I used to be a strong Christian then I lost my faith and now it came back, however???

[Ervinp]

Hi brothers and sisters. I used to be a strong Christian, then I got sick and that took my faith away. I have a what’s called schizoaffective disorder which is a mixture of schizophrenia and bipolar, I had it for around 19,6 years. Anyway that’s a long story.
Now, my faith came back in what Jesus Himself said, but I am not sure if Paul was the real disciple. Maybe he is. Lot of people say that some of his teachings contradicted some of Yeshuas teachings, in other places he says what Yeshua already said. I just need some insight from you in regards to Paul and in general the book of acts. Why do you think they are true? In the Old Testament the story of Samson and Dilailah doesn’t make sense, what’s it supposed to mean that his strength was in his har? In the book of Mathew Yeshua already prophecies about the end days, so why do we need the book of Revelations?

In the past I found Christian forums to be the best places to discuss Christianity. When I go to YouTube to see Christian videos I normally watch street preachers and I tend to listen to lay Christians. Jesus said don’t call anyone rabi for you have one teacher and you are all brethren. When it comes to churches, which church should I go with if I’m not supposed to call anyone Rabi? I yearn to be with other Christians but I can’t find a Church that I can entirely agree with. Plus, my understanding is that church are believers, not institution, and that Yeshua is the head of the church, not some so called ordained minister.
I also haven’t been baptised yet. I live in Melbourne, Australia, so if anyone is from Melbourne on the forum please recommend a church. I think finding one that’s closest to my beliefs and just go with that is the only option I’m left with.

Well, that’s all, I’m more than interested in your response please!

Thanks

 

[Windmill Charge]

I’m not supposed to call anyone Rabi? I yearn to be with other Christians but I can’t find a Church that I can entirely agree with

Your need is for sound teaching and fellowship.
So look for what a church teaches in there online sermons. Start with those churches near where you live and move out until you find one that challenges you.
Note, you do not have to agree with everything so long as you agree with the primary doctrines about salvation. ( youcan be the friendly theological challenger/ questioner in a church )
Then look at how they practise what they preach.

Your priority is sound teaching and fellowship not theological nit picking.

 

[Taken]

Hi brothers and sisters. I used to be a strong Christian, then I got sick and that took my faith away.

Greetings Ervinp~
“Faith” is a gift from God.
“Faith” is delivered from God (who is Spirit) to your “natural spirit”, which is in your Heart, not your Mind
“Faith” given is not lost…but can become stagnate.
“A man who stops receiving faith…is called having fallen from faith.

Your “sickness” is a mindful / mental issue…that can happen for many reasons…(from a physical connection in the Brain, to an inability to sort and cope with particularly hardship issues that happen in this chaotic life on Earth.

Hearing / (Reading)…receiving Gods Word is (when, why, how), God gives a man “measures” of His Gift of Faith.

Hear / Read more…receive more..that simple.


Continued….

 

[Taken]

Evinp ~

Evinp ~

I am not sure if Paul was the real disciple. Maybe he is. Lot of people say that some of his teachings contradicted some of Yeshuas teachings,

Saul / Paul is an interesting character…
Saul…(Hebrew name), was the son of and seemingly raised up moreso according to his mother’s (Tribe of Israel) formative years religious teaching…
He was extremely well educated, and Became a notable PHARISEE, teaching according to the OT Laws regarding the Jews.
OT Laws…taught of the coming Messiah….
** The EXPECTATION of the coming Messiah…
Was “according to a human mans understanding”….
A KING, with great power, wealth, a kingdom, an army, who would gather all the Jews together and protect the Jews, by destroying their enemies.

What MANY (Pharisees, Sanhedrin’s and the Jews at large SAW) was (a down trodden man, with no kingdom, no wealth, no army.)

