Belief Statements agreement when becoming a member.

[DawnTillery]

:wave: Everyone!!!
I just thought I would get some opinions here on a subject.
I attend a General Baptist Church, I have been a member for about 9 months.
I joined the church real young in my faith. I don't really regret joining, but I don't consider myself a Baptist, I don't want to be labeled as a Baptist. Not that I have anything against any "religion" (Baptist, pentacostal etc) its just not something I want.
Actually when I first started searching for a Church after salvation - I was dead set against going to a Baptist Church, but whats really weird is I really felt pulled to the church I attend.

My question is whats is the main reason why people chose one or the other ...
I know there are some different beliefs, but I heard someone once say.. We are all Christians, but most importantly we are Baptist.. I just didn't like that and I guess thats why I will not label myself to anything else besides being a Christian.
Im just looking for insight
Thanks!

[DawnTillery]

Cont.. Wanted to add something more....
I wonder if it was satan putting them thoughts in my head at first(about not wanting to go to a baptist church, because God knew He was going to lead me to a Baptist Church?

[M21]

For me, because I believe that doctrine is important, I measured many different denominational statements of faith against scripture and the Baptist Faith and Message was as close to the "truth" as I could find. It took a lot of prayer, searching the scripture and divine revelation. But that's just me. :)

[Sword-In-Hand]

I'm not a Baptist because I grew up a Baptist. I'm one by choice because like the above post, I think the Baptist denomination follows scripture closer than any other denomination. Sure, we have our faults.

Having said that, I'm also not big on denominations. Max Lucado goes to a Reformed Church of Christ, but he has personally said that he does not believe in baptismal regeneration, but that's the church he feels God wants him at.

My advice is go where God wants you to be. There will never be joy if your outside where He wants you. Just make sure whatever denomination you choose, is not some watered down place where people take parts of the Bible they like and follow them, but the things they don't like they ignore. Follow Christ, and follow the truth of His word no matter what church you attend.

[Dianna]

When I first wen to church a few years ago, I didn't know anything about differnt churches. I knew I had been baptized meothdist when I was a baby, but that was it. I went online and started reading. I had ended up chatting with a lady, and telling her what I belived, she gave a me a link, it was in regards to Baptists. I read it, said that is me, that is what I belive.

And now here I am today, just coming back to the Lord and I knew in my heart, that returning to a Baptist church was right for me.

Dianna

[eldermike]

What we believe is important. I am a Southern Baptist because of what they believe.

[daveleau]

We are all Christians, but most importantly we are Baptist..

If my pastor said this, I'd be out the door before the gasps from the congregation stopped. My pastor often refers to our church as Central Church rather than Central Baptist Church. He makes note, from the pulpit, or Baptist traditions and often discourages following certain traditions (KJVO, hymns-only) while upholding others (no drinking, no dancing). I consider myself Christian first and Baptist a distant distant distant second simply because I am a member of a Baptist church and hold the same conservative Scriptural view. If I move from this town, or if our pastor changes to one that is not as Scripturally based, then I would look at all types of churches to find another Scripturally based church, regardless of denomination.

I am a Christian that found a home in a Baptist church.

[Diane_Windsor]

:wave: Everyone!!!

Howdy M'am :wave:

For me doctrine and practice is important. I do strongly disagree with the SBC's statement on baptism (http://www.bible-researcher.com/baptistfaith.html), which is why I am researching other denominations. OTHO, I have a deep respect for my heritage. I was raised Southern Baptist, attended Baylor University (the largest Baptist university in the world), family is Baptists, etc., and during this transitional period I want to stay close to my roots right now. This is where God wants me at right now. And as another poster has said pastor Max Lucado disagrees with his church on baptism, so why can't I :P

For me, because I believe that doctrine is important, I measured many different denominational statements of faith against scripture and the Baptist Faith and Message was as close to the "truth" as I could find. It took a lot of prayer, searching the scripture and divine revelation. But that's just me. :)

Just curious, but how long did that approximately take you? I've actually spent the last ten years measuring just one denomination's doctrines to Scripture. I still have to go through several more major denominational families.

Diane
:wave:

[constance]

We are all Christians, but most importantly we are Baptist..
Well, I would think a lot of denominations might say that. It, of course, doesn't make it right. Makes me think of that ?Imperials? song...


'Cause it won't be a Baptist that's sitting on the throne
A Presbyterian or a Methodist that's calling us home
And it won't be a Charismatic that plays that trumpet tune
'Cause we're going to see the Son - not Reverend Moon.


As a matter of fact, the icons here on CF make me wiggy. You'll notice mine's not a Baptist one even though I fit the profile pretty well. My philosophy is, either you are a Christian or you are not. Period. :)

But the flipside of this is - if someone at your church said this - can they be talked to? do they represent your church? Sometimes people are just going to espouse garbage - can you forgive them? You are never going to find a church where everyone is perfect. That's the great thing about Church - it's full of sinners.

Constance

[DawnTillery]

If my pastor said this, I'd be out the door before the gasps from the congregation stopped. My pastor often refers to our church as Central Church rather than Central Baptist Church. He makes note, from the pulpit, or Baptist traditions and often discourages following certain traditions (KJVO, hymns-only) while upholding others (no drinking, no dancing). I consider myself Christian first and Baptist a distant distant distant second simply because I am a member of a Baptist church and hold the same conservative Scriptural view. If I move from this town, or if our pastor changes to one that is not as Scripturally based, then I would look at all types of churches to find another Scripturally based church, regardless of denomination.

I am a Christian that found a home in a Baptist church.
AMEN

[mesue]

I attend my church because it is a Bible believing, Bible preaching church. I don't go there for the name, I go there because of what it teaches and preaches. And besides, everyone there is just really nice! :)

[DawnTillery]

But the flipside of this is - if someone at your church said this - can they be talked to? do they represent your church? Sometimes people are just going to espouse garbage - can you forgive them? You are never going to find a church where everyone is perfect. That's the great thing about Church - it's full of sinners.

It was a visitor of the church, someone that had been there a hand ful of times I guess. It wasnt that I was mad or anything, it was just like I dont like it..
I don't want to say I agree with any one denomination right now, because I have only been a Christian for just under a year and I have so much to learn. I dont want to be agreeing to things now, and then later say NO! Wait.. I have been wrong all the time..
But I did join a General Baptist Church, sometimes I wonder if I should have, because of the way I feel.