have you ever changed your mind?

[hornetguy]

One of my "biggies" is that, having been brought up in the CofC, I was taught that we were "saved" when we were baptized. In other words that was what "did" it.

My understanding is different now... I still firmly believe that baptism is a necessary part of the salvation "event", but we are saved by accepting the free gift. It's perhaps a little more complex than that, involving, of course, hearing and believing, and repentance, but the physical act of baptism is not what "does" it.... in my current understanding.

That's a pretty small nutshell...

 

[Willie-T]

One of my "biggies" is that, having been brought up in the CofC, I was taught that we were "saved" when we were baptized. In other words that was what "did" it.

My understanding is different now... I still firmly believe that baptism is a necessary part of the salvation "event", but we are saved by accepting the free gift. It's perhaps a little more complex than that, involving, of course, hearing and believing, and repentance, but the physical act of baptism is not what "does" it.... in my current understanding.

That's a pretty small nutshell...

Amen! Another of my CoC changes (among many) is no longer fearing that I have to keep my "repentance-groveling" up to date, or risk ending up in Hell.

 

[hornetguy]

I was raised in the church of Christ and was taught that if you are not part of the church of Christ you will not go to heaven. Which means that 99% of the people on this site alone will not go to heaven. I no longer hold that belief. What caused me to no longer believe that was when. I saw the hypocrisy within the church. I am not saying the doctrine is wrong. I'm still a member of the church of Christ but when I became pregnant 15 years ago and the church shunned me(after public repentance) my eyes were opened.

Yes... that is a sad fact, that there are un-forgiving Pharisees in every denomination.... you must have been part of one of the "stricter" CofC's.... the one I was raised in actually founded and operated the only (at that time) maternity home and adoption agency in the state of Texas.... so, the attitudes there sound much different from what you experienced... maturing and understanding come with time... see my response to the OP....

 

[Willie-T]

I was raised in the church of Christ and was taught that if you are not part of the church of Christ you will not go to heaven. Which means that 99% of the people on this site alone will not go to heaven. I no longer hold that belief. What caused me to no longer believe that was when. I saw the hypocrisy within the church. I am not saying the doctrine is wrong. I'm still a member of the church of Christ but when I became pregnant 15 years ago and the church shunned me(after public repentance) my eyes were opened.

Yeah, "The Church" (CoC) was real bad about that stuff. I remember a boy here who sailed his little boat off into a hurricane because of being shunned for messing around with a girl. That was 35 years ago, and he was never heard of since.

 

[KohenMatt]

ever held a very wrong view (maybe for years), only to have it fall away for a new view of what scripture is saying?
what was that wrong view; where are you now?

A couple of things come to mind initially:
How relevant Torah is. Torah never came up in my walk with God for the 1st 9 years. Then I saw how relevant it was to me as a Saved-by-Grace Christian. (Don't criticize in this thread, please.)

Rapture. I got caught up in the whole Left Behind thing for several years. Pretty much from when the series started to just before it ended. Now I discount rapture altogether. (I eventually read through the whole series, though.)

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Yeah, "The Church" (CoC) was real bad about that stuff. I remember a boy here who sailed his little boat off into a hurricane because of being shunned for messing around with a girl. That was 35 years ago, and he was never heard of since.

that is the danger of judging people for a besetting sin. Or it may be a lifestyle of sin because the person is unsaved, But how are they going to repent when they are being judged. Do this or else!!

 

[hornetguy]

I think the sin of "legalism" is perhaps the most destructive force in Christianity... "you don't do it my way, so you are obviously wrong, and are going to hell. Plus, I have to hate/shun you."

 

[zone]

I think the sin of "legalism" is perhaps the most destructive force in Christianity... "you don't do it my way, so you are obviously wrong, and are going to hell. Plus, I have to hate/shun you."

I end up paralyzed when I start trying to obey the Law.
first day I'm toast.
day by day reliance on the Mercy of God in Christ is my only help.
then I start all over again. ARG!

