Posted on 08/11/2008 1:08:55 AM PDT by JJR RNCH
I am considering being baptisted soon.
I am considering being baptisted soon.
Why?
I would really like someone to tell me that I am doing the right thing. I have found Christ for the first time and I want to know if I am going to find my salvation? or am I just wasting my time in church?
Do not confuse faith with religion, or a brick and mortar church with Christ’s church. You, as a believer, are the church. The bible does tell us to believe and be baptized. There are good churches, and there are bad churches. Let your bible and the Holy Spirit lead you.
Why do you want to be baptised? What is so profound about baptismal? I believe and live for God and Christ without the accoutrements of ceremony.
This is a major choice in my life. My kid wont go w/me and my hubby won’t go w/me. I know that I need more in my life and I guess I’m looking for someone to justify my going to Church and looking for GOD for answers
You don’t need to be baptized in a church. Anyone can baptize you. Yes, baptism is a command for the remission of sins. Works can’t get you into heaven, but there is no real faith unless there are works to back that faith up. Don’t delay being baptized if you know it is the right thing to do. There is no need to join any church to do so. Just find someone that will baptize you.
First off, do it for yourself. Many times when family members that may be reluctant to embrace Christianity see the serenity and peace in you, they will be curious.
I was raised Methodist as baptism wasn’t one of the main traditions. My wife and I switched to Baptist about 5 years ago and I was baptised about 4 years ago along with my 2 teenage daughters (my wife had been baptised a year before me). The way I look at it, Jesus asked John to baptize him and John responded that he was not worthy to. But Jesus insisted and said it wa to fulfill the Scriptures. What’s good enough for Jesus is definitely the way I wish to live. Good Luck and congratulations!
JJR RNCH said, “I would really like someone to tell me that I am doing the right thing. I have found Christ for the first time and I want to know if I am going to find my salvation? or am I just wasting my time in church?”
OPINION:
You don’t need anyone to tell you if you’re doing the right thing. You already know the difference between right and wrong.
If you have “found Christ” then you should just delete this thread. You don’t need anyone else’s opinion.
No one wastes their time in church — unless they want to.
If you have questions about baptism or the church you’re attending; contact your pastor and speak to him privately.
JJR RNCH said, “I know that I need more in my life and I guess I’m looking for someone to justify my going to Church and looking for GOD for answers.”
OPINION: You don’t need justification for going to church or looking to God for answers.
Read your Bible.
Pray to God for wisdom and guidance.
Talk to your pastor.
P.S. We’re all going to die one of these days. Where do you want to go for eternity, Heaven or Hell?
When what looks at it that simply; the answers fall into place pretty quick.
corrected sentence: When one looks at it that simply...
If you BELIEVE, go and be baptized. That is what the Bible says to do. I cannot justify it for you, sister, nor does it seem that I need to:
I know that I need more in my life and I guess I’m looking for someone to justify my going to Church and looking for GOD for answers
If you are being drawn, it is the Spirit at work in you. Follow your heart. Pray. Read the Bible (all of it). He will tell you what you need to know. Seek God out. He is calling you. I would encourage you to listen.
Church is good, if it is a good church- Make sure it is sound according to the Word. It is a big step, as you said.
Do not worry what others may think. I know it is uncomfortable, but before it is done, You will see Him do a mighty work in your life, and most probably in the lives of those whom you love.
The problem is, whoever Baptizes you will want you as a member of their particular church and denomination. If you don't feel that strongly about joining a church, then put it off. I would gladly Baptize you and any other person that believes the Bible can Baptize you without you joining a church. Being a preacher gives you no more standing than a lay person, but many feel that you must be baptized by a priest, pastor, preacher, or someone with a title. The Bible tells us we are all saints and of a Holy Priesthood.
For God's purposes you need a baptizer and a witness and the command is fulfilled. It is just a symbolic profession of faith to the world.
BTW, sprinkling isn't baptism. Sprinkles don't kill the "old" man nor wash away sins. If someone wants to wave wet rose at you, you still aren't baptized. If they can't get that right, they generally have trouble with the rest of the Word of God. You should have enough water that you have to hold your nose. A cup full doesn't do it.
“I have found Christ for the first time”
That’s wonderful.
However, you appear to have some doubts about church and baptism. You don’t mention what religion you are planning to be baptised into and you don’t need to tell us.
