Becoming a believer before knowing certain doctrines...

[TheIndianGirl]

As I have previously mentioned in a couple of other posts, I did not attend church growing up but my family and I prayed during various occasions (during times of struggle, exams, during special meals such as Christmas dinner, etc). I read the children's Bible. So, I had a relationship with Christ in my youth. In college, I started going to campus church where I was baptized and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I accepted Christ because I had a personal relationship with Christ. I did not even know about salvation, or even if I heard I was "saved" it did not sink in. During a lot of my 20s, I attended church but did not read the Bible; of course, the sermons did not go into heavy topics that might push people away (heaven and hell, wrath of God, certain characteristics of God, etc.). It wasn't until my grandma (a non-believer) died a few years ago that I was confronted with certain doctrines and I struggled with this for about a year, having anxiety, sleepless nights, and asking, Is this really God? Is this the God I believe? Now, I can write or talk about these issues without getting too emotional. I guess my point here is that I came to know and accept Christ before I knew about certain beliefs. When I accepted Christ, it was not because I wanted to have eternal life but because I had a relationship with Christ. I guess, in a sense I had child-like faith, someone who was drawn towards/loves Christ but did not know much else. However, a few years ago, I found myself struggling. I accept Jesus as my personal savior (I think that is ground into me) but I continue to struggle to make sense of it all. Sometimes, I wish I did not have knowledge of these heavy topics. Anyone who can relate, please post.

 

[Nehemiah6]

I accept Jesus as my personal savior (I think that is ground into me) but I continue to struggle to make sense of it all.

Someone -- a mature Christian -- should have taken time to disciple you and then teach you Bible truth. This should also be happening within your church and your home. So talk to your pastor and tell him that this is important. God wants us to not only be saved but also come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

[Brandnewday]

As I have previously mentioned in a couple of other posts, I did not attend church growing up but my family and I prayed during various occasions (during times of struggle, exams, during special meals such as Christmas dinner, etc). I read the children's Bible. So, I had a relationship with Christ in my youth. In college, I started going to campus church where I was baptized and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I accepted Christ because I had a personal relationship with Christ. I did not even know about salvation, or even if I heard I was "saved" it did not sink in. During a lot of my 20s, I attended church but did not read the Bible; of course, the sermons did not go into heavy topics that might push people away (heaven and hell, wrath of God, certain characteristics of God, etc.). It wasn't until my grandma (a non-believer) died a few years ago that I was confronted with certain doctrines and I struggled with this for about a year, having anxiety, sleepless nights, and asking, Is this really God? Is this the God I believe? Now, I can write or talk about these issues without getting too emotional. I guess my point here is that I came to know and accept Christ before I knew about certain beliefs. When I accepted Christ, it was not because I wanted to have eternal life but because I had a relationship with Christ. I guess, in a sense I had child-like faith, someone who was drawn towards/loves Christ but did not know much else. However, a few years ago, I found myself struggling. I accept Jesus as my personal savior (I think that is ground into me) but I continue to struggle to make sense of it all. Sometimes, I wish I did not have knowledge of these heavy topics. Anyone who can relate, please post.

There are a lot of doctrines out there that are false. Some arise because of private interpretations of God's words and that have no business being taught to anyone. Because God said his words are not subject to private interpretation.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies. That's a very simple truth.
Repent of your sins and be baptized. You don't have to be baptized by a minister. You can baptize yourself because you are washing away your sins in the faith of Christ who takes them away and puts them under his blood. And there they disappear and are never going to be held against you again. You're clean! And when you come out of that water you are reborn in that new faith and truth.

Read the bible, pray, trust God to lead you because you are now his vessel. God says his holy spirit lives in the believer. Trust that. And let go of thinking to lead your life. Let God do that. You'll maybe call it intuition, or that little voice that guides you to do this or that. When this or that is good and a positive , that's God.

These are things I told people back when I use to carry a little bible everywhere I went. And would be asked how to find Jesus. He's behind the couch with the stale Doritos. NO? That's a joke.

There are many a church that have led people wrong. There are many a doctrine that are not of God in the least. If you read the bible you'll see that you are the church of God in Christ. That temple that is not to be defiled. When you have God living inside you, take the time to make that a back and forth communication and he'll not lead you wrong.

