Tari

Christs Free Servant, Wow that's amazing, and I'm happy to hear about how you pulled this group together. And it's all through word of mouth from what I gather. It would be nice to see that togetherness happen in more communities. The fact that people come from different denominations makes it even better. Although it may be hard when it comes to major issues, it's important to have unity in the body of Christ. That is a wonderful story to hear. Love in Christ, Tari

Thanks ericH, I might have to research the local, Evangelical Free churches. appreciate it!

Thanks to everyone who has replied to this. I think it's important to have insight about this. Finding a church can be a major decision in a persons life. Depending on their own beliefs, hopefully with enough information they can make the right choice. This thread was not put up for debate purposes. I hope many others can also share information about their church etc... Thanks and Love to y'all!

I belong to the Evangelical Free Church of America. You can see the doctrinal statement for yourself on the web site for the EFCA <{POST_SNAPBACK}> EricH, Thanks I'll have to look that information up? Does Evangelical Free believe in say the rapture? No arguments here just plain and simple questions.

Christs Free Servant, How were you able to find this group? How did they pull themselves together? Was it like advertising in the newspaper or what?

Thanks Yomo. Ya, I can see how this is probably a very sensitive subject for some. And sometimes sharing your church beliefs might be thrown back in your face by others. Which is wrong for that kind of behavior, but nevertheless it happens. I see the Mormon's and Jehova's Witnesses going door to door. They seem very proud to share their religion with others. It surprises me to not see more people from other churches, being more vocal about it. I definitely think we should all respect other's choices, even if we don't agree.

Do I smell funny? Or are you people just embarassed to share anything about your own church?

I'm curious about what people have to say about their own church. If or why they believe it's the right choice for them. Please share some of your thoughts about this. What are some specific beliefs your church teaches about such as: Do they teach about the rapture? Do they encourage spreading the word about the return of Christ? Do they encourage reading the Bible? Do they assure that you can be saved, by taking certain steps? Are they strict about their teaching or not? Do you believe your own church is a "true church", and if so why? Currently I don't belong to any church. So your opinions might help me choose one. I totally respect people's love for their own church, whether or not I agree with their teachings.

I experienced an incredible miracle on 2/24/2004. Then a year later starting on 3/19/2005 I experienced quite a tribulation. This tribulation experience matches up with Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;.... My story is too long to write about here! Please check out my website at www.miraclethentribulation.com called Miracle then Tribulation. These were some very incredible events that happened. The website is new and is not picked up by the search engines yet. Please try to type in this website in your address bar, at the top of the screen. The full story is written online. It will take a little while for anyone to read. I suggest to anyone who reads this, to please read the full story. Once you have read this story, maybe you can understand why I say the great tribulation has begun. It is very important that I share this story with others. We are living through the last days. Hopefully we can all share with others about being ready and watchful for the return of Christ. I appreciate any feedback about this incredible miracle and tribulation experience. Thanks and may God bless you.

I wanted to make sure everyone got my message about being sorry. I think that we all might be wrong in trying to predict all these events, about the return of Christ.

Wow, please forgive me, so much has happened lately my head is just spinning over this stuff. Since I just had a tribulation experience in March this year, and the experience matches up with Matthew 24:24 Okay, so of course I'm not a pre-tribulation rapture believer. But I'm seeing something that I had maybe overlooked earlier. From reading all of Matthew 24, I think maybe I was expecting the thief to come first. And this is what scared me about rapture believing. But, I can see how in the past week, with all the information on rapture deceit this and that. And from taking part in debating the rapture, it took my mind off the word of God in the Bible. We all need to be very careful when expressing our opinion to others. Please everyone forgive me, if I've given any misleading information to anyone. I think that the Bible is such an incredible gift that we can hold in our hand today, and read. We do need to be ready, and waiting for the Lord right now and always! Luke 12:35-48 ....And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immedietely...Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching: that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth to serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.....For the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. When he will return from the wedding is a ? to me. This is what made me realize Oh, I must go back and read for myself very well. But needless to say, YES we do need to ready and watchful for our Lord right here and right now!!!

Pax, Why did I leave the catholic church? Gee, I don't know, they used to have beer gardens to raise money for the school. That was a lot of fun back in the day. I just was searching for more, since I never had much Bible teaching there.

Matthew 3:6-17 explains baptism very well. Jesus was baptized. Matthew 28:19 Romans 6:1-4, Luke 3:21-22 These are all baptism verses.

John 3:3 Verily, Verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the the kingdom of God Pax I don't know for sure if that second baptism was necessary?

Oh Steve, I wish we all had all the answers. I don't want to give any misinterpretation of the end times events. That's why it's important to get to know the word yourself. If you know that your faith is in good standing, than don't worry yourself at all.

Hey Steve, I'm not sure if you got my last response? If you read the verses about the return, and get to know them well, you'll be able to recognize the signs of the end. Try to keep your life sin free. Take all the sinful obstacles out of the way. We could actually pass away accidently anytime. A person dares not leave this life unforgiven and unprepared. Have you given your heart to Jesus? And asked for forgiveness for all of your sins? If not, please do so. If you already have, hey God has a straight and narrow path that leads to him. Read the Bible regularly so you can get to know our Heavenly Father's plan. Keep a strong relationship with God.

Hey Pax, Yes I was baptized catholic at the age of 1 week old. Then at the age of 27, I was reborn and was baptized again.

Absolutely and just continue to do so. Be watchful for the return, know the signs that will come to pass. The plan God has for us is basic. Yet it is not as easily said than done. It does take time and patience. God has a narrow and straight path that leads to him.

I would pray, and continue to read the Bible regularly. Try to be more like Jesus in your walk. Keep your life centered around God. Try to not have sin in your life or your thoughts. Of course we are all only human, so sin is sometimes just an obstacle. The more you practice daily at your personal relationship with the Lord, the stronger you will become.

See when your reading, your thinking about the rapture. That is where the problem lies. Because if you read about the return with an open mind, rather than a preconcieved rapture in mind, you will percieve what your reading entirely different.

Hey Pax, I went to a Catholic school for 8 years growing up. We never once read anything from the Bible. I can remember in fourth grade, they took all the bibles out of the church. This was in a small midwestern town. I hope it's not like that at other Catholic churches. Hopefully they encourage reading the Bible.

Have you actually read these verses, outside of thinking about the rapture?

I would read all the verses pertaining to the return of Christ very very well. Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 12:35-59, Luke 17:20-37, Luke 21:1-38 Read these, and study them well!!!

Thanks Pax! I think it might have been you who wrote something about, how Jesus was turned against by his own people the first time around. This is quite similar and people don't even realize how serious this really is.

Your rapture theory presents no logic. That would mean there would be a second and a third coming. Jesus came here like a lamb the first time. Jesus is coming back like a lion. The SECOND Coming of our Lord Jesus is all that is spoken of in the Bible. Definitely not two second comings, one which would be in secret.