Which Church??

[Turk]

When I was a kid i figured church was church and that was it. Now that I'm older there's a whole host of them to choose from, church of England, Catholic church, evangelical church, methodist church, etc etc.

How do you know the right one and how do you know which will give you the right teachings? I'm confused!

[TrustingmyLord]

Well, you can look up their teachings, compare it with the Bible, pray about it. Most churches are ok, but the few that have warped teachings, their official teachings will appear to be Biblically correct at first glance.

I'd just suggest that whatever church you visit or choose, pray that God will lead you and help you stay close to his truths.

[Turk]

Well, you can look up their teachings, compare it with the Bible, pray about it. Most churches are ok, but the few that have warped teachings, their official teachings will appear to be Biblically correct at first glance.

I'd just suggest that whatever church you visit or choose, pray that God will lead you and help you stay close to his truths.
Thank you. I just don't know the difference or what's the closest to the teachings of the original church. It's all so confusing.

[Halel]

A good place to start is with the Nicene Creed. If the church doesn't agree with that, then there are probably some big problems.

[TrustingmyLord]

Thank you. I just don't know the difference or what's the closest to the teachings of the original church. It's all so confusing.

Well, as far as which teachings are right, heres a big debate there. I'd say it basically comes down to protestant vs catholic beliefs, which are very, very different. I'd assume (which I shouldnt do..) that since you posted this here, you'd be protestant.

Just in case you arent sure... I will point out some of the differences between being a catholic and a protestant. I will post these as simply as I can, so as not to offend catholics. This here is a very touchy subject.

Catholics are under submission to the catholic church and the pope. What the church and the pope say, this is what they believe. Typically. They believe the catholic church is the very original church that Christ founded, and that Jesus crowned Peter as the first pope. They believe that their church has devine protection against falsehood and that God has given them the pope and other leaders in the church to guide them into all truth. They believe when the pope speaks to the church, he is infallible and speaks for God. The church teachings are generally considered to be above the Bible. They believe that Mary was born sinless, we disagree on this.

Protestants submit only to God and trust the Bible alone to lead theam and to teach them. We believe that all men are fallible, but we trust the Holy Spirit to guide us as we read the Bible and learn. Protestants broke off from the catholics many, many years ago... I am not really all that "up" on the history here... but we disagree with the idea that the pope cannot be wrong, and we feel they put too much of an emphasis on Mary. We feel that they go against the Bible on many points. We trust what the Bible says, if it goes against Biblical teachings, we want nothing of it.

There is much, much more that is disagreed upon, but these are some of the basic things.

That being said, you should now know which you are. Maybe. Once you know that, things will be a bit easier. If you are a catholic, its pretty simple, but for a protestant its a bit more complicated. There are many denominations, most of them believe similar things with just minor variations, and some of them are way off from Biblical teachings.

One thing the catholics fault us on, and they are somewhat right on this, is that since we interpret the Bible ourselves, it is very, very easy for the bad guys to twist scriptures for their own agenda. There are many false teachers out there. The basic thing is to get to know God and your Bible well enough to know a false teaching when you see it.

I suppose I have gone on enough. I hope I helped answer some of your questions, hopefully I didnt just add alot more. LOL

[LamorakDesGalis]

When I was a kid i figured church was church and that was it. Now that I'm older there's a whole host of them to choose from, church of England, Catholic church, evangelical church, methodist church, etc etc.

How do you know the right one and how do you know which will give you the right teachings? I'm confused!

There is a lot to consider when choosing a church. While doctrine is important, relationships with fellow believers is equally important. What different kind of churches are you considering?


Lamorak Des Galis

[Veritas]

Greetings Turk!

I invite you to ask your question over in the Catholic Forum, One Bread, One Body (OBOB), to learn what Catholic beliefs are and their relationship to Holy Scripture.

http://www.christianforums.com/f26-one-bread-one-body-catholic.html

[Jacob4707]

I suggest you read THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS (available for free in the first volume of the Ante-Nicene Church Fathers at http://www.ccel.org) - click on the "Church Fathers" link - and some of the other Early Church Fathers as well.

The plethora of denominations that claim to be "based just on the Bible" shows that going just by the Bible doesn't solve the problem or answer the question of how to do and be the Church. Reading the Apostolic and Early Church Fathers acquaints you with how the earliest Christians understood and practiced the faith. Also read The Didache (Google search for this) and the Apostolic Tradition by Hippolytus to supplement The Apostolic Fathers volumes.

