Apparently I'm New Here

Discussion in 'New Members' started by thatoneguy, Apr 8, 2021.

  1. Ananias

    Ananias Well-Known Member Anglican

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    That's the proper attitude when entering a relationship of this magnitude. It is a serious commitment! Still, apprehension should not cloud your joy in entering a life in Christ. God called you; you came. That's the most difficult part of the journey in many ways.
     
  2. Stalwart

    Stalwart Well-Known Member Anglican

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    Nothing to be nervous about, if you give yourself permission to take some time about this.

    What if it's okay to take a couple of years to make any decisions on this? Then there's really no pressure. Modernistic christians make people pressured to make the decision now and having to feel the 'correct' emotions, but we as traditional know that the true conversion takes place in the mind, and not in emotions, so time, patience, formation, and discernment is really where it's at, not a momentary spur. Be blessed.
     
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  3. thatoneguy

    thatoneguy New Member

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    I can tell you right now, this is a distinct possibility.
     
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  4. Tiffy

    Tiffy Well-Known Member

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    I think it's quite important not to allow yourself to be convinced that becoming a disciple of Christ has anything to do with your denominational preferences. The LDS has at least got that right.

    Discipleship is a matter of allegience to Christ and reliance upon what He has done for mankind to bring about a restoration of our relationship with God The Father. It's just that some denominations understand that better than some others do so you may find discipleship relatively easier in company with others who also understand whom they owe their salvation to, and how that should be worked out within their daily 'walk' in The Holy Spirit.
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  5. Rexlion

    Rexlion Well-Known Member

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    I agree with Tiffy's remarks. No church, no denomination can save us. God's grace, received through faith, saves us. Getting into a church home is for your encouragement and spiritual growth, for fellowship with like-minded believers, and for the help and support of a pastoral leader to whom you can relate and in whom you can confide. I was nervous the first week or two in my ACNA parish, but at the same time, deep down, it felt right because the Holy Spirit was confirming to me that this was the place where He wanted me to be. Sitting down with the rector and having a talk helped a great deal, too.
     
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  6. Rexlion

    Rexlion Well-Known Member

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    I hope you're able to transition more quickly and with less trepidation than my own exodus from the Roman church. When the Holy Spirit began urging me to leave the RCC, I could not bring myself to do so for a long time because of the RC 'programming'. They'd taught me that the transubstantiated Eucharist of the RCC proves them to be the only true church, and they'd taught me that if I left the RCC I'd be damned for knowing, but departing from, the fullness of truth. Talk about cultlike! It took me 8 years to break free and become part of a different denomination.

    Even when I did leave, it wasn't all easy. My mother blew up at me: "How could you!? When you had your children baptized in the Church, you swore an oath before God to raise them in the Church!" (Meaning the RCC, of course, because to her mind no other church was valid.) It took time, but eventually she saw the fruits of the Spirit in our family's lives and accepted that the change was of God.

    Jesus spoke truly of this:
    Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
    Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
    Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
     
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  7. Tiffy

    Tiffy Well-Known Member

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    You have my empathy here Rexlion. Many mistakenly equate denominational allegience with Christian discipleship, and there is great tempatation within families to measure a person's loyalty, (or new found morality), to Christ and family in terms of mere religion or denominational allegience, confusing the visible structure of an ecclesiastical organisation with the Spiritual and invisible Church of Jesus Christ.
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    Last edited: Apr 24, 2021
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