Expert: Quentin Parker - 8/28/2010

Question
Dear Quentin. I am looking for church that would reflect my understanding of the Bible (I do not claim that I am able to fully understand it). If you think that the question I am going to ask is not of your area or expertise of interest please just ignore the question as I understand that you probably have a lot of questions. I have strong convictions about following:
1. We must keep all 10 commandments inclusive Sabbath.
2. I am against of celibrating of so called christians festivals (Easter, Christmas etc) as it came from pagans.
3. We are to eat clean meats only (slaughrered in certain way - "bloodless").
4. God is trinity.
5. We have soul (i.e. we have body, spirit and soul) that remains after death and is infinite.
6. We are not to venerate saints as Jesus is the only mediator.
7. No idolatry inclusive icons, crosses etc.
It goes without saying that Bible is a word of God.
I am asking this question because I am tired of looking for the "right" church and sometimes think that I just need to go to whatever church and serve the God (and I am serving God but I would like to belong somewhere) and it does not really matter what denomination it would be.
Thank you very much in anticipation. Yours faithfully, monk.

Answer
Hello,

Thank-you for your question.

The denomination that I would consider myself a part of is Reformed Baptist. Our beliefs are summarized here: http://www.reformedreader.org/ccc/1689lbc/english/1689econtents.htm

You can search online at this website to see if there are any of these churches in your areas: http://founders.org/misc/chlist/

However, many Reformed Baptist churches are not necessarily against the celebration of such holidays as Christmas and Easter. Also, many of them do not hold to the current applicability of Old Testament Law and are not Sabbatarians. You may find that some Reformed Presbyterian churches hold more strictly to these doctrines and perhaps might be more conscious about their rejection of icons.

However, it’s very rarely the case that one will find a church that holds to exactly the same beliefs and theology as oneself. In my decisions regarding which church to attend I’ve simply had to accept that fact and find one in my area that was the most compatible with my beliefs and just meet with it. (Because I do hold to different beliefs than the majority of Reformed Baptists regarding covenant theology, eschatology, and the continuing validity of the Mosaic Law.) Issues such as keeping the Sabbath or not celebrating certain holidays may be a personal decision you can make and it might not be as intensely important that your church also adhere to those convictions.

And you’re right: in the end it is more important that we do meet together with other believers and “do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:25). It is clearer from Scripture that we must meet together with other believers for discipleship, for worship, and for serving others than it is that these others must be likeminded.

Thanks again for your question. I hope this is helpful to you.

God bless!
Quentin Parker