Conversion Story - Matt Enloe (former Baptist) [prepare to be amazed!]

Enloeapologetics ^ | Matt Enloe

[NYer]

Why I am who I am


My earliest religious memory is that of a 6 year old, standing in the vestibule of the 2nd Baptist Church in Fairfield, Texas. My Aunt was discussing with me the merits of Jesus Christ, and my need for his Saving Grace. I vaguely knew who Jesus was but did know that I wanted to go to Heaven, so the generic sequence that followed, most Christians in the United States will recognize; "Dear Jesus, please come into my heart, be my Lord and Savior. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen."

That particular Sunday was in its peak of wondrous splendor, as only those who have experienced Texas weather can attest to. Bright blue sky, completely cloudless of course, and it was in the Spring so it was actually cool natured. I vividly recall the sunlight as it streamed through the beautiful stained glass windows onto the bright red carpet.

Even at that young of an age, I preferred the simple and grand majesty of old Baptist traditions to those of my parents' 50 year old non-denominational Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Not that I could properly identify why at the time, I only knew that I loved my Grandparents deeply, and treasured every moment that I spent with them. It was not until many years later that I even discovered this preference, much less why I felt that way.

The only thing I knew, at that time, is that God was "old", and the 70 year old Baptist Preacher made him real in a way that my childhood church did not. I had to be reverent going to my Grandparent's church. God was all powerful and I would respect him, and obey what was said and what was in the Bible. In other words, I developed an awe and respect for God at a very young age.

At the early age of 7 I had my first confrontation with my very religious Grandmother. We were enjoying the infrequent quarterly observance of Communion, as the Pastor read the passages from the Gospels regarding the Lord's Supper.

Oddly enough, I observed the congregation around me behaving in a less reverential manner than that which I was raised to adhere myself to. They seemed almost bored, or annoyed that the service was taking longer than the traditional length of 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, and were most impatient to leave.

Afterwards, I asked my Grandmother why people had behaved that way. Being the protective yet wonderful woman that she was that recognized my early intelligence she gave it to me straight.

She confirmed what I had thought earlier about the service taking longer than they were accustomed to, and their reaction to it.


I then asked her the question that started the confrontation:


"But he said that it was Jesus' Body [and Blood]."

She gave me a hard look and said:

"Yes sweetheart, but what he meant was that it was done in 'memory of me'. Do you know what a symbol is?"

I was getting confused at this point and responded with something to the effect of:

"It's like a picture that means something, right?"

"Yes". She smiled deeply.


Nothing more was said, but I noticed the several sideways glances that she gave me and I became even more confused. Did I ask something wrong? I decided to keep my thoughts to myself.

I was at odds with what she said and what Jesus said.

"This is my body..." ~Take and eat this in Memory of me.

Not ~"This is the memory of my Body, take and eat it for me."

Why even go through the motions of recreating a scene? According to my childhood church, tradition and memory meant nothing, only Faith.

Read the rest here (and do read the rest - long but riveting!)

[Charles07]

Micro or macro, con Creator or sans Creator, with scientific materialism or without, with philosophical reasoning or without, with physical observations or without?

;)

[Charles07]

Hmph.

I just noticed this:

“But if God had intended to save him, he would have understood the actual meaning of the words of Christ and he would have known they, like most of the teachings of Christ were hidden from the unsaved and not literal.”

You must believe in predestination.

The above statement is supported nowhere in Scripture; if anything, it shows the opposite.

Moreover, God gave us free will. If we were not free to choose then I propose the following:

“God is immoral, Jesus was a liar and Christianity is a false religion.”

And here is why:

God is not evil.

Evil is the absence of obedience to God.

Free will is a choice to obey or not obey

Man chose evil.

So it follows that if there is no free will, then we are all created puppets of God, and God is evil.

Our Lord came for the sinners, Brother.

[Running On Empty]

“...like most of the teachings of Christ were hidden from the unsaved and not literal”

As campion says in post #22: “gnostisism alert”

To speak of “hidden knowledge” being understood only by some is the heresy of gnosticism.

[Campion]

Gotta be a trick question since I can't imagine anyone getting saved and then joining the Catholic church

You need to expand your imagination, then. Google "Mark Brumley", "Carl Olson Catholic", and "David Currie Catholic" for starters.

[Charles07]

“It’s also quite maddening to read these Protestant converts boasting of the “unity” of the Catholic Church. Never mind that the spectrum of beliefs within the “one true unchanging church” is as great as that among Protestant denominations. As long as everyone belongs to the same organization and recites the same words (which each interprets differently) then everything is just hunky-dory.”

