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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is the Church of Christ Christian? | Mark 16:16 | kalos | 59526 | ||
"...but he who has not been baptized shall be condemned." Mark 16:16 Church of Christ Version [New Creature: I feel a word of explanation is in order. I am posting this CRI Perspective not to duplicate your posting nor to be a copycat :-), but in order to put it into the archives under my user name for future reference. This, in turn, will make it easier for me to find later on when I need it. All credit for originally finding this perspective goes to New Creature. Thank you. -- kalos] 'IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST A CHRISTIAN CHURCH? (CRI PERSPECTIVE CP0604) 'Some Christians believe that the Church of Christ promotes non-biblical teachings and practices. Is the Church of Christ a Christian church? 'The Church of Christ movement originally arose in the hopes of promoting unity among all Christians, but it eventually ended up separating itself from other Christian groups. Although the Church of Christ movement is basically Christian, it's difficult not to categorize certain factions as aberrant because of some of their more extreme doctrines and practices. 'Of all its beliefs, the Church of Christ movement is perhaps best known for its view that water baptism is absolutely essential for salvation. This is no doubt a "sub-biblical" view of baptism. Acts 10:44-48, for example, records that Gentiles were filled with the Holy Spirit (and therefore saved) before they were baptized. Water baptism is certainly a normal part of becoming a Christian and a member of the church; nevertheless, it's still possible to be saved without having been baptized -- especially when circumstances make baptism very difficult if not impossible (cf. Luke 23:39-43). Now, some of the more extreme factions within the Church of Christ movement go even further, and argue that anyone who views baptism differently from them is not a Christian and is, therefore, lost -- even if that person has been baptized!' (www.equip.org/free/CP0604.htm). |
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2 | Is the Church of Christ Christian? | Mark 16:16 | N_i_c_k | 151708 | ||
You say “it's still possible to be saved without having been baptized” and you used the example of the thief on the cross. Christ had not died yet when he told the thief he would be saved. Rom 6:3-5 says, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection”. How could the thief be united with Christ in his death if Christ hadn’t died yet? Besides Rom 7:1 says “Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?”. The Thief was under the old law when he died and not subject to baptism. Just because there are places on earth where water is scarce it doesn’t mean we can throw baptism out the window. Our preacher went to Africa and baptized many people where there was very little water. Water is necessary for man to live and therefore accessible to all man. Even if there was someone without water for miles around, why not have faith that God will provide. But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46-47) God never said he would allow us to pick and choose his commands based on our circumstances. Shame on you. Our salvation is granted to us through our obedience to Gods commands and baptism is just as necessary as belief, repentance, confession, and living out a life of righteousness. Rom 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Sin separates us from God and baptism is the method God has chosen for us to be cleansed from our sins that we might be united with Him again. Let’s look at Rom 6:1-8 again: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him Paraphrase of Rom 6:1-8: Those who have been baptized have died to sin. Those who have been baptized into Christ have been baptized into His death. Those who have been baptized will be raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. Those who have been baptized have been united with Christ that the body of sin might be done away with. Those who have been baptized will live with Christ. The only way to access Christ’s blood is in His death and the only way to access his death is through baptism. Baptism is how and when our sins are washed away (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16). Baptism puts us into Christ’s body, the church (Acts 2:41, 1 Cor. 12:13). Baptism is when we are born again (John 3:5, Rom. 6:4). Baptism is how and when we are buried and raised with Christ (Rom. 6:4, Col 2:12). Baptism is fitting in order to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:15). Baptism saves (Mark 16:16, 1 Pet 3:21). Jesus’ final statement while on Earth was, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-17). If you haven’t been baptism you are still separated from God because your sins haven’t been washed away. You have not been saved from wickedness by water like Noah and his family (1 Pet 3:20-21). You are still living in a body of sin because you haven’t died and been reborn. If you haven’t died with Christ through baptism then you have not been raised with Him to walk in newness of life Rom 6:4). You are not in the body of Christ (which is the same as the church) because you have not been baptized into the body (1 Cor. 12:13). If you are not in Christ’s body you do not have access to His blood, which is able to cleanse you from all sin. If you choose not to baptized you will not be saved (Mark 16:16). I see no exception for “when circumstances make baptism very difficult”. “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matt 22:29). |
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