You can go to church, read the Bible and other religious material, you can pray, without being baptised, but if your decision is firm, you certainly should go and be baptised. Praying is a good way to find out the right way for you.
But because you seem a bit uncertain, I would recommend that you go to a few different churches, also read about the differences between the various Christian religions, so you can make a more informed decision.
This is an important step and you shouldn’t rush it, you need to be sure.
But do be careful of “false prophets” — if the religion you want to join emphasizes distancing yourself from family, demand donations beyond your means, etc. that should be a warning sign.
That’s why I recommend you check out the various Protestant religions, as well as Catholic. Just go to some of the churches in your area, attend the services, talk to the people and the ministers and so on.
It is difficult when loved ones aren’t participating in your new life in Christ, but don’t deny yourself the strength and learning that comes from Christian fellowship. You have made the most important decision one can ever make in this life and will be blessed, whatever their decisions are. How you grow in faith may be what your family needs to see in order to make the best decision for their lives.
Rejoice in the Lord and let Him guide you in your daily living testimony! It’s wonderful to know that we will meet someday in Heaven!
He desires fellowship with you, and if you make time for Him and ask Him to teach you, He will GLADLY do it.
Test everything by the Word. There is so much bad teaching out there, and everyone, it seems, wants to put their stamp on your walk with the Lord. But just as you wouldn't let someone mediate the relationship between you and your child, don't let anyone mediate the relationship between you and Jesus. He is the mediator - between you and the Father.
I know your question was about baptism. When I came to the Lord I had been in church for years but didn't know Him. So, I chose and old friend who was a believer to baptize me, and I was baptized in an outdoor setting with just my husband and this friend present.
Every answer that you have a question of can be found in the Bible. I don’t make it to church as often as I like to or need to as I normally work weekends. However, we have a small Bible study men’s group on Wednesday nights that I rarely miss. Studying the scripture and the stories of both Testaments is refreshing and informative. Currently we are studying “Characters of the Old Testament”. These are little 12-15 lesson guide study books that one can use with their reading with questions at the end of each lesson that gives us a chance to share our views with the group. The last few years we’ve done “Revelations, King David, Women of the Bible,” and a few others. The study guides can be picked up in most hometown Christian bookstores.
Since you’re new to this sister, get yourself a copy of the NIV (New International Version) Bible. Then read Acts Chapter 2 Verse 38 and Hebrews Chapter 10 Verses 22 through 25. It will take some time, but find yourself a good Bible-teaching church, so that you can fellowship with like-minded persons. Lastly, check anything that people have to offer you, in the way of advice, against the Word. If it runs contrary to biblical teaching, disregard it!
That's one of the saddest things I've ever heard. Man-made religion is one of the worst stumbling-blocks between God and man.
I’m not a church-goer.
It’s probably a good place to make friends though if that’s really what you’re after.
I was told to get “Life Application” NIV New living translation. What do you think! I’m new at this and any help would help.
My kid says she believes in a GOD but not JESUS
Thank you!!! I will take my journey to the Lord with gratitude..
As a Catholic Christian, of course I think you should be baptized. But in a world with competing groups and even groups that claim they are not groups or are anti-group, I'm not sure how it is humanly possible to determine which group is "right" or even whether there is a "right" group at all!
(Much to my astonishment and bewilderment, there is a very large group of people who are not persuaded of the obvious correctness of my views on just about everything. I just don't understand it. It's SEW OBVIOUS, at least to me, that I'm right. WHY don't others see that?)
But what is impossible with man is possible with God. So I would dare to suggest that you pray the Lord's prayer thoughtfully and often. When you come to the petition which goes, "Thy will be done," it might be good to thank God for beginning to work His will in you and to ask Him to give you an attentive and obedient heart and then to give that heart a clearer vision of what His will is for you on the question of Baptism and on every other question.
And of course, read your Bible. Personally I would suggest reading it not so much looking for rules as listening for God's word to you. The Bible is rich and dense. It's good, I think, to ask God to be with you and to guide you EVERY TIME you open your Bible to read it. It may be that small doses taken with great attention and the intention to listen for God's word will be as helpful as larger readings done for understanding.
Just my opinion. It's a great thing to fall into the loving hands of the living God. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride!
I'll be heading out to Mass in an hour or so. I'll offer special prayers for your guidance, after I give thanks for God's touching your heart in a new way.
In all things give thanks. Rejoice in the Lord.
