Went to my very first Baptist service tonight

[Desert Snake]

1. Baptism is a sacrament of the Church and removes the stain of original sin and all other sins from us.
2. Salvation is possible without baptism but as a believer you should desire it.
3. Jesus specifically gave us two sacraments to remember him, baptism and communion.

I believe in Hell , etc. Do you think that there is any specificity to religious beliefs, or, that, it doesn't matter what religious beliefs, someone has?
Thanks

 

[Serenity Now]

I believe in Hell , etc. Do you think that there is any specificity to religious beliefs, or, that, it doesn't matter what religious beliefs, someone has?
Thanks

I think it matters but don't rule out the possibility of salvation through other means. The Catholic Church teaches (note I'm going to paraphrase here):

- Jews can be saved through the original convenant with God. The Church doesn't understand how but acknowledges the convenant.
- That Christians that are outside the Church can also be saved.
- Those that do not have the opportunity to learn about God but seek him with their heart and live good lives have the possibility of salvation.
- The only unforgivable sin is the complete rejection of God.

Personally I will not pass judgement on another person and hope all find salvation. I do believe that accepting Christ as your personal savior, living a good life, trying to serve others and having a personal relationship with God through prayer is the best path to salvation.

 

[Riders]

I agree with you a hundred percent and I wanted to think even the UU church was perfect but truly Ive met a few Biased UU folks as well its true in all religions. The reason I pick on the Baptist church so much is because the Baptists are predominant in Tx especially in Dallas Tx, more Baptist and Community churchs who claim Baptist theology then anything else.

To me basically they do seem to be saying to me there is no other church. Grace family church has the Christianized recovery groups and they told me not one but several folks who been there, that because they had the recovery groups and they had rules that allowed everyone to wear jeans shorts tshirts dress down ;

They have a lot of alcoholics there that I have to go there because theyre the only ones who will be truly accepting of me. Im like say what? For crying out loud I went to 2 services this year at a Baptist service at the old folks home I was in for several weeks they love me there. Although I don't go now I can and I might back sometime. I can go to Unity Ive been getting to know folks at my Zen poetry group and Ive been invited to Unity, and also accepted at UU. Its like I beg your pardon you not the only one who are accepting of me.

But everytime they talk to me its like theyre the only ones I can go to to become Christian nowhere else.So Ive had more negative experiences with the Baptists then anywhere else. But I know what you mean.

 

[Deidre]

Deidre,

I'm assuming you were raised Catholic but don't believe in the sacraments or real presence?

I believe that the sacraments are Biblical, but the RCC doesn't own Jesus' teachings. And I used to believe in the real presence at mass, but I feel this is something more or less that the Church made up, as to instill fear and gain authority over the masses. Just my opinion, everyone is entitled to worship as they wish, but when rituals and traditions start to take the place of the simplicity of Jesus' words and teachings, that's when I start to question that type of religion, if that makes sense.

 

[Serenity Now]

I believe that the sacraments are Biblical, but the RCC doesn't own Jesus' teachings. And I used to believe in the real presence at mass, but I feel this is something more or less that the Church made up, as to instill fear and gain authority over the masses. Just my opinion, everyone is entitled to worship as they wish, but when rituals and traditions start to take the place of the simplicity of Jesus' words and teachings, that's when I start to question that type of religion, if that makes sense.

If you don't believe in the real presence then there is little point in being Catholic. Since you did grow up in the faith I would like to "plant the seed" should you find time and can find a Chapel of Adoration that praying on the issue in front of the blessed sacrament couldn't be a bad thing.

 

[Deidre]

I think it matters but don't rule out the possibility of salvation through other means. The Catholic Church teaches (note I'm going to paraphrase here):

- Jews can be saved through the original convenant with God. The Church doesn't understand how but acknowledges the convenant.
- That Christians that are outside the Church can also be saved.
- Those that do not have the opportunity to learn about God but seek him with their heart and live good lives have the possibility of salvation.
- The only unforgivable sin is the complete rejection of God.

Personally I will not pass judgement on another person and hope all find salvation. I do believe that accepting Christ as your personal savior, living a good life, trying to serve others and having a personal relationship with God through prayer is the best path to salvation.

''The Catholic Church teaches...''
I just follow what Jesus teaches. I've come to learn that Jesus' teachings' and what the Catholic Church teaches aren't always congruent.

 

[Deidre]

If you don't believe in the real presence then there is little point in being Catholic. Since you did grow up in the faith I would like to "plant the seed" should you find time and can find a Chapel of Adoration that praying on the issue in front of the blessed sacrament couldn't be a bad thing.

I think there are many ways to worship, as long as one is following Jesus, that to me, is the important thing. (if one is Christian of course lol)

 

[Serenity Now]

''The Catholic Church teaches...''
I just follow what Jesus teaches. I've come to learn that Jesus' teachings' and what the Catholic Church teaches aren't always congruent.

Give me an example and please feel free to quote the Catechism.

 

[Deidre]

Give me an example and please feel free to quote the Catechism.

Indulgences
Not attending mass on Sunday being a mortal sin
Rosary as bringing special blessings
Holy days of obligation
Asking for dead people to pray for us

(for starters)

Many Catholics, it seems, get caught up in these ^^ things, and not focusing on the pure message of Christ...and feel that without the Church, they can't be close to Jesus, which isn't true. The RCC acts as a mediator.

