help me understand what I should believe, when there is so much confusion over what the Bible is even saying?

Question

I want to believe in a highe power but we have so many different denominations all telling me different versions of what to interpret. " No you don't have to be baptized" or "yes but in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit" while others believe the preacher should say "in Jesus name". Then there's the fact that some words can not be accurately translated from Greek, Hebrew to English or whatever. So how do you expect us sinners to know what to believe. Add to this the unlikelihood of people "walking on water", "changing water into wine", and being risen from the dead. I am serious Christians I do want to believe but I have trouble getting past some of this. Just pray for me.

Answer 1

I'll pray for you but I'll also try to answer your question in a way that might be of some use to you.

There are things in the Christian faith that are considered to be somewhat important, but not essential doctrines. Things like the correct method of water baptism and what words should be spoken during this ceremony are part of those non-essential doctrines of the Christian faith.

The Bible says in Romans chapter 14 that when it comes to matters such as these that each Christian should be fully convinced in their own mind about what they want to believe but that they should not condemn or look down on other Christians who hold a different position on these types of issues.

Then there are a group of what are called "essential doctrines" of the Christian faith. Most denominations would have a list of essentials that includes things like Jesus is the Son of God who lived a sinless life, laid it down on a cross to atone for the sins of all who would by faith accept that payment, rose from the dead 3 days later and is now at the right hand of the Father until He returns again. Some might include the virgin birth in that list or salvation by grace through faith alone apart from works while recognizing that good works are evidence of true faith.

As to things like Jesus walking on water, it might interest you to know that He probably did that so that the people of his time who had only the Old Testament would recognize his deity.

Job 9:2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?....8 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

While it certainly seems incredible that a person could walk on water and defy gravity I believe that Jesus did that to show that He was God come to earth to save people from their sins. No ordinary man could walk on the water under normal conditions. But if that man were the Son of God by whom all things were created then He could certainly do whatever He wanted when it comes to travelling through his own creation.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made....14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

If you want to know about getting saved then click on the Get Saved button @ http://www.angelfire.com/rock3/cornerstone0/ for more information and I pray for God to give you the gift of faith, in Jesus' name, amen!

Answer 2

Hi! Here are a couple of websites that can help you with the Bible. First, there is:
http://www.harvestime.org/EnglishCurriculum.htm
This site has an awesome free downloadable course called "Creative Bible Study Methods".
It explains the themes of the various sections of books of the Bible, as well as suggestions on how to study it. There are other free courses at that site as well. They are on the left side of the page. So by doing this course, you can understand more about the Bible, which can help you know what to believe. Most of the words from the Greek and Hebrew have been translated at least accurately enough that we can know what God wants us to do and what He wants to tell us, so that isn't really something we need to be concerned about.

Another good website is:
http://winkiepratney.com/tracts_by_winkie_pratney/index.html

If you scroll down to "These Are the Facts" it is a writing that tells how to begin a relationship with God. There are a lot of other things at that website, which you might find helpful.

Others have responded to the other aspects of your question, so I won't go into those now, but you did ask us to pray, so I will also pray for you, that the Holy Spirit will guide you and help you understand what He wants you to.

Answer 3

You are right- it can all be very confusing. Regardless of how many denominations there are, you can worship God in most of them. The whole simple truth is this: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, ask forgiveness for and repent of your sins, and you will be saved. Following that, being baptized was what Jesus did, so it is good to do that after you are saved to show by the symbolism that you are now a new creature following Jesus.

Live a life in love for your fellow man, as Jesus taught, and study the Bible. Everything else is just manmade doctrines. Lots of folks from many denominations who love Jesus will go to heaven and be surprised that the others are there. Hope to see you there, and I will pray for you.

Answer 4

You are heading in the right direction. You have a desire to believe in a higher power. I will admit, there are so many confusing religions nowadays and each one thinks that they're the only right one.

If you do a search on-line for Berean Searchlight, you will find a lot of good study material and besides, you can submit questions and they will give you an answer. If you're fortunate enough to have a Berean church where you live, I think it would be nice to attend. There's none in my location. I've never met a Berean but they do appear to be on the right track and it's based on God's Word.

