Have you always been Baptist?

[MomBlessedBy2]

I was having this discussion with some friends. I grew up in a really small town where there was a Baptist Church on every corner. Everybody there had the same beliefs. Even if they weren't in Church, they still knew God existed and that they should be in Church. I was in college before I met my first Catholic!

So right now I'm really clueless to the way others believe. Just about every thread I read here, I learn something new. My beliefs haven't changed, but I've learned the way other people belief. I've even had to go to dictionary.com to figure out what some people were talking about!

Am I the only one? My dh grew up in this area and he knows a little about everything. Me, I know Baptist and that's it.

[Cright]

I grew up Catholic. Although none of my school friends were Catholic, I didn't discuss much "religion" with them, other than if they believed in God. So I was pretty sheltered about what other Christians (or any non-Christians) believed.

I thought I had it right, and the others (though good hearted) just didn't know about the one true church, but my win God's graces by being good.

It wasn't until I met my husband that I found out what "other" Christians believed (including the dreaded Baptists!) and it wasn't until he encouraged to search my bible and use his commentary and topical bible that I realised that things I learned to be true were not.

I've been a non-Catholic for about 2 1/2 years and I've believed in most baptist doctrine for about 2 years. I still haven't worked out a couple non-salvific doctrines that some baptists believe, but then again I think it'd be a miracle if we agreed on ALL baptist polity.

Carina

[Robinsegg]

I've always been baptist, but I've known people of other denoms and have learned from them. I don't think Baptists have a corner on the market of salvation, but they do best reflect my beliefs, right now. The name on the door doesn't mean much to me, but the doctrine does.

Rachel

[aReformedPatriot]

Eh, technically ever since I became a Christian I was a baptist Christian. The first church I ever attended was Assemblies of God Pentecostal and so was the first Bible College I went to. The thing is, the more I studied A/G doctrine the more I thought it conflicted with the Bible. Turns out I was Baptist without even knowing it. :P

[Groce]

Well I was baptist my whole life until 3 years ago. I went Anglican, and only regret that where I went is more liberal. The problem with growing up baptist is that is all you learn. I was never taught the Lords Prayer, I didn't know any church history, and I always thought that the other Christians were wrong. There is so much more than the SBC, I miss it sometimes, but not enough to go back. In my opinion all protestant denominations are suffering from varying degrees of Romeaphobia and after the reformation we throw the baby out with the bath water.

[HumbleMan]

I grew up agnostic in a majority RCC town. I was saved 7 years ago in a Church of God, and like TLE, the more I studied, the more I became convinced that the CoG didn't have sound doctrine. My wife and I switched to a baptist church near the house and have been blessed ever since.

[Jeff123]

Well I was baptist my whole life until 3 years ago. I went Anglican, and only regret that where I went is more liberal. The problem with growing up baptist is that is all you learn. I was never taught the Lords Prayer, I didn't know any church history, and I always thought that the other Christians were wrong. There is so much more than the SBC, I miss it sometimes, but not enough to go back. In my opinion all protestant denominations are suffering from varying degrees of Romeaphobia and after the reformation we throw the baby out with the bath water.

Born and bred SBC, and my experience was pretty much the same as yours. On the essentials of the faith, the SBC is excellent, but beyond that, your religious education is up to you.:sigh:

[Dondi]

I grew up Catholic. Although none of my school friends were Catholic, I didn't discuss much "religion" with them, other than if they believed in God. So I was pretty sheltered about what other Christians (or any non-Christians) believed.

I thought I had it right, and the others (though good hearted) just didn't know about the one true church, but my win God's graces by being good.

It wasn't until I met my husband that I found out what "other" Christians believed (including the dreaded Baptists!) and it wasn't until he encouraged to search my bible and use his commentary and topical bible that I realised that things I learned to be true were not.

I've been a non-Catholic for about 2 1/2 years and I've believed in most baptist doctrine for about 2 years. I still haven't worked out a couple non-salvific doctrines that some baptists believe, but then again I think it'd be a miracle if we agreed on ALL baptist polity.

Carina

I'm wondering. Did you have a strong Catholic background, or were you liberally or marginally Catholic?

The reason I ask this is because I'm wondering if people who converted to Baptist from a Catholic background just maybe didn't have a strong connection with God through the sacraments and life in the Church. Becuae I've met many Catholics who did have a strong spirituality about them that I couldn't help but view them as brothers and sisters in Christ. I mean, look at people like Mother Teresa and others who seemed to have such an unselfish love toward the poor and needy and seemed to exuberate Christ in their lives.

Is it possible that the reason some Catholics don't take is because they just aren't in that place of serving God where they are that brings the life of Christ in reality of heir lives? Many of the Catholics I converse with seem to typically go to church and go to confession just to allevaite the sense of sin and guilt in their lives, but go off doing what they want during the week until the next confession. It is an endless cycle. (And I'm not just saying this happens to Catholics. I think people in all denominations get caught in this cycle). But perhaps they never really had opportunity to serve God in the same capacity as some of the more stronger Catholics. Or maybe never encouraged? Or maybe that aspect wasn't emphasized enough? What do you think?

[Ginny]

I agree with Rachel's response. I care nothing about the name "Baptist" but the doctrine and firm beliefs match mine to a "T".

I refuse to call myself a Baptist though I will more than likely always attend Baptist churches. When someone asks me what I am ...I say "Christian"...I don't believe in splitting ourselves up into denominations, but b/c every church has different stances on issues, I belong to the Baptist church which parallels my convictions according to the Word of God.

I am sure all the blue haired ladies would not want to know I said this, but oh well....

