RC
#0
Hello everyone!
I am new to this site and I just want to give a brief introduction to myself and why I want to covert to Orthodoxy. I am 17 (I going to be 18 in one month) who loves Christ and the Holy Bible. I am a Senior at a Catholic High School and ready for College in the Fall 2008. I grew up as Pentecostal in a Bible-center home (My father is preacher and travels around the world preaching God\'s Word). Since I was very young, I always love reading Scriptures and going to Church. I am love with my God!
Currently, I am a Pentecostal Christian (I am an Orthodox Christian \\"in heart\\" ) who is willing to covert to Orthodoxy.
My Journey in finding Christ\'s Church started when I was 16. At this age, I started to read the Early Church Fathers writings. I read Clement of Rome, Justin Martyr, Ignatius, Clement of Alexandria, Origin and Tertullian, and other Church Fathers. My Religion teacher was amazed at my knowledge of the Early Church Fathers and Scriptures (I don\'t mean to boast ).
Anyway, when I was reading the Church Fathers writings and saw how they interpret the Holy Scriptures, I said to myself \\"My God....this does not sound like Pentecostalism or Protestantism\\". I quickly saw the inconsistents between my Pentecostal Pastor sermons and the Early Christians beliefs. I finally realize that doctrines such as The Rapture, the Eucharist being Symbolic, Sola-Scriptural (etc) were at odds with the Early Christians. Not only that, but it were at odds with what Scriptures saids (I finally read Scriptures without a \\"Pentecostal\\" mind). Then my journey to find a \\"orthodox\\" Church began. I did consider other Protestant Churches, but every Protestant Church I discover had unbiblical doctrines and were at odds with the Early Christians beliefs.
When I turn 17, I consider Catholicism since I attend a Catholic School, but I had trouble with the Papal, Purgatory, Immaculate Conception (etc) since I find it at odds with Scriptures and the ECF writings. At this point of my life, I knew nothing about the Eastern Orthodox Church. I found out about it through \\"google\\" when I was searching about Catholicism. From that point (about December 2007- now) I started to study the Orthodox faith. I felt that God wanted me in the Orthodox faith and for the first time I could say \\"God...this is THE CHURCH\\".
Anyway, I am still studying Orthodoxy, and I am still am confused about certain things, but I know this is Christ Church. I have a couple of Greek and OCA Orthodox Churches around my area. I also got 2 antiochian Orthodox Churches. Once I am ready, I am going to attend those Churches and I will become a member of the Orthodox Church.
Thanks and pray for my journey to the Orthodox Church!
P.S, Sorry for the long post
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Xe
#3
May God continue to help you in your journey and struggles.
Welcome!
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JN
#4
As one who made the journey four years ago, keep on
I will pray for you
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michalis orfanos
#5
i wish you a blessed end in this journey
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RB
#6
What does your dad think about the Orthodox Church? My own father was an Evangelical Protestant minister. He passed away some time ago before we knew anything about Orthodoxy. How I wish I could sit down with him now and share what we\'ve discovered! He was so sincere about following the will of God in his life that I\'m confident he is with his Lord now. In fact I\'ve often wondered if part of the reason we stumbled into the Orthodox Church is that Dad knows the Truth now and is praying for us!
God bless you!
~Ruth
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RC
#7
Antiochia wrote:
What does your dad think about the Orthodox Church? My own father was an Evangelical Protestant minister. He passed away some time ago before we knew anything about Orthodoxy. How I wish I could sit down with him now and share what we've discovered! He was so sincere about following the will of God in his life that I'm confident he is with his Lord now. In fact I've often wondered if part of the reason we stumbled into the Orthodox Church is that Dad knows the Truth now and is praying for us!
God bless you!
~Ruth
Thanks all for your responses.
My parents seems supportive, although they say that \\"I have been confused by the Devil\\". There are not happy with my decision, but there main concern is for me to be rooted in Christianity.
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RC
#2
Eric_The_Great wrote:
Hey IgnatiusofAntioch!
I'm converting to Orthodoxy as well. I've been in a number of churches, and one of the most recent was a charsimatic non-denominational church (about 5 years). So I know a little about where you're coming from.
I just wanted to stop by and congratulate/encourage you :)
Thank-you. :)
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MZ
#1
God bless you and protect you on your journey.
I noticed you said: \\"Anyway, I am still studying Orthodoxy... Once I am ready, I am going to attend those Churches and I will become a member of the Orthodox Church.\\"
One of the best ways to learn about the Church is to attend services and form a relationship with the priest. There are probably study groups and/or seeker groups at any of the parishes. Have you been to any services?
I\'m sure there will be many people praying for you.
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