 

[Deidre]

Sense the Baptist church doesn't except those who just want to visit or who are not already decided to believe their way you mustve already decided you believe like them along time ago. I visited my old Baptist church from childhood 2 years ago, I'm not Christian but just decided I wanted to go visit sense I hadn't been in a long time . The minster got up there wednessday night service it was a small group of people and said that a mentally ill mentally challenged person was wanting a place to go to to socialize .She needed some structure some Priest recommended her for that church and the guy told him no that's not what the church is for agree? Well mentally challeneged people have no way of understanding the gospel they cant legally join the church and know what salvation only the church can accept them that's all that can be done so the Baptists out here don't minster to people who don't already know the gospel.

I asked them what was the requifrements to join the church theys aid theyw anted people who were already commited to jesus and only people to visit who were open to becoming Christians and believe full blown in every Baptist belief. But some people don't understand all the Christian beliefs. My sister says the Baptists of Dallas have become very picky about who they let come and go and be a part of their church because they want only commited people who know all the tenants and commited first. But some people dotn understand, ive got mental health issues tennents of faith don't make sense to me. But the Baptists want perfect people and the reason why my sister says is that because of church bombings people who have pulled shootings at church theyre paranoid and only want people who have sold out to the Baptist beliefs who are ready to sell out to Christianity when they go. But the real world doesn't work like that and personally I think they've lost the gospel of Christ,Jesus ministered to everyone including mentally challenged folks who didn't have the understanding. Theyre wrong. They will run people out that they don't think are doing things the way the church teaches.

This is so interesting, and for some reason, I didn't get notified about these comments. I would have replied sooner.
You know, I wonder if there would be requirements to join this particular church, but I don't think so. It is a Baptist church, but it seems very non denominational. I hesitate to join a church, I don't think we need to be attached to one particular church.

 

[Serenity Now]

Indulgences
Not attending mass on Sunday being a mortal sin
Rosary as bringing special blessings
Holy days of obligation
Asking for dead people to pray for us

(for starters)

Many Catholics, it seems, get caught up in these ^^ things, and not focusing on the pure message of Christ...and feel that without the Church, they can't be close to Jesus, which isn't true. The RCC acts as a mediator.

Indulgences are over blown and people need to think of them more as a star on your chart for good behavior then a get out of jail free card.

The Rosary can bring special blessings but it isn't a magic lamp with a genie.

I love Holy Days and the opportunity to do something special for God on a unique day.

God commanded us to remember the sabbath and keep it holy, the Catholic Church just holds everyone accountable to that.

The communion of Saints makes a lot more sense to me then your love ones are separated from you after death until you reunite in Heaven. I find a lot of comfort in the Saints.

The Catholic Church is 100% Christ centric. The heart and soul of Catholic life is the Mass which is a Eucaristic celebration. Nothing is more important to a Catholic then the real presence of Christ.

 

[Deidre]

Indulgences are over blown and people need to think of them more as a star on your chart for good behavior then a get out of jail free card.

The Rosary can bring special blessings but it isn't a magic lamp with a genie.

I love Holy Days and the opportunity to do something special for God on a unique day.

God commanded us to remember the sabbath and keep it holy, the Catholic Church just holds everyone accountable to that.

The communion of Saints makes a lot more sense to me then your love ones are separated from you after death until you reunite in Heaven. I find a lot of comfort in the Saints.

The Catholic Church is 100% Christ centric. The heart and soul of Catholic life is the Mass which is a Eucarist

We'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[Serenity Now]

We'll have to agree to disagree.

I grew up Baptist and was one for 25 years. Things I love:

Believers Baptism - being able to remember my baptism and the incredible feeling is an awesome grace.

Bible Study - no one does it better and I can bible drill with the best of them because of it.

Things I don't like:

Judgmental attitude - I like to be able to have a beer with my dinner without looking over my shoulder.

Prayer instruction - In my opinion the great weakness.

Pastor centric - teaching varies based on who your pastor is and many inconsistencies between churches. No central authority giving guidence and direction.

Splits - Always happens with Baptist Churches at some point there will be an argument and the church will split at some point in its history.

 

[Deidre]

I grew up Baptist and was one for 25 years. Things I love:

Believers Baptism - being able to remember my baptism and the incredible feeling is an awesome grace.

Bible Study - no one does it better and I can bible drill with the best of them because of it.

Things I don't like:

Judgmental attitude - I like to be able to have a beer with my dinner without looking over my shoulder.

Prayer instruction - In my opinion the great weakness.

Pastor centric - teaching varies based on who your pastor is and many inconsistencies between churches. No central authority giving guidence and direction.

Splits - Always happens with Baptist Churches at some point there will be an argument and the church will split at some point in its history.

lol you are funny, serenity...'have a beer with my dinner without looking over my shoulder.' Some religions are strict on drinking.
I'm not choosing any one particular religion...and like I said, this particular church, whilst calling itself Baptist, seemed non-denominational. Not that I have much to compare it to lol

I agree about your views on pastor-centric. That is the tricky part, should I start frequenting a particular church. And what I do like about the Catholic Church, is that there is a set standard for every mass to conduct itself in the same way across the globe. There is comfort in that, I remember.

 

[Deidre]

Returning to this church for an Easter service tomorrow night.

 

[Serenity Now]

Returning to this church for an Easter service tomorrow night.

The peace of the Lord be with you.