Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: tblake@bingvaxu.cc.binghamton.edu (Thomas Blake) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Christianity Questions Message-ID: Date: 28 Apr 91 22:39:58 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: State University of New York at Binghamton Lines: 56 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article rsmith@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Rena L Smith) writes: > > I am a new baby Christian and I would like to asksome questions of some > more experienced Christians. Hi! Welcome to the family! (Like we know the answers. ;-) ) > My fiance and I are both new Christians(although he has known the Lord > before and has now comeback) and we both pray and read the Bible for at >least 2 hours everyday, but sometimes I may do things that are considered >sin according to the Bible. For example someone asked me if I took a class >that they recommeded I didn't want to tell them that I did not take the >class so I lied and said I did. After I realized what I had said I corrected >it and repented for it but I still felt gulity. Do other people experience >the same thing? Yes! None of us is perfect, (as you will find out.) We believe that Jesus was perfect. If you think we're perfect, when you find out that we're not you will feel betrayed, so be under no illusions. Christians are sinners. But at least we're trying to do something about our sinfulness. Check out Paul's letter to the Romans... Romans 7:14,15 14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a mortal man, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do; for I don't do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate. ... you see? Paul finds himself in the same predicament. He does those very things that he knows are wrong. He feels that as a mortal man he is a slave to sin, and only Jesus can make up the difference. (No matter how hard he tries, he cannot save himself, he must be saved through the grace of Jesus Christ.) (The folks who layed out the books in the New Testament knew what they were doing. First the Gospels, then the Acts of the Apostles, then Romans. I'd strongly suggest reading those books in that order.) > Do any of you out there believe in laying hands on people for healing, >prayer, etc. Well, I've never experienced a physical laying on of hands, but I have experienced the power of a laying on of hands, and I definately believe in the power of prayer, (having seen it demonstrated a number of times.) > Thanks in advance for your replies. You're most welcome. I trust you have a congregation. While some may find Christ through individual contemplation, I truly believe that a community of believers is the route for most. Tom Blake SUNY-Binghamton