The point is that the ceremony is done in front of your faith community. Thats it. All of this is unbelievably, incredibly, totally awesome. I hope youll write back and let me know. Heaven is HOME for us, where we get to be together with our family forever. It obviously had nothing to do with pork itself, as Gods people ate pork before that, and after that. I dont think so. Please dont hesitate to contact me if you have more questions! Tats why asked to clarify myself. He wouldnt, clearly. I hope that youve already trusted God with your life, and that we are already brother and sister in Christ. That is what makes an old creature into a new one. How can I get to know who he truly is and fully trust him? In the course of my childhood through early teen years I must have made 4 professions and been baptized as many times, but still doubt remained. Gods plan was to save jews and gentiles so he used the outpouring (separate from the indwelling) of the Holy Spirit to convince all of His divine plan. I do not know if you heard of Amir from BEHOLD ISRAEL, he gives good teaching on many subjects. Do you think I should be listening to it?. I have patience, and confidence, and a very fulfilling life not because I believe the right things, but because Ive been born again. Share the gospel. Do you see why I agree, and disagree? In the same way, your neighbor is misled. This is a reply to your answer starting with: >> Do the rules change about sin or have we gotten the whole Gay and Christian thing wrong? But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Its not a spiritual act by itself, and it produces no spiritual change in our hearts. To be more precise, Hes the perfect father. If you dont have a community, find one. There are several things Id like to suggest. You appear to base this confidence on the idea that youre a good person that the suffering youve endured is greater than the suffering youve caused. They have to meet Gods standards or they dont get in. I really respect you. How did you find me? If I did, I would do it in the name of the Father, and in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, things can be very confusing. Theres nothing wrong with coming to God with selfish motives. Find out what Jesus taught about how we should live its awesome. I believe all Christians need to get baptized. Second, their faith grew so they were better able to pray and trust God with the results. He doesnt like it when people put other things ahead of Him, since that isnt whats best for us. Baptism tells your community of faith that youve decided to dedicate your life to following Jesus. Its simply where God is and we who have eternal life will live with God forever, being where He is. However: thats not the entire story. Its that everybody Ive ever dealt with who has experiences like yours makes the same mistake. I wouldnt rely on the UCG for any of my doctrine. What have I missed? When I read that youve had a lot of troubles, do you know what comes to mind? My Parents are not Cristian, and I am pretty sure they would not want to be there if I were to get baptized. Youve mentioned two specific questions: whether we can believe the Bible, and whether its reasonable to believe in miracles. People who have said YES to God. There are a lot of things that Christians disagree on. From where I stand, you should follow Jesus lead. Thats all baptism is. It is only your body that is in the ground not your spirit, Correct me if I am wrong please. Good question! He loves you, LaAsia. Another kind of instruction is to do something, like to love your neighbor. However: nobody disputes that theyre somewhere. Hes still working in you, even when you cant see it and cant understand it. Read more in 2 Corinthians 5: We are therefore Christs ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. It was used as a slur in the very beginning, and its often used as a slur today. My fears are that God made the creation and all that is in it and all that resides in it so we are disobedient because we are flawed we were made that way with flaws. Im happy to have been even a little bit helpful. Do you? If we read John 3:3 in King James here you find your answer on Baptism. Those who believe in baptismal regeneration are focused on Johns baptismthe baptism that signifies to the community of faith that one has chosen to join them. No, baptism is not required for salvation. I just want to point one thing out to people who think salvation is based on being baptizedJesus told the two gentlemen being crucified next to him (after they professed their faith) today you will be with me in paradise. That gracious act is only half of the equation, though. If Jesus was, is and is forever, then you better believe that these steps to Salvation is also for TODAY! As this was happening, others heard and were marveled after Peter spoke unto them about the occurence and in Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethern, what shall we do.? In John 3, Jesus called it being born again. The apostle Paul said that if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here. See how He lived, so you can begin to be like that. The distinction is important. I said ok, what about signing son. What makes you think there will BE a judgment day? God is righteous. Its easy to see Gods negative side in the Old Testament, with things like the flood, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the ground swallowing up a bunch of Israelites. I dont want to miss out on the good things in life, like having kids and living a long time and enjoying this world.. Im sorry for the delay in replyingmy mother recently passed away, so Ive been pretty busy. It's a contentious issue in certain branches of Christianity, with many sects outright rejecting it, even as others hold on to a cruel and outdated bit of theology.. https://bethelgrace.