Ask a FORMER Baptist Pastor

[Annabelle_Marie]

It wasn’t feelings that lead me out of the Catholic Church. It was the Holy Spirit and the truth, It was studying the Bible and reading the ECF’s. It was finding out the for forty plus years the Catholic Church was teaching me lies. And that was almost thirty five years ago

Well now you should call your post–how to slam the Catholic Church! What is your true purpose here?

 

[jmcrae]

It wasn’t feelings that lead me out of the Catholic Church. It was the Holy Spirit and the truth, It was studying the Bible and reading the ECF’s. It was finding out the for forty plus years the Catholic Church was teaching me lies. And that was almost thirty five years ago

Where in the ECFs did you find any kind of Baptist theology?

 

[clmowry]

It was God that did the convincing !

I wonder how many times God has been given the credit/blame for human decisions?

Chuck

 

[clmowry]

It wasn’t feelings that lead me out of the Catholic Church. It was the Holy Spirit and the truth, It was studying the Bible and reading the ECF’s. It was finding out the for forty plus years the Catholic Church was teaching me lies. And that was almost thirty five years ago

Hmm…why not start a thread on one of the “lies” you were “taught” and we can see what the Early Church Fathers and the Bible have to say on the subject?

Chuck

 

[estesbob]

It wasn’t feelings that lead me out of the Catholic Church. It was the Holy Spirit and the truth, It was studying the Bible and reading the ECF’s. It was finding out the for forty plus years the Catholic Church was teaching me lies. And that was almost thirty five years ago

So why have you joined a forum populated by liars? As I aksed before-are you here to convince us as to the correctness of your decision to leave the Chruch or are you here to convince yourself?

 

[Incomplete]

It wasn’t feelings that lead me out of the Catholic Church. It was the Holy Spirit and the truth, It was studying the Bible and reading the ECF’s. It was finding out the for forty plus years the Catholic Church was teaching me lies. And that was almost thirty five years ago

And I would say exactly the same thing. The Holy Spirit, studying scriptures, and the ECF’s lead me to the Catholic church.

So how do you know (without feelings) that the Holy Spirit had anything to do with it? I ask this because I know people in all sorts of different churches, including Catholics, who feel led to their churches by the Holy Spirit. How do you know that He led you, and the rest of us just “heard” wrong? Or does He lead people to all sorts of different churches, with no regards for truth?

And how did you find the Baptist church represented by the ECF’s?

 

[JustaServant]

It wasn’t feelings that lead me out of the Catholic Church. It was the Holy Spirit and the truth, It was studying the Bible and reading the ECF’s. It was finding out the for forty plus years the Catholic Church was teaching me lies. And that was almost thirty five years ago

Well Old Man, the purpose of this thread was outlined on the first page. It certainly isn’t designed to call Baptists liars, although I see you have no problem calling Catholics liars. And I know not all Baptists are like you.
Slightly edited from a blog post of mine:
I have met over the course of 20 years in fundamentalism and in the pastorate, many sincere Christians who desperately want to serve God and the Kingdom. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
They have a desire for the things of God. They are always ready to repent or forgive. They never seem to hold grudges. They are usually the first person to come forward in the invitation. They rarely get angry, and if they do, they channel that anger into something positive or apologize quickly. They are excited about the love of God and always anxious to hear about it. They are truly “in love” with their Creator. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
Their testimony is not just something that happened in the past, it is what God is doing in their life right now! These folks tend to be the tireless workers of the church, sometimes the only workers. But they never ask for praise or a pat on the back, they work out of the love of the Lord and love for His people. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
These Christians are always ready to sing His praises. This goes beyond an emotional high. They desire and want intimacy with the Creator. The joy of the Lord has touched their hearts, and it can be seen wherever they go. Christian theology is not based on emotion, but it can produce emotion. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
The ancient song goes: “They shall know we are Christians by our love”. Love is the common denominator of every true Christian. They are not afraid of the love of God, they are excited by it. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
They are always ready to learn. They come to every service Bible open, ready and excited about Jesus. They are the first in prayer, and they pray with a humility that leaves one silent. They are not phonies, they have a genuiness about them that cannot be denied.
If in pain, they fall back upon a Father who loves them. If in suffering they go to the Christ who carries them through it. They are slow to believe the negatives and quick to believe the positives. There lives are lived from the Holy Spirit within them.
I have met them.
Young and old, middle-aged and teen-ager.
I wish I could pack and entire church with all of these, for they are in a minority.
But they have been the greatest blessing of my years in ministry. I have no doubt I will see them again someday, standing next to Mother Theresa and others who let their life speak the Gospel.
They made it all worthwhile.

 

[brb3]

that lead me out of the Catholic Church. It was the Holy Spirit and the truth, … It was finding out the for forty plus years the Catholic Church was teaching me lies.

So … you’re telling us Christ, thru his H.S. told you the Catholic Church has not the truth ?

Give us 3-4 lies that were revealed to you.

