Any advice for a new Christian?

Question

I grew up Presbyterian/Methodist with the usual Mainline theology and morality. And as happens to so many who don't find anything of spiritual substance on the Mainline I went looking for other faiths. For most of my teens and early 20s I studied Orthodox Judaism. Within the last year I've come back to Christ and am very happy about my decision.

BUT...

I go to a conservative Protestant church currently and I like it for the most part. It's good theology and good people. But I am quite attracted to the theology, liturgy, and majesty of Greek Orthodoxy and even, to a lesser degree, the Catholic Church. But I also really like Protestant thought and I feel that deep down I am a conservative Protestant--deeply imbued with Luther and Calvin. But I'm still drawn to Orthodoxy.

Any advice?

Answer 1

Stick a few icons in your bedroom, burn a little incense, lay a little gold around, burn a few candles, and stay with your Protestant church.

Answer 2

Renew your mind in the Word of God. Be Holy because God is Holy. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Once you were born of God you put on Christ righteousness. Anything you do or don't do will change that. God sees you made the righteousness of Christ. You are a new creation, a brand new man. Youre sins are washed away / old things are passed away, you are born again.

Also, if you sin, confess your sin, and God is faithful & just to forgive you your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.


Also, the Lord Jesus Christ has the 5 fold ministry active today (Eph.) Some are Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors & Teachers and are necessary for the growth & edifying of the Church.

The Holy Spirit anointing is the same but the gifts of the Holy Spirit are different. The Church need to appreciate the different gifts in the Body of Christ.

Answer 3

I personally prefer a church with as little empty "religion" as possible. So I go to a non-denominational church, where very little that is done is extra-Biblical. But there is nothing wrong with liturgy and incense and all that stuff, IMHO. If it makes you feel closer to God, and if it helps you to keep on attending church, go with it. But make sure that the congregation you chose in one of those liturgical traditions is also spirit-filled, or at least contains a spritual small group of which you can be a part. Tradition and liturgy cannot and should not preclude a one-on-one relationship with The Christ Himself through The Holy Spirit. If it does, all you have is an empty shell of useless tradition.

Answer 4

Yes, Greek Orthodox worship is very majestic, "Heaven on Earth" as brought to the congregation. Roman Catholic Mass is very close to it, concentrating on the sacrifice of Christ. Protestants focus on the risen Christ, but Luther and Calvin both had different ideas as to what "real Christianity" is.

You may want to look at some of the doctrinal statements and dogmas of each of these churches -- which will be some pretty heavy reading of course -- but I applaud you for looking this closely at where you stand in your faith.

Answer 5

i guarantee that no matter what church you join there will always be flaws in theology, there is corruption is every church and there are devil worshippers throughout the whole world.
Just because someone says they are orthodox doesnt mean they have any more truth thans someoone else.
a person goes to church one day and the minister yells as loud as he can that the gifts of prophecy dont exist anymore, and visions and minstering of angels dont exist. all things are done through jesus who is the high priest. He pounds his fist on the pulpit and makes the entire congregation Believe he teaches with the spirit of god and power.
but the minute you walk out of church you are suddenly transfixxed to see a Vision and everything he said and what you believe is immediately brought into Question of truth.
What do you do? what do you believe.

Answer 6

Read the Bible if you want to find the truth. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to the true church, not your own aspirations.
If you go to this website: http://mcdonaldroad.org/bible/script/steps.html , you will find an offer for the free book, "Steps to Christ". This book has changed many people's lives and has a breakdown of the steps to Christ. I read a magazine that was made from the text of this book, and it truly did make a difference in my life.

I will keep you in prayer. There is more to having a relationship with the Lord than just going to church. It is a daily procees of devotion. I cannot stress enough how important it is that you read the Bible in your search for the truth.

God bless you! I will keep your walk with Jesus in prayer. If you have more questions, just send me a private message through my profile page.

Answer 7

For now, instead of focusing on what church you should go to, just spend some time focusing on building your relationship with God. You mentioned a lot of things all these churches have to offer, but you didn't say anything about where you would be able to help out in any of them. If you want to find a good church, don't find one where they serve you well, find one where you can serve well.

Answer 8

You are considered "full gospel". It means you accept God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost in no one set way. I wish I could explain it better. Bless you on your return to God's open arms. Stay the course and remember it's not the person who is teaching the word that we praise, it is the Word of the Lord.

Answer 9

read and learn all you can
and heres you a gift

THE DREAM

I DREAMED ONE NIGHT TWO ANGELS CAME TO MY BED. THEY TOOK ME TO HEAVEN I FELT I HAD NOTHING
TO DREAD. WE STOOD IN FRONT OF A BIG WHITE GATE. IT OPENED SLOWLY AS WE STOOD IN WAIT.
MANY CLOUDS BILLOWED AND SWIRLED ABOUT US AS I STOOD IN AWE OF THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS THAT
SURROUNDED US. WHAT I SAW WORDS COULD NOT EXPRESS, I WANTED TO STAY AT THIS BEAUTIFUL ADDRESS.
THE ANGELS ALLOWED ME TO LOOK INSIDE, THE BEAUTY THE MAJESTY, MADE ME CRY.
"IT'S TRUE, IT'S ALL TRUE, I KNOW THAT IT'S TRUE" I HEARD MYSELF CRY, AS TEARS RAN STREAMING
FROM MY EYES.
I KNEW WHAT I SAW WAS NOT OF THIS EARTH,THIS CREATION WAS FOR THOSE OF THE NEW BIRTH. THE
POWER, THE BEAUTY, THE SIGHT OF IT ALL WAS SO STRONG,THAT THE ANGELS SHUT THE GATES QUICKLY
TO MY NEW HOME. "IT'S NOT YOUR TIME," I HEARD THEM SAY, " WE JUST WANTED YOU TO SEE WHAT WAS
ON THE WAY," THEY SAID "YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN INSIDE THE GATE, BUT YOU WILL REMEMBER WHERE
YOU HAVE BEEN.YOU MUST TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS DREAM. THAT GOD'S WORD IS TRUE. IT'S THE REAL THING.
GOD HAS LET YOU SEE WHAT IS YOUR REWARD IF YOU WORSHIP, LOVE HIM, AND KEEP HIS WORD."
WE ALL NEED TO REALIZE THAT IT'S REALLY TRUE. WE NEED TO GET THE LOST ONES IN IF IT'S ALL THAT WE
DO. WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, THE END IS NEAR, AND YES, IF YOU ARE LOST YOU HAVE EVERYTHING TO FEAR.
CALL ON JESUS NOW, SO YOU CAN GO TO AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT I SAW AND YOU'LL BE EXCITED TOO.
I'LL SOON BE IN MY NEW HOME,PASS THE BIG WHITE GATES. DON'T YOU WANT TO GO THERE TOO? I JUST CAN'T
WAIT!!!!


I REALLY DREAMED THIS DREAM JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN. I FEEL IT WAS INSPIRED BY GOD AND HE GUIDED MY
THOUGHTS AND MY HAND IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.

I AM GIVING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU AND GOD HAS DIRECTED ME TO DO SO.
I HOPE THIS MESSAGE WILL HELP YOU TO MAKE THE BIGGEST DECISION OF YOUR LIFE
TO ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR AND TO SERVE HIM. SO YOU, ONE DAY
WILL STAND AT THE BIG WHITE GATES AND BE INVITED IN TO STAY, FOR ETERNITY.
GOD BLESS YOU

Answer 10

Read the Qur'an