If you feel that the public proclamation of faith is an important step, go for it otherwise, all you have to do is say the sinners prayer and ask God/Christ/Holy Spirit to come into your life.
If it happens tomorrow or, a few years from now, it will not be a physically transformation event. Within a few minutes or hours of asking Christ to come into your life, something will happen causing you to do or say something most un-Christian.
You may even find that within a year or two something really bad happens to you. In my case, I was diagnosed with cancer... at age 25. The doctors told me to get ready to die because there wasn't much they could do for it. Believe it or not, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. 19 years later, I'm still numbered among the living. The list of lessons learned is too long to enumerate here.
Fiancee dumped me. at first, that was crushing. However, blinded by someones good looks, I couldn't see what a disaster awaited me if I married her. Only later did I get down on my knees and thank God for allowing me to have cancer and thereby prevent our marriage.
A word of caution, sometimes a non-believing spouse can become even more non-believing in response to your conversion. An internal tension can exist within people living apart from Christ. Your attempts to dwell with Christ may not be well received. Just look at the hate the Left has towards Christians.
As far as a church goes, there is no perfect church. Think of them as radio or television stations. You have certain needs, either the church is meeting your needs or it isn't. if it isn't, turn the dial to another station until you find one that meets your needs.
Once you find a church that meets your needs, you may find that you outgrow it. Just as you can get tired of listening to a radio station, you can also get tired of a church. At some point, you should find one that while not perfect, is ok. You may then consider getting more involved with it and even joining it.
As far as blessings in life go, you have to work for them. I have found that when I take time to help someone when I have other things to do and nothing to gain from helping the person, my time is compensated. On more occations that I think mere coincidence, I have used my weekend to help someone for which I received no physical benefit whatsoever. Yet, within a short period of time, an unexpected order would come in, a new customer would show up, a reporter would call to say he just stumbled across our website, was impressed and wanted to do a story on the company.
I would like to continue, but must leave to begin a new week at the office.
Good for you. Being baptized is definitely vital since it is a commandment. Others may claim it isn’t needed for salvation but since Christ commanded it, we’d better do it.
There are several important things to consider when one contemplates obeying Christ’s injunction of baptism:
Who has genuine authority to baptize? After all, Jesus didn’t go to the religious leaders of the time, the Pharisees, and request baptism of them - he went to John the Baptist. Ask yourself, Why? What was so special about John?
a. John had genuine authority to baptize people - and Christ knew it. Would he go to someone without genuine authority?
b. John baptized correctly - and Christ knew it. How? By immersion. Not sprinking or pouring, by immersion.
When one looks at Christianity honestly, one realizes there’s no common ground aside from the core beliefs of Christianity regarding the person of our Savior. We see Christianity divided into five branches with numerous families to each branch):
1. Catholicism; 2. Eastern Christianity; 3. Anglicanism/Independent Catholic; 4. Protestant; & 5. Mormon.
Each of these branches are distinct but it is only Protestantism (and a minority of its 24 families at that) which minimizes the importance of following Christ’s command to be baptized.
Find out for yourself which is Christ’s true church and be baptized in it. Otherwise your baptism is nothing more than a bath and won’t be recognized in heaven.
There’s nothing wrong with undergoing several baptisms until you find the correct one. I, myself, was baptized in three different churches - what is important is one’s willingness to find Christ’s Bride and be incorporated into her body. It makes no difference if one has to take the stairs going through numerous churches until getting to the true church or taking the elevator right to the correct one.
Good luck and please remember this: it is never wrong to be baptized in a genuine attempt to obey Christ. Just keep striving to obey him and hopefully, you’ll find him and his Church. I did.
Live your life for Jesus and be ready to tell her why you have a relationship with Him when she’s ready to hear about it. No one likes to be preached at. Pray always for those who don’t know Him yet; He knows how to reach them.
A little research into the pros and cons of different versions of the Bible is a good idea. I have more than one version, which can be helpful when a passage may be difficult to understand.
Acts 4:12
For be grace you are saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works less anyone should boast.
Eph 2:8,9
Baptism has nothing to do with salvation. It's a sacrament that you keep in obedience to Christ after salvation. Don't mix law and grace. Don't mix the indicative with the imperative.
Read Romans 10:9,10; and the Gospel of John chapter 4.
If you’ve found Christ, you’ve found salvation already.
Goign to church or getting baptised is all fine and well, they are good things that you should do- but you’ve already surrendered to Jesus Christ, so rest easy.