 

[Tomb54]

It wasn’t feelings that lead me out of the Catholic Church. It was the Holy Spirit and the truth, It was studying the Bible and reading the ECF’s. It was finding out the for forty plus years the Catholic Church was teaching me lies. And that was almost thirty five years ago

Can’t believe you really read the ECF and found the Baptist church or the what 1600 or 1800(can’t remember when they started) match complete everything the ECF taught like the real presence.
But that being said Justaservant is asking for question and neither my statement or yours was a question for him. We are just trying to figure out how a Baptist can believe what they say they believe and base it on the bible (a book compiled by the CC). How much effort did you spend during those 40 years learning what the church actually teaches and how involve were you in the parish while you were in the CC? just curious because I feel it does take some involvement on your part to get something in return. At least that has been my experience over the years 50+

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Annabelle Marie, I was a cradle Catholic who left the Church for many, many years. I used to say that I got nothing from Mass but I finally began feeling a strong tug back to the Catholic Church; the feeling to return was so strong. Now I get very much out of Mass and receiving the Sacraments. I’m not sure what the difference is now.

I don’t know either…except it is. And it’s like I’m reading a different bible… But I have pulled the comparisons on the passages I’m reading…same ones…completely different for me now.

God Bless!

 

[JW55]

Well Old Man, the purpose of this thread was outlined on the first page. It certainly isn’t designed to call Baptists liars, although I see you have no problem calling Catholics liars. And I know not all Baptists are like you.
Slightly edited from a blog post of mine:
I have met over the course of 20 years in fundamentalism and in the pastorate, many sincere Christians who desperately want to serve God and the Kingdom. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
They have a desire for the things of God. They are always ready to repent or forgive. They never seem to hold grudges. They are usually the first person to come forward in the invitation. They rarely get angry, and if they do, they channel that anger into something positive or apologize quickly. They are excited about the love of God and always anxious to hear about it. They are truly “in love” with their Creator. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
Their testimony is not just something that happened in the past, it is what God is doing in their life right now! These folks tend to be the tireless workers of the church, sometimes the only workers. But they never ask for praise or a pat on the back, they work out of the love of the Lord and love for His people. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
These Christians are always ready to sing His praises. This goes beyond an emotional high. They desire and want intimacy with the Creator. The joy of the Lord has touched their hearts, and it can be seen wherever they go. Christian theology is not based on emotion, but it can produce emotion. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
The ancient song goes: “They shall know we are Christians by our love”. Love is the common denominator of every true Christian. They are not afraid of the love of God, they are excited by it. They never call anyone ‘liars’.
They are always ready to learn. They come to every service Bible open, ready and excited about Jesus. They are the first in prayer, and they pray with a humility that leaves one silent. They are not phonies, they have a genuiness about them that cannot be denied.
If in pain, they fall back upon a Father who loves them. If in suffering they go to the Christ who carries them through it. They are slow to believe the negatives and quick to believe the positives. There lives are lived from the Holy Spirit within them.
I have met them.
Young and old, middle-aged and teen-ager.
I wish I could pack and entire church with all of these, for they are in a minority.
But they have been the greatest blessing of my years in ministry. I have no doubt I will see them again someday, standing next to Mother Theresa and others who let their life speak the Gospel.
They made it all worthwhile.

Great comments. Thank you.

 

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by choy
how does convertion actually take place?

It is said that only the Holy Spirit can “convert” someone.

After watching a number of programs on "The Journey Home, and also looking at my own journey out of, and then back into, The Church, I can say that there are a couple of things that generally lead one into the Truth of the catholic Church.
First is the desire for Truth and the willingness to pursue that truth whereever it takes them. This is a good point for us all to remember when speaking to others on faith matters. It isn’t about “converting them to Catholic”, it’s about looking for the Truth. That will naturally lead them toward The Church.
Second is Authority. As one sees the various contradictions in doctrine among the various denominations, all claiming Sola Scriptura, or Prima Scriptura, one may begin to see the need for an authoritative Church. Someone I was listening to a couple years ago, Steve Ray maybe, said that regardless of the other issues, it all really comes down to authority. Who has the Authority to interpret scripture.
Third, I’d say is History. As one seeks truth, and proofs, and authority, one cannot help but dig deeper into history and we all know the famous quote, "to be deep in history is to cease to be protestant.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

For me it was a re-version.
It really happened in two stages. When I was in fundamentalism, the more I studied the Bible (I mean, that is what fundamentalists are supposed to do) the less of a fundamentalist I became. Because what they were saying did not line up with what the Word of God was saying.
When I was with more Reformed-minded Baptists, my study of the 'reformers; (again, encouraged by the adherants) the less of a Protestant I became. I often like to say I came back to the Church through the ‘back door’ or the Reformation.
This led me to an in-depth study of the early Church, the Sacraments…and rest is in my blog.
It’s a slow process, it can take years. I know it did for me.
That’s why experienced apologists on CAF will post for the LURKERS, not necessarily to the poster in question. Because at one time I was one of those ‘lurkers’.
**And believe me, anyone could see ReformedMIssionary was just fishing for converts (he said as much on his blog). **

And yet even in this, his “fishing” much good was expressed. Who is to say whether or not the “ask a baptist pastor” thread might cause reformissionary or some other(s) to really dig and eventually come home to The Church.
That is why, even with these people, axasperating as they can be sometimes, we need to be patient and defend the faith in Charity.

