I would never join up with any sect I didn't know enough about to explain it intelligently to others.
How non believers may view Christian's.
- Thread starter Nufan
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I'm only receiving from the eastern orthodox because there's many ways to follow christianity. Therefore I cannot follow all of them. So I need to choose which one I'm going to submit to and I'm choosing Eastern orthodox so I can have clear guidance. I also need to learn to submit and yield to someone who knows better than I do. Eastern orthodox have been leading and guiding people in the way of jesus christ for 2 thousand years. There is no compulsion or requirement but I am encouraged through relationship and being part of a healthy community. They have 250 million followers and began in Jerusalem and are one of the 5 churches from 1st and 2nd century. So I believe they are a valid source to put my faith and trust in.
I'm an inquirer right now. I haven't become a member. Like I said. I'm still looking for a spiritual father. So I'm still learning and I'm still growing. So until I have been baptized we haven't sealed the deal. I've been instructed that I should be open to other possibilities before making my decision because when Im baptized I would be entering into a relationship with a family thats similar to a marriage.
Be that as it may, if you study all the examples of baptism in the New Testament, no one waited around; they got baptized as soon as they believed. Baptism is baptism into the body of Christ (all believers), not one denomination or group. In my opinion, you'll be better off getting your instruction from God's word, not a spiritual "father." But that's just me.
Also, keep in mind they were baptized once they accepted Jesus Christ as a Lord and savior. We don't know how long it took them to get to that point where they were then baptized and accepted in the community. Of course, you would only know that if you were part of the community, and these traditions and the process was handed down to you through apostolic succession.Therefore, that also brings up scripture.There is no way to really understand how to interpret scripture unless it's passed down through an oral tradition and teaching, which it appears that this is the way it has been passed down through the ages. And finally we have five examples who are considered as the original churches. Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. They all appear to be in agreement when it comes to their traditions and process of bringing new converts into the faith. There's three branches of these five churches now. That's the Asian orthodox, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic. I chose.
Eastern orthodox because they haven't given into heresies that contradict the creed or the original church fathers, and they are still being guided by Jesus Christ as the head of the church.
Welcome back @Nufan and glad to see you are now part of a Church.
I don’t know what your background is, if you were born in US or somewhere else, but I hope that you are getting past the “culture shock” part of the Orthodox Church.
I say that because I experienced the same culture shock when I first saw a Protestant Church or simply being in U.S. when I first came here.
Being in the West, so far away physically and mentally from where Christianity was born, can seem a bit strange on the eyes and ears but the message of Christ is there for all who are to follow as a model in our life long journey.
I also hope that you find a good spiritual father to help you but don’t rush on that part. God will give you the right one.
We also have had many young kids (20 year olds) in our church being baptized who did not have any backgrounds or parents from the east and felt lead to the church after hearing all the messages and interpretations of Christianity and felt that the message from the Orthodox Church resonated more true for them.
We’ve also had a few Catholics join as well.
So I hope you get passed cultural shocks and you become edified to follow Jesus as your heart and Spirit leads you in your free willed journey.
Remember that the Church is not perfect and you will encounter moments, just like I have, with people who are no different than a Westboro Baptist priest but don’t confuse that with the message and the following of Christ that started 2000 years ago.
The church is small in numbers worldwide as you said and I find that a blessing into itself for reasons which we can discuss in private if you wish.
God bless you in your journey and may you be happy and healthy.
I don’t know what your background is, if you were born in US or somewhere else, but I hope that you are getting past the “culture shock” part of the Orthodox Church.
I say that because I experienced the same culture shock when I first saw a Protestant Church or simply being in U.S. when I first came here.
Being in the West, so far away physically and mentally from where Christianity was born, can seem a bit strange on the eyes and ears but the message of Christ is there for all who are to follow as a model in our life long journey.
I also hope that you find a good spiritual father to help you but don’t rush on that part. God will give you the right one.
We also have had many young kids (20 year olds) in our church being baptized who did not have any backgrounds or parents from the east and felt lead to the church after hearing all the messages and interpretations of Christianity and felt that the message from the Orthodox Church resonated more true for them.
We’ve also had a few Catholics join as well.
So I hope you get passed cultural shocks and you become edified to follow Jesus as your heart and Spirit leads you in your free willed journey.
Remember that the Church is not perfect and you will encounter moments, just like I have, with people who are no different than a Westboro Baptist priest but don’t confuse that with the message and the following of Christ that started 2000 years ago.
The church is small in numbers worldwide as you said and I find that a blessing into itself for reasons which we can discuss in private if you wish.
God bless you in your journey and may you be happy and healthy.
Thank you. Glad to be part of such a healthy community. Im from America was raised Roman Catholic of the Latin rite. I did a lot of searching and explored protestantism. Im now with a Greek Orthodox church because it has substance, community, environment, and prayer that is helping me grow. Turns out most at my church are converts from america and we currently have two priests serving us till the right priest is found to serve our area. Please keep us in your prayers and thanks for welcoming me. Im hoping to become a member soon.
op: How do unbelievers view christians?
