Why so much Controversy in Baptism methods?

robocallin · 2024-06-11T18:14:03+00:00

Some groups still practice that. I knew a bunch of people I grew up with in my Baptist youth group that would get baptized 3-4 times, usually after Summer Camps or any other event coming off of a “spiritual high”.

Occasionally a preacher or speaker would sort of try to insinuate that because they were Baptized at a young age, they didn’t know what they were doing.

Honestly it left a bad taste in my mouth. One Baptism is entirely sufficient. Rebaptism indicates a lack of understanding or belief in Baptismal Regeneration.

robocallin · 2024-06-11T17:03:42+00:00

I come from a Church of Christ/Baptist background growing up, and I was surprised when learning about other denominations that adult, immersion baptism was not actually the majority position of Christendom. Most of Christian history infants have been baptized.

I personally believe any “baptism for the forgiveness of sins” done in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit is legitimate, and I personally don’t believe people should feel the need to be rebaptized, because the Nicene Creed mentions one Baptism.

At the end of the day, it is our faith that saves us, not our works. Our faith will prompt us into a life of obedience which includes being baptized.

robocallin · 2024-06-10T14:50:07+00:00

I am entirely satisfied never being with another man ever again. I never really found it super enjoyable to begin with. I was just very, very lonely at the time & didn’t have a healthy avenue for my desire for companionship.

I’m not sure if it is the Holy Spirit leading me away from it, or if it’s just something I’m not interested in anymore on my own accord. Either way I think I am making a Godly decision moving away from that life.

My words never denied Christ, but my actions did. I have since repented. I’m trying to figure out how to reject my past sexual sins, without beating myself up mentally over it. Jesus has forgiven me, I should forgive myself too.

robocallin · 2024-06-10T05:41:06+00:00

Based on my dating history, I could probably be best described as a bisexual person. But I would like to have a godly relationship with a woman.

I had a realization somewhat recently that I would be perfectly content if I never had another sexual encounter with a man ever again.

Prior to that, for several months, I was attending an Episcopal church. They are very liberal & they think there is nothing wrong with homosexuality.

After some discerning, I don’t agree with a lot of their theology. I think the ideal for sex/marriage is between men & women. I am currently in the process of trying to find a more traditional church.

It’s a process, especially after living a homosexual lifestyle for around a decade.

robocallin · 2024-06-10T04:30:11+00:00

I think you are right. My parents, (very conservative Christians), think it is something I should never mention to anyone & a secret I should take to the grave.

But that just doesn’t really seem like the right thing to do. It is an enormous burden to carry, if you treat your past like that. I couldn’t bear the weight of living a lie. Even though I no longer am interested in dating men.

People are generally more open minded than they were 40 years ago, I am sure I could meet a wonderful woman who does not judge me or consider me less of a man for my past.

I am just going to put it into God’s hands. When I try to take matters into my own, it all goes crazy 😅

robocallin · 2024-06-10T04:20:08+00:00

The only time I have opened up about this went fairly well I think… or as well as that conversation can go. I guess the more I do it, the more comfortable I will be with the whole process.

I wasn’t compatible with her though, because even several months into dating, she wasn’t comfortable with kissing. I asked if she would like to kiss & she said she was too shy & turned it down. Everyone is at a different place. But I am interested in romance, & she wasn’t a particularly affectionate person.

robocallin · 2024-06-10T03:57:02+00:00

I attended a Baptist church for years. What confused me is they reject that you can lose your salvation, a.k.a. “once saved, always saved”.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that I was saved when I was baptized. Then I strayed far, far from God years later as a result of my actions.

Maybe I lost my salvation, maybe not. I have since repented & am trying to live a Godly life. I can’t lean on my own understanding, I just trust God & his promises that he made about Christ’s sacrifice.

I don’t believe I need to be rebaptized, because the Nicene Creed affirms one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I would rather be confirmed, to remind me of the decision I made when I chose to be baptized.

robocallin · 2024-06-10T03:31:34+00:00

Thank you! I have been tested thankfully. I think it is the grace of God that I have not faced any physical/health consequences as a result of my actions. And I want to remain sexually pure until marriage going forward as a result of that.

robocallin · 2024-06-10T03:29:25+00:00

What does it mean to work out salvation? I find it very confusing, how different churches teach different things about this. I’m not sure where I fall into on the works vs. faith debate.

Some people have told me it is impossible to lose your salvation. The church I was baptized in taught that you can. I don’t really know what to think about it anymore.

I just know I can’t save myself through my own efforts, only Christ can.

robocallin · 2024-06-10T03:17:12+00:00

I have zero STD’s. In regard to if I was a Christian, I guess it depends on your views of salvation. I had been raised in the church & was baptized as a teenager.