Peace
James

 

[graceandglory]

Fortunetly my wife and I were not foolish enough to depend on my income as a pastor for support. THAT would have been a disaster. Family? Nobody in my family was Baptist, so no. Friends? Yep. I don’t exist in their eyes. I’m the invisible man. They revealed very quickly the kind of ‘christians’ they were.

Tell me more abut that JustaServant. I was shunned from my Christian friends too when I revealed I had become a Catholic. Going back into you baptist mindset, can you give a reason why they wouldn’t reach out and try to convert me back? If I’m going to hell as they think I am?

 

[JRKH]

I don’t think “Ask a former Baptist Pastor” is the right name for this thread. Let rename it to "Let’s bash the Baptist"
That being said I must tell that since I left the Catholic Church and became Baptist I have grown spiritually one hundred precent. I have seen an expression of love between Baptists that I never saw between the Catholics in the church that I went to.
Yes, being a Baptist has been really great, I have learned so much more about God and become so close to Him. In the Catholic Church it was the same thing Sunday after Sunday for over forty years. Never learning anything and leaving with that empty feeling.
Now I feel fulfilled and ready to serve God,Just Great, Praise the Lord

Sorry you feel “bashed”. I’ve been recently spending some time on a non-catholic board and understand a bit better how this can happen, even inadvertently. Accept my apologies on behalf of us all.

I’m glad that you have found a Church that is feeding you and helping you to deepen your relationship with God.
Without knowing your backgorund, it is obvious that you did not get what you needed in School or at home and so could not fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the mass.

I think that God will sometimes use the other Churches for just this purpose. To take someone such as yourself, who was on the wrong path - out of the church - and place them into a community where they can grow. Even though the Baptist faith does NOT have all of the Truth, the sacraments, the Euchartist etc, It does have Scripture, a Love for Christ and deisre to bring folks closer to heaven.

I pray that you will someday be able to come home to The Church (which may be as easy as going to confession).

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

Well now you should call your post–how to slam the Catholic Church! What is your true purpose here?

Now Now - - - Lets take the poster at his word and stop looking for “real motives”. He came to this thread to offer his opinions, views and “testimony” just as others have.
This kind of sniping gets us nowhere and certainly does nothing to build up the church.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

It wasn’t feelings that lead me out of the Catholic Church. It was the Holy Spirit and the truth, It was studying the Bible and reading the ECF’s. It was finding out the for forty plus years the Catholic Church was teaching me lies. And that was almost thirty five years ago

You know, it’s funny but I was also raised catholic and left the Church for nearly as long as you have been gone. Now I never formally chose to “join” another church denomination, but I did study the Bible, other spiritual books, other faith systems looked into the reformation, etc. I even attended other churches a couple of times.
All of my study though brought me right back to the Catholic church.
So where your study of the bible led you away, mine led me right back home.
Interesting don’t you think?

Peace
James

 

[JustaServant]

Tell me more abut that JustaServant. I was shunned from my Christian friends too when I revealed I had become a Catholic. Going back into you baptist mindset, can you give a reason why they wouldn’t reach out and try to convert me back? If I’m going to hell as they think I am?

It would fall into four catagories as near as I can figure:

1. You were “never saved in the first place.” These would be the people who either did not know you or did not like you to begin with. Your enemies take a strange glee in ‘knowing’ you’re headed for Hell.
2. You’ve fallen into apostasy. You’re still saved, at least they hope so, but God has ‘put you on a shelf’, a kind of Baptist purgatory while still on the earth. They will pray for your repentance.
3. You’re having mental/spiritual/personal problems are are confused. These people might reach out to you thinking they can counsel you back into the Kingdom.
4. Catholic? So What? These folks are TRUE friends and will not attempt to re-convert you.

 

[JustaServant]

And yet even in this, his “fishing” much good was expressed. Who is to say whether or not the “ask a baptist pastor” thread might cause reformissionary or some other(s) to really dig and eventually come home to The Church.
That is why, even with these people, axasperating as they can be sometimes, we need to be patient and defend the faith in Charity.

Peace
James

I try JR, I try.
Sometimes I just walk away from the forum for a while to curb the urge to type the obvious. As a veteran at CAF I’m sure you also have typed out a response you knew was not chraritible, and abandoned it instead of posting it. The mods tell us to ‘think’ before we post. More posters need to remember that, Catholic and Protestant.
Maybe its just how I was raised, but you don’t barge into somebody else’s house and start telling them how to decorate. When you do, you’re not going to in that person’s ‘house’ much longer.

 

[coolduude]

I have a question JustaServant:

What’s the worst thing you heard people call the Blessed Mother in your days as a Baptist? I know I’ve heard some fundamentalists hurl some real whompers at her it makes me sick to my stomach.