And I don't think that you have to be baptized. That was meant for a certain group of people but it no longer applies to us, because Jesus died on the cross and He did it all...we have nothing left to do to improve on what He did. All He asks is for us to believe. And I will pray for you.

gere

Answer 5

question: Does utilising the Bible as 'evidence' deliver approximately confusion and make-have self belief? no longer if all the everybody is in settlement a hundred% of the time correct to an identical element. How probable is that? WHICH version of the Bible are we speaking approximately? wherein language and under what situations by using which individual? Does the guy have an schedule? Which team of Christians? particular, utilising the Bible can deliver approximately confusion and confabulation -- filling interior the gaps of the unknown. it extremely is hard to get a extensive team to variety a cohesive, cogent, consistent consensus consistently. through fact the Bible has diverse methods of being interpreted by using diverse human beings, its use as evidence is unreliable. There are even people who do no longer bypass as so a methods as to "make-have self belief"; there in undemanding terms settle for and could no longer handle innovations or question delivered forth by using others. this is extra straightforward to easily settle for, agree and not undertaking. generally frustrating others ideas and strategies demands time, persistence, fortitude, a willingness to stick to logic and the means to certainly hear whilst attempting to appreciate an meant message. as a manner to have an more desirable point of settlement, the emphasis on acceptance could be extra beneficial than that of thinking. in case you do no longer question lots, or end thinking, then the subsequent step is putting the ideals into action. as quickly as the perception gadget is working, then the time spent thinking or examining could be decreased or eradicated. thinking the Bible for some is almost a private attack --- to them, their ideals and what they have based their existence upon. They exchange into so related to the e book, that the different argument, evidence, logic will fall by using the wasteside. it extremely is such as the mum who believes her son is harmless of homicide costs inspite of evidence by using witnesses, pictures, recovered homicide weapon, self-incrimmination and DNA. inspite of information the mum will carry directly to the son's innocence.

Answer 6

Whoa ! Way too much to be said on the subject. Got an idea though. Go to JHM.com. Better yet go to your local tv guide and try to find "Cornerstone" it usually is on Sundays AM in my area. The pastor John Hagee is great. I do hope you will attend a church in your area. Don't get hung up on too many details at first. Just go and enjoy the fellowship. Visit different churchs (Baptist, Catholic, Presbytarian,Seven day adventist, etc.) And make your decision after a little time. Talk with the pastors of the church and ask them what they believe and why. You seem like a smart person, just a little confused. (Again, too many details) Hope you find your way to salvation. If you do, one day we will meet in person. God Bless

Answer 7

Dear brother if you wish to believe,then God is calling you. He always sees a good work through unto the end. Read colossians 1:20. God will reconcile ALL things unto Himself. You just have to try and understand to the best of your ability,He will do the rest and see that it springs up unto eternal life for you. Also read Acts 3:21. There will be a restitution of All things unto God. God has counted ALL as dead in Adam. And He will in His time Make ALL alive in Christ,for He loses not one. He came to secure salvation for ALL,not some, and He will.

Answer 8

No one can help you understand the bible, they may try to indoctrinate you to their way of thinking though. The holy spirit teaches, and only the holy spirit can make you believe. Just as Muslims believe Allah makes Muslims, Christians believe that God foreordained beforehand who shall be saved, and none shall be lost. The route God chooses for you to go to salvation, should that be in his plan, is his.

Answer 9

I agree with you in prayer, together we will seek God's truth;
He said when the Spirit of truth is come, He will lead and guide you into all truth; go to The Father and ask for forgiveness of sins and ask Jesus to fill you with the Holy Spirit;
read first John (towards the back of the Bible, 1John 2nd John 3rd John),

Jesus told us to pray this way

Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
and
forgive us our tress passes as we forgive those who trespass against us
don't let us be led into temptation but deliver us from evil
for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever

please know that when you come to God in sincerity God will not turn you away
believe that He Is and is a rewarder of them that dilligently seek Him
standing with you in prayer
and welcome to the family of God
Believe God and His word, He will teach you the truth

Answer 10

Google "Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry" and spend some time reading the answers on that site. It explains a lot.

Also, here:
http://www.gotquestions.org/
http://www.christiananswers.net/

And you can keyword search the Bible:
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://www.blueletterbible.org/

Pray and ask God to help you understand who He really is, as you are researching these things.

Why be surprised that the God of the universe does things that seem "unlikely" in human eyes? If God wasn't bigger and greater than us, He wouldn't be much of a God.

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