Should I attend this church?

[Faith_Machine]

As some of you may recall, it wasn't too long ago that the True Christians™ here enlightened me to the fact that despite its claim of being fundamental and Bible-believing, the Lutheran church I was attending was nothing more than an heretical sub-sect of Papism.

Since then I have been on the hunt for a proper Baptist church to attend. Given that I live in Northern California, which is Ground Zero not only for the New Age movement, but also for liberalism, bilingual education, imported cars, and herpes, my search for a spiritual home has been long and fruitless.

I was therefore very intrigued, while listening to our local conservative radio station, Hot Talk KSFO 560AM, to hear an advertisement for the following Baptist church, which claimed to be both conservative and Bible-believing:

Hamilton Square Baptist Church

Amazingly enough, the church is located right in the heart of San Francisco, the gay sex capital of the world!

I'm naturally quite suspicious of any church operating in Butt Pirate Central, especially given all the "youth activities" advertised on their main page, but if you'll look at their "about us" page...

About Us


...you'll find the following very encouraging statement:

We are excited about the prospects of ministering the gospel in an environment of aggressive paganism that characterizes this great city.

You'll also find this portrait of the church's founder, who is said to be a God-fearing seaman:



Elsewhere on the site, you'll find portraits of the church staff:




You'll notice they're all men, which to me seems like a really good sign.

The True Christians™ and pastors of Landover, however, are far more insightful than I am, and often perceive things which I miss. What say you? Should I investigate further?

[ExGay Alex]

Re: Should I attend this church?

I like their "full throttle for God" slogan. But I must caution you that the church was the site of a homosexual riot in 1993. Apparently the homer community of Sin Fransicko descended upon the church and I am not sure that any church that invites homers is the right choice.

They also seem a little liberal. They support a pregnancy center "where those dealing with pregnancy issues can find unconditional love, acceptance and truthful counsel, reflecting God's great love and respect for each individual." I think God takes a much harsher view towards whores and I do not find Biblical support for the notion of "respect for each individual."

I do not recommend such a liberal institution for you, friend.

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: Should I attend this church?

If the statements of belief are as they are published, the church is indeed reasonably well informed and has good intentions. However, we must be aware that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
I quote from from that page:

The Bible
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God; that the Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, God-breathed, and without error or omission in the whole and in the part; that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man; that the Scriptures are to be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning; and that the Bible is our only and final authority in all matters of belief and practice.

There is no mention of KJV1611 only but it could be that, in referring as they do, to "The Bible", they, like Landover, see no other book or version as a Bible.

Their understanding of Baptist Landmarkism as espoused by Charles Haddon Spurgeon is pleasingly Biblically accurate

Separation
We believe that the local Church should not make common cause or fellowship in spiritual matters with other churches and organizations that do not whole-heartedly embrace and stand for the fundamentals of the Faith in which we believe.

Moving on, we see just a few signs of creeping liberalism; their statement on Baptism is a little flakey:

Baptism
We believe that baptism is a scriptural ordinance requiring immersion of believers, and that it is absolutely essential to the carrying out of The Great Commission.

Landover Baptists, as, Landmark Baptists, prohibit non-Baptists to preach in Landmark Baptist churches and require all prospective members who have received "pedobaptism" or "alien immersion*" to be baptized by a Baptist church before receiving them into membership.

*throwing water on someone at a social gathering within the building of a so-called church and claiming it to be baptism.

My feeling is that you probably have sufficient spiritual strength to withstand one visit to the church (I use the term advisedly) and this should be enough to discover for yourself if they are a Baptist Church or merely a Satanic inspired bunch of false prophets spouting liberal platitudes.

[Faith_Machine]

Re: Should I attend this church?

My feeling is that you probably have sufficient spiritual strength...

Thank you Ezekiel, for your thorough analyses and assessment of this Church's Web site! Thank you also for paying me such a deeply moving compliment. I shall endeavor to live up to your praise, and to not let it go to my head, for all credit belongs to God.

[New Creation (Recalcitrant)]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Thank you Ezekiel, for your thorough analyses and assessment of this Church's Web site! Thank you also for paying me such a deeply moving compliment. I shall endeavor to live up to your praise, and to not let it go to my head, for all credit belongs to God.

Brother Bathfire seems to have covered everything, but I will pray that you make the decision God wants you to make.

[theleper]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Faith_Machine, the answer to your question is almost always "no". The only time it is "yes" is if it's a satanist church. Or pagan church.

[Faith_Machine]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Faith_Machine, the answer to your question is almost always "no". The only time it is "yes" is if it's a satanist church. Or pagan church.

Whatever, fool. Let me know why you're done acting out and then we'll talk about the fate of your soul.

[María Gálvez-Villalobos]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Brother Faith, perhaps you should give try this church, after all - it COULD be a whorthwhile experience.

I mean I went last to a Pentecostic church here recently and was very nice kind of, and I made 2 new friends who I see for do sports now.

They were nice people, maybe you can to meet people what can be benifit for you too, no?

Give they a chance maybe??

I hope my advises are usefuls,

YIC, Mari

[Faith_Machine]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Steer clear, Mari! Steer clear! Pentecostals are False Christians who intentionally allow themselves to be possessed by demons!


Take a look at the crazy goings on this this video, for example, and tell me just how Godly you think these loonies are:

If that doesn't convince you, I will add that con man, fake faith healer, and non-American Benny Hinn is a Pentecostal.

[Faith_Machine]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Here is another horrific example of Pentecostal demonism:

Take special notice of the gleam in that young negro's eyes at the 0:36 mark. He is especially excited because he knows he'll have no problem ravishing those young ladies in their impaired state of consciousness.

[Sweetgirl_dca15]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Dear Faith,

They seem ok to me, but who knows. I think you should pray first and then go there personally to feel the atmosphere and everything.

I know how hard it´s to find a decent Christian Church, almost impossible I´d say. But good luck with that Brother. I´ll be praying for you!!!

YiC
Cristina

[Little Donkey]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Dear Faith,

They seem ok to me, but who knows. I think you should pray first and then go there personally to feel the atmosphere and everything.

I know how hard it´s to find a decent Christian Church, almost impossible I´d say. But good luck with that Brother. I´ll be praying for you!!!

Next thing you'll be telling us this video is all just good, kids entertainment. You don't know the EVIL you are playing with Sweetgirl_dca15.

[Sweetgirl]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Next thing you'll be telling us this video is all just good, kids entertainment. You don't know the EVIL you are playing with Sweetgirl_dca15.

I don´t understand what I have to do with that horrible video! I think I´ll have trouble to get some sleep after watching that!

YiC
Cristina

[María Gálvez-Villalobos]

Re: Should I attend this church?

I don´t understand what I have to do with that horrible video! I think I´ll have trouble to get some sleep after watching that!

YiC
Cristina

Is only a film Cristina. Films aren't real. They can't harm to you.
I've saw Alien and Nigthmare on Elf Street and they0're just silly fantasy.

YIC, Mari

[New Creation (Recalcitrant)]

Re: Should I attend this church?

Is only a film Cristina. Films aren't real. They can't harm to you.
I've saw Alien and Nigthmare on Elf Street and they0're just silly fantasy.

YIC, Mari

That's not true at all, Maria. Harry Pooter teaches children witchcraft. Suffer not a witch to live... I'll have you know that I've never been to a picture house in my life, and I'm better for it.