I'm supposed to soon, but I can't. I have to confess here, confidentially. I don't believe in Jesus. I really, really don't believe in Satan. I think the devil is an excuse used by people who can't take responsibility. The only reason I've pushed for baptism is to try to save my marriage/look better to everyone, especially my family. I can't go through with it tomorrow. I'm a worthless, manipulative, conniving liar. I have no business standing up there tomorrow, make promises I have no intention of keeping. I don't use substances, but I like a good beer/wine. I am clinging to my old religion and can't justify what I'm doing. I don't know why I thought God was sending me to this place. What the hell am I doing? I'm a fraud. I'm a faker, a tourist. I feel like I'm just playing "dress up" somehow, trying to fit in with the rest of the world, which seems to be mostly Christian.
Why am I doing this? One of the church members has already gotten angry with me and won't talk to me. I attract psychos, apparently. I'm sure more will follow. There's always unwelcome drama in my life.
I don't want to get baptized. I don't believe Jesus is the Jewish messiah. It doesn't compute. I just want to go back home, where there are actually synagogues. I want to be around my own people. There is no place for me anywhere around where we live.

It sounds like this is just the place for you, Foolish. I'd like to hear more about why you feel and think the way you do.

I have to disagree with you FA. It would appear to me that you are hardly a fake. You are the opposite of fake and you are having a hard time living in a world culture of FAKE people. You like beer/wine ... big deal. Do you think you are alone? Do you think that others have things they like that might or might not be best in their life. But, Jesus wants YOU. No matter what form that might take .... even if you drink .... Jesus wants YOU.

People WILL get angry at you .... WHY? Because you are honest and don't fit the mold. They don't understand you. But the one who DOES ... is inviting you to be with Him. All Baptism IS ... is a demonstration that you want to follow Him because HE died for you and your sins and you accept that. I think you are confusing all this denominational stuff with Baptism. Yes, joining a church means that you have reached a certain level of works. But you don't have to join a church to join Christ.

Jesus doesn't say Come to me after you no longer want Beer. The church does .... BUT .... JESUS says ... COME AS YOU ARE. So, heed the call of Christ .... But don't take all the rules of the church NOW .... perhaps in the future. But not now.

Do you think that ALL SDAs don't like or drink Beer/wine? I am sure there are many who drink. But they are just not as honest as you. They hide it.

You thought God was calling you ... then do not throw it away. If you believe Jesus Christ died for us .... Then you need to believe that HE cares for you just as you are .... for that is HOW He saved you ... just as you are. He is just pleading for you to come to Him as you are. For HE loves you. And as time goes by ... HE will impress you with what HE wants you to do. But don't let the Church tell you or force you to be someone different than you are when you come to Him. HE will do that through HIS Spirit.

The bottom line is that you have to do as you believe. But don't let all the "things" that the church puts in front of you hinder your "coming" to Him. Only let that hinder your coming to the membership of the church. And you don't need that now. YOU need the one who accepts you as you are.

What I hear from you are mixed emotions. I am not sure if you are rejecting the way Christ has been presented to you through the Church .... OR if you are rejecting the REAL Christ ... whom you may not have been seeing clearly because of a judgmental nonaccepting church.

But I would invite you to take a close look at the REAL Christ.

It is nice to take a break from "religion" and get back to the bass tacks of the Good Book. I pray, then pray some more.

It took a while, but I figured out that I come into a house of worship for myself and for my God. Not for the lady in the second row who I know steals from work. Not for the couple who sit behind me who hit their kids... It's about me and God.

I know you have to take a vow to never touch alcohol again. That didn't bother me so much... until a friend of mine got me some oatmeal stout pub ale. Imported from England!

I have no answers, only my shoulder and some loose-leaf mint for making tea.

Love ya, FA!

HEY F.A.
WELL I am assuming you were born into the jewish
faith but you have married a christian lady that
Observes the sabbath and other bible truths.

well JESUS IS real and HE is the savoir of the world
also the devil is real and wants to get as many people
to deny JESUS as he can.
can a leaperd changes his spots or an Ethiopian change
his skin then may you also do good that is accustomed
to do evil JEREMIAH Chap 13 ver 23.
so we can not change ourselfs.
JESUS did SAY come as you are unto me

I THINK the devil as really trying to get to you
since you want to get save you marriage and are willing
to get baptised

MY PRAYERS will be with you

dgrimm60

The basis of baptism is believing in Jesus, and that He is able to change your life -- and you are willing to let Him.

Baptism is an outward sign of a change that is taking place in your heart. Is this happening? If it is, then, go ahead with the baptism. However, if that change is not taking place, and you don't want Jesus to come into your life, then, at this stage, you are not ready for baptism.

Don't, however, give up. Keep asking Jesus to reveal Himself to you. Keep reading your Bible. Read through the 4 Gospels. Allow your mind to take in the scenery of each story, and ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you. Pray to God. Ask Him to guide you.

Baptism is a wonderful experience. It is an outward sign of what is taking place in your heart. It is a stage in your walk with Jesus. Don't just be baptised to "look good", or to please someone else. Better to wait until you are ready to give that heart of yours to Jesus. Yes, you may still be struggling with smoking and the temptation to take alcohol (which gets in the way of getting to know Jesus).

Why not come in to our discussion in this forum on "The privilege of Prayer". We have been studying right through this wonderful book, "Steps to Jesus" which shows us how we can take those steps. You will find that we are now on Chpter 11, "the Privilege of Prayer". Please join with us -- ask any questions that you like. No question is silly, or stupid. Please join with us and learn more about this wonderful Jesus who will answer all the questions that you have about life. We are there to support you.

I am just about to go there and take us a little further on our journey.

God bless,

Beryl

That sounds like a great suggestion Beryl. You have made some excellent points.