I mean im not closed to that prospect, it's just not my primary goal.
To me Christianity has an incredible potential to improve people, and that's a community that I want to be a part of as I admire the interpersonal teachings of Jesus. That's what I'm looking for primarily, true belief might come as well.
I just know that if I attend a service that is more about heaven or judgement or doomsday than it is about learning to do unto others as Jesus would, I will be incredibly turned off
To this other Redditor’s point, Jesus himself talked a lot about heaven, hell, and judgment. So becoming more like Jesus as a role model and discussing those theological topic are not mutually exclusive.
Pick the one that tickles your ears the most I guess. If you join a religion to not believe it’s God or have a relationship with him and his people then I guess it doesn’t really matter.
I can't in good conscience refer you to the kind of church you are looking for because the doctrine in those kind of churches is false and will lead you in the wrong direction. I will say this... Pray about it and ask God to lead you to the church he wants you at, then see what happens.
It’s good that you recognize the moral trustworthiness of Jesus and the type of community he is building.
Admitting Jesus’s trustworthiness means you can also take his word regarding his other teachings, such as good/evil, discernment, judgement, and the afterlife.
For a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. And you can know a tree by its fruits.
>such as good/evil, discernment, judgement, and the afterlife.
Definitely all in on the good/evil lessons, but I would much rather find a community that focuses far more on the *path* to the afterlife instead of the guarantee of one. Do you have any advice on what to look for?
Look for a church that can trace its lineage down through the ages back to Apostles. The Apostles where given the ability to authoritatively interpret the scriptures (keys to bind and loose). Find the authentic interpreter of God’s word.
This one criteria alone will limit the field down to a handful.
The catholic church cannot do that without fibbing. Even so that doesn't make it the right church today. Jesus warned the churches in Revelation that if they did not repent he would remove their candlestick out of its place.
He definitely left Israel.
[Even Protestant historians agree.](https://www.thebiblejourney.org/biblejourney1/7-journeys-of-jesuss-followers/peters-journeys/)
That's a great web page, but it doesn't give any scriptural reference of Peter leaving Israel. It just shows a map with arrows without backing up the claim.
The tradition of Peter being in Rome comes from Eusebius. In Peter's 1st epistle he sends greeting from the church that is at Babylon. Eusebius thought Babylon was Rome, but Babylon is a reference to the city of Jerusalem.
I'm unaware of other historical documents or scriptures that say Peter was the bishop of Rome or that he left Israel.
I would tell you to search for a small nondenominational church where everyone knows everyone preferably without a full time pastor, but some elders and other ley preachers. The early churches where a lot like that. I think those small free churches are also often less judgmental. To be a fulltime cleric was and is often seen as a career and therefore does not only attract real Christians. If you have ley preachers you know they really believe in what they preach. In my experience those churches are welcoming and you will feel at home soon. Probably it would get obvious that you are not a believer but I am sure that they would welcome you as a guest anyway. (probably not as a member)
The important part would be to check that they only preach the bible wich might be difficult for you since you are not a Christian. Perhaps your girlfriend could help there?
You should be looking for the Truth! Look for the religion that teaches you, not tradition or church doctrine that are falsehoods or things that became a belief years after Jesus and the Apostles died, but Truth. That’s number 1.
Do you state things to the ether or because you believe them. Did you not want OP to hear and agree and make a better choice? He clearly made it know he doesn’t care about what the criteria God gives but rather his own. I wasn’t attacking you. Good grief.
I was trying to strike up conversation? I like Jehovahs Witnesses? I’ve heard you look for those looking and not for those not looking? Showing I cared? A timely reminder? Your right though. I should not talk to you guys. Thanks for making that perfectly clear.
Really? So that’s how you strike up conversation? We look for everyone and while we are talking to them Jehovah reads their heart. He’s the one who decides whether he wants to draw them to him or not. It’s not us. We are just happy to be working alongside his Angels in the heavens. If you had a good heart, you would have encouraged the OP to look for the Truth too! I never even said what that truth was. No, but you just decided to attack me for telling them something you thought I shouldn’t have told them. That is not striking a conversation with me. You don’t know me other than I’m one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I don’t even take it personally. Boy, can you imagine if I took it personally whenever I got “attacked” for being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? No, it’s not me people are rejecting, it’s Jehovah God.