But will you waste your time? Not in gettign baptised, please do it. It’s a public statement to the world that you believe.
As for church, it all depends on what the church is about. You do need other believers, and you need other people you can serve, and who can serve you. Life is pointless otherwise. There are people who need you, and people that you need. You’ll meet God face to face when you do these things.
As long as that’s your heart’s desire, go to church.
Lot of good replys here so I’l try to add something. You need to be baptized but it doesn’t have to be by a pastor. Baptism is a profession of faith and obedience.
God also commands us to go to church. I’d suggest making sure the church is biblically based. There are many out there straying from the word in order to become more PC.
Get involved in Church. Read your Bible every day. Pray every day. Find and spend time with other Christian people. Doing these things will build your relationship with God.
From what I understand of it, Baptism is symbolic. It’s symbolic of being reborn as a Christ’s Crusader (not like the medieval kind) and a follower of Christ.
One of the difference in churches is are you going to be baptised in the trinity or just in Jesus’ name.
Close your eyes, bow your head, say a prayer. You will know what to do.
I’m praying for you and I have sent you freepmail.
BTTT
You are on track. Keep praying. If you desire baptism, it is because the Holy Spirit is moving you to desire it. In other words, God is calling you. He may not come to you again.
In the meantime,some bible verses about Baptism to meditate upon when someone tries to dissuade you:
1. Necessity-
“Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.”(John 3:3)
2. Effects or fruit-
“But Peter said to them: Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”(Acts 2:38)
3. Formula given to the apostles by Christ Himself:
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:18-19)
Fruits of the Holy Ghost (aka Holy Spirit):
“But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity. Mildness, faith, modesty, continence, chastity.” (Galatians: 22, 23)
Ping
Never enter any church, through baptism or otherwise until you ask them if the will let you leave later....
Yes. Baptism does not = salvation - but is an act of willing and desired obedience AFTER one has been saved.
“for by faith are you saved through grace, not by works, lest any man should boast”....
Welcome to the family of believers in Jesus Christ!!! Hallelujah that you have come to Jesus Christ, by His mercy and grace!
Yes, the Bible version you mention is a good one.
Praise God! Here’s a good passage from Ephesians chapter 2 which explains what has happened to you, I pray. NIV version.
“1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
As others have said, please do search for and find a Christian church in which the Word of God is preached by someone who is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the know it is the power of God unto Salvation....and in which Jesus Christ is worshipped and glorified - both in the teaching and preaching from the matchless Word of God, and in song, and in the lives of those in that church.
Once you find this church, you can explore the decision for baptism with its pastor.
But, again as others have said, the Word of God MUST be your “food” which is essential to nourish you, to guide you, to transform you, and to equip you for living this wonderful new life in Christ Jesus!
You have quite an adventure in faith ahead of you...prayers for your journey.
Also, you have come to faith in Jesus in the Internet age. There are a great many wonderful and Godly Bible Teachers whose Bible Teaching ministries are available on the internet - to help you along on your journey.
One great resource is “oneplace.com” where many of these BibleTeachers have their ministries listed.
Some Bible Teachers who have greatly helped me whose ministries you can find there:
Dr. J. Vernon Magee - Through the Bible and also his sermons - who is now with the Lord
Dr. Adrian Rogers - Love Worth Finding - who is now with the Lord
Dr. D. James Kennedy - Truths that Transform - who is now with the Lord
Dr. Steve Davey - Wisdom for the Heart - HE is still here LOL.
Beth Moore
Kay Arthur
If you will ask God to guide you and teach you, He will do it - through these Godly Bible teachers, through the church Bible studies you find and preaching there, but mostly through your personal reading and searching of HIs Word for what He would have you learn and what will best feed your faith and transform your mind and shine a light before you as you walk down the pathway of your life.
Welcome again!
The fact that you are looking to Jesus indicates that you've looked for answers somewhere else...Jesus is usually the last choice...He was for me...You don't need other people to go with you...Here's what Jesus said:
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
You have ask Jesus to save you??? You have turned to Jesus to be you Saviour??? Then by all means get baptized...It's a testimony...A testimony to Jesus that you've become one of His own, and a testimony to the rest of the world as well...Don't be embarrassed or ashamed...
Although impossible for many people, I was baptized in a lake with Christians standing around me singing hymns...