Trust God to lead you.

 

[1christian1]

As I have previously mentioned in a couple of other posts, I did not attend church growing up but my family and I prayed during various occasions (during times of struggle, exams, during special meals such as Christmas dinner, etc). I read the children's Bible. So, I had a relationship with Christ in my youth. In college, I started going to campus church where I was baptized and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I accepted Christ because I had a personal relationship with Christ. I did not even know about salvation, or even if I heard I was "saved" it did not sink in. During a lot of my 20s, I attended church but did not read the Bible; of course, the sermons did not go into heavy topics that might push people away (heaven and hell, wrath of God, certain characteristics of God, etc.). It wasn't until my grandma (a non-believer) died a few years ago that I was confronted with certain doctrines and I struggled with this for about a year, having anxiety, sleepless nights, and asking, Is this really God? Is this the God I believe? Now, I can write or talk about these issues without getting too emotional. I guess my point here is that I came to know and accept Christ before I knew about certain beliefs. When I accepted Christ, it was not because I wanted to have eternal life but because I had a relationship with Christ. I guess, in a sense I had child-like faith, someone who was drawn towards/loves Christ but did not know much else. However, a few years ago, I found myself struggling. I accept Jesus as my personal savior (I think that is ground into me) but I continue to struggle to make sense of it all. Sometimes, I wish I did not have knowledge of these heavy topics. Anyone who can relate, please post.

"when I was a child, I thought like a child. "Now that I am an adult, I think like an adult"

 

[cv5]

As I have previously mentioned in a couple of other posts, I did not attend church growing up but my family and I prayed during various occasions (during times of struggle, exams, during special meals such as Christmas dinner, etc). I read the children's Bible. So, I had a relationship with Christ in my youth. In college, I started going to campus church where I was baptized and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I accepted Christ because I had a personal relationship with Christ. I did not even know about salvation, or even if I heard I was "saved" it did not sink in. During a lot of my 20s, I attended church but did not read the Bible; of course, the sermons did not go into heavy topics that might push people away (heaven and hell, wrath of God, certain characteristics of God, etc.). It wasn't until my grandma (a non-believer) died a few years ago that I was confronted with certain doctrines and I struggled with this for about a year, having anxiety, sleepless nights, and asking, Is this really God? Is this the God I believe? Now, I can write or talk about these issues without getting too emotional. I guess my point here is that I came to know and accept Christ before I knew about certain beliefs. When I accepted Christ, it was not because I wanted to have eternal life but because I had a relationship with Christ. I guess, in a sense I had child-like faith, someone who was drawn towards/loves Christ but did not know much else. However, a few years ago, I found myself struggling. I accept Jesus as my personal savior (I think that is ground into me) but I continue to struggle to make sense of it all. Sometimes, I wish I did not have knowledge of these heavy topics. Anyone who can relate, please post.

I can definitely relate. For me spiritual maturity and growth came in spurts, with some downtime and even some backsliding. But I forged ahead doggedly. I recommend dowloading the GTY (John MacArthur) app on your phone and listen to semons while driving, walking the dog etc. Also, Blue Letter Bible has J. Vernon McGee and Chuck Missler as audio study commentators. Both highly recommended. All 3 are orthodox pre-trib premillenialists.....which is correct doctrine. Chuck Missler is the master of end-time prophecy. OH....also check out Barry Setterfield on youtube....the man knows what he is talking about.

BTW.....the secular scientists are clueless. See the Thunderbolts project and Andrew Hall on youtube.

 

[KhedetOrthos]

As I have previously mentioned in a couple of other posts, I did not attend church growing up but my family and I prayed during various occasions (during times of struggle, exams, during special meals such as Christmas dinner, etc). I read the children's Bible. So, I had a relationship with Christ in my youth. In college, I started going to campus church where I was baptized and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I accepted Christ because I had a personal relationship with Christ. I did not even know about salvation, or even if I heard I was "saved" it did not sink in. During a lot of my 20s, I attended church but did not read the Bible; of course, the sermons did not go into heavy topics that might push people away (heaven and hell, wrath of God, certain characteristics of God, etc.). It wasn't until my grandma (a non-believer) died a few years ago that I was confronted with certain doctrines and I struggled with this for about a year, having anxiety, sleepless nights, and asking, Is this really God? Is this the God I believe? Now, I can write or talk about these issues without getting too emotional. I guess my point here is that I came to know and accept Christ before I knew about certain beliefs. When I accepted Christ, it was not because I wanted to have eternal life but because I had a relationship with Christ. I guess, in a sense I had child-like faith, someone who was drawn towards/loves Christ but did not know much else. However, a few years ago, I found myself struggling. I accept Jesus as my personal savior (I think that is ground into me) but I continue to struggle to make sense of it all. Sometimes, I wish I did not have knowledge of these heavy topics. Anyone who can relate, please post.

