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Considering leaving protestantism
Q: I grew up Protestant, but once I started high school, I began craving the truth. While searching for it, I started researching different religions. I attended an LDS church, but it felt off and strange to me (my friends are members, and I still respect their beliefs). I have thought about visiting an Orthodox or Catholic church, but I don’t know how I feel about praying to saints or angels. I know other people probably feel weird about it too.
I loved the Methodist church I visited, but it still felt off somehow. If I can’t get past the praying thing or something else, I’ll stick with the Methodist church or maybe visit a Lutheran church. I’d really like someone who is Catholic or Orthodox to explain it, because I’ve read Bible verses that support praying for and with saints. Protestant churches often cite 1 Timothy 2:5-6 and Matthew 6:9 as examples of why we shouldn’t pray to saints or angels. I’d appreciate guidance. This has been a tough and frustrating journey. I’ve lost friends and family over my return to religion and search for answers.
A: It def can be hard and overwhelming today to easily find the truth. Though if one studies thr Bible well, theyll know it. But that takes a long time.
All Christians are saints, per Scripture. Don't let false religions [that redefine words] dupe you on this, and other matters.
Why do you think protestantism isnt the truth??? Someone seems to have decieved you. Methodist and Lutheran are *Christian*, but do look into other Christian denominations too.
Really it's only on secondary understandings that seperate *Christian* denominations from one another. And thats something you grow to understand with biblical study. You'll start aligning more to what Scripture accurately teaches, if your denomination doesn't. It's usually a simple misunderstanding of the text, context and history of that portion theyre teaching. That's it. Its not a salvific matter. *Christian* churches are united in the Essentials.
Those false religions can call themselves a church all they want to - but it's a lie... all those false religions "fail the Biblical litmus test" for what a Christian is. Satan is crafty with subtle deception. Don't fall for it.
This is what Scripture teaches on Essentials of what makes a person and "Church" Christian.
And this is/explains the Gospel which God thru Scripture revealed. Those other religions reject it. They have a diff one, and Scripture seriously warns against leaving the true Gospel revealed for a false one. Those religions have a false god, false jesus, false gospel and false Bible. Theyre in idolatry and in their sins, & without the truth - theyll be damned to Hell, if they dont embrace the truth. Don't not follow them there [to Hell]. Those religions "make people twice the sons of Hell they themselves are", as Jesus said.
The church you need to go to, is the one that "holds to all those essential biblical points" above. They do hold to biblical truth. Which would put you in whats known today as protestantism. This should give you the peace and guidance to find a church of truth, youre looking for. Dont get bogged down on differences of either false religions or Christian denomination differences. Just know those religions reject these biblical basic truths [as its related to God and Salvation]. I am not sure you're at the place in your journey to grasp more then that for now, anc discern this better, though you could talk to the Methodist church pastor (or one of the pastors at the church search directory) to get some easy clarity. But besides what I shared, theyll tell you in a nutshell those religions [like all false religions] are salvation-works based (which is heresy). No matter how those religions try to spin it, theyre works based snd preach a diff gospel, diff god, diff Jesus and add to the Bible, which is to anathema. They dont have the truth, nor teach it. God is not with them, Jesus is not their Savior, the Holy Spirit hasn't converted them, nor indwells them. They embraced many falsehoods, thus reject the most important: the foundational essentials of Christianity.
Your eternity is riding on you understanding this. Do not chase after those false religions.
If it is necessary you examine this further in the resources below. But I would highly suggest you look into it *after* talking to a solid Christian pastor. You could talk to someone here 1-800-554-7223 or here 1-800-435-4343, on this topic. They'll explain it well, so that if you examine it further, you'll understand what they were explaining.
The most important for you right now is to understand the basics, and obey the Gospel. Then find a solid Bible focused church to get discipled at. So you can know the truth, by the Word of God.
God bless
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