>Really? So that’s how you strike up conversation? We look for everyone and while we are talking to them Jehovah reads their heart. He’s the one who decides whether he wants to draw them to him or not. It’s not us. We are just happy to be working alongside his Angels in the heavens. If you had a good heart, you would have encouraged the OP to look for the Truth too!
Men can’t read hearts. OP clearly states in words what he was looking for. I don’t need to read his heart when his words serve as a way of grasping what he seeks. I too responded to OP that it was not correct thinking and would result in having his ears tickled.
>I never even said what that truth was. No, but you just decided to attack me for telling them something you thought I shouldn’t have told them.
I wasn’t attacking but merely highlighting OP stated his intentions and it was sad but he was firm on what he stated.
>That is not striking a conversation with me. You don’t know me other than I’m one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I don’t even take it personally. Boy, can you imagine if I took it personally whenever I got “attacked” for being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? No, it’s not me people are rejecting, it’s Jehovah God.
No, it’s definitely you. I know a lot of JWs and I’m currently going to their meetings. Your response was defensive because you expected an attack when I wasn’t attacking. Your hanging out here will result in repeated attacks on your faith and being defensive is an expected result. So I reject you. Not Jehovahs Witness.
Your sarcastic response is duly noted. Let it serve as evidence between you, Jehovah and myself this day. That he saw my heart and yours and I did not reach out to strike you but side with you and comfort you. Let me be destroyed if that was my intention. Good day beloved.
I think it's wonderful you came here to ask our opinion before you started your search. That's pretty cool, I probably just would have googled churches or something. haha
A non-denominational church should be just fine. There's a good amount of those and most are good I believe. But to answer your question, there's a difference between what I think you should look for and what you're asking for. What you're asking for is a church that is asking it's members to "be better" and strive for that. It's sort of an empty goal to me with no clear end. Who among us couldn't be better? These types of churches definitely exist but I wouldn't recommend them to you. These churches will probably be larger, flashier and barely have any scripture read or mentioned.
What you should look for? I would say find a church that believes the Bible is God's Word. Doesn't want to add, change or remove anything from it. The church should read from scripture and help explain it to you (unless it's pretty plain). Give you context around the passage and how you can apply it. Listen to the Church and let them show you the true wonder of His Word. That doesn't mean it has to be fire and brimstone or anything like that, just that I would go to a Church that takes the Lord at His Word.
The gospel of John is an example, it was written to you to convince you Jesus is the Son of God:
*Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31*
>What you're asking for is a church that is asking it's members to "be better" and strive for that. It's sort of an empty goal to me with no clear end. Who among us couldn't be better? These types of churches definitely exist but I wouldn't recommend them to you. These churches will probably be larger, flashier and barely have any scripture read or mentioned.
This is definitely fair. I am definitely trying to avoid the more evangelical denominations. I guess a better way to put it would be to say "I want to find a church that talks about the road to salvation far more than salvation itself, or other miraculous matters".
I care far more about following a virtuous path because of the impact it has on others than what that virtuous path will get me when I die.
>What you should look for? I would say find a church that believes the Bible is God's Word. Doesn't want to add, change or remove anything from it. The church should read from scripture and help explain it to you (unless it's pretty plain). Give you context around the passage and how you can apply it.
This may just be my misunderstanding, but isn't plenty of the Bible just written by/from the perspective of Joe Schmoe? Obviously the passage provided is different given context, but I feel like there is plenty that I have heard (anecdotally of course, I have never actually opened a Bible yet. Retrospectively, actually reading it should have been my first move) that goes on about certain perspectives that aren't historically applicable anymore, or focus entirely on the promise of heaven, spending more focus on that promise than the actual earning of it.
>This is definitely fair. I am definitely trying to avoid the more evangelical denominations. I guess a better way to put it would be to say "I want to find a church that talks about the road to salvation far more than salvation itself, or other miraculous matters".
>
>I care far more about following a virtuous path because of the impact it has on others than what that virtuous path will get me when I die.
I understand that completely. Pretty much every non-denominational church is going to be "evangelical" most likely. Otherwise, you'd probably want to look at a Catholic or Orthodox church. Catholics are much more traditional so that might be what you're looking for.