Do you mean they could 'be suspicious' of all the Confusion and Differences of denominations?
If I may suggest a video series About Him That Is Very Worthwhile for consideration?:
Holy Spirit 101
Do you mean they could 'be suspicious' of all the Confusion and Differences of denominations?
Precious friend, @Nufan, this is a Great Question worth considering. As Scripture States:
"God Is Faithful, By Whom ye were called unto The Fellowship Of
His SON Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I beseech you, brethren, by The
Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing,
and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
(1 Corinthians 1:9-10 AV)
+"Endeavouring to keep The Unity Of The Spirit in the bond of Peace"
(Ephesians 4:3 AV)
Thus is seems to me the question should rather be:
"Who Is He That Unifies us in the faith", eh?
If I may suggest a video series About Him That Is Very Worthwhile for consideration?:
Holy Spirit 101
I know what unifies Eastern orthodox. I know what unifies Roman Catholic. I know what unifies Asian orthodox. I know what unifies presbyterians. I know what unifies pentecostals. I know what unifies Baptist. I know what unifies the nazarene's. I know what unifies methodist and so on. They all claim to be unified in christ but I also know what doesn't unify them. So either all of them don't follow Christ or only one follows Christ. To say all of them follow chist but not be unified is a lie. If all don't follow chist then who is the one that does follow christ. This is why I chose Eastern Orthodox because I am convinced they are the only ones who follow christ. Therefore unity can only truly be found in eastern orthodox
K
keepingthingsreal
Guest
I haven't read any of the responses here, so if somebody already said what I am about to say, then pardon me for unknowingly repeating it.
There is an expression which says "You are the only Bible that some people will ever read," and I believe that there is a lot of truth to that expression.
2Co 3:2
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2Co 3:3
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
Paul told the saints at Corinth that they were manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, so, in a very real sense, people are reading us if we claim to be Christians. What they will ultimately read is in direct relation to how Christlike we truly are. Truth be told, God has been misrepresented by those who claim to be his people for thousands of years, and his name has been continually blasphemed among the nations as a direct result.
Isa 52:5
Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
Rom 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
I am wise enough to realize that before I can even consider correcting the worldwide problem, I need to fix whatever is wrong inside of me first. If everyone would truly consider the beam in their own eye and deal with it, then we would all be better equipped to help remove the speck of dust from somebody else's eye. It starts with us as individuals.
My friend, you have the Holy Spirit, you have no need of a spiritual father. Open the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and open your mind and heart. It is really that simple.
D
daisyseesthesun
Guest
Nufan, God allows these differences. Even Peter and Paul couldn't get along In Jesus' time. Yet both were called and preached the true gospel of Christ. You will only find three distinctions that the Christians as a whole outright disapprove of: the Mormons, the Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Catholic's worship of Mary.(even elderly catholic disapprove of this one)
And who knows, there might even be a few in those churches despite the false things they preach. For the Bible says, 4Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
I need to retire now from the conversation god bless. Don't mean to insult anyone's faith. Its easy to see that Christians don't share one unified profession of faith and following this so called holy spirit which is really just our emotions and own understanding has not brought unity but disunity. I am happy and content to learn from eastern orthodox understanding of scripture which has been preserved and taught through oral tradition going back to apostolic succession. One can not learn and gow unless one can fist submit to holy council and guidance. Gods design is not for us to rely on holy spirit alone. There is no such example in bible. Jesus eaven submitted to his mother and followed her guidance at times such as the wedding feast.
I do not judge anyone, but the nicene creed is in place to judge everyone who's in opposition to it.And this was not put in place by me, but by the holy church, the apostles and the teachings of Jesus Christ. You have just stated and made it clear that you believe that everyone else besides, your version and flavor of Christianity is heretical.And therefore could be subject to the hell fire. If you believe they are heretical and you don't share the same profession of faith then how can you say they are all lead and guided by the Holy Spirit and follow after Jesus Christ?Wouldn't this then contradict your belief that they are involved in heresy and could endure the hell fire in the life to come? Why do you then feel a need to offer correction to all these other denominations and flavors of christianity including my own? Wouldn't this then be considered as a judgment that is being passed if you feel there is a need to offer correction?
Basically. What you're telling me is that I do not need community. And what I have realized is that I do need a healthy community that is being lead and guided by Jesus Christ and the holy spirit. I don't think that I could follow your advice. Cause I'm not willing to give up community to rely on scripture and Holy Spirit alone. And I believe that god requires a healthy community to grow and walk in the faith.
Orthodox Catholicism is not a healthy Christian community either, any more than Roman Catholicism is. Truth be told, 99% of institutional "churches" aren't healthy. They have a form of godliness but deny its power. If you want to understand what has happened to the institutional "churches," I suggest you read Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna. If you're not willing to have your world shook up, don't bother.
You can have a group that's in 100% agreement. However, if what they all agree on is false, what good can it do them?