So…Regarding SAUL…YES…he was among the other Pharisees….NOT liking this …
JESUS of NAZARETH…preaching and teaching….that “HE” was SENT to Earth, on behalf of God, to SEEK and SAVE the Tribes of Israel First, and then Gentiles.
Much of Paul’s Preaching…Reveals IN SCRIPTURE….the Negativity of WHAT “SAUL” thought about Jesus…and WHAT actions “SAUL” took AGAINST JEWS…who were following, trusting, believing this JESUS OF NAZARETH…

It is well known….God has a purpose FOR every created and made human being.
It is well known….God routinely has “appointed” the LEAST LIKELY human…TO DO Great works and a Marvelous Service unto God for the benefit of the whole world….

…..David…a “young” boy…to stand up to A powerful giant of a man…when the Hebrew clans all feared this giant and his people.

…..Moses…a “Hebrew baby”….raised in secrecy that he was Hebrew smack dab in the royal family court of Gentiles.
Moses, Not particularly a great “speaker”, but chosen by God to free the Israeli Slaves from the same “royal Gentiles” captivity.

….SAUL…a Hebrew/Jew/Pharisee…against Jesus….expressly chosen to become A spokesman FOR JESUS…
….SAUL…Hebrew…name, son of a Hebrew/Jew mother…
….PAUL….his “Gentile” name, so of a Gentile / father…

…..Saul…experienced a phenomenal spiritual event….Becoming Physically Blinded by a overwhelmingly BRIGHt LIGHT.(while on his way to “round up some of those pesky Jews…following after the teaching of THAT guy Jesus of Nazareth”…

…AND A VOICE Saul Heard coming from that LIGHT….immediately stunned SAUL…that “he answered the Voice”….calling that voice…
“Lord”….which is the same well known TITLE, Jews “following Jesus’ teachings” were calling Jesus.

Saul immediately relented…and addressed THAT VOICE…as Lord…..”AND” ASKED THAt VOICE….WHAT He speaking, would WANT SAUL to DO….

(Big Picture….IF you study through Acts…What was the Lord’s request…
*) go meet with a particular man
*) go to Arabia, (for 3 years), Learn what the other disciples Learned in the 3 years when Jesus was with them.
*) Become a Disciple…follower of Jesus.
*) Become an Apostle…teacher/ preacher TO:
The Gentiles, The Kings, The Jews…

So YES…there is CONFLICTING Words revealed IN Scripture…
Some are from SAULS “past”…
{as he WAS)
Some are from PAULS “transformation”…
(As he BECAME)

Why do you think they are true?

Because I trust the Lord God can not LIE.
Because I trust God approved the Scriptures.


continued….

 

[Taken]

Evinp ~

In the Old Testament the story of Samson and Dilailah doesn’t make sense, what’s it supposed to mean that his strength was in his hair?

In the days of Sampson…Long Hair was not the usual for men…How God Chooses to have a man he has chosen to STAND OUT among the crowd, I would say is simply Gods election.

Scripture is simply KNOWLEDGE.
UNDERSTANDING knowledge from a Spirit God, requires (not the MIND of a human) Rather the SPIRIT of a Human.

Humans have “natural spirits”, which is simply “THEIR natural TRUTH in their Heart” (whereas the MIND can invent lies, believe lies) The heart keeps the TRUTH.

The historical event of foreskin circumcision…is steeped in a man willing to give his FLESH, being cut off….as a token for that man to willingly give HIS LIFE (flesh) unto Death FOR his God.

The Firesign circumcision…was a PRELUDE…
Of a Bigger Picture…(for an offering to ALL men (not only the Tribes of Israel)…. And their willingness….that the Lord God Himself would Circumcise the HEART….of any man so WILLING….

What does Circumcision of the Heart DO?
Cuts off the mans OLD NATURAL “TRUTH” in his spirit…….AND? Gives that man the seed of God…to BIRTH that man A New Spirit….Having…Gods Truth in his Heart!
(Which is EXACTLY what Being Born of the Spirit….ie. Born Again … IS.)
It is receiving…
Gods seed (who is Christ)
And … Gods truth (who is Jesus)
And … Gods Spirit (who is the Spirit of Truth).