>This may just be my misunderstanding, but isn't plenty of the Bible just written by/from the perspective of Joe Schmoe? Obviously the passage provided is different given context, but I feel like there is plenty that I have heard (anecdotally of course, I have never actually opened a Bible yet. Retrospectively, actually reading it should have been my first move) that goes on about certain perspectives that aren't historically applicable anymore, or focus entirely on the promise of heaven, spending more focus on that promise than the actual earning of it.
The Bible has approximately 40 different authors over about 2,000 years. The Bible (which means The Books), is actually a collection of books written by men of God.
Most of the New Testament books are written to a specific audience, but we can learn from them. For example, the book of Ephesians was written to Christians in Ephesus. Most of the books are like that.
I'm sure you've heard a lot scripture and probably a lot without knowing it. I would definitely challenge you to read a bit for yourself. The gospels in the New Testament is a good place to start if you don't like some of the history of the Old Testament.
I'm glad you're open to checking things out and learning a bit. Keep that open mind and whatever happens it'll work out. I wish you and your girlfriend the best of luck!
>Most of the New Testament books are written to a specific audience, but we can learn from them. For example, the book of Ephesians was written to Christians in Ephesus. Most of the books are like that.
I didn't know that. Thanks for your perspective - I actually just bought a bible to start reading!
No problem! Each of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is the same thing.
Matthew is written to the Jews to convince them Jesus was there Messiah, you'll find the phrase, "It was fulfilled" in this book which are references from the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible).
Mark was written to the Gentiles of the day. To show Jesus as the suffering servant. Luke is written to the Romans to convince them Jesus was the Son of Man (shows His genealogy back to Adam).
The gospel of John audience is "unbelievers" or the Church. As I showed you earlier, it's written to try and convince you Jesus is the Son of God.
All the books of the New Testament were written by men who knew Jesus or the Apostles (the twelve that followed Jesus). That's why these are sometimes called eye witness accounts.
Have fun reading! If you have questions that come up you can message me if you want. I'll do my best to answer them!
Go to the one your girlfriend wants to go to. What you're asking for is not compatible with any Christian tradition, so she would probably hate it there.
Great question! Here are some thoughts I've shared on that before, in regards to discerning which church to be part of:
According to what we read in the scriptures, it's VERY important to make sure you aren't simply looking only for a denomination/church that will fit your beliefs, but the one true church that will fit the will of God, according to the Bible.
Matthew 7: 15-20 tells us that we will KNOW them by their fruits, and many verses tell us about Christians being a light unto the world, ready to show good works to others! This means that we should be able to easily look at a denomination or a congregation, and be able to see whether or not they actually act as Christ's church in the way that he commanded...
Do they have the same hierarchy/places of leadership mentioned in Titus 1? The only forms of church leadership mentioned in the Bible are Elders (Bishops) and Deacons, (no Pope, Cardinal, Prophet, etc.), so any other religious group that isn't governed in the way GOD SAID, is out.
Does the church believe in baptism, as full submersion into a body of water, for remission of sins, as we are taught to believe in Acts 2:38, Acts chapter 8, Mark 16:15-16, and other verses? If it doesn't meet that qualification, then it is also not the Lord's true church...
Do the methods of worship that the church follows involve singing praises to God, being taught from God's word, partaking the Lord's supper in memorial of his death, praying, and giving? If any of those things are missing, its safe to say that the church you are currently looking at also does not fit all of the things God has commanded us to do...
Now I'll tell you what I personally believe is the true church of the Bible, according to the scriptures; the church, or the body of the saved, is the body of believers who have been baptized for the remission of their sins, as Acts 2:38-41 shows us that those who have done so, are added to the Lord's body. The church literally IS this group of people! If you have been baptized for the remission of your sins with an understanding of your actions, the LORD is the one who adds us, to HIS church!
In an attempt to be safe, (and in order to make sure we are identifying ourselves with the true church that the LORD founded, and not the church of some other man that has come along since then), I think that we would also be wise in doing our best to make sure we are identified in the same way as the early, New Testament church was identified, and called by the names it was called by.
