I'm Catholic, but I'm beginning to think that the Vatican does not best...

Dear Sting,

Merry Christmas to you too!

Is Baptist the right road for you to walk down? Well, actually I think following Christ is the best road to walk down . But I understand what you mean here.

I was a member of a RCC church until my parents were married and then was a member of the Lutheran (ELCA) church for 14 years. Then the Lord convicted me and lead me to a Baptist church. Now I don't agree with everything Baptists say and/or believe (considering there are 100's of different types of Baptists). But what I do find is that the Baptist Distinctives are far closer to following the Bible than any doctrine I have yet seen. Of course, no doctrine is infallable, only the Bible, the very Word of God is.

I will pray for you as you study and pray about the Holy Spirit's leading in your life.

God Bles,
Adam

 

IMO, being a Baptist is wonderful. Welcome aboard!

 

Sting,

I praise the Lord that you are seeking a church that best represents the Lord. Adam is right, there are many different "flavors" of Baptists. My advice would be to make sure that whatever church you choose, be sure they follow the Word of God. The Word should always be the final authority, not man, or experience or history. If the Word of the Lord is being followed and preached then you have indeed found a church that will represent the Truth.

Be in prayer, meditate and study God's Word and I am sure he will lead you where you will best serve Him. I will keep you in my prayers as you seek His will.

~Lorelei

 

If you're looking for a good Baptist church, check out an American Baptist church(ABC.) They dont have as much rules as the Catholics do.

 

Sting,

Your heart is leading you in the right direction, that's for sure. Among Baptists, you'll find Southern Baptists, American Baptists, Independent Fundamental Baptists, and a host of others. Within those sub-denominations, you'll find churches/congregations/pastors who range from liberal to moderate to fundamental.

Pray that God will lead you where He wants you. Seek Him with all your heart.

Here is what is important to me:

A church led by a pastor who's strong, one who'll stand firm on the plumb line of God's Word.

Then, He has to be a good discerner of God's Word. I also like a pastor who preaches exegetically (from the scriptures). In other words, he takes passages, chapters, books of the Bible and explains and expounds upon them. Nothing wrong with tying them into current situations and daily application either. What I would avoid is a philisophical preaching pastor. My experience is that when you get away from preaching the Word, you eventually start preaching "what people's itching ears want to hear!"

By all means, as you visit churches, starting close to home, attend their Sunday School / Bible Study as well as the worship service. SS is the foundation of a Baptist church, or at least it should be. That is where Bible study is encountered on an interactive/interpersonal basis. That is where relationships are built.

Final point: You're seeking the truth! Right? IMHO, you won't find that in liberalism! Fundamentalism has been given a bad name due to legalism (which does exist) being associated with it. Find a church that leans toward fundamentalism but stears clear of being legalistic. The lack of legalism (which Jesus spoke harshly of) should be a breath of fresh air for you, coming from a Catholic background.

God bless and have a very Merry Christmas,

John

 

I agree with the above.

I'm also a former Catholic. Only, for me, leaving was difficult because I come from a huge Catholic family. I have aunts and uncles who are nuns, priests, and brothers. I left because it was very clear to me that the Catholic church doesn't follow scripture completely. So I prayed and prayed about it. I studied the Bible and compared it to Catholic doctrine. I told God in prayer that I wanted to know the truth and if that meant leaving the RCC then I would do it, no matter how difficult. Likewise, if that meant staying, I would stay. Needless to say, the Lord led me out of there. It was difficult, but it was the best thing that could've happened to me.

You've been blessed. Somewhere a seed was planted in you, and you're now searching for God's truth. You won't find it in the catechism, and you won't find it in the early writings of the "church fathers". You WILL find it in the Holy Bible (minus the apocrypha). Welcome to the board!

Lucy

 

Hi Sting (Are the wrestler or the singer?
)?

What specific aspects of Roman Catholicism lead you to think it is not "The True Church"?

A Member of the Denomination of Christ,
Jamal5000

 

Sting, I pastor a small church in Texas and we have a member now that has come out of the Greek Orthodox Church. He finds himself in the large family-indoctrinated life style-of the Greek Orthodox existence, but by God's grace, he has been saved. He is the "only" saved member in his large family and if anyone has ever been there, only they truly can relate.

However, his decisions are ever being tested because of his families constant pressure on him about it. But, just last week I told him something that may help you as well. I told him, "will you serve Christ no matter what? Or, will you be swayed by others, even me?"

May not sound like much, but considering a person in search of truth; carries some weight. May God bless you in the richest search of all: Christ. For, I too, have searched down a similar path.

Godspeed,
Paul {Spam}
Matthew 6: 33 {always}

 

Sting,

Here are a few links to get you started.
http://www.baptist2baptist.net/ http://www.simpletruth.org/

Here are also some interesting things about the RCC from former RCCers:
http://www.pro-gospel.org/main.html

I think you absolutely should consult with a Baptist “pastor.” Please take heed to my previous post as you “interview him” as to his stance on the Bible. I would ask him one question up front: “What is your stance on the inerrancy of the Bible?” If he says it is the infallible Word of God, then press on. If he sways philosophical and dances around the issue, excuse yourself and find another one!

God bless you!
John

 

Sting,

As wonderful as all those replies are, the FIRST THING TO DO is READ YOUR BIBLE!!!

Get a decent modern translation -- NIV or NASB, or any of the conservative translations so you can read it fairly easily in language familiar to you.

Know what God says. This is something the Roman Catholic church tends to stay away from except as it 'reinterprets' it to fit their doctrine. But if you know what God actually says in His Word, then that is the first step towards knowing the truth about HIM and your relationship with Him.

Yes, as a group of denominations, or a cluster of them, the Baptists churches are generally straight ahead and movin' up! BUT, this also depends on individual pastors, and there can be mavericks, just as in any church. So you need to go to God first and foremost so that you will have some discernment regarding all this. Contrary to RC doctrine, the Bible is MEANT for the common man. It is God's Word to YOU. You can understand enough right off to get His message to you. In years to follow, as you read it more, you will plumb greater and ever more exciting depths of knowledge and truth.

So get started with that today -- tonight. Start with the gospel of John and read through the rest of the New Testament as quickly as you can. I know that sounds funny, but you need a good meal right NOW from God, and that's it!

As far as a relationship with the Lord Himself is concerned, that involves you giving up your life and everything to Him as a conscious decision. He will kill the self you know now. He will.

And you will get a new one. One that not only has a close personal relationship with Him, but He will, through His Holy Spirit, indwell you and guide the rest of your life, maturing you in Him. It is what is called 'born again,' -- another term the Roman Catholic church has distorted a bit, I'm afraid.

If you want God, go for God and don't settle for an in-between. Look for a solid Baptist church, and if one is not available in your area, there are a number of non-denominational Bible churches all over now and one of these might be good.

Ask God to lead you here. Because of Jesus you have a straight line to God the Father and you do not need ANY saint or priest or anyone else to intercede for you. When Jesus was crucified, the veil between the main worship area and the Holy of Holies ripped FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM. That is very meaningful -- because it was ripped by God. You now have access to Him yourself in prayer. Take advantage of that. He knows your heart. He loves you. He will listen.

Ask Him for guidance. Read His Word. He will show you the path He wants you to take to His true doctrine and life.

God bless you and guide you. Don't ever settle for anything less that the truth, OK?