NOW, is that man “PREPARED” to ASK God for His Understanding….of this and that…what ever Scriptures that man is hearing, reading, studying….and wants to UNDERSTAND…according to Gods understanding.

God is not a Fool or Foolish…If one does not hear, read, learn, study the Scriptures…why would He give a man UNDERSTANDING of what a man has not invested his own effort to know of such things? Just saying…if a man shows effort, due diligence….the expectation of Gods response is equal in effort.

Continued…

 

[Taken]

Evinp ~

In the book of Mathew Yeshua already prophecies about the end days, so why do we need the book of Revelations?

From the beginning….God teaches FACTS, that just are what they are….AND God teaches with SIMILITUDES…regarding things a man CAN SEE…but not necessarily TOUCH.

Example..HEAVEN…shows itself in glimpses…but man can not touch it.

Example …Relationships…Lovable, Likable, Not Likable…with…without…Parallels …
Between a manKind and manKind…and
manKind and the Lord God.

Yes…Scripture teaches ancient history, AND future…
Revelations REVEALS…the OUTCOME…of ALL…who, Celestial (spirits), terrestrials (manKind, animalKind)
ALL…what, with or without God
ALL…when, sealed unto God, rejected by God.
ALL….why, sealed or rejected
ALL….where, Heaven, Earth, Hell
FROM the perspective…OF JOHN, while yet alive IN his FLESH…being CALLED UP HITHER in the Spirit…to then write and reveal to manKIND the PICTURE of the ENDING of “MORTAL” MANKIND….and Beginning of “SPIRITUAL” ManKIND…
The ENDING of “a barrier Division” between Heaven and Earth….and Beginning of “as it is in Heaven (Gods Kingdom), so also shall it be ON Earth (Gods Kingdom with ONLY Occupants who ARE Gods “committed” Faithful )

Continued…

 

[Taken]

Evinp ~

In the past I found Christian forums to be the best places to discuss Christianity. When I go to YouTube to see Christian videos I normally watch street preachers and I tend to listen to lay Christians.

I would suggest a STUDENT Bible for you to read….
and seeing IF a Church…that has “Sunday “school”, which usually delves in to numerous topics and takes place BEFORE the Church gathers in the Sanctuary to hear the Preacher preach a sermon topic, he has selected…and whatever “rituals” that particular church does.
And some churches have “bible study” groups that meet at particular times…to have discussions…rather that just LISTENING, like in the Sanctuary.


God Bless you and guide you.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[Lambano]

In the Old Testament the story of Samson and Dilailah doesn’t make sense, what’s it supposed to mean that his strength was in his har?

Samson was into some really kinky bondage games. I'm glad the Bible tells us the truth about our heroes.

 

[Lambano]

In the Old Testament the story of Samson and Dilailah doesn’t make sense, what’s it supposed to mean that his strength was in his har?

The Samson and Delilah story is about our faithfulness to God, God's faithfulness to us, and the consequences of us breaking faithfulness. Samson's strength was not in his hair per se; it was given to him by God. Think about it.

 

[SavedInHim]

Hi brothers and sisters. I used to be a strong Christian, then I got sick and that took my faith away. I have a what’s called schizoaffective disorder which is a mixture of schizophrenia and bipolar, I had it for around 19,6 years. Anyway that’s a long story.
Now, my faith came back in what Jesus Himself said, but I am not sure if Paul was the real disciple. Maybe he is. Lot of people say that some of his teachings contradicted some of Jesuss teachings, in other places he says what Jesus already said. I just need some insight from you in regards to Paul and in general the book of acts. Why do you think they are true? In the Old Testament the story of Samson and Dilailah doesn’t make sense, what’s it supposed to mean that his strength was in his har? In the book of Mathew Jesus already prophecies about the end days, so why do we need the book of Revelations?