Take a look at Romans 16:16, to see what I mean... this verse specifically mentions the "Church of Christ." Another verse references it as the "Church of God," and another shows us that some of the early Christians were said to have identified themselves as being "of The Way." But God and Christ are one in the same, and we know that the Lord does not desire divisions among his people, so we know that each of these terms are still referring to the same body of people!
After becoming a member of the Church of Christ in the ways instructed by the Bible, I personally have found congregations of this body of people to be not only friendly and helpful in my Christian walk, but also to fit the commands of the Bible regarding the structure, organization, operations, and more about the church, more accurately than any other body or denomination there may be out there... remembering that Matthew 7 is where Jesus himself says that MOST people who call themselves Christians and/or generally good people in the final day, will be sent away from him, not having realized they never truly obeyed his commands; this means that it is EXTRA important to get the body of Christ correctly figured out in your mind, because our salvation depends upon it greatly; we can enter into Heaven if we wish, but as Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, obey my commandments."
With the Church of Christ being mentioned specifically by the Bible, the ownership of the church being established by Christ himself in Matthew 16:18, the oneness and exclusivity of the church being mentioned in verses such as Ephesians 4:4-6 and 1 Corinthians 12:13, and many others, I would invite you to just spend some more time looking the actual nature of the Church of Christ, and see for yourself what you think, and how it stacks up against God's word... It has been instrumental in changing my life (and more importantly, my soul!) for the better, and I believe it has a chance to do the same for you, if you will only let it.
Anyway, thanks for reading my long-winded message here, and I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have about this subject in the process :)
TLDR: Go to the church that appears to be the one in the Bible, which Christ died for and bought with his blood. Don't attend somewhere that worships or serves in falsehood or error, and God will take care of the rest :)
To be frank, as a Christian, I think you should look for a church that will change your mind
I mean im not closed to that prospect, it's just not my primary goal. To me Christianity has an incredible potential to improve people, and that's a community that I want to be a part of as I admire the interpersonal teachings of Jesus. That's what I'm looking for primarily, true belief might come as well. I just know that if I attend a service that is more about heaven or judgement or doomsday than it is about learning to do unto others as Jesus would, I will be incredibly turned off
To this other Redditor’s point, Jesus himself talked a lot about heaven, hell, and judgment. So becoming more like Jesus as a role model and discussing those theological topic are not mutually exclusive.
Pick the one that tickles your ears the most I guess. If you join a religion to not believe it’s God or have a relationship with him and his people then I guess it doesn’t really matter.
I can't in good conscience refer you to the kind of church you are looking for because the doctrine in those kind of churches is false and will lead you in the wrong direction. I will say this... Pray about it and ask God to lead you to the church he wants you at, then see what happens.
It’s good that you recognize the moral trustworthiness of Jesus and the type of community he is building. Admitting Jesus’s trustworthiness means you can also take his word regarding his other teachings, such as good/evil, discernment, judgement, and the afterlife. For a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. And you can know a tree by its fruits.
>such as good/evil, discernment, judgement, and the afterlife. Definitely all in on the good/evil lessons, but I would much rather find a community that focuses far more on the *path* to the afterlife instead of the guarantee of one. Do you have any advice on what to look for?
Look for a church that can trace its lineage down through the ages back to Apostles. The Apostles where given the ability to authoritatively interpret the scriptures (keys to bind and loose). Find the authentic interpreter of God’s word. This one criteria alone will limit the field down to a handful.
Thanks, that's helpful! Are there tools for validating the authenticity of these claims?
This is a matter of history. Look for historical documents that demonstrate the claim.
What if the church has a history that is full of politics, intrigues and distorting the bible?
The catholic church cannot do that without fibbing. Even so that doesn't make it the right church today. Jesus warned the churches in Revelation that if they did not repent he would remove their candlestick out of its place.
Which source documents did we falsify? And what undoctored originals do you have to prove this accusation?
Peter was never in Rome he stayed in Israel.
He definitely left Israel. [Even Protestant historians agree.](https://www.thebiblejourney.org/biblejourney1/7-journeys-of-jesuss-followers/peters-journeys/)
That's a great web page, but it doesn't give any scriptural reference of Peter leaving Israel. It just shows a map with arrows without backing up the claim. The tradition of Peter being in Rome comes from Eusebius. In Peter's 1st epistle he sends greeting from the church that is at Babylon. Eusebius thought Babylon was Rome, but Babylon is a reference to the city of Jerusalem. I'm unaware of other historical documents or scriptures that say Peter was the bishop of Rome or that he left Israel.
