

All in all, I could see no real good coming from such a situation. It would divide the family, and Im glad that you and your wife could come to a mutual understanding on a church you both believe is Biblically sound.

 

Leaving the Fundamental Baptist Church, you’d think that according to my parents I am now lost for attending a Methodist Church. It’s like to them there’s no salvation outside the Baptist Church, especially a KJV Bible believing, soul winning, ‘ol time religion, fundamental Baptist. My uncle, my dad’s brother, has been attending a Church of Christ and my uncle told me that my dad recently told him that anyone that isn’t a Baptist will go to hell (of course this is hearsay, but after hearing my mother condemn people to hell, I wouldn’t doubt it). Their Church is almost cult like...

Blessings </font>[/QUOTE]I hope you do realize that not all of us are like that.

 

riverm,

bmerr here. Without a doubt, family members can have a strong influence on us. I certainly don't have a problem with "old time religion", but I want a religion older than the IFB. It's not old enough.

I'd go back to the pages of my NT and see what I can learn of the church that Jesus built. When it started, what they taught, how people came to be in it, how they worshipped, what they did, etc.

Jesus said He would build His "church", (singular), and with the vast sea of religious organizations out there, many claiming to be the "one, true church", I'll agree it can be very confusing (1 Cor 14:33).

Take your wife, get out your Bible, and do some serious investigation on the church in the NT. Some of the things I listed above might be a starting point for you. That done, start looking for a group that patterns itself after what you've found in the NT, and you will have found the church that Jesus built.

There is an element of exclusivity to Christianity. While all are welcome, the way is strait (restrictive), and narrow, and Jesus said that "few there be that find it" (Matt7:14). Anyone found outside of the church that Jesus built (Matt 16:18), and purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), will sadly end up in hell for eternity.

I wish you success in your search. If I can help you in any way, it would be my pleasure.

In Christ,

bmerr

 

#1. As you point out - there had to be "other" IFB groups that are a bit more reasonable.

#2. Finding an error or bad practice in a given Methodist congregation does not justify going out and becoming a JW. God would not lead into "more darkness" just because the current congregation was in error on something. The key is to find a better Baptist church - or something that BUILDs on the truths that you DO have. Not take a giant leap back.

#3. You give some reasons as to why ou might want to leave that IFB congregation - and I can't blame you, they sound like good reasons. But you don't show why the alternative to a mediocre - "wrong?" IFB congregation is the RCC? How do you make that leap?

There is "a reason" why the RCC is the one that presided over the slaughter of millions of Christians in the dark ages and then claims "infallability" to this very day. And the reason is not "those mean old Protesting Catholics" that were trying to reform the RCC from within.

In Christ,

Bob

 

riverm,

actually I was glad to hear what you said. And Id have to agree with BobRyan in his response as well.

To me this would just be an incentive to find a Baptist church that IS discipling, rather than throw out "baptist" entirely.

 

Biblically, both husband and wife are given specific roles to carry out. Both are to follow what Jesus has told them to do for their own well being.

"Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing".(Eph 5:24)

It would not be a sin to submit to your husband and go with him to a mass. Therefore if he asked you to go against your wishes you should trust God and go. I don't think you could go wrong honoring God's command to submit to him because God honors your submissiveness and would surely open his eyes to the RCC and then when he led you out of there your marriage would be highly strenthened and his love hightened greatly for your loyality while letting him make his mistakes.

To worship as the RCC does would be sin, but you would not have to participate in their idolatries, that would be sin, and not sinning trumps obeying your husband, if it would be that he ask you to commit sin in this way.

You would be there only to support your husband and honor God. Wives should let their husbands lead and with that burden comes great responsibility for the man. Let him lead and let him fail. If you are honoring God, God will deal with your husband. Wives are to quick many times to demand their husbands decisions. If it is not sin, let it play out and trust God because otherwise it is a sin for you not to submit and let him lead.

Honoring God's word to submit can never fail you. I know it is terribly hard to let him mess up ecspecially when you see that it could disrupt the entire family. But honoring God cannot fail.

So is she "obligated"? She should seek the Lord and ask Him if this falls under His word for submission. He does say "in every thing". Of course sin is excluded.

God Bless!