How do I join the church?

Question

People keep telling me that if I want to find a wife, I should join the church. I was brought up catholic, and I go to mass on Sundays, though not every sunday. But I don't understand how I would go about 'joining' the church.

Also, I know that this should not make a difference, but I'm an alcoholic with a pretty checkered past. Do you think they would want me there?

Answer 1

Christ adds you to his Church once you obey the gospel if it is for the right reasons:

Church of Christ Romans 16:16 the church you find in the NT.
Non denominational

Read below to see what defines that Church (did not have enough room to talk about how we should worship in that Church see links for that) also check out the links too.

All man made religions are not authorized by God.

"(2Co 6:17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."

"(1Pe 4:11) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

"(1Co 3:11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

"(Mat 15:13) But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up."

Denominations causes division.

"Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1Co 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
1Co 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
(1Co 1:13) Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

Jesus says to Peter that he will build his Church in Mat. 16:18.

Notice that Christ did not say that he would build churches. So we are not authorized to name a church after and act of grace or a mans name or anything else, but only Christ.

"(Col 3:17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

"(Rom 16:16) Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you."

"Christ purchased the Church with his own blood according to Acts 20:28."
Does he not deserve to have his name as owning the Church?

In Eph. 1:22-23 that the body is the Church.

"(Col 1:18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

"(Eph 4:4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;"

"(Eph 4:5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

(Eph 4:6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

"(Eph 5:23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body."

The only way to be saved is to be a member of his body or Church. Also it says that Christ is the husband of the Church. What husband does not want his wife to take on his name?

How do we become part of the body or Church?

"(1Co 12:13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."

Act's 2 is when the Church was first started.

"(Act 2:38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

"(Act 2:41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

"(Act 2:47) Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

We are added to the Church and our sins are forgiven when we obey the Gospel, which is defined in 1 Cor 15:1-4 which consists of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

"(1Pe 3:20) Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

"(1Pe 3:21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

"(Joh 3:5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

"(Act 22:16) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

"(Tit 3:5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,"


For those that say pray the sinner's prayer:

"(1Pe 3:12) For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

If you are unrighteous he will not hear you till you obey the Gospel Romans 1:16.

"(Mat 7:21) Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.

(Mat 7:22) Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works?

(Mat 7:23) And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"

You have to do the will of the Father.

"(Jam 2:14) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"

Gal 3:26-27 We put on Christ when we are baptized.

Romans 6:4 Buried with Christ in baptism.

Leave the shackles of man made religion and be only a Christian.

(Joh 8:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

http://www.gbntv.org
http://www.searchingfortruth.org
http://www.apologeticspress.org
This is an excellent book on-line of how we got the Bible http://www.apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/hdyk.pdf

Answer 2

I really do not think Church is a place to just go to look for a wife. But, if your sincere visit different Churches during the 11-12 Service and meet a few of the people and talk. Do look around and find a Church that you like. In a few weeks someone will invite you to a Sunday School class 10-11 depending on your age. They will ask if you want a Single Men's class or a Single Age Group Class (Men and Women). In a few months of going Regular to Sunday School and Regular Service (With new friends from your class we hope) then you ask, usually a Deacon, about joining the Church. IF, they a REAL Church they will talk with you and ask if you a member of another Church. Being of a Catholic up bringing say you like a Baptist Church, they will discuss sin and salvation and when you fully understand they will Baptize you into the Church. I only use Baptist as an example. There many to check out Methodist, Lutheran, etc. They may have a few different ways of worshiping but they all should be talking salvation through Christ Jesus. I am assuming this the Church you mean. There are Church of Satan and others.
Now when you join and if you do desire a wife, then pray about this. God will bring you a mate in "time"!!!! The Bible says that God will give us the Desires of our heart. So, believe this for it is true. If, your desire is righteous God will bring you the perfect mate. If, your Desire is not so well intentioned, believe me, God will bring you "Hell in a Handbag" But either way God will grant your desire and you find a wife.

Answer 3

You heard wrong. Or maybe you heard only part of the story. First of all, the "Anglican Church" worldwide is a totally fragmented entity to begin with. The Anglican Church in each country is its own organization, with no formal bureaucratic times to other Anglican Churches in other countries. So, in theory, one Church, like the Anglican Church Of Canada or the Episcopal Church in the USA could join the Roman Catholic Church. But this is NOT happening. What IS happening is that there are thousands of individual Anglican Church members - even many Priests and some Bishops - who are joining the RC Church. There have also been numerous parish Churches that have joined Rome. And I think there have actually been a whole Diocese or two that have left the Anglican Church and certainly considered Rome. The main reasons for this split is an ever increasing liberal theology, ordination of women, and the marriage homosexual persons as well as the ordination of openly homosexual persons. The Pope has also devised some sort of formal arrangement whereby an Anglican individual or an Anglican group can join the RC Church and keep many aspects of their Anglican heritage. I don't know how many people have gone this way, but I would be curious to know.

Answer 4

Joining a church is a lot more involved than going on a Sunday. It means joining the life of the church

Like going to coffee mornings, joining the choir, fund raising, church walks, bible study groups. Basically getting involved with the community that is your church.
As far as finding a wife that would be through being social and I don't think you want to go about doing that until you re a recovering alcoholic.

Answer 5

If your seeking to join the church which belongs to Christ but have no use for Him but only want to find a wife then your going for the wrong reason and I would not expect God to be pleased with you. If you want to find rest for your soul and forgiveness of sin in Christ then by all means go and seek firs the Kingdom of God and just maybe He will bring you a wife. I would seek these things in a different church however.

Answer 6

I have no clue about what people you know tell you. I don't think they give away free wives at Church, at least not here in Italy. Maybe what they mean is that you could get involved a little bit more in what your community does (helping people etc...).
And the Lord teaches us not to judge anyone if we don't want to be judged, and I'm sure people will onle be happy that you're trying to do something to improve your situation. good luck

Answer 7

Study to shew yourself approved unto God,,,
He that comes to God must first believe that he exists,and that he is a re-warder of those who diligently seek him'
John 16:13 Allow the holy spirit to lead you;But whenever The Spirit of The Truth comes, he will lead you into the whole truth, ... the Spirit of truth, he shall guide you into all the truth: ...

Answer 8

A good Church will take anyone that wants to be there.

Answer 9

Yes i'm sure they would want you there, your already joined in the church.

Answer 10

I'll answer your last question first.

If they don't want you there then you wouldn't want to be a part of it anyway.

Ask the Priest.

Answer 11

Bring handfuls of money to the priest. He'll hook ya up.