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Going back to church
I started attending a Methodist church when I was 12. (I'd never been to church before- I'm now 14) I loved it! But when I had no idea what the Pastor or muchless ANYONE was talking about I got discouraged and stopped going.
I want to start going again but I do not understand alot of things about God which makes me VERY lost during the sermons. Why do we get baptised? What IS baptism? What IS confirmation? How do you know when a prayer has been answered? How do you know when you've been saved. What IS being Saved? When you read the Bible, do you read it straight thru or random chapters at a time? What are Diciples? Whose Abraham, whose Lot? At my church you can only take Confirmation classes in middle school and I'm now going to start high school (I missed the class session) does this mean I can't get into Heaven if I've never been baptised or confirmed?!
I stopped going to church when I got too frustrated and after six months I've decided I've hit rock bottom and want to get closer to God so I'm going to attend church tomorrow. Answers to my questions and advice to better accepting God and understanding him would be great!
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Wow thats a lot of questions, but I am filled with answers! I understad that going to a methodist church can be very confusing. If you realllly want to keep going to this methodist church, I would consider going to maybe a youth group, they can be very understanding. I go to a youth group, and it sooo much more understanding than the adult service. I will start with your questions. You get baptised as a public way of showing people that you are commited to your religion. Jeusus Christ was baptised, and people want to follow Jesus. Baptism is dunking your body in water, showing that you have been cleansed of all your sins, and you are born again. Confirmation is a way of becoming of a member of your church. It usually is in catholic churches. If you ask a prayer, you know that it has been answered, when you know that it HAS happened, such as, God please help me do well on my math test. Most of the time it is shown to you, because God will not answer your prayer and not tell you. You know that you have been saved if you accept your lord jesus into your heart. You know that because you say that he is your lord and savior, and you will worship him..That is basically what it is. Diciples are Jesus's people in the bible that would do his work in the Bible. There were around 12. Abraham was a person in the bible that did a lot of good deeds and he was a bery well know man.He also has many sons! (that was a song if you ever hear it.) You do not need to be confirmed, or baptised to get into heaven. You simply need to accept Jesus into your heart, or be saved. That is what I belive.
If you want to know more, talk to me.
Have questions?
Ask keri!
kerizimmerman14@hotmaio.com
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Stillbreaking's answer was very good. However, there are a few things that I would like to expand on or clarify.
Stillbreaking said, "In baptism we are made Christians, but we are not very strong until we receive the Holy Ghost in Confirmation." ---We are not made Christians in being baptized with water. A person becomes a Christian when he/she chooses Jesus as Lord and Savior of his/her life. The Holy Spirit enters the person and goes to work in that person's life. Baptism is a command from God as an outward EXPRESSION of that inward faith. As far as confirmation classes and the other outward activities of confirmation, that is simply church tradition; it is not a requirement to be saved nor does it make us stronger. It's what goes on in the heart that matters. God ALWAYS looks at the heart.
Stillbreaking said, "The Apostles were very fearful, hiding out, until the Holy Ghost came to them at Pentecost. Then they went out to preach the gospel boldly, and suffered martyrdom bravely. In lamen's terms, it's like a completion of baptism." ---This takes place when a person is ready to go beyond just a salvation experience and is ready to completely step into service for God. This could take place immediately or years later; the timing is different for each person. First things first; you need to know Jesus before you can serve Him.
Stillbreaking said, "When a prayer is answered, you will know because basically, you got what you want." ---God is not a Santa Claus. Prayer goes way beyond just asking for things. Prayer is conversation with the God who loves you so much He sent Jesus so by accepting Him you can be saved. Prayer is simply talking to your friend Jesus. Does that include asking for stuff? Yes, but know this; God's thoughts and God's understanding are as big as all the beaches in the world. Our thoughts and our understanding are as big as ONE grain of sand. So ask then leave it to Him.
Stillbreaking said, "...put your sinful nature to death and transform your life. This can only happen when you are willing to give up ALL sin. When even a little of your sin nature is left alive, the new life cannot come." ---Stillbreaking goes on to explain this in the answer, but I want to clarify this particular statement by saying the sin nature is what everyone has from the moment they are born. Just watch a naughty little kid. Also, every person has an emptiness that can only be filled by our Creator. When a person is WILLING to let Jesus take over their life, they become equipped with what they need to grow in a life with Jesus. It's the willingness that is the heart part of it. The new life comes when the prayer of repentance is sincere in the heart. It may take awhile for ALL the outward behaviors to change and everyone still makes mistakes, but the heart is what makes the difference and that is what God is most concerned with.
