How to deal with self doubt about your faith?

[CherieR]

I am not sure if Ive seen anyone water baptised where they only went half underwater though...most people go the whole way. Or if they dont go down under, they are thouroughly soaked...

baptism signifies the death of our old self and rising up out of the water to new life.

Just wondered if thats what you believe or you just did it because it was a churchy ritual thing to do. Because there is a difference for those that are baptised who believe and understand why and those that dont. In the Bible its always 'repent' and be baptised not the other way round.

I’m not sure why I did it the first time. I was young. The second time I did it because I believed it was something I should do since I wasn’t dunked all the way. I didn’t view it as saving me. I believed in Jesus that he saves , not baptism.

I’m sure the majority of people who get immersed in water baptism are dunked all the way.

 

[Lanolin]

well maybe its you just havent cast out the fear

after you are saved theres also deliverance.

God has not given us a spirit of fear...but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind

2 Timothy 1:7

anxiety is a weird thing where people constantly worry about things that they think may happen (usually bad things) but thing is we are told to cast all our cares and worries upon God for He cares for us.

It can hinder us in our walk. Its like we cant trust God completely. and that fear or doubt isnt even from us half the time. So if thats something you struggle with I am sure we can all pray for you. Would you like that?

 

[rayzor]

John the baptist even turned away the Pharisees who wanted to be baptised because they hadnt repented.

Not true! But Don't mind being proven wrong where?

 

[Lanolin]

I’m not sure why I did it the first time. I was young. The second time I did it because I believed it was something I should do since I wasn’t dunked all the way. I didn’t view it as saving me. I believed in Jesus that he saves , not baptism.

I’m sure the majority of people who get immersed in water baptism are dunked all the way.

well nobody believes it saves you but what did you do before that, most people believe and repent. Then they get baptised.

 

[Lanolin]

Not true! But Don't mind being proven wrong where?

yep he said they were vipers.
They hadnt bought fruits of repentence. I can look it up if you like and give you the scripture reference

 

[CherieR]

well maybe its you just havent cast out the fear

after you are saved theres also deliverance.

God has not given us a spirit of fear...but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind

2 Timothy 1:7

anxiety is a weird thing where people constantly worry about things that they think may happen (usually bad things) but thing is we are told to cast all our cares and worries upon God for He cares for us.

It can hinder us in our walk. Its like we cant trust God completely. and that fear or doubt isnt even from us half the time. So if thats something you struggle with I am sure we can all pray for you. Would you like that?

Sure.

 

[Lanolin]

Look up Matthew 3:8

 

[rayzor]

yep he said they were vipers.
They hadnt bought fruits of repentence. I can look it up if you like and give you the scripture reference

yes but they where not their 2 be baptised who would warn them of the anger of god.He did tell them to repent

 

[CherieR]

well nobody believes it saves you but what did you do before that, most people believe and repent. Then they get baptised.

I had believed on Jesus. Not sure what you mean by repentance. People have different definitions of repentance. I have asked Jesus to be both my Lord and Savior and I do desire to follow him. I know I often fall short like we all do.

 

[HisKid]

Not sure what you mean by "They have already found what they are looking for"
Maybe explain that to me please.

I was going to answer your first sentence with my thoughts.

I want to say generally but not sure it's the right word but I think historically in the west countries that were defined as 'Christian countries' then the population when asked via census and other questions when it comes to religion would define themselves as 'Christian'

Basically it's a cultural belief rather than the reality of what a Christian is.

When I was younger I went to an Anglican church.
I was a believer.
I now attend a church which is NT based denomination (NFI if you want to look it up)
Sadly one of the initial leaders Greg Haslam died last week.
I went to his church and he took me under his wing.
Great teacher. He was called to Westminster Chapel where some of the greatest preachers over here led the Church.

R.T Kendall (who Greg Haslam replaced)
Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones. (Great books, I have loads of them)
Many more.

When I look back can I see the difference between the Anglican church to me ending up in a Baptist church to the NFI church?

Yes I can.
New Testament based churches tend to preach more about what being a Christian is all about yet to be fair in the Anglican church I went to there were weekly meetings to discuss the Bible and what it's like to a believer.

But I have to be honest here we cannot say one denomination is better than another.

In fact in this thread "How to deal with self doubt"
I was in a Baptist church that has a Pentecostal bent.
Every year they would have big gathering of many churches.
I went forward for prayer cause I was struggling.
Long story short I was told that I was not saved because I did not speak in tongues.
So therefore I was not a believer.

Then we have Bible preaching churches who get it wrong as well.
Baptism saves, works save..
So even genuine belivers in Bible preaching churches can be seen as unbelievers.

My belief is that denominations are just like religions. They are all man-made and really should be avoided.

When I say that "fake Christians" aren't searching because they have already found what they are looking for means exactly that. They aren't searching for truth, which is why they have not found it.