It did nothing for my salvation...I was aready saved and KNEW IT...I was filled with the Holy Spirit and knew it...
And as Cornelius as the example, when you asked Jesus to save you, you were filled with the Holy Spirit...And now, if it's your desire, you may be baptized...
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Get baptized...You'll be happy you did...
“This is a major choice in my life. My kid wont go w/me and my hubby won’t go w/me. “
-
As someone who grew up in a “split” family ... Mom faithful and a regular church attendee, Dad not so much.
I (assure) you that regardless of whatever lack of feedback or support you receive from your kid and/or husband on this issue, the presence of faith in the family will very likely be a long-lasting, and profoundly positive aspect in your child’s formation, and value system.
Be that source of goodness.
Bad advice is cheap...You'll get a lot of it...
I'm convinced the King James Bible is the word of God for the English speaking people but if you've been 'educated' out of that idea by some Christians, that's alright...Pick up a Bible that resembles a Bible...
An NIV is just a commentary of some committee of what that committee thinks God said...Stay away from it...
Start with the Book of John...Pray and ask God to show you what's in there while you are reading it...God will lead you from there...
Forget about Acts, Hebrews, James and the first three gospels until you get some 'milk' into your system...Those books contain the 'meat' of the scripture and can and do throw people way off course...And a new Christian needs to learn basics first...
Years ago, when I was leading a home church fellowship, I baptized several people in my swimming pool. But, it was their faith, the faith of each one of them, that truly baptized them.
As spiritually satisfying as that experience was, it didn’t compare to the night I led my life-long best friend to Jesus while talking to him on the phone.
Ping
Ed, dear, why not be brave and come right out and tell us all exactly WHICH Church has the “genuine authority to baptize.”
This should be very interesting!
Pinging Sentinel, to #5 and this list of Churches. This poster buried his preference at #5. This investigator JJR RNCH is not ready for meat. I can bet that the initial poster of this thread got a pm telling them who has “genuine authority.”
BLESS YOU ENORMOUSLY FOR YOUR DECISION FOR CHRIST.
my 2 cents:
1. Churches, on average these days, seem to do at least AS MUCH DAMAGE as they do good—and that’s true across the board in most all denominations. Some are a lot better than others and some are a lot worse but they are all a mess.
2. The main import of that is that we are to have a RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD not an addiction to a bunch of politically bent egotistical yea-hoos grasping for recognition, power and human glory.
3. RELIGION IS A DEADLY TRAP. RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BRINGS ETERNAL LIFE.
4. Believing on Jesus Christ as Your personal Savior; Son of God who came in the flesh, died for your sins, rose again and forever makes intercession for you with The Father is crucially eternally priceless. Being baptised into His death and rising from the water into His Resurrection Life is obedience to His command and Identification with His purposes and Life for you and in you.
5. In my experience, Vineyard churches on average have a more humble set of leaders than other groups. Humility in leaders is very crucial and far too rare in Christendom. Finding a humbly led congregation that is loving, kind, servant-hearted toward one another; BIBLICAL and missionary minded and missionary active locally and internationally would be a great set of goals in searching for a church.
6. Some non-denominational community churches are great. They don’t tend to have so much denominational hoopla and baggage. However, if they are older than 1.5 years, they have already begun to establish their own customs which too many treat as holy law though it’s far from it, typically. AGAIN, THAT’S GETTING INTO DEADLY RELIGION VS RELATIONSHIP.
7. If there were no Vineyard churches locally to check out, I’d see if there were a HEALTHY Charismatic/pentecostal NON-DENOMINATIONAL COMMUNITY church or a HEALTHY Four-Square Gospel or a HEALTHY WARM, LOVING Calvary Chapel (some of them can be slightly prissy around the edges for my taste as organizationally, structurally, policy etc. wise, Chuck Smith seems to run a pretty tight ship. But on the whole, they are quite Biblical and have decent priorities. Many Assemblies of God are wonderful and healthy. Many are a mess.
8. MOSTLY, AS IN ALL THINGS—PRAY AND FOLLOW GOD’S STILL SMALL VOICE WITHIN YOU. Avoid being pressured in a rush to make a major decision—especially by people or unpleasant feeling forces. God is not in a panic. He’s never caught by surprise. Follow after the peace in your heart and spirit. If you feel no peace, wait on God. Ask Him to show you the right choice and wait until He does and gives you a peaceful conviction; perhaps a Scripture or other confirmation.