Come to TAW - The Ancient Way - on this forum to learn about and ask questions concerning The [Eastern] Orthodox Church, which can claim direct historical succession in its teachings and authority from the Apostles of Jesus Christ, and which many Americans unfortunately know little about - even though it comprises one of the largest bodies of Christians in the world.

[Gukkor]

Don't worry too much about it. Find a church where you feel comfortable and able to focus on God. You'll never find a church where you agree with absolutely everything they teach (unless, of course, you're actually letting the church doctrine dictate your personal beliefs), so don't be afraid to disagree if something the pastor says one Sunday doesn't sit right with you.

[mwireman]

When I was a kid i figured church was church and that was it. Now that I'm older there's a whole host of them to choose from, church of England, Catholic church, evangelical church, methodist church, etc etc.

How do you know the right one and how do you know which will give you the right teachings? I'm confused!
I'm confused too. Some please help.

[Chivahead103]

When I was a kid i figured church was church and that was it. Now that I'm older there's a whole host of them to choose from, church of England, Catholic church, evangelical church, methodist church, etc etc.

How do you know the right one and how do you know which will give you the right teachings? I'm confused!
"...And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy...The women was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication." REV. 17:3, 4

We indeed need to stay away from this "Mystery, Babylon the Great." (verse 5).

The false churches. Although many churches adorne themselves with "true teachings," they are full of abominations. What you first need to do is pray. Ask our God Almighty to guide you.

When finding a church, you must keep in mind that they teach according to the Bible. For example: There is a church that states Jesus was crucified on a wooden steak. Ask yourself, "is that biblical?" Then, let the Holy Spirit guide you.

God Bless

[Turk]

"...And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy...The women was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication." REV. 17:3, 4

We indeed need to stay away from this "Mystery, Babylon the Great." (verse 5).

The false churches. Although many churches adorne themselves with "true teachings," they are full of abominations. What you first need to do is pray. Ask our God Almighty to guide you.

When finding a church, you must keep in mind that they teach according to the Bible. For example: There is a church that states Jesus was crucified on a wooden steak. Ask yourself, "is that biblical?" Then, let the Holy Spirit guide you.

God Bless
Thank you all for your excellent responses, you've all been very helpful.

I have to admit, and I am protestant by birth, that I by no means believe that the pope is infallable.

All I can say is thank you and now I need to pray I find a good church. Guess I'll start with the local one. :)

[straubpa]

The only true church is the Church invisible: "consists of the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ, the head thereof." This is a pure society, the church in which Christ dwells. It is the body of Christ. it is called "invisible" because the greater part of those who constitute it are already in heaven or are yet unborn, and also because its members still on earth cannot certainly be distinguished. The qualifications of membership in it are internal and are hidden. It is unseen except by Him who "searches the heart." "The Lord knoweth them that are his" (2 Tnn. 2:19). The church to which the attributes, prerogatives, and promises appertaining to Christ's kingdom belong, is a spiritual body consisting of all true believers, i.e., the church invisible."

All churches lie they are traps set for you. The great apostasy started in the 2nd century A.D. and has never stopped. The RCC is Babylon, and God bids us come out of her, but most churches have not come out completely. They still observe at least 2 great errors (immortality of the soul, and sunday sacredness). The only Church who does not teach these errors is The SDA church or Seventh Day Adventists. But the SDA church is also known as the church of Laodicea in Bible prophecy, and God says He will spue them out of His mouth. The remnant church (all christians who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus aka the Spirit of prophecy) will be saved in the end. :amen:

[SteelDisciple]

When I was a kid i figured church was church and that was it. Now that I'm older there's a whole host of them to choose from, church of England, Catholic church, evangelical church, methodist church, etc etc.

How do you know the right one and how do you know which will give you the right teachings? I'm confused!
I go to a church now called Mars Hill. NO outside "doctrine" is used...only God's word through the Holy Spirits interruptation. That's it. (that and we are all tech geeks, gamers and hardcore) :)

[Wizzer]

When I was a kid i figured church was church and that was it. Now that I'm older there's a whole host of them to choose from, church of England, Catholic church, evangelical church, methodist church, etc etc.

How do you know the right one and how do you know which will give you the right teachings? I'm confused!


Hello Turk,

When I was about your age, I had similar questions. What I did was to sit down with the Bible and read it for myself. I asked the God of Abraham to help me as I struggled to figure out what to believe. I probably spent 2 or 3 hours every day for months on end just reading the bible. If knowing truth is really important to you, then you are just going to have to get your nose into that book. This is an long, ongoing process, but a good one.