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I think the sin of "legalism" is perhaps the most destructive force in Christianity... "you don't do it my way, so you are obviously wrong, and are going to hell. Plus, I have to hate/shun you."

for those of us who have been almost destroyed by it,, We fight it so hard.. Sometimes maybe too hard. But that is the reason, It is so destructive, Not only as far as a false gospel aspect. But a growth aspect. as both types of legalsim are present..

 

[Willie-T]

I think the sin of "legalism" is perhaps the most destructive force in Christianity... "you don't do it my way, so you are obviously wrong, and are going to hell. Plus, I have to hate/shun you."

And much of this is supposedly "known" through what some people (who may not believe in any other gifts) are certain they have been endowed with, in spades...... Discernment.

 

[p_rehbein]

Have I ever changed my mind? Well, yes......um, er, no, not really......oh boy, sure!

 

[Susanna]

I have changed my mind oftentimes. Sometimes changing your mind is what saves your life in a situation.

 

[dcontroversal]

Yes of course...anyone who studies on a regular basis will come to a higher understanding and will have to adjust their view based upon a more complete knowledge!

 

[zone]

Yes of course...anyone who studies on a regular basis will come to a higher understanding and will have to adjust their view based upon a more complete knowledge!

hi decon.....

 

[dcontroversal]

hi decon.....

Hey zone...how u doing....long time...see your as fiery as ever hahha how u doing health wise...did u have a few issues it seems I remember something....slept since then so who knows haha

 

[oldethennew]

I end up paralyzed when I start trying to obey the Law.
first day I'm toast.
day by day reliance on the Mercy of God in Christ is my only help.
then I start all over again. ARG!

===================================================
yes, it's easy to understand why you are going round and round in an un-ending circle...
most of us have been there, done that!

Jesus' Ten Commandments are what keeps us on the straight and narrow path, not to mention
keeping us out of JAIL when we disobey or worse...
when we accept that He became our Living, Loving-Sacrifice and Intercessor' for our past sins upon
conversion and of course conviction and then His offering us the gift of repentance for our future sins,
His forgiveness and the strength to over-come our worldly weaknesses through satan's constant trying
to get us to deny Jesus and live in shame and lies and self-hatred -
then our relation with Him can only grow and grow as we become the person that He expects us to
become through our loving Him because of His Love for us -
our obedience is the profound truth and proof in and of our growth and continual, intimate relationship
with Him, The Alpha and Omega...

 

[pottersclay]

One of the many blessings the Lord has shown me is to never put him in a box, the Lord has many ways of achieving his purpose. Ask Jonah.
I keep it simple and try to understand things in my everyday life. I see and hear things that catch my attention almost every day. I used to be a dogmatic that's how it is kind of person. Now days I've learned why God gave me 2 ears and one mouth. To listen twice as much as I speak. Everyday I grow in the knowledge of the Lord in some way or another. I've become more peaceful and suttle in my years but in no way do I compromise. I try to be a welcome mat for Christ not a door mat for scoffers.

 

[Hizikyah]

I take this to verse my heart:

Proverbs 12:1, "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is brutish"

because Yah has gude me to many truths I did not know or had a false understanding of, I know I wil be disliked for this one bu some, but His name is the simplest one, it took me 6 years after hearing it, and then the second time I was told, 3 days later I studied for 2 weeks straight just on this topic (many hours on this topic since) but 2 weeksor prayer and study before I knew. Also there is no man on earth that knows 100% of every truth of Yah, and in the flesh none will, I know this myself. Any who claim this are religious imposters, there is only One Shepherd, that leads us to all truth, Yahshua, not any man...

 

[p_rehbein]

Yes of course...anyone who studies on a regular basis will come to a higher understanding and will have to adjust their view based upon a more complete knowledge!

I............

had a pithy comeback to this..........but I changed my mind

 

[pottersclay]

Who ever rep me here thank you...I was a little off the o.p with my reply but that's the truth.