In the past I found Christian forums to be the best places to discuss Christianity. When I go to YouTube to see Christian videos I normally watch street preachers and I tend to listen to lay Christians. Jesus said don’t call anyone rabi for you have one teacher and you are all brethren. When it comes to churches, which church should I go with if I’m not supposed to call anyone Rabi? I yearn to be with other Christians but I can’t find a Church that I can entirely agree with. Plus, my understanding is that church are believers, not institution, and that Jesus is the head of the church, not some so called ordained minister.
I also haven’t been baptised yet. I live in Melbourne, Australia, so if anyone is from Melbourne on the forum please recommend a church. I think finding one that’s closest to my beliefs and just go with that is the only option I’m left with.

Well, that’s all, I’m more than interested in your response please!

Thanks

Are you saying you've never been baptized, even before your faith waivered? If you were originally baptized (immersed), I wouldn't get baptized again. However, if you've never been baptized (immersed), I'd make it a priority to do so. It doesn't have to be a big production so long as your heart and faith are right. Just find another believer who is willing to go to a body of water with you and baptize you. You're getting baptized into the body of Christ, not any particular congregation.

I think you'll find the more you understand the truth about Christianity, the more you'll start seeing how far the modern versions of it have wandered from the genuine article. It's becoming more and more difficult to find bodies of believers who follow The Way in truth. I don't know what to tell you; my only advice would be don't compromise just because you think you have to "belong" somewhere. Don't give up looking though; pray and be watchful for His leading.

 

[Ervinp]

Thanks everyone. I haven’t been baptised. I wanted to get baptised during covid but I couldn’t find what at the time I considered a real Christian. So I was walking down the street, thinking how am I going to get baptised and a drop of rain fell hit me on the head and I said in the name of the father, son and the Holy Spirit. But you probably can’t baptise yourself. So if anyone in Melbourne Australia can recommend a church, that would be great. I went to the uniting church ones long time ago, but over there you have to study their interpretation and understanding of Christs teachings, accept it and then they would do it. Like I said, my understanding is that real practicing Christians are the church, not some institution that calls itself church. Another thing I had people daily trying to get me to leave Christianity, so many people around me preety much fought a war on my faith, for different reasons. Last time I decided to go to church someone said to my psychiatrists that they are concerned about my mental health when there was nothing wrong with me. That someone makes copious amounts of money from me. And people know that when I am a Christian, I do my best to carry the cross which includes not deceiving anyone, even if it hurts someone’s bank account balance. So at times the cross was getting a bit heavy and I would try and shorten it a little bit, or I would put it down at times, etc. I’m currently smoking cigarettes, etc.

I saw once a street preacher here in Melbourne city, he was by himself, he definitely had the gift of knowledge, but at the time I was a bit shy so I didn’t introduce myself. He was someone I considered a real Christian. I was looking for him to get connected with him and to ask him to baptise me, but I’ve never seen him since. He obviously realised that preety much nobody cares, so he stoped preaching, that’s my assumption, I don’t really know why he stopped. In the USA Christians are blessed with plenty of street preachers. I watch them on YouTube.

Anyway, in regards to Paul in the New Testament I mean if he says something and it contradicts Yeshua on that point, il just accept what Yeshua said.

I’ve read before, some Christians saying, I go with Paul, the other ones were saying I go with someone else, I never responded to those comment but my thinking was how about you go with Yeshua????
Anyway, once again, thank you for you responses.

 

[Windmill Charge]

if anyone in Melbourne Australia can recommend a church

May I suggest that you follow this link :-

Christianity Explored

Over seven sessions in Mark’s Gospel, guests find out more about the life of the person at the heart of the Christian faith – Jesus Christ.

www.christianityexplored.org

Scroll to the bottom and input Melbourne, there are at least 10 churches that run the christianityexplored course.
May I suggest that you sign up for this course for two reasons.
1. It will give you a chance to get to know Christians who run this course.
2, it will expose you to basic Christian theology as taught in that church.

This will help you decide whether to start following the bible example of regularly attending corporate worship, we meet together not for what we get out of it, but to encourage others.