So have you read the Bible all the way through? Or even the New Testament? If your answer to both is 'No", then you've got a real problem. You are in a prime position to be swayed by each and every interpretation of scripture which comes along. You had better start protecting yourself by getting with the program. Read the Word. Until you have completely read the New Testament, I would recommend that you perhaps just visit around. There is nothing like first-hand experience when it comes to different churches. Make your own personal Bible reading your primary near-term goal, but do visit around to see the landscape.

And the first real issue you should tackle is, "Who is Jesus?" Was Jesus God or was Jesus just a man? This is the central question in all of scripture. (And I'll give you a hint: Why was He called "Emmanuel", and what does that name mean? The answer is early in the book of Luke.)

Wizzer

[Wizzer]

I'm confused too. Some[one] please help.


I've responded to Turk already. God is ready to help. Ask God Himself to help you as you begin to read His word. Get a good Bible and begin reading. Go through the New Testament first, then the Old. You are not going to understand everything you read first time through, but that is ok. (God gives partial credit for trying.) Believe me, you should never present yourself first to man for them to tell you what is truth. First present yourself to God and ask Him to show you truth. Then ask God to help you find others who can assist you. But always rely upon the Lord both first and primarily.

Wizzer

[Sacrum Silentium]

Have you ever considered looking into the Churches of Christ? I'd be more than willing to exchange PM's with you on why I believe that this is the Church Christ established at Pentecost.

Don't want to step on any toes, though. I leave it in your hands. :)

I'd ask you to pray deeply on the subject, and, read 2 Timothy 2:15 and apply that particular verse to your life. ;)

Christ's Peace.

[Kitten87]

our church is a "free church"

i feel it teaches the truth , it doesnt cut things out or focus or one thing. It just makes alot more sense then other types.

[Turk]

Hello Turk,

When I was about your age, I had similar questions. What I did was to sit down with the Bible and read it for myself. I asked the God of Abraham to help me as I struggled to figure out what to believe. I probably spent 2 or 3 hours every day for months on end just reading the bible. If knowing truth is really important to you, then you are just going to have to get your nose into that book. This is an long, ongoing process, but a good one.

So have you read the Bible all the way through? Or even the New Testament? If your answer to both is 'No", then you've got a real problem. You are in a prime position to be swayed by each and every interpretation of scripture which comes along. You had better start protecting yourself by getting with the program. Read the Word. Until you have completely read the New Testament, I would recommend that you perhaps just visit around. There is nothing like first-hand experience when it comes to different churches. Make your own personal Bible reading your primary near-term goal, but do visit around to see the landscape.

And the first real issue you should tackle is, "Who is Jesus?" Was Jesus God or was Jesus just a man? This is the central question in all of scripture. (And I'll give you a hint: Why was He called "Emmanuel", and what does that name mean? The answer is early in the book of Luke.)

Wizzer
Thanks for that, I'm currently reading the old testament and haven't got to the new. I've read it before when I was young but can't remember any of it.

[Turk]

The only true church is the Church invisible: "consists of the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ, the head thereof." This is a pure society, the church in which Christ dwells. It is the body of Christ. it is called "invisible" because the greater part of those who constitute it are already in heaven or are yet unborn, and also because its members still on earth cannot certainly be distinguished. The qualifications of membership in it are internal and are hidden. It is unseen except by Him who "searches the heart." "The Lord knoweth them that are his" (2 Tnn. 2:19). The church to which the attributes, prerogatives, and promises appertaining to Christ's kingdom belong, is a spiritual body consisting of all true believers, i.e., the church invisible."

All churches lie they are traps set for you. The great apostasy started in the 2nd century A.D. and has never stopped. The RCC is Babylon, and God bids us come out of her, but most churches have not come out completely. They still observe at least 2 great errors (immortality of the soul, and sunday sacredness). The only Church who does not teach these errors is The SDA church or Seventh Day Adventists. But the SDA church is also known as the church of Laodicea in Bible prophecy, and God says He will spue them out of His mouth. The remnant church (all christians who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus aka the Spirit of prophecy) will be saved in the end. :amen:
Very spiritual, that's how I was hoping to see things when I decided to read the bible but I just found it too much to understand myself. And I've only got to Cronicles in the old testament so far!! :)

[christandisrael]

If you look at the Greek for church. It is the ecclesia, which comes from two word, ek, which means 'out', and kaleo, which means 'call'. Put one and one together, you have the phrase 'called out ones'. The 'called out ones' totally rely from God and they are the true church. Pray over it.:cool: