"I Have Questions About Church!"
Read the questions and some answers
"Aren't All Churches The Same?"
Some churches are so similar that someone from the outside would never be able to tell two apart. Some of the differences might be as minor as the words that are said at a baptism! But between "denominations" (kinds of churches) there are major differences. Examples of different denominations are: Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Orthodox, Presbyterian, and Reformed, to name just a few.
The major differences between these denominations and churches may make it seem that finding the truth is impossible. "Should we baptize infants or not?" "Should we speak in tongues or not?" "How many pastors should we have?" But there is a great way to find out which ones are right and true, and which ones are false and wrong. That way is by looking at the Bible and reading how a church ought to function.
Some churches reject the authority of God's Word, and so are going to look different than those who hold fast to how God says a church ought to be. yes, there are differences between churches, but finding out why they are different is simple.
"How Would I Know Which Church is Right?"
Churches follow teachings from a source. The Catholic Church follows teachings from popes, traditions, catechisms and conferences. Lutheran churches follow the Catechism of Martin Luther and decisions that the synods make. Methodists follow the interpretation of John Wesley, and Reformed churches follow the teachings of John Calvin and the many confessions.
Christian churches ought to teach what the Bible teaches and follow the example of how the Bible describes churches to be. They ought to follow what God says when He talks about doctrine and practice. It is easy to find a church that is right by how closely it follows the teaching of the Bible. Many denominations and churches have rejected the teaching of Scripture in favor of man's teachings. Jesus condemned this in Matthew 15:8-9: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
In order to find the "right" church, read your Bible and find one that is most closely following what it says. Find one that emphasizes Bible teaching, prayer, preaching the Gospel, love for one another, holiness, and worship.
"Why Do I Need To Go To Church?"
Church is not man's idea, but God's idea! He wanted to create something that would be a representation of Him on the earth. You should go to churc because it pleases God, because you will be helped to grow in your faith, because you can help others who need to grow, and because you can work with others to meet the needs of your community. You need others to engage in corporate prayer, and others have spiritual abilities they are to use to help you out.
"Can I Go To Heaven If I Don't Go To Church?"
Yes, you can go to heaven if you don't go to church. Jesus died on the Cross so we could be saved by faith, not by works. Going to church is important, but not essential.
However, it can be very dangerous for a Christian to not be in church. 1 Peter 5:8 says that Satan is seeking to devour us like a lion walking around. We need other Christians to help protect us from false teaching and sin.
"What is First Baptist Church Like?"
First Baptist Church in Park Rapids is different from every other "First Baptist." We were simply the "First" Baptist church in town. There may be other churches that start that could be called "Second Baptist" or "Fifteenth Baptist." We have been in Park Rapids since 1890.
We emphasize three main things: The Gospel (the Good News), Bible teaching, and love for one another. We are a conservative congregation seeking to follow what the Bible says. You should check out our website: www.fbcpr.org.