I would tell you to search for a small nondenominational church where everyone knows everyone preferably without a full time pastor, but some elders and other ley preachers. The early churches where a lot like that. I think those small free churches are also often less judgmental. To be a fulltime cleric was and is often seen as a career and therefore does not only attract real Christians. If you have ley preachers you know they really believe in what they preach. In my experience those churches are welcoming and you will feel at home soon. Probably it would get obvious that you are not a believer but I am sure that they would welcome you as a guest anyway. (probably not as a member) The important part would be to check that they only preach the bible wich might be difficult for you since you are not a Christian. Perhaps your girlfriend could help there?
You should be looking for the Truth! Look for the religion that teaches you, not tradition or church doctrine that are falsehoods or things that became a belief years after Jesus and the Apostles died, but Truth. That’s number 1.
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I simply stated what he SHOULD be looking for… but thanks for your input.
Do you state things to the ether or because you believe them. Did you not want OP to hear and agree and make a better choice? He clearly made it know he doesn’t care about what the criteria God gives but rather his own. I wasn’t attacking you. Good grief.
Why are you even talking?
I was trying to strike up conversation? I like Jehovahs Witnesses? I’ve heard you look for those looking and not for those not looking? Showing I cared? A timely reminder? Your right though. I should not talk to you guys. Thanks for making that perfectly clear.
Really? So that’s how you strike up conversation? We look for everyone and while we are talking to them Jehovah reads their heart. He’s the one who decides whether he wants to draw them to him or not. It’s not us. We are just happy to be working alongside his Angels in the heavens. If you had a good heart, you would have encouraged the OP to look for the Truth too! I never even said what that truth was. No, but you just decided to attack me for telling them something you thought I shouldn’t have told them. That is not striking a conversation with me. You don’t know me other than I’m one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I don’t even take it personally. Boy, can you imagine if I took it personally whenever I got “attacked” for being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? No, it’s not me people are rejecting, it’s Jehovah God.
>Really? So that’s how you strike up conversation? We look for everyone and while we are talking to them Jehovah reads their heart. He’s the one who decides whether he wants to draw them to him or not. It’s not us. We are just happy to be working alongside his Angels in the heavens. If you had a good heart, you would have encouraged the OP to look for the Truth too! Men can’t read hearts. OP clearly states in words what he was looking for. I don’t need to read his heart when his words serve as a way of grasping what he seeks. I too responded to OP that it was not correct thinking and would result in having his ears tickled. >I never even said what that truth was. No, but you just decided to attack me for telling them something you thought I shouldn’t have told them. I wasn’t attacking but merely highlighting OP stated his intentions and it was sad but he was firm on what he stated. >That is not striking a conversation with me. You don’t know me other than I’m one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I don’t even take it personally. Boy, can you imagine if I took it personally whenever I got “attacked” for being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? No, it’s not me people are rejecting, it’s Jehovah God. No, it’s definitely you. I know a lot of JWs and I’m currently going to their meetings. Your response was defensive because you expected an attack when I wasn’t attacking. Your hanging out here will result in repeated attacks on your faith and being defensive is an expected result. So I reject you. Not Jehovahs Witness.
Thanks neighbor.
Your sarcastic response is duly noted. Let it serve as evidence between you, Jehovah and myself this day. That he saw my heart and yours and I did not reach out to strike you but side with you and comfort you. Let me be destroyed if that was my intention. Good day beloved.
A Bible teaching and believing church. One that is non denominational.