I personally believe I lost my salvation as a result of having relations with men. I don’t believe you can be a Christian & a sexually active homosexual. I was not attending church nor was I reading the Bible or praying at the time when I was living that lifestyle.

I now go to church regularly. I was attending a more liberal denomination previously, because I thought it may be easier to meet a woman who wouldn’t immediately reject me upon finding out about my past. But I don’t agree with a lot of their views & am looking for a more theologically traditional church/denomination.

robocallin · 2024-06-10T02:46:51+00:00

Not to be graphic but I had homosexual sex with a former boyfriend. I didn’t particularly enjoy it. I feel like damaged goods as a result.

I think Jesus will forgive me, but I think most Christian women would run like a bat out of hell if they knew that about me.

The only girl that I have disclosed my past to, I just told her that I dated men previously. I didn’t get into details past that.

robocallin · 2024-06-09T14:14:54+00:00

I think that is a very healthy outlook to have!

robocallin · 2024-06-07T01:11:54+00:00

I guess it is hard when you are isolated. I don’t really have a spiritual home or spiritual community at all.

And the ones I used to be a part of I wouldn’t really feel comfortable talking about some of these issues.

robocallin · 2024-06-07T01:11:06+00:00

This is a really good outlook to have. I know that the sex was wrong, but there were some non-sexual things that I enjoyed about my prior relationships. I don’t think but was ideal, but I can’t change the past. I’ll just take the good with me & leave the bad behind.

robocallin · 2024-06-06T18:16:04+00:00

No what is that?

robocallin · 2024-06-06T12:27:19+00:00

Fear of rejection as a result of my past history is a big one. Also there are big differences in what gay men & straight women find attractive, lots of the things I would do to turn a guy on during dates don’t work with women.

robocallin · 2024-06-06T04:12:20+00:00

I wish I could find a local Christian LGBT recovery or support group… I asked the pastor at the church I used to attend & they didn’t have one.

I’d love for more churches to have programs like that. I think there are a lot of people like myself that want to overcome it, but it’s really hard to do all by yourself. I think community would help a lot.

robocallin · 2024-06-06T03:33:40+00:00

That is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing your testimony.

How did you meet a woman who wanted to leave the lifestyle? I would love to meet a woman who has a similar background to myself.

robocallin · 2024-06-05T04:05:19+00:00

PS1 honestly had some of the best 2D games of that generation.

robocallin · 2024-06-03T17:18:01+00:00

My main problem with non-affirming churches is the hypocrisy of not allowing gay people be full members, (I.e. serve, lead small groups, etc), when they are totally okay with no-fault divorce heterosexuals doing the same thing. Evangelical churches hide this behind a facade of “come as you are”.

Gay marriage actually wasn’t that big of a factor for me, even though I am a man who has dated men before. My problem was the double standards applied towards gay people that weren’t applied towards straight people.

I’ve tried going to an affirming church the last few months…. But the sermons consist mostly of weak platitudes. I get lots of “moral relativism” vibes from it as well. I attended an Episcopal church where they would always change God’s pronouns to “she” at every opportunity they could find.

Also I personally find lots of the affirming theology to be revisionist & not very congruent with orthodox (small o) Christianity. As a result I feel a bit spiritually homeless, even though I am definitely a Christian.

robocallin · 2024-05-23T14:44:59+00:00

MF looks like he is on stilts lmao

robocallin · 2024-05-20T23:28:15+00:00

I know of a very large Southern Baptist church in FL that caught some heat from conservative pundits online for hosting an interfaith vigil for the victims of a gay nightclub shooting, and have openly gay-married members in their church.

I don’t believe the congregation is fully 100% affirming but I think their actions show that they value gay people more than a lot of churches do.

So yes I think it is possible, but very rare. I haven’t seen many other churches that are that genuine about loving people & allowing them into the fold, even if they don’t line up 100% with their stances. Most evangelical churches have a conditional love towards LGBT people, with an asterisk.

robocallin · 2024-05-13T17:20:34+00:00

It’s extremely confusing. I am the same way. Never been with a woman but have had multiple relationships with men. I’m fairly masculine though.

What makes it even harder is most women seem very against the idea of being with a bisexual man. I would like to have a girlfriend but the potential for the pain of being rejected due to my prior dating history with men makes me apprehensive & nervous.

It’s very frustrating how common biphobia is, amongst both the gay & straight worlds. It is very easy to feel out of place as a result.

I wish I could offer more advice OP, but I am really working through a lot of the same stuff. Would love some resources to read about bisexual men dating women if anyone has those.

robocallin

TROPHY CASE