Stillbreaking said, "At the church I went to, my pastor saved me. Your's should do the same." ---I think Stillbreaking meant to say the pastor helped in the process of getting saved, but absolutely no person (including pastors) can save; only Jesus saves.
Stillbreaking said, "As for reading the bible, you can read it however you want. The first time would probably be easiest done reading from first chapter to last. It goes in order, and you'll understand it better. After reading it thoroughly, you can start reading certain chapters at certain times depending on how you feel." ---Yes, this is one way, but I suggest to start by reading the book of John (the forth book in the New Testament). The book of John will help you understand the basics of who Jesus is and what salvation is all about.
Also, you may want to read the questions and answers in my column. They will help answer more questions that you may have. Post any other questions you may have to my column or email me if you'd like. I'm here to help.
One more thing, Stillbreaking defiantly has the head knowledge and the influence from family, but the fact that Stillbreaking has all this knowledge and yet outright claims not to be a Christian shows that Stillbreaking lacks a true heart of friendship for Jesus. Don't let that happen to you. Get to know Jesus as your best friend and don't let go, no matter what.
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Well I understand how you feel. I'm catholic, and I am very confused on a lot of things too, but I have attened a catholic grade school, and I'm preasently attending a catholic high school now. I learn most of these things because of the school. For trying to figure these questions out, I would maybe attend some classes for your church. It's not confirmation class, it's a class you learn about God and everything you mentioned about. I'm pretty sure almost every church has one, and for confirmation, you'll have to talk to your church about that. They'll probably help you out there and maybe arrange something for you. I hope I've helped you out a bit. And I wish you the best of luck! =D
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I'm not a Christian, but all of my family is, so i've grown up around the religion a lot. When you start back, try not to get discouraged. I know it's not easy, but you have to think that most of the people that go to church have been going since they were born. It's not like you are going to learn all the Christian ways in one visit to church. Don't get discouraged. If this is what you want, keep at it. And don't worry, it's NEVER to late to accept God as your savior.
Now to answer some of your questions:
Baptism is the process a person goes through when they decide they want to become "right with God." It's an outward sign of accepting Jesus as their savior, and this my dear, is why people get baptized. Some common questions that should be answered before going through with the process;
1. Can you go to heaven by being baptized?
People are saved (and get to go to heaven) by believing that Jesus is the Christ, and putting their faith in Him. Baptism alone, does not save. However salvation (being saved) and baptism are tied together.
2. What is baptism?
You begin by standing, sitting, or kneeling in some water. Another Christian then lowers you under the water and then brings you back up out of the water. You could also literally call this "immersion."
3. When should someone be baptized?
Age really doesn't matter when dealing with baptism. It's more a question of when someone is ready. You'll know when you are ready to accept God, so don't worry about that. If you feel ready now, then great. If not, then that's ok too.
4. Why should someone be baptized?
Acts 2:38 - Tying repentance and baptism together provides forgiveness of your sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation usually deals more with Catholics than Methodists, but it's "a sacrament through which we receive the Holy Ghost to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ."
How does it connect to Baptism?
In baptism we are made Christians, but we are not very strong until we receive the Holy Ghost in Confirmation. The Apostles were very fearful, hiding out, until the Holy Ghost came to them at Pentecost. Then they went out to preach the gospel boldly, and suffered martyrdom bravely. In lamen's terms, it's like a completion of baptism.
How do you know when a prayer has been answered?
First remember, God answers all prayers with one of three answers: Yes, No, or Not yet.
IF I did happen to be Christian, my aspect on prayers is that I have no idea why He answers different prayers in different ways except that He, being all-wise and all-knowing, is aware of what is the best for us � and sometimes that is to answer a prayer in the negative.
When a prayer is answered, you will know because basically, you got what you want.
Say you pray for your sick grandmother to get better in the hospital. If she recovers and comes back home, your prayer was answered with a "yes". If she stays in the hospital for a long time, God may have anwered with a "not yet". If she doesn't get better, and happens to pass aways, God answered with a "no". If "no" happens to be the case, just remember it was in everyone's best interest, especially your grandmother's. God knows what he's doing, so don't question that.
