For christians??

Question

Okay, I know that I got saved a couple years ago, and I know what God expects of me. But I don't feel like I belong in church, and I still do things that I am not supposed to do. When I told my friend that I was a christian, she was like, "Wow. Your joking, right !?" Just like it was impossable that I was one. I want to go on my own spiritual journey, and experience diffrent things, just to see how they will work for me. Instead of following in my parent's footsteps. But I am worried that they will hate me, and that I won't be saved anymore, and that I won't go to heaven. I just feel so lost being a baptist, it just doesn't make sense to me. Can a person practice two religions at once, or is that against some spiritual rule? What do you think that I should do?

Answer 1

You just need to find a religion that works for you, regardless of what other people will think. Keep looking until something "clicks."

Answer 2

First off, congrats......second--you don't want to follow in your parents footsteps....you don't have too.....just because you became a christian and excepted Jesus as you personal savior does not mean you can't enjoy life.......A lot of people think being a christian is a lot of can't do's---you can't do that and you can't do this.....there is freedom in Christ.....and just because you just became a christian does not mean that your life maybe transformed over night...many times it takes years to see where you have come from.....As far as doing things you know you are not supposed to do! well it sounds to me like the Holy Spirit is convicting you of that, so you should stop...Does that mean that you will not stumble and mess up every once in a while--no--everyone falls, but remember it is a race....it does not matter how many times you fall but how many times you get up and keep trying.....If baptist religion is not where you need to be then try somewhere else , but be very careful to choose a church or religion that is Biblically based. Make for sure the doctrine is sound and it follows the bibles teaching, not just part of it......
As far as being two religions...is that possible?...I am not sure.....but being religious and being a christian is two different things......You can be religious and still go to hell, but being a christian is having a relationship with Jesus and following Him. Let the Holly Spirit do the rest thru you....
I guess the best thing to do is search out scripture and make you own decision on what religion you will follow...Good Luck and God Bless

In His Service
2muchcoffee

Answer 3

Based on your testimony, I would not know that you are a Christian either. You do sound like a nonchristian baptist though. Maybe you could toss out all that baptist stuff and accept the Word of God only. If the baptists believe it too, that's alright, but believe it because it is God's Word, not because it is in the Baptist religion. Also, might I suggest not making Christianity your new religion and instead just go directly to God? Try that for a while and see where He takes you.

Answer 4

When we get saved we all do things we aren't suppose to do, and do not things we are (like assemble with our Bro.'s and Sis.'s in the Lord.
Baptist churches are O.K..
Does GOD want you there?
Hey, did you ask GOD to fill you with the Holy Spirit? If you did, you did Part Two of getting saved. You might want to hang around other Christians who have been Filled with the Spirit.
You can do this through the week and still go to the Baptist Church on Sunday!
Getting filled is a higher Life in the Lord, you learn to do more Spiritual Things once you are filled, but most have to be taught. Teaching cd.'s good too. Your not really practicing two religions if you do this, once you are Born-Again (spirit recreated) you are a child of GOD, you are in Reality! (being a child of GOD shouldn't be called a Religion). You would have to commit the Unpardonable Sin to lose your Salvation (which is Very Hard to do--very few do it).
After I got saved GOD moved me around to a bunch of church buildings, where the children of GOD got together each Sunday. (what we call going to church).
Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I am a baptist and i am not going to the church for the reason I can't find a church that does not cater to my needs. Well, i moved to another country and their church here sucks. I used to be active in church and was teaching about the word of God. Now, I dont do it anymore but that does not make me less of a christian. As long as you believe that the Lord is your savior then that is ok. Aside from that you should start living on what a Christian should be. I know that it is very hard especially when u have friends that are not christians. All you have to do is read the bible and meditate on what it is saying to u. Let God guide and listen to what he is telling you. Lastly, dont forget to pray. Pray does wonders all the time.

Answer 6

Take a look at the following:
http://www.ntrf.org
http://www.house-church.org

I believe in house church since in many ways the organized church has gone off the deep end. Take heed, though. If you are not used to nurtruing yourself, ministering to others and discerning truth for yourself, you can get led down all sorts of bunny trails. Talk to the Lord, your parents, your pastors and friends. Don't let fear mislead you and bring division between you and your folks/church. I caution you against turning to anything other than Christianity - it will lead you away from God, but you are doing a good thing in wanting to experience things for yourself. Each generation has to find its way in order for the spiritual journey to have validity.

In Christ,
Tom

Answer 7

It's about a living relationship with the Lord Jesus that counts, and when you go to church you should feel excited and look forward to going. You have been brought up in a Christian home and that is a privilage, however, I was too - I was brought up in the Brethren circles, and although there was some solid teaching, they did not believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I moved on to a lively Pentecostal church in over 20 years ago, and I have never looked back.
It's not another religion you need my friend, but to be baptised in the Holy Spirit to give you power and excitement to go forward in your Christian life.

Answer 8

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

I guarantee that if you go out and try to "experience different things", Satan will do his best to deceive you and distract you. You should not follow in your parents' footsteps, but in the Footsteps of God/Christ alone.
You will never find a "perfect" church, because churches are full of fallible, imperfect humans. Don't go to a church to impress the people there; go because you want to earnestly worship the One Who Created You. He will see into your heart and judge accordingly. Don't worry about the other churchgoers, or about what your family might think. As far as your behavior goes, Christians are still expected to keep all 10 Commandments. If anything you do violates any of these commandments, cease from doing it. If you obey God's commandments, you will have a happy, healthy life. This doesn't mean that bad things will never happen occasionally, but you will be better able to face them when they come.
The reason why your friend said "Wow, you're joking" is because you can tell a true Christian by their actions. They walk the talk. Some people are Christians in name only, but they are indistinguishable from atheists or pagans. God calls us to be a "peculiar people". He wants us to stand out from the rest of the world as an example of the power of Christ working in our lives.
My advice would be, turn away from Satan's influence, and turn to Christ for every spiritual and physical need you have throughout life, and He will not disappoint you. If you follow the Dragon, he (Satan) will make your life a living "hell".

Answer 9

Its fine to go on your own spiritual walk and not on the hem garment of your parents. However, if you truly believe in Jesus, and you accepted Him, confessed you are a sinner, asked for your sins to be forgiven... then you would NOT want to walk away/turn your back on the one who died for you.

When you say your own spiritual journey, what do you mean exactly?

You can not be a Christian and practice another "religion" at the same time. I think you need to seek God's kingdom, Matthew 6:33....

Answer 10

Wow. If you are saved it is by Jesus. The labels are not important. What is important is that you repent when you catch yourself sinning. Ask the Lord for his forgivness and He Is faithful to forgive. Read Galatians Chapter 5:16-26

Answer 11

Being protestant, you will hear many people tell you that you are supposed to sample many churches to find which "flavor" is best for you.
Personally, I am Catholic. I believe that the way I know is The Way, as taught by Christ to His Apostles. I don't sample other flavors...I stick with my own.

If you are not living up to Christ's example, then odds are you are not saved. "Saved," to me, is living in a state of grace. Some will say that once you are "saved," that is it. Your entrance into Heaven in guaranteed. I disagree. You can still sin, you can still fall, and you can still turn away.

I'll not make a recommendation for you; I only know what works for me. For me, the Catholic Church is the answer to my questions. What will it be for you? Go...seek...learn. Let Him lead you. Pray.