 

[Gottservant]

Hi brothers and sisters. I used to be a strong Christian, then I got sick and that took my faith away. I have a what’s called schizoaffective disorder which is a mixture of schizophrenia and bipolar, I had it for around 19,6 years. Anyway that’s a long story.
Now, my faith came back in what Jesus Himself said, but I am not sure if Paul was the real disciple. Maybe he is. Lot of people say that some of his teachings contradicted some of Yeshuas teachings, in other places he says what Yeshua already said. I just need some insight from you in regards to Paul and in general the book of acts. Why do you think they are true? In the Old Testament the story of Samson and Dilailah doesn’t make sense, what’s it supposed to mean that his strength was in his har? In the book of Mathew Yeshua already prophecies about the end days, so why do we need the book of Revelations?

In the past I found Christian forums to be the best places to discuss Christianity. When I go to YouTube to see Christian videos I normally watch street preachers and I tend to listen to lay Christians. Jesus said don’t call anyone rabi for you have one teacher and you are all brethren. When it comes to churches, which church should I go with if I’m not supposed to call anyone Rabi? I yearn to be with other Christians but I can’t find a Church that I can entirely agree with. Plus, my understanding is that church are believers, not institution, and that Yeshua is the head of the church, not some so called ordained minister.
I also haven’t been baptised yet. I live in Melbourne, Australia, so if anyone is from Melbourne on the forum please recommend a church. I think finding one that’s closest to my beliefs and just go with that is the only option I’m left with.

Well, that’s all, I’m more than interested in your response please!

Thanks

I live in Melbourne! Where are you? East, West?

I've never heard someone say "Paul contradicted Jesus" - I'd be interested to know what was said?

 

[Ervinp]

Hi Gottservant, I live in Brooklyn, it’s close to Altona gate shopping centre.
I have looked into online sights and it takes a while to find but there are people who have picked out those contradictions. I don’t have a laptop or computer, I have only a phone and I don’t know how to open up two pages at once in order to post those contradicting teachings. There are a lots of Christian sites who kind of twist it and try and explain those discrepancies away but if you go to neutral sites you might see them. I have a new iPhone 15+ and on this phone I don’t know how to do it.
Never forget, I don’t claim that I am 100% right.
If you wanna connect through my Facebook, just pm me please. Which ever way you look at it I need Christians in my life.
Thanks

 

[Ervinp]

 

[Gottservant]

[...]
Never forget, I don’t claim that I am 100% right.

What a brilliant sentiment!

I was like you!

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Hi brothers and sisters. I used to be a strong Christian, then I got sick and that took my faith away. I have a what’s called schizoaffective disorder which is a mixture of schizophrenia and bipolar, I had it for around 19,6 years. Anyway that’s a long story.
Now, my faith came back in what Jesus Himself said, but I am not sure if Paul was the real disciple. Maybe he is. Lot of people say that some of his teachings contradicted some of Yeshuas teachings, in other places he says what Yeshua already said. I just need some insight from you in regards to Paul and in general the book of acts. Why do you think they are true? In the Old Testament the story of Samson and Dilailah doesn’t make sense, what’s it supposed to mean that his strength was in his har? In the book of Mathew Yeshua already prophecies about the end days, so why do we need the book of Revelations?

In the past I found Christian forums to be the best places to discuss Christianity. When I go to YouTube to see Christian videos I normally watch street preachers and I tend to listen to lay Christians. Jesus said don’t call anyone rabi for you have one teacher and you are all brethren. When it comes to churches, which church should I go with if I’m not supposed to call anyone Rabi? I yearn to be with other Christians but I can’t find a Church that I can entirely agree with. Plus, my understanding is that church are believers, not institution, and that Yeshua is the head of the church, not some so called ordained minister.
I also haven’t been baptised yet. I live in Melbourne, Australia, so if anyone is from Melbourne on the forum please recommend a church. I think finding one that’s closest to my beliefs and just go with that is the only option I’m left with.

Well, that’s all, I’m more than interested in your response please!

Thanks

Hi Ervinp,

Just want to let you know you never lost your faith! It is kept for us by Jesus!! You may have been in a very very dark place and seemed like you had no faith, but the Lord was still there, leading and directing you and guarding you and in your rear guard, you had mercy and goodness protecting you.