It's always difficult when family members who have rejected Jesus die. My dad didn't believe, and it bothered me for a long time after he died. Ultimately, I came to the realization that an all good, all knowing, all powerful being was infinitely more capable of appropriately determining the fates of the souls of men than I could possibly me and I don't worry about it so much. As far as doctrine, knowing it is important. It's sort of like knowing the rules when you're in the Army. But knowing the rules isn't enough to do your job as a soldier. You still have to do your job.

 

[notuptome]

When a soul is under great conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment doctrines are not part of their consideration as to their need of immediate forgiveness and redemption. New believers are to be discipled by those who are mature in the faith. New born babies need care and feeding that they may grow and mature.

There was a time in America when great TV evangelists crop dusted the masses and many heard a weak and watered down gospel. This produced a generation of believers that had no roots and could not grow. We are reaping the consequences of that in our churches today.

The gospel is simple and the need for biblical discipleship has never been greater.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[chanchuinchoy]

I came from similar background as you but Iam fortunate to have a community of Christian friends who shared the same faith as me to support/encourage one another. Challenges will be plenty but continue to uphold/keep your faith, pay often and regularly in contact with your support community. Gd will protect yu.

 

[Adstar]

As I have previously mentioned in a couple of other posts, I did not attend church growing up but my family and I prayed during various occasions (during times of struggle, exams, during special meals such as Christmas dinner, etc). I read the children's Bible. So, I had a relationship with Christ in my youth. In college, I started going to campus church where I was baptized and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I accepted Christ because I had a personal relationship with Christ. I did not even know about salvation, or even if I heard I was "saved" it did not sink in. During a lot of my 20s, I attended church but did not read the Bible; of course, the sermons did not go into heavy topics that might push people away (heaven and hell, wrath of God, certain characteristics of God, etc.). It wasn't until my grandma (a non-believer) died a few years ago that I was confronted with certain doctrines and I struggled with this for about a year, having anxiety, sleepless nights, and asking, Is this really God? Is this the God I believe? Now, I can write or talk about these issues without getting too emotional. I guess my point here is that I came to know and accept Christ before I knew about certain beliefs. When I accepted Christ, it was not because I wanted to have eternal life but because I had a relationship with Christ. I guess, in a sense I had child-like faith, someone who was drawn towards/loves Christ but did not know much else. However, a few years ago, I found myself struggling. I accept Jesus as my personal savior (I think that is ground into me) but I continue to struggle to make sense of it all. Sometimes, I wish I did not have knowledge of these heavy topics. Anyone who can relate, please post.

I guess we need to have an example of one of these ""heavy Topics"" to gain a better understanding of what you have struggled with.. Like another poster has already said.. There are a few false doctrines going around and if you are struggling with one of those doctrines, well i would love to hit those ones on the head real quick..

 

[Prycejosh1987]

However, a few years ago, I found myself struggling. I accept Jesus as my personal savior (I think that is ground into me) but I continue to struggle to make sense of it all. Sometimes, I wish I did not have knowledge of these heavy topics. Anyone who can relate, please post.

It comes from within, what caused you to follow god and regain your spirituality should be focus and a pillar into igniting that passion. If you get to know God for who he is and forget the dogma and blessings, you find more purpose in God and also you grow more spiritual. Remember what Jesus taught about the house that was built on the rock and the one built on sand. Its so primitive, and that is why people don't take that into consideration. Spirituality is rock, and getting to know God is the rock, the sand is coming to God for blessings. Its easier to come to God for blessings, but its harder to stay in faith, because we wont get blessings all the time. If we invest in God we cannot go wrong. Invest in God himself.