 

[crossnote]

How do you know you have faith in Jesus?

Should actually be asked, "Have I sufficiently sinned to the point where I truly see myself as a sinner in need of a Savior and sincerely cried out to be saved?"

When we reach that point, Jesus takes over from there. The rest can be dangerous introspection.

 

[BillG]

No.
This is an interesting topic, kind of difficult to discuss on this platform but let me ask a few questions.
Should we worship with unbelievers? Should we share the Lord’s supper/commune with unbelievers? Should unbelievers attend our prayer meetings?
Biblical answers to these questions are obviously no, we are commanded not to do these things.
So what do we do? 🤷‍♂️

Interesting topic indeed and good questions.

Firstly let's define worship.
Do you think it's singing in church?

Should we share the Lord's supper with unbelievers?

No we should not. It's for believers only.
However I see no reason to have unbelievers in our midst whilst we take it.
However with believers need to be reminded of what Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 11,
Which I relate to what Jesus says about reconciliation against a person before coming before the alter.

The church should preach the true meaning of communion and why we take it.
For me I find it a sobering experience.
Before I take it I reflect on what Jesus has done for and ask him to reveal to me where I have fallen short and what I need to do about it.

Should unbelievers attend our prayer meetings?
I say yes.

Why?

My wife and I have led community groups which had non believers.
To reject them from the group in the first place is not good.
Imagine if you were seeking God and told you could not attend a prayer meeting or church because you were not a believer, how would you feel?

Jesus sought out sinners and unbelievers, had dinner with them died for them.
So many times in our community group non believers attended and actually asked us to pray for them and the burdens they were carrying.

 

[HisKid]

Should actually be asked, "Have I sufficiently sinned to the point where I truly see myself as a sinner in need of a Savior and sincerely cried out to be saved?"

When we reach that point, Jesus takes over from there. The rest can be dangerous introspection.

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. It is not necessary to view yourself as someone who has sufficiently sinned to accept the testimony of the Holy Spirit.

 

[HisKid]

Interesting topic indeed and good questions.

Firstly let's define worship.
Do you think it's singing in church?

Should we share the Lord's supper with unbelievers?

No we should not. It's for believers only.
However I see no reason to have unbelievers in our midst whilst we take it.
However with believers need to be reminded of what Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 11,
Which I relate to what Jesus says about reconciliation against a person before coming before the alter.

The church should preach the true meaning of communion and why we take it.
For me I find it a sobering experience.
Before I take it I reflect on what Jesus has done for and ask him to reveal to me where I have fallen short and what I need to do about it.

Should unbelievers attend our prayer meetings?
I say yes.

Why?

My wife and I have led community groups which had non believers.
To reject them from the group in the first place is not good.
Imagine if you were seeking God and told you could not attend a prayer meeting or church because you were not a believer, how would you feel?

Jesus sought out sinners and unbelievers, had dinner with them died for them.
So many times in our community group non believers attended and actually asked us to pray for them and the burdens they were carrying.

Do you see a difference between non-believers and fake Christians?

 

[crossnote]

How do you know you have faith in Jesus? This is a question that has often bothered me. I understand the Bible speaks on the importance of believing on Jesus. Does the Bible tell us how we know we believe?

In my own life I can see my faith in Christ. I’m not sure how I should respond when I have self doubt about the genuineness of my faith.

Interesting, my wife sent me this song as I was responding to your post...

 

[crossnote]

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. It is not necessary to view yourself as someone who has sufficiently sinned to accept the testimony of the Holy Spirit.

No, but it is as sinners Jesus saves us as sinners...both objectively and subjectively.

 

[CherieR]

Should actually be asked, "Have I sufficiently sinned to the point where I truly see myself as a sinner in need of a Savior and sincerely cried out to be saved?"

When we reach that point, Jesus takes over from there. The rest can be dangerous introspection.

I have

 

[BillG]

Why can’t non-believers pray to God? An atheist can ask God to reveal himself for example.

Non believers can pray to God and it's not unusual.
Generally it's a bargaining plea.
God you do this for me and I will do this for you.
Basically do good works, occasionally search deeper.

Interestingly I think atheists do not seek God to reveal himself but seek disprove God.

Lee Stobel being one. The case for Christ.

 

[CherieR]

Interesting, my wife sent me this song as I was responding to your post...

Thank you for sharing. It is a lovely song. I can relate to the lyrics.

 

[CherieR]

Non believers can pray to God and it's not unusual.
Generally it's a bargaining plea.
God you do this for me and I will do this for you.
Basically do good works, occasionally search deeper.

Interestingly I think atheists do not seek God to reveal himself but seek disprove God.

Lee Stobel being one. The case for Christ.

That can also be the case. I think it can vary. Some may be genuinely seeking while another may take it up like a challenge or pray but not be sincere.