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/are-you-lukewarm. So that I may also be proclaimed to be in the community of the children of god. Have children, and you can learn how much God loves us. Jesus said I and the Father are one. Those are the people who should witness your baptism. Its frightening for me to imagine that the sameWell.Creator, God, that demolished Sodom and Gomorrah for their glut of sin would allow monsters such as Hitler or Robespierre free entry into Heaven with saints, popes, Jesus. The idea that they might disguise themselves as a person we know has no basis at all. I always cared about what others think ever since I was a small child and dealt with vanity too. (Matthew 28:18-20) According VERSE 19, this passage says a disciple is made, baptized and taught all under the authority of Christ. I honestly cant tell if youre trolling me. (Going based off the idea that one must atone for sin before entry into Heaven). Demonically controlled? If thats the case, then Jesus didnt actually die for your sinsdid He? Who was here in the flesh~Jesus; Who was justified in the Spirit~Jesus; Who was seen of angels~Jesus; Who was preached unto the Gentiles~Jesus; Who was received up into glory~Jesus. I would worry more about learning what Jesus taught than about the future of the planet. In accordance with each Mans individual motivates , centuries ago. Youre the church. You should believe Him. Without that, youre just blowing smoke. Of course, its pretty dumb. The guy I met that had the same visions as I do told me its God way trying to get me to spread the word and to be prepared. Nobody has suggested that theyre nowhere. Since you clearly state you baptize based on Matthew 28, please re-read and take notice that this verse is written in the singular not the plural, and I quote (from KJV Matthew 28:19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Even though we might think different things we still all believe in God. I prayed to God many times to heal me of this sin, but I lived with it for many years. Ask questions. If you prefer the confrontational approach, thats okay. So far the only solution Ive found is cutting out all of my triggers for lust. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abrahams side. Right? It basically was chosen for me by my parents. Please consider my words carefully. Tell Him that you want your life to be good, and happy, and meaningful, and useful and then tell Him that you want His help. Spending quality time with other people who follow Jesus will help you trust God better. If I change out the word baptism to the words being Gay in all these answers. I said no God is God, Jesus is the son, our savior. When all is set right, we will know true and complete satisfaction. God hasnt told us why He created each kind of thingbut I would suggest that He created the dinosaurs for the same reasons He created everything else: because He likes to create things. Usually, an error only applies in specific situations. If you disagree in the end, I wouldnt worry about it too much. Thats why we can be so incredibly terrible. If you have suffered more than the suffering you have caused and believe yourself to be a good person ( in this case; Righteousness doesnt equal good. Im thirteen and I will not be able to be baptized because my parents are not christian. I believe that God commanded me and directed to one specific group of believers (Church), my focus was mostly on baptism knowing that this is the next step after being saved. My concern is not whether I can convince sinners to stop sinning, but whether I can make a case for them to trust God with their life and accept His free gift of salvation. Dont argueseek to understand. Youre asking me, so Ill tell you what the Bible says. If you believe it sounds like you may go to different places if youve been baptized or not. Have you decided to follow Jesus? He said it to me, in fact. Its what comes out of their mouths. When you are able to both obey your parents and obey God, be baptized. He has already promised to do this for you, if you ask. Its subject is a tender one: "The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptized." To Catholic parents who have lost a child to miscarriage, stillbirth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or some other tragedy prior to baptism, such hope is a healing balm for a wounded heart. Wrong? My advice to you is simple. Furthermore, this is not even what Fr. Your brain stops. Do you write them off as unspiritual? When people ask me and they do Im not free to tell them whatever I want to. Heres the bottom line: Jesus died to pay the penalty for all sin, for all people, for all time. Its like performing a magical incantation, as if saying the right words in the right order is what makes it work. Christians are simply people who have decided to trust God with their lives. fear is not Love. This cant be. I enjoy a bit of k-pop myself, by the way. I still consider myself a Christian, because I believe in Jesus and what hes done for me and Im trying to follow what God wants for my life by following the 10 commandments and things like the Beattitudes, but I cant quite become baptized. Clearly, thats not true. A question for you: when will God not forgive that denial? My friend, if he hadnt of looked to his side. One of Jesus best students, John, explained it this way: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Is there ever a level of Sin where repentance and acceptance of Jesus as ones savior cant cover it? If God is just (or fair), how can He not accept people just because they have the wrong information? Read your Bible. There are plenty of other good places to learn more about God and how He wants us to live, but those will give you a great head-start. My advice: dont stop going to church. If it did, we could just make a checklist of things to do, and things to not do, that would make sure we get to Heaven. God is compassionate. Almost every religion teaches how one should act to make the gods not smite you, or to reward you for your good works. Where Do Unbaptized Babies Go When They Die? If someone responds by saying no to God, and insists on living life on their own terms, they have no relationship with Him.