Worried I am being mis- led

[Lady e]

I don't know where else to post this but I have a huge concern that I need help with.For most of my early life I went to Baptist churches.I would go with my best friend and her family,as my family did not go.I was raised as a Baptist.As I grew up,I got away from church,and to be honest was not living a life that was right with GOD.I finally turned back to GOD,asked for his help and guidance.Anyway,in the past two years my husband and I started attending at a Church of Christ.I love the teaching atmosphere,and so many of the people have been so kind.However I find myself bristling at some of the attitudes.One thing that is weighing heavily on me is the attitude that people who attend denominational churches are not saved.I have not heard anyone come right out and say it,but it is alluded to a lot.While I understand that some churches have turned away from the bible by allowing gays to preach,conforming to the world,etc. I cannot believe that just because you attend a baptist church instead of the CoC that you are not saved.I believe that anyone who accepts Christ,and is baptized is saved.I believe the bible.Please help me in this.What should I do?My husband and I want to attend church,we want our kids to attend-we don't want to church hop(go from one to another)but how can i go to church in peace with this burden?They also believe if you are not baptized that you are not saved.I am so upset,it is really getting to me.cry:

[-SEEKING-]

Well for starters CoC is a denomination. Which that's no big deal. But you're lack of peace tells me this is probably not the right place for you for fellowship.

[Free Indeed]

I believe that anyone who accepts Christ,and is baptized is saved.

You are absolutely correct.

My husband and I want to attend church,we want our kids to attend-we don't want to church hop(go from one to another)but how can i go to church in peace with this burden?

There's nothing wrong with visiting different churches until you find the one that is right for you.

They also believe if you are not baptized that you are not saved.

The sacrament of baptism was ordained by the Lord for the forgiveness of sin. All who confess Christ should therefore, if at all possible, be baptized. However, there are some obvious exceptions to the rule (the thief crucified with Jesus, for example, was unable to be baptized).

[Lady e]

You are absolutely correct.



There's nothing wrong with visiting different churches until you find the one that is right for you.



The sacrament of baptism was ordained by the Lord for the forgiveness of sin. All who confess Christ should therefore, if at all possible, be baptized. However, there are some obvious exceptions to the rule (the thief crucified with Jesus, for example, was unable to be baptized).

I asked my pastor about the thief-he said paradise and heaven are different? He also said that since Christ was not dead the old covenant was in effect-therefore the man did not have to be baptized.I had not realized how heavy this was weighing on me till today,I talked to a dear friend who attends a Baptist church,and I was thinking-she is not going to hell,why do they think that?It made me cry.I am so torn.I do not want to pull my family out of church,but I do not want us to be mis led.

[embankmentlb]

It's my opinion that the CoC is about as far as you can get away from sound Biblical teaching. My suggestion would be to substitute that time spent at CoC with reading the New Testament. Then let the spirit guide you.

[teddyv]

There is alot of variation in CoC churches, which I have noted in discussions with members here. I know from my dealings with an offshoot of the CoC (although disavowed by the CoC) that they definitely considered anyone outside their church unsaved.

[Free Indeed]

I asked my pastor about the thief-he said paradise and heaven are different?

That's a new one on me. The Lord told the thief that "you will be with me in paradise". If paradise and heaven are two different places, it would seem that Jesus would not be in heaven since he told the thief he would be in paradise.

He also said that since Christ was not dead the old covenant was in effect-therefore the man did not have to be baptized.

Even the Roman Catholic Church, which always seemed to me the most dogmatic on baptism, admits that physical baptism is not expressly necessary for salvation as long as the Christian would have submitted him/herself to baptism if possible. I'm no expert theologian, but the absolute necessity of baptism in all circumstances bears the mark of a false doctrine.

I had not realized how heavy this was weighing on me till today,I talked to a dear friend who attends a Baptist church,and I was thinking-she is not going to hell,why do they think that?It made me cry.I am so torn.I do not want to pull my family out of church,but I do not want us to be mis led.

I don't agree with all the doctrine of the Baptists, but I certainly don't think they're going to hell because they're Baptists. Divisions in the Body of Christ often run deep, but shouldn't be that deep.

[BroRog]

If I understand your post, it sounds to me that you are, indeed, being led by the Holy Spirit. Your questions and concerns are valid and need to be addressed. And you shouldn't listen to other voices that make you doubt yourself. I agree with others here. You should feel free to find a church where both the teaching and the attitudes align with Biblical truth. Work this out with your husband as a team. And be honest with him. Who knows, he might have the same concerns. If you work this out as a team, you can do this church-hopping quietly and without causing division. For instance, one week you can take your kids to the CofC church while your husband attends another church. Sunday evening, he can report back to you what he found and you can discuss it together. The next Sunday it could be your turn to attend another church and just as before, you can get together later that day and report what you found. Once you find a church that you like, the entire family can switch. Another way to find a good church is to talk to coworkers who happen to also be Christians and ask them what church they attend.

