I have always believed in a God and Jesus... I also believe that I have an angel that watches over me... which at the same time I feel as do God. I lead a good life and treat people as I would be treated and everything... I even pray as well... But I am not part of any organized religion... I was never raised in a Church nor spoken to by my parents about it. I have always felt secure in what I believed in and my relationship with God...

It wasn't until recently because a boyfriend whom I love very deeply, left me because he was lost in his faith and was unsure what he believed in and had to figure things out. I spoke with my father about this and he suggested that if I love him then maybe I should learn more about his faith... So I have been. I read a lot and have even started to read the bible... If anything, it has grown what I had already believed ten fold. I feel even more positive about what I believe now that I have read its history...

But I don't know if that means I'm Christian... I'm afraid to go to Chruch because the one time I joined some friends when I was 14 they did that thing where they push you to the ground and people were crying... That was my first introduction to organized religion and it really freaked me out. I remember the Priest putting Holy Water on my forehead and gently shoving me to fall into the arms of another guy to lie me down... I didn't fall because I was scared and didn't understand what was happening. Then the Priest pushed harder where I had to fall... I remember lying on the ground scared while others were crying on the ground around me.

That and some Christians seem to take the Bible so literally that I think it takes away from the word of God and Jesus... Where its no longer about love and faith but rules and just trying to save your own skin...

So I guess, do you have to be baptized to be Christian? Because I believe in God and Jesus and all that, does that make me Christian or am I some sort of just independent believer? I feel in my heart and feel that I am right with God but at the same time I feel rejected by my ex because I was not Christian... What does that even mean? It just seems like its more then just believing Jesus was God and that he died for our sins... At least that's the idea I feel like I'm getting...

It sounds like you were at a penticostal church, they are the minority of orginised chrsitian churches, and he would have been a pastor or elder not a priest most likely. ** although there are a few charsimatic catholic priests.

And yes if you have found and believe in Christ you need to be baptised, You need to because it is a command of Christ to do it.

Also part of being a Christian is also having fellowship together, we are told in the bible not to foresake this fellowship.

There are varius denominations within the Christian faith, perhaps you should read up on them, or visit a few and find out which type fits your worship desires. Some are formal, some are very informal,

Like Chuck mentioned, you need to start visiting different denominations to find out which ones fit you and your needs. Remember not all churches preach the whole bible, so when you find one, be sure to test it by what and how the bible is taught. Pentecostal churches are not for everyone. Many people get turned off by good music, clapping of hands during worship and speaking in unknown tongues. But remember this is also taught in the bible, so there is nothing wrong with it. But only if you feel comfortable.

Yes I am penticostal myself but I can remember taking a girlfriend to a church one time, someone jumped up in their seat and scared my girlfriend to death.

Hi Michael,
I Believe I can help you and have answers for you, do you chat on MSN or Yahoo messenger?

God is not a Giver of Confusion. Best advice I can give is that just going to church and believing in its practices makes anyone a Christian. A true Christian believes in the TRUE facts that God made everyone in His image, He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. And as for the Baptism, Jesus was baptised by John. A TRUE christian will always try their hardest to practice what they preach. They do exactly what you are doing: BELIEVING, TRUSTING AND HAVING A FULFILLED RELATIONSHIP OF THE MOST HIGH! Ask Him for peace, guidance and read the scriptures, He will lead you through the maze of life and He will never let you down.