Pentecostal to Catholic to what now...Who is right anyway?

Question

As a Christian, who grew up in a Pentecostal denomination, you will hopefully understand why I am questioning my faith. I do not question my belief in Jesus at all. However, I have truly seen too much. How can someone who professes to be “saved” stand at a pulpit with no fear of God? They can steal….or even be involved in immoral acts (and so much more). Some have told me that we are ALL not perfect, so do not worry. However, I have to wonder? My church has gone through NUMEROUS changes, pastors and leadership. ALL claimed to have a “VISION” for the community? You can guess the results. I have always felt that maybe true Christianity is more “orthodox”. I crave for a sense of order to things. Maybe the, Catholic, Coptic or the Orthodox Church? My readings about Church history tell me that something is terribly wrong with Protestants. We continue to “split” and “split” again, because someone claims to have a new interpretation or vision from God. However, Catholics, Coptic’s or Orthodox

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However, Catholics, Coptic’s or Orthodoxy, has not changed much (however not perfect either). The Catholic Church has especially had a checkered history. Tell me who is right? Or are none and maybe we should just concentrate on Jesus alone? Am I wrong to question my faith? All of the different denominations cannot be right?

One of the problems that I am running into is that I have been in the Church for my entire life. That is not a bad thing! It's just that it starts to sound like a "broken record" a bit. Please do not get me wrong. The Bible has much evidence of individuals and phophets (etc...), who proclaim the Word of God for years, to no avail. I have been through Youth Groups, Conventions, etc... However, something has "rocked" my faith a bit. Its not that these problems have not always been there and I do not want to totally focus on the church. However, I am married now and have young children. I want to settle down in a church group and I am finding it difficult to focus on a Pentecostal setting because of what I went through. Also, again I crave that "order" thing. I have been to Catholic masses and the "reverence" or atmosphere is something I love to see. I am just trying hard to understand what to do? I am "impressed" with the response to my question and I thank all of you.

GypsyGr-ranny - I get the sense that you did not read my question and just copy/pasted some information as an answer. This does not help! But thanks anyway. This is an issue I have been struggling with for a while and a "long" reponse like that really does not help me.

Answer 1

The short answer I'll give is that we've got far too many pastors who treat their position as just a paycheck they collect for doing something they might be good at--not necessarily that they are where God wants them. If they're not where God wants them, there will be trouble if they stay in that position. As for the rest whom God has called to serve in vocational ministry, individuals in their congregations have got to stop demanding so much of their pastors and giving so little. And how many people are praying for their pastors on a regular basis? I'm not yet in full-time vocational ministry (although the demands of running a Christain website seem like a full-time job), and I don't know how I could function if it weren't for people praying for me and if I weren't spending time in the Word every day. These things need to happen to help people in ministry positions, but I wonder how much emotional and spiritual support pastors are really getting.

As for orthodoxy per se, I don't think the problem is that we're not "orthodox" enough in our faith, but that we've muddled it up with too much of "us" and not enough of God. We need to get back to the model of the Church that we see in the book of Acts, where it's all about worship as a lifestyle, not just something we do on Sundays.

I wrote an article a couple of years ago about problems that pastors face, including but not limited to various abuse scandals we've heard about the past few years. Check it out at the first link below and feel free to pass it along.

Answer 2

So I just answerred a question like this a few days ago. A girl was disallusioned with her Boyfriend of 5 years, He had a drug habit and she would catch him lying to her from time to time. He no longer made her happy and he was becomming an increasing frustration in her life. She had a male friend who she knew was interrested in her. He was honest and hard working but very uptight and Republican. She cared about her Boyfriend but wanted to leave him for this friend. I told her she should spend a little time not in a relationship, that the Catholic Chruch isn't going anywhere any time soon and it sounded like a lot of her issues with your current religion have a lot more to do with perspective than ideology. The order and stability you crave needs to be within you or else you'll only have peace when your religion grants it. You don't need to be Catholic to be conservative and disciplined, in fact it's easier to be Catholic if you have these things before you join the Church. Try 6 months away from the Church before you decide if you'll go back to a Pentacostal Church or accept Catholic Baptism. Read seriously about the Catholic Faith before you jump horses mid-race. Just as I told her, taking chances with your heart could mean you'll lose it.