You are certainly entitled to your opinion...

The Catholics who do not believe/obey every doctrine taught (de Fide) have effectively excommunicated themselves.

“Cafeteria” ones included.

“The Catholic Church, if it is hated by the “world,” is not hated nearly as much as Fundamentalist Protestants are. In fact, the intellectualism of the Catholic Church means it actually enjoys much respect from the world.”

Again, you are certainly entitled to your opinion; you may attempt to “document” this, but I doubt that anything of any substance will be presented.

[Running On Empty]

Are you replying to Zionist Conspirator?

[Charles07]

Yes, sorry. :)

[Zionist Conspirator]

Might I recomend a book?

It clears up most confusion regarding that particular “issue”.

Isaiah. :)

So . . . does Isaiah teach evolution, or that sex is dirty?

[pegleg]

Gotta be a trick question since I can't imagine anyone getting saved and then joining the Catholic church...

I am a former Southern Baptist who accepted Jesus Christ as my Personal Lord and Savior. I made my profession before the congregation. I was then Baptized (full immersion) and was proclaimed "saved" by the pastor.

I have since joined the Catholic Church. About 3 years ago on a thread this same issue was raised. I made this same statement and a number of the “OSAS” crowd proclaimed I was indeed saved. I thought their responses were rather amusing.

What do you say?

[Charles07]

It says neither. :)

Why not read it and find out what it does say. :)

[Zionist Conspirator]

It says neither. :)

Why not read it and find out what it does say. :)

Then where do you get those ideas from?

[Charles07]

What ideas?

[Suzy Quzy]

My favorite Catholic Convert is Larry Kudlow!! and then Laura Ingraham.

[Iscool]

I was then Baptized (full immersion) and was proclaimed "saved" by the pastor.

The only one who would know if you got saved is you, and God of course...

I don't know much about the Southern Baptist group...I know there are a number of religions that are associated with the Southern Baptist Convention...

If you got 'saved', you were filled with the Holy Spirit and the Spirit would confirm with your spirit that you have eternal life, NOW...

My guess is that you never spent much time in the Bible before or after you got saved...

Why would a person who has eternal life want to join a group that does not have eternal life???

All I can say is that if your name was written in the Book of Life, you'd know it was there...

[Charles07]

“My guess is that you never spent much time in the Bible before or after you got saved...

Why would a person who has eternal life want to join a group that does not have eternal life???

All I can say is that if your name was written in the Book of Life, you’d know it was there...”

That is not an answer, but a weightless grouping of ad hominem and polemic statements, with nothing to back them up.

:(

[MarkBsnr]

Special Protestant glasses!!!!

Why not? I’m waiting to get my secret Protestant Holy Spirit decoder ring and if I’m really really good, a newly appointed angel will visit me in the wee hours and let me know where the next batch of Scripture lies underground.

[MarkBsnr]

If it’s boring, then don’t read it. Unless you’re predestined to do so...

[pegleg]

My guess is that you never spent much time in the Bible before or after you got saved...

Why would you assume that? The Baptist Church I was a member of had Sunday School class every week before the service and bible studies which I did participate in. And since I’ve become Catholic, I read the Bible every day, hear it proclaimed every Sunday and also participate in a Thursday night Bible study.

Why would a person who has eternal life want to join a group that does not have eternal life???

Again, would you assume that? Is this an infallible pronouncement by Pope Iscool?

Jesus was very clear when he stated “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.’

I have this in the Catholic Church. In addition, it’s not a symbolic meal, it’s the body, blood soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you have it in yours?

All I can say is that if your name was written in the Book of Life, you'd know it was there...

Paul warned that claiming a victory before the race is over is foolish. I continue the race with a hopeful confidence. All the while working out my salvation with fear and trembling. That’s the message of the gospel.

[Iscool]

I have this in the Catholic Church. In addition, it’s not a symbolic meal, it’s the body, blood soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you have it in yours?

No, but I got the water...

Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

I got a jug in my refrigerator and I get a glass everyday...

I don't need to eat the flesh and drink the blood...Just a cool sip of water gives me eternal life...

[pegleg]

No, but I got the water...

Catholics have the water too. I bless myself with it before Mass every Sunday. I also keep a bottle of Holy Water in my home. Just curious, why would you ignore the clear teaching of Christ who said “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life”?

Do you think this doesn’t apply to you?