Being saved means being "born again." To be born again requires that you acknowledge your sins before God, confess them and begin to walk in a new direction. You are doing this when you make Jesus the Lord of your life. By making Jesus Lord, you are allowing the Holy Spirit to remake your spirit, put your sinful nature to death and transform your life. This can only happen when you are willing to give up ALL sin. When even a little of your sin nature is left alive, the new life cannot come.
How to be saved. (This is how you know your saved by the way):
First, get right with the Lord. you need to repent of your sins . This tells God that you are sorry for your sins and that you acknowledge that you have rebelled against Him; that you deserve punishment; and that you're asking for mercy on the basis of Jesus' death in your place. You'll also need to ask God to help you change, to live with the Holy Spirit as the ruler of your life. If you honestly wish this to occur in your life, one way to start could be to pray a prayer something like this [found on internet]:
"Dear God,
I know that I am not worthy to be accepted by you. I don't deserve your gift of eternal life. I am truly sorry that I have rebelled against you and ignored you. I need your forgiveness.
Thank you that you came to this earth as a man, Jesus Christ, and died on a cross to take my punishment. I believe that you rose from the dead on the third day. I thank you that Jesus lived the perfectly sinless life that I cannot, so that His righteousness can be counted for my behalf.
I no longer claim authority over my life. I place faith in Jesus Christ alone as my Saviour and Lord. Please change me, that I may submit to your Holy Spirit whom You place within me now as the seal that I am your child.
Thank you God."
If you decide to pray this prayer in repentance to God, and truly mean it in your heart, God will forgive your sins and adopt you as His child. The Holy Spirit will come to live in you and will help you.
The important thing to remember is that it is not really important to God how you say these things, but whether you really mean what you say. God looks into our hearts and knows our true feelings. All the prayers in the world will not help us unless we truly believe in and rely on Jesus Christ, and His life, death and resurrection, in order to be made right with God.
The second thing you need to do is live the new life. You will want to start putting your faith in Christ into practice- that is, actually submitting to God through obedience to the Holy Spirit. There may be all kinds of areas in your life in need of change. You'll need to get rid of old, rebellious habits (such as greed, anger, selfishness, and so on) and start some new ones, which please God (such as generosity, kindness, love and patience).
This second step will go on for the rest of your life, but God will be with you all the way. He'll keep speaking to you (through your reading of the Bible); He'll keep listening to you and helping you (as you pray to Him); He'll empower you to change and to live His way (by His Spirit, which lives within you); and He'll provide brothers and sisters to encourage you along the way (as you meet with other Christians).
The third step is to keep trusting. This step is also ongoing. You need to always be placing your trust in the right place. It's only because of Jesus (and His life, death and resurrection) that you can be forgiven and put right with God. You'll need to keep coming back to this again and again, because, as you start to live God's new way, you will still fail and do the wrong thing. We all do. We all need to keep looking at Jesus Christ as the only grounds for our pardon. We must never stop following, relying on and trusting in Him-and Him alone-as the means by which we are forgiven and granted eternal life.
Though it is important to live a Holy life, we must remember that this Holy life never "earns" us the right to enter Heaven. It is only our continuing faith in Jesus Christ�s free gift that allows us to be forgiven, and counted as God�s child.
If you follow these steps, God has promised to forgive and save you, and take you to be with Him forever in Heaven. If, in the past, you have believed what is written here, but have since strayed from this path, you will want to repent of this sin, and continue on with steps 2 and 3 above.
If you tell your Pastor that you want to be saved, most likely he'll tell you something along these lines. At the church I went to, my pastor saved me. Your's should do the same.
As for reading the bible, you can read it however you want. The first time would probably be easiest done reading from first chapter to last. It goes in order, and you'll understand it better. After reading it thoroughly, you can start reading certain chapters at certain times depeding on how you feel.
A disciple of Jesus Christ is someone who has accepted by faith God's free gift of salvation. The word disciple refers to a follower of Jesus, a learner, or a pupil. So, in order to be a follower of Jesus, one must believe His Gospel and accept it by faith.
Lot is Abraham's nephew. I've already taken up much space on your question already. The story of Abraham & Lot is in the Bible, so read the story and then you'll know. Also, if you type in Abraham & Lot on google, you'll get tons of information on the two.
**** By the way, all this information was found on the internet. It wasn't all stored up in my mind. Don't let me fool you =] I don't have that much brain capacity.
And it's not neccessarily that i'm outright defying God, just that i'm a teenager and I don't yet know what I am or what I believe in.
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