[Butch5]

I don't know where else to post this but I have a huge concern that I need help with.For most of my early life I went to Baptist churches.I would go with my best friend and her family,as my family did not go.I was raised as a Baptist.As I grew up,I got away from church,and to be honest was not living a life that was right with GOD.I finally turned back to GOD,asked for his help and guidance.Anyway,in the past two years my husband and I started attending at a Church of Christ.I love the teaching atmosphere,and so many of the people have been so kind.However I find myself bristling at some of the attitudes.One thing that is weighing heavily on me is the attitude that people who attend denominational churches are not saved.I have not heard anyone come right out and say it,but it is alluded to a lot.While I understand that some churches have turned away from the bible by allowing gays to preach,conforming to the world,etc. I cannot believe that just because you attend a baptist church instead of the CoC that you are not saved.I believe that anyone who accepts Christ,and is baptized is saved.I believe the bible.Please help me in this.What should I do?My husband and I want to attend church,we want our kids to attend-we don't want to church hop(go from one to another)but how can i go to church in peace with this burden?They also believe if you are not baptized that you are not saved.I am so upset,it is really getting to me.cry:

Let me suggest you look at a "Christian Church" they are close doctrinally to the CoC but they do not hold that they are the "Only" true church. If you do attend one speak with the pastor in depth, I wold try to meet with hims some time to discuss what doctrines the church holds to. Christian churches are independent and some believe differently.

[kay-gee]

It is not the name on the door that saves. But folks that think that think they are saved by believing only HALF the gospel are going to be in for a big suprise on Judgement day!

If the Baptists or anyone returned to biblical baptism and Lords Supper, I could probably meet with them, even putting up with the awful music.

all the best...

[Theophilus]

I asked my pastor about the thief-he said paradise and heaven are different? He also said that since Christ was not dead the old covenant was in effect-therefore the man did not have to be baptized....

Jesus was dead before the thief...that's why He didn't have his legs broken, which was a method to speed dying during crucifixion...so that particular line of reasoning is a false one.

[Lady e]

It is not the name on the door that saves. But folks that think that think they are saved by believing only HALF the gospel are going to be in for a big suprise on Judgement day!

If the Baptists or anyone returned to biblical baptism and Lords Supper, I could probably meet with them, even putting up with the awful music.

all the best...

One of the reasons my husband and I loved going to the CoC was the fact that they have the Lords supper every Sunday.

[MoreMercy]

I don't know where else to post this but I have a huge concern that I need help with.For most of my early life I went to Baptist churches.I would go with my best friend and her family,as my family did not go.I was raised as a Baptist.As I grew up,I got away from church,and to be honest was not living a life that was right with GOD.I finally turned back to GOD,asked for his help and guidance.Anyway,in the past two years my husband and I started attending at a Church of Christ.I love the teaching atmosphere,and so many of the people have been so kind.However I find myself bristling at some of the attitudes.One thing that is weighing heavily on me is the attitude that people who attend denominational churches are not saved.I have not heard anyone come right out and say it,but it is alluded to a lot.While I understand that some churches have turned away from the bible by allowing gays to preach,conforming to the world,etc. I cannot believe that just because you attend a baptist church instead of the CoC that you are not saved.I believe that anyone who accepts Christ,and is baptized is saved.I believe the bible.Please help me in this.What should I do?My husband and I want to attend church,we want our kids to attend-we don't want to church hop(go from one to another)but how can i go to church in peace with this burden?They also believe if you are not baptized that you are not saved.I am so upset,it is really getting to me.cry:

Greetings sister Ladye

I wrestle with similar feelings and am at near a point of decision for myself.
I will show you two bible verses but desire that you read both chapters where those verses are found in, so that if theres is a lesson there for you over this issue it will be Father that has shown/teaches you and not a man.

Matt 13:15 -through- Matt 13:30
and:
Matt 25:14 -through- Matt 25:33


BTW, I love your gentle spirit and humble heart.
Father bless you and yours more and more.

[kay-gee]

Jesus was dead before the thief...that's why He didn't have his legs broken, which was a method to speed dying during crucifixion...so that particular line of reasoning is a false one.

Jesus' commandment in Mark 16:16 was given after the resurrection so yours is the faulty reasoning. How is someone under an order that has not yet been given?

all the best...

[Slug1]

If the thief was under the Law (as it appears this CofC pastor states) then just by this alone, he'd not make it to paradise because... um, he's being executed for his crime and clearly broke the Law. However, he believed in Christ, thus he was saved... Jesus SAID SO... so what's the problem? I'll tell ya... that don't align with the CofC rules so don't bring up the thief, they'll slam ya as it appears this pastor did.

For Lady e... I'll say this, if a weekly Communion is something you desire, don't lessen your deisre to serve Christ in a church, that based on all your have written, set their own standards. The Holy Spirit is clearly warning you to walk away and go elsewhere... I'd be running.