9. Certainly the spiritual discipline of a verse or so and prayer in the morning and a verse or so and prayer in the evening with longer study as led . . . and prayers and worship 1:1 then and as you go through the day—well fitting and generally crucial as a life-style. God is not stuffy. He’s holy but not prissy. He seeks to be your intimate Friend.
10. I think my home page has Alamo-Girl’s list of the Names of God. They are a good meditation on what He is, Who He is and what and who He wants to be for each of us. There’s also available on the web somewhere, lists of who we are in Christ as well as lists of His promises. Such are great meditation foci.
11. Mostly, while, of course, treating Him as Almighty God high and lifted up as the prophet saw Him—He seeks to be your closest most faithful and most trustworthy Friend. The Friend that sticks closer than a brother. Commune with Him—carrying on a running commentary throughout your day with Him. He delights to be included in all your doings and helps bring life increasingly out of your choices and doings as you include Him.
12. RELIGION tends to be ritual and rules . . . customs and hogwash. Any group—especially a “religious” group tends toward RELIGION unless the leaders are humble and led of God enough to keep the focus ON GOD vs on group customs, habits, rituals. Even BIBLICAL rules and customs can become deadly as the Pharisees of Christ’s earthly days proved day in and day out. Insure that the priority in your life is the ongoing focus on and dialogue with God—in His Word and directly via His still small voice within you. LOVING GOD FIRST, FOREMOST, ABOVE ALL, SURPASSINGLY ABOVE ALL ELSE IS THE GREATEST PRIORITY. . . AND OTHERS AS YOURSELF THE NEXT. Asking Him persistently to help, enable you do do that is a very priority prayer item ongoingly, imho.
13. Feel free to ask questions. Of course, in a forum like this, you’re likely to get a thousand and one conflicting answers.
14. Holy Spirit and Scripture can help you navigate to God’s Biblical answers for you. And, you can take a step in this or that direction and ask God to confirm His will for you as you go. Like a ship—the rudder works only or best when the ship is moving. God seems to like to guide us best when we step out in faith and move, do something.
15. KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD REGARDLESS. FEAR OF MAN IS A TRAP, SCRIPTURE NOTES. Whether a Believer lives or dies is of little eternal consequence except as God has decreed it be so. As Paul said—to live is Christ, to die is gain. Given that—nothing else makes any difference. So, there’s no need to fear anything else.
16. Patience and compassion toward those God brings our way is priceless. Doesn’t mean we become a needless, useless doormat for someone else’s evil. There’s a time to stand up and not allow that. Being a servant-hearted humble whatever is Christ-like and to be emulated—UNDER HOLY SPIRIT’S DIRECTION.
17. HUMILITY IS A PRICELESS RULE OF THUMB AND THE BEST PERSPECTIVE, ATTITUDE TO BE LOVING FROM. Let God do the exalting.
18. God has solutions for every situation. Even if for the moment, the ‘solution’ is only to wait—wait it must be. Rushing ahead of God can be as problematic as dragging one’s feet with something He has instructed.
19. Your new heart after God touches Him deeply. He is delighted with you and not at all annoyed with you. He is not impatient with you. He has good things in store for you. His highest good for you is the highest possible good you can imagine. He wants you healthy and your relationships healthy. He’s committed to helping bring about solutions to all your struggles and concerns.
20. As I’ve slowly had to learn and am still learning . . . He doesn’t expect you to be perfect overnight. ‘Tis a life-long process in this bootcamp. He is training us, conditioning us, transforming us to rule and reign with Him throughout eternity. All kinds of things are merely fodder for that goal.
21. A number of us will be praying for you. Please let us know when your baptism is scheduled. I have a strong bias that the root words involve immersion and that’s the best form for baptism. In any case, Congratulations. God be with you.
I remember being part of a group that baptized some college students when I was helping out with their christian fellowship. It was in a little stream near the campus and very, very meaningful. The Lord wants us to be baptized after we come to know Him.
Coincidentally there is a thread that describes the claim of how the LDS church received this " genuine" authority spoken of in post #28.
The Restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods Part 1
If you have found Christ for the first time and have received Him into your life by faith, then you ARE saved. You have found salvation. Baptism is an outward sign of something that you’ve done inwardly and is a commandment, to believe and be baptized. It’s a good thing. You do need to find a good church where you will get good teachings about your faith and Christ. God bless you.
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