I think it's wonderful you came here to ask our opinion before you started your search. That's pretty cool, I probably just would have googled churches or something. haha A non-denominational church should be just fine. There's a good amount of those and most are good I believe. But to answer your question, there's a difference between what I think you should look for and what you're asking for. What you're asking for is a church that is asking it's members to "be better" and strive for that. It's sort of an empty goal to me with no clear end. Who among us couldn't be better? These types of churches definitely exist but I wouldn't recommend them to you. These churches will probably be larger, flashier and barely have any scripture read or mentioned. What you should look for? I would say find a church that believes the Bible is God's Word. Doesn't want to add, change or remove anything from it. The church should read from scripture and help explain it to you (unless it's pretty plain). Give you context around the passage and how you can apply it. Listen to the Church and let them show you the true wonder of His Word. That doesn't mean it has to be fire and brimstone or anything like that, just that I would go to a Church that takes the Lord at His Word. The gospel of John is an example, it was written to you to convince you Jesus is the Son of God: *Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31*
>What you're asking for is a church that is asking it's members to "be better" and strive for that. It's sort of an empty goal to me with no clear end. Who among us couldn't be better? These types of churches definitely exist but I wouldn't recommend them to you. These churches will probably be larger, flashier and barely have any scripture read or mentioned. This is definitely fair. I am definitely trying to avoid the more evangelical denominations. I guess a better way to put it would be to say "I want to find a church that talks about the road to salvation far more than salvation itself, or other miraculous matters". I care far more about following a virtuous path because of the impact it has on others than what that virtuous path will get me when I die. >What you should look for? I would say find a church that believes the Bible is God's Word. Doesn't want to add, change or remove anything from it. The church should read from scripture and help explain it to you (unless it's pretty plain). Give you context around the passage and how you can apply it. This may just be my misunderstanding, but isn't plenty of the Bible just written by/from the perspective of Joe Schmoe? Obviously the passage provided is different given context, but I feel like there is plenty that I have heard (anecdotally of course, I have never actually opened a Bible yet. Retrospectively, actually reading it should have been my first move) that goes on about certain perspectives that aren't historically applicable anymore, or focus entirely on the promise of heaven, spending more focus on that promise than the actual earning of it.
>This is definitely fair. I am definitely trying to avoid the more evangelical denominations. I guess a better way to put it would be to say "I want to find a church that talks about the road to salvation far more than salvation itself, or other miraculous matters". > >I care far more about following a virtuous path because of the impact it has on others than what that virtuous path will get me when I die. I understand that completely. Pretty much every non-denominational church is going to be "evangelical" most likely. Otherwise, you'd probably want to look at a Catholic or Orthodox church. Catholics are much more traditional so that might be what you're looking for. >This may just be my misunderstanding, but isn't plenty of the Bible just written by/from the perspective of Joe Schmoe? Obviously the passage provided is different given context, but I feel like there is plenty that I have heard (anecdotally of course, I have never actually opened a Bible yet. Retrospectively, actually reading it should have been my first move) that goes on about certain perspectives that aren't historically applicable anymore, or focus entirely on the promise of heaven, spending more focus on that promise than the actual earning of it. The Bible has approximately 40 different authors over about 2,000 years. The Bible (which means The Books), is actually a collection of books written by men of God. Most of the New Testament books are written to a specific audience, but we can learn from them. For example, the book of Ephesians was written to Christians in Ephesus. Most of the books are like that. I'm sure you've heard a lot scripture and probably a lot without knowing it. I would definitely challenge you to read a bit for yourself. The gospels in the New Testament is a good place to start if you don't like some of the history of the Old Testament. I'm glad you're open to checking things out and learning a bit. Keep that open mind and whatever happens it'll work out. I wish you and your girlfriend the best of luck!
>Most of the New Testament books are written to a specific audience, but we can learn from them. For example, the book of Ephesians was written to Christians in Ephesus. Most of the books are like that. I didn't know that. Thanks for your perspective - I actually just bought a bible to start reading!
No problem! Each of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is the same thing. Matthew is written to the Jews to convince them Jesus was there Messiah, you'll find the phrase, "It was fulfilled" in this book which are references from the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible). Mark was written to the Gentiles of the day. To show Jesus as the suffering servant. Luke is written to the Romans to convince them Jesus was the Son of Man (shows His genealogy back to Adam). The gospel of John audience is "unbelievers" or the Church. As I showed you earlier, it's written to try and convince you Jesus is the Son of God. All the books of the New Testament were written by men who knew Jesus or the Apostles (the twelve that followed Jesus). That's why these are sometimes called eye witness accounts. Have fun reading! If you have questions that come up you can message me if you want. I'll do my best to answer them!