 

[GodsGrace]

Hi brothers and sisters. I used to be a strong Christian, then I got sick and that took my faith away. I have a what’s called schizoaffective disorder which is a mixture of schizophrenia and bipolar, I had it for around 19,6 years. Anyway that’s a long story.
Now, my faith came back in what Jesus Himself said, but I am not sure if Paul was the real disciple. Maybe he is. Lot of people say that some of his teachings contradicted some of Yeshuas teachings, in other places he says what Yeshua already said. I just need some insight from you in regards to Paul and in general the book of acts. Why do you think they are true? In the Old Testament the story of Samson and Dilailah doesn’t make sense, what’s it supposed to mean that his strength was in his har? In the book of Mathew Yeshua already prophecies about the end days, so why do we need the book of Revelations?

In the past I found Christian forums to be the best places to discuss Christianity. When I go to YouTube to see Christian videos I normally watch street preachers and I tend to listen to lay Christians. Jesus said don’t call anyone rabi for you have one teacher and you are all brethren. When it comes to churches, which church should I go with if I’m not supposed to call anyone Rabi? I yearn to be with other Christians but I can’t find a Church that I can entirely agree with. Plus, my understanding is that church are believers, not institution, and that Yeshua is the head of the church, not some so called ordained minister.
I also haven’t been baptised yet. I live in Melbourne, Australia, so if anyone is from Melbourne on the forum please recommend a church. I think finding one that’s closest to my beliefs and just go with that is the only option I’m left with.

Well, that’s all, I’m more than interested in your response please!

Thanks

Well Ervin, you asked for help, so I'm going to give it.
Thank God that even through what you have, and I understand both conditions, you can still know Him and desire to have God in your life.
Whatever conditions we have, we'll always be better off having God in our life.

Paul and Jesus agreed on everything. This would be too long to get into, but trust that Paul taught everything that Jesus taught. BUT, if you ever have a doubt about anything - always go to the words of Jesus, our light in this dark world, and our hope for the life to come after this one passes.

The book of acts tells of the acts/actions that the Apostles took after Jesus ascended into heaven. It tells of their missionary journeys and how Christianity became a different religion from Judaism.

It's OK if you call a man Rabbi....Jesus was a Rabbi. It's OK to call a priest Father....this doesn't mean you think he's God. Jesus had a reason to say this. You could get more information about this on the net. You could start here: Did Jesus mean that we should never refer to our earthly father as “father” (Matthew 23:9)? Is it wrong for Catholics to refer to their priests as “father”? | GotQuestions.org

Don't depend on GotQuestions for everything...learn to read your bible and know Jesus for yourself, as best you can.

Yes. The Church is the Body of Christ. All believers make up the Body of Christ.
But we also need a church....a bldg that has a pastor or priest and that can teach you about God and where you can worship God.

Get baptized. Do it ASAP but don't be afraid if you're not because you're already baptized by the desire you have.
However, Jesus said to be baptized - so do it.

Finding a good church is not easy. But here's some advice if you care to hear it:
Don't go to a non-denominational church where the pastor is the leader and that's the only church and it does not belong to any denomination.
Don't go to a reformed church....find out which churches are reformed, they do not teach the God of the bible.
I'd choose an Assembly of God church or a Catholic Church, but make sure you like the priest there and that they have bible study.
You could also go to a few and see where you fit in.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Make sure you know what the gospel is and make sure they teach the gospel.
Reformed churches do not teach the gospel.

I wish you the best and I pray God's blessings upon you.

 

[sheeplike]

What you write reminds me just of one thing: The story of the lost son. I sincerely believe it was not written (and said) without reason. Recall Peter, who denied Jesus three times and "went out and cried bitterly". The bible is full of stories of RETURN. Read them. Otherwise I am in the same situation as you - nobody here to baptize me (completely alone and isolated - but I like it). Still - have you ever read the story of the first non-Jews who became Christians? They received the holy spirit before they were baptized. Listen to your faith and heart. For the rest - see above: people know what they write.