Answer 3

I am a 'cradle' Catholic and could not imagine belonging to any other faith, even so at one point in my my life I struggled with my faith. I think most people do. Faith is a journey, and you need to find the right road for you. If you are really interested in the Catholic faith, keep going to Mass, go to RCIA and learn more about the faith. Go to a catholic shop near you and get books/pamphlets or get some online. 2 that I recommend are The Seeker's Catechism: the Basics of Catholicism by Michael Francis Pennock, it is what the title implies-basics of the Catholic faith, also Surprised by Truth by Patrick Madrid, converts share their stories of conversion to the Catholic faith.

One of my aunts left the Catholic Church when she married, to please her husband. In the thirty+ years that they have been married they have hopped around from church to church for the very reasons you mentioned (changes in pastors/leadership).

If you feel that the Catholic,Orthodox or Coptic faith is the right one for you explore and learn about them fully before making a commitment.

Answer 4

I was Pentecostal for years, now Salvation Army simply because of the heart to God, hand to man policy of helping. I don't think there is a "correct" denomination out there, each church in its own community is unique, I've been to Pentecostal churches that seat 4000 people and it's very moderate and structured, I've also been to Pentecostal churches that are so far off the wall, I've ran out the door screaming, but I've also seen this same diversity in Baptists, United, EV Free etc.
I wish my home church had more young people, I wish they had livlier music, but I also know it's where God wants me to be right now, and I'm able to help in many ways. it's not always about what we want the most, but what God wants.

Answer 5

Continue searching. Searching includes experience so if you feel like being a Catholic, be a Catholic once and make yourself feel being a Catholic. Be another member of a church and make yourself be a memeber of that church. Only you can tell which is right for you. No one can be better than the other. You can also try www.angdatingdaan.com. It explains true salvation and what Christianity really is...

Good luck..

Answer 6

If you trust Jesus, than trust the church that he personally founded ... the Catholic Church ... to be the right one.

Because men still govern the church, corruption will always be an issue, but not an issue that can't be managed.

In this world, it's impossible to have true faith in Christ without faithful and full participation in the church that he founded.

It's also highly unlikely that anyone can come to truly know and love God without active and full participation in his church.

Answer 7

I'm Catholic married to Coptic Orthodox. Both of us are commited to our respective church's. I respect BOTH church's and their traditions I love the bells and smells of both liturgies. Coptic orthodox is a rich and deeply united church, however It does not recognize my Catholic marriage or baptism. Also its liturgy is 'Coptic' mixed with Arabic and the vernacular. This may be a practical hurdle for you since you are married I presume outside that church) and dont speak Arabic, It also follows some dietary restrictions during eg. Lent and Advent. Try this web site in regards to Catholic converts http://www.mark-shea.com/index.html . Follow your own vision..To your own self be true.

Answer 8

the answer without explanation is:
Q1.WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST?
Ans.FALSE DOCTRINE.

Q2.WHAT IS THE SEAL OF GOD?
ANS.TRUE DOCTRINE.

Q3.WHAT IS DOCTRINE?
ANS. THE SET of BELIEFS FOUNDED ON THE WORD OF GOD.

Q4.WHO IS CAUSING THE MARK OF THE BEAST?
ANS. THE UNHOLY TRINITY WITH THIER FOLLOWERS. SATAN, ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH,PROTESTANT CHURCHES & THE FOLLOWERS.
REVELATION 20:10 And the devil(SATAN- EVIL ANGELS) that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast(ROMAN CATHOLIC) and the false prophet(PROTESTANTS) [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Q5.WHO IS SEALING THE PEOPLE WITH SEAL OF GOD?
ANS.THE HOLY TRINITY, GOD THE FATHER- JEHOVAAH, GOD THE SON- JESUS CHRIST, GOD THE HOLY GHOST- THE HOLY ANGELS WITH THE END TIME RAIMNENT PEOPLE WHO ARE PRESENTLY IN ALL THE CHURCHES- THE 1,44,000. AND VERY SOON THIER EXODUS WILL BEGIN FROM THE FALSE BABYLON.


please read a lot more at my website http://www.freewebs.com/vickykamalmaurya

Read Antichrist, End of the world now !, Davinci code etc.

Answer 9

I grew up Assembly of God Pentacostal. I am now Catholic. The answer to what is right is found in an indepth study of Church History. Your on the right path.

Answer 10

If you are learning more about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.

You can go and ask any questions you want.

This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time.

There is no obligation to become a Catholic.

With love and prayers in Christ.