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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Free in Christ | John 8:31 | DocTrinsograce | 240341 | ||
Hi, sonofmom... Most churches that practice infant baptism also practice believers baptism; for example, when an adult convert who has never been baptized joins a church. This would be the normal practice for Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Christian Reformed, Episcopol, Anglican, Presbyterian, etc. Given the Evangelical Covenant Church's roots in Lutheranism, it is not surprising that they would hold this particular praxes. In my opinion, describing the practice as "cultic" would be painting with too wide a brush. Credobaptists, however, generally have very specific doctrinal positions upon which they base the practice of believers baptism. Consequently, there might well be more fundamental issues of doctrine that might make membership problematic. For example, as a member do you say, "I agree with all of your believes except..." How are we to submit to the elders while holding an exception? Where there is one exception, there might well be others. This is a real issue for both members and elders. Another example, as a member of such a church, and holding the credobaptist doctrine, what do you do when the church baptizes an infant? Obviously, in love for the family involved, one would want to honor them and the occassion of the baptism. However, to participate would tacitly express a contrary teaching to the doctrine that one holds. (We teach by what we do as well as what we say.) So these things leave another alternative: attendance without membership. But that doesn't really solve all the problems. After all, what are we saying to others by refusing membership? That, in itself, teaches something contrary to what we believe. I can sympathize with the conundrum that you face. My family and I must travel an hour away from home to be members of the only Reformed Baptist Church in the state. My wife and I remind one another, "The doctrine is worth the distance!" One last thought: You have persevered in attending ten churches to find a home church. What if the Lord has purposed that you attend eleven? What if He wants you to see over twenty churches before you locate a congregation? You seem to be learning a lot of good things through the experience. You are also encouraging and teaching the rest of us that doctrine matters. Furthermore, God has been gracious to "raise the red flags" before you and the church joined into a union that might be a lot harder to break later on! In Him, Doc |
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2 | Free in Christ | John 8:31 | sonofmom | 240359 | ||
Thank you again, Doc, for an awesome answer. Now I would like to share the answer that was brought before me in the middle of the night, this one is from God's inspired Word. I am still feeling things out, as I have thought about not becoming a member and still attending, as I have seen others do in the past, and I also told the pastor, that the Church I came from did not even allow people to become members, because we all already are the Church, so there is no need to become a member of one. Anyway, I was led to Romans 14, in context, 37 verses continuing on into chapter 15. 1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. I really like the pastor, yet there are some things I do not like about how the church is run, or administered. When I arrived, I saw a large repair project underway that was expensive, but I did not understand how the basement walls were having problems with hydrostatic pressure when the church sits atop the highest hill for miles, and I thought I would have done things way different if I had gotten there earlier. But the faith in the Holy Spirit is strong, at first glance I thought I detected a strong presence of the Spirit in the teachings from the pulpit. Yet mentioning the Spirit does not guaranty truth, we all know. Anyone is welcome to chime in here, and I look forward to Doc's wisdom as well, but I am getting a small voice telling me that I may have been put there to build my faith as I see God work in people that are not totally correct in dividing His Word. |
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3 | Free in Christ | John 8:31 | DocTrinsograce | 240360 | ||
Hi, sonofmom... Given the enormous problems associated with the human heart (Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-22), how you feel about the place might be enormously misleading. Your initial thoughts about Scriptural issues of doctrine and interpretation would be far more substantive. It would be like that repair project: a carpenter uses a tape measure and blueprints, not his emotional response to the tools and materials. We walk in the light of the Word (logos, where we get the word logic). "...and you will know the truth..." (John 8:32a); not "...and you will feel the truth..." The heart responds, but only as the mind is properly informed. According to the Scriptures, use the tape measure and blueprints that God has provided (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23; Ephesians 5:13; 2 Peter 1:19). When everything measures up to the Word, just think how wonderful that will feel! In Him, Doc |
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4 | Free in Christ | John 8:31 | sonofmom | 240366 | ||
Very understandable, Doc. Your words ring true and clear. I have a desire to do as my heart tells me, which is to follow God's heart. This includes acquiring all the tools necessary for the journey, and you have helped me greatly. May the Lord bless you for all that you do, in all you do. Son |
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