[Flynmonkie]

Is it possible that the reason some Catholics don't take is because they just aren't in that place of serving God where they are that brings the life of Christ in reality of heir lives? Many of the Catholics I converse with seem to typically go to church and go to confession just to alleviate the sense of sin and guilt in their lives, but go off doing what they want during the week until the next confession. It is an endless cycle. (And I'm not just saying this happens to Catholics. I think people in all denominations get caught in this cycle). But perhaps they never really had opportunity to serve God in the same capacity as some of the stronger Catholics. Or maybe never encouraged? Or maybe that aspect wasn't emphasized enough? What do you think?
There are Baptists that act in this fashion too.

I have explored other denominations but I feel this is where God has called me to be. Every denomination has its issues, but the Baptist Message is closest to what I believe. As Ginny says, I am a Christian in a Baptist church. It has always been my motto. I have met Christians in every Christian denomination, and God-fearing people in others. I think you are very close to being on the money about why some people don't "act" like Christians, we are all on different paths of learning at different times. IMHCO

I have been involved the Baptist tradition most of my life, but my roots are Methodist/Baptist and Catholic influence was prevalent from one side of the family but I never felt comfortable with it.

[Cright]

oops double post.

[Cright]

I'm wondering. Did you have a strong Catholic background, or were you liberally or marginally Catholic?

Is it possible that the reason some Catholics don't take is because they just aren't in that place of serving God where they are that brings the life of Christ in reality of heir lives?

Or maybe never encouraged?

Or maybe that aspect wasn't emphasized enough? What do you think?

I went to church on Sundays, catechism Wednesdays, I was baptized, 1st communion, confirmed and back in 2000 was teaching 6th grade catechism too. It was part of my identity, Catholic was what I was, my family is, my heritage. It was as important to me as being a Joseph (family name).

I wanted to follow God, but had no direction. I was only encouraged to "be good". To be like the good semaritian. I had NO guidance on how to have a personal relationship with Christ. Sometimes I was good, and sometimes I failed. Sometimes I was so tired of trying to be good and then failing when certain circumstances came up that I would quit trying all together and just get into a rebellious stage.. living like the world.

There were 3 turning points for me in learning how to live for Christ. The first was when I realized that the things I was teaching my 6th graders were things that 1) I wasn't living and 2) some I didn't believe myself. So I quit teaching, and kind of fell out of the church. I didn't know where to go however, because I was taught that non-catholics didn't have all the truth.

So 2nd Turing point was when I was living in FL and knew hardley anyone. I went out to eat, and there was another girl there alone who invited me to sit with her. She was majoring in some type of Christian major. She was great to talk to, and a compelling Christian. She invited me to her church and I took her up on the offer.

I didn't learn much there other than that the people seemed genuine in there happiness to see others coming to church. They talked to each other and seemed like friends more than just people who went to the same church. (Catholics have more of a meditation time going into and out of mass so there is less talk and it's quite quiet. you only fellowship after service when they have a fellowship time scheduled pretty much).

The 3rd turning point was meeting my (now) husband. When we met I had been going to a non-denominational church. So he figured I was a Christian, but didn't realize I still called and considered myself Catholic. When he did, he kept me searching for answers. He'd ask why I believe something and told me that as a Christian I should be able to base everything I believe on what God tells us in the bible. A concept I'd never heard before. I had been taught to believe what the church belived.

So I started digging in my bible, using a concordance, topical bible and a couple commentaries. This is when I decided I needed to be a Christian (no denom attached) just a follower of the bible. I had a horrific time with this. I cried and didn't want the things I was learning in the bible to be right.. it would mean my family was wrong, my church was wrong and I was wrong.... my whole life.

God provides though, He gives us the holy spirit and He leads those to Him who seek Him. I truly had to die to my desires to live for him. I'm truly thankful that He sent me John to help direct my path. We both grew through this experience, both closer to each other and God. John is truly put into my life so that we can serve God, and that in and of itself is a strong testimony on what Christ can do.

I hope I answered your questions. So that I don't derail the thread, please feel free to PM me if you have more.

In Him,
Carina

[Dondi]

Thank you for your response, Carina.

[Katieboo]

My parents were Methodist when I was born. The rest of my family was either Baptist (dad's side) or Lutheran (mom's side). I never remember going to church as a kid, and most of my childhood-preteen-early teen days were spent being agnostic/atheist. When I was fifteen I started looking into religion as a whole, and then narrowed it down to two or three churches that matched my beliefs. I tried a Baptist church and loved it, so this is where I am right now.

[edb19]

I was having this discussion with some friends. I grew up in a really small town where there was a Baptist Church on every corner. Everybody there had the same beliefs. Even if they weren't in Church, they still knew God existed and that they should be in Church. I was in college before I met my first Catholic!

So right now I'm really clueless to the way others believe. Just about every thread I read here, I learn something new. My beliefs haven't changed, but I've learned the way other people belief. I've even had to go to dictionary.com to figure out what some people were talking about!

Am I the only one? My dh grew up in this area and he knows a little about everything. Me, I know Baptist and that's it.

I was a Baptist before I knew I was one.;)

I grew up PCUSA - loved the reformed doctrine - except infant baptism. I could never reconcile infant baptism with Scripture (repent and/or believe and be baptized). When I found the Reformed Baptist church it was like coming home - it was where I was supposed to be all along.

edie

[prettyrose436]

My mom started bringing me to a Baptist church in my our hometown when I was about 4. I've been going there ever since. I was baptized into the church when I was 11 and was never baptized as an infant even though both my parents grew up as Catholics. I've been to other churches and looked into other beliefs, but this is where I like to be.