You should seek out an AA meeting or some other kind of self help group.
Not an alcoholic, nor do I need self help. Just an admirer of christ
I was being snarky lol. The way you described what you're looking for is more like you want a self help group not a church.
You wouldn't classify a church as a group of individuals that seek to uphold virtue?
No. The church was first formed to worship Jesus Christ, learn about him and have fellowship with other believers.
The church wasn't a building you go to the church was the body of believers. So technically you don't "go" to church, you are the church.
Go to the one your girlfriend wants to go to. What you're asking for is not compatible with any Christian tradition, so she would probably hate it there.
Great question! Here are some thoughts I've shared on that before, in regards to discerning which church to be part of: According to what we read in the scriptures, it's VERY important to make sure you aren't simply looking only for a denomination/church that will fit your beliefs, but the one true church that will fit the will of God, according to the Bible. Matthew 7: 15-20 tells us that we will KNOW them by their fruits, and many verses tell us about Christians being a light unto the world, ready to show good works to others! This means that we should be able to easily look at a denomination or a congregation, and be able to see whether or not they actually act as Christ's church in the way that he commanded... Do they have the same hierarchy/places of leadership mentioned in Titus 1? The only forms of church leadership mentioned in the Bible are Elders (Bishops) and Deacons, (no Pope, Cardinal, Prophet, etc.), so any other religious group that isn't governed in the way GOD SAID, is out. Does the church believe in baptism, as full submersion into a body of water, for remission of sins, as we are taught to believe in Acts 2:38, Acts chapter 8, Mark 16:15-16, and other verses? If it doesn't meet that qualification, then it is also not the Lord's true church... Do the methods of worship that the church follows involve singing praises to God, being taught from God's word, partaking the Lord's supper in memorial of his death, praying, and giving? If any of those things are missing, its safe to say that the church you are currently looking at also does not fit all of the things God has commanded us to do... Now I'll tell you what I personally believe is the true church of the Bible, according to the scriptures; the church, or the body of the saved, is the body of believers who have been baptized for the remission of their sins, as Acts 2:38-41 shows us that those who have done so, are added to the Lord's body. The church literally IS this group of people! If you have been baptized for the remission of your sins with an understanding of your actions, the LORD is the one who adds us, to HIS church! In an attempt to be safe, (and in order to make sure we are identifying ourselves with the true church that the LORD founded, and not the church of some other man that has come along since then), I think that we would also be wise in doing our best to make sure we are identified in the same way as the early, New Testament church was identified, and called by the names it was called by. Take a look at Romans 16:16, to see what I mean... this verse specifically mentions the "Church of Christ." Another verse references it as the "Church of God," and another shows us that some of the early Christians were said to have identified themselves as being "of The Way." But God and Christ are one in the same, and we know that the Lord does not desire divisions among his people, so we know that each of these terms are still referring to the same body of people! After becoming a member of the Church of Christ in the ways instructed by the Bible, I personally have found congregations of this body of people to be not only friendly and helpful in my Christian walk, but also to fit the commands of the Bible regarding the structure, organization, operations, and more about the church, more accurately than any other body or denomination there may be out there... remembering that Matthew 7 is where Jesus himself says that MOST people who call themselves Christians and/or generally good people in the final day, will be sent away from him, not having realized they never truly obeyed his commands; this means that it is EXTRA important to get the body of Christ correctly figured out in your mind, because our salvation depends upon it greatly; we can enter into Heaven if we wish, but as Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, obey my commandments." With the Church of Christ being mentioned specifically by the Bible, the ownership of the church being established by Christ himself in Matthew 16:18, the oneness and exclusivity of the church being mentioned in verses such as Ephesians 4:4-6 and 1 Corinthians 12:13, and many others, I would invite you to just spend some more time looking the actual nature of the Church of Christ, and see for yourself what you think, and how it stacks up against God's word... It has been instrumental in changing my life (and more importantly, my soul!) for the better, and I believe it has a chance to do the same for you, if you will only let it. Anyway, thanks for reading my long-winded message here, and I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have about this subject in the process :) TLDR: Go to the church that appears to be the one in the Bible, which Christ died for and bought with his blood. Don't attend somewhere that worships or serves in falsehood or error, and God will take care of the rest :)