Bible Question: Should individuals who attend church be considered candidates for water baptism, even if they provide no testimony of faith? |
Bible Answer: I can only describe what I do and those with whom I worship. Since we don't have the Holy Spirit's baptism of miraclous powers to help us, we have to get to know the person(s) in question. Form that close of bond of friendship, real friendship, the kind that let's them know we really have their soul's interest at heart. Find out what they know of the scriptures and what they already believe. You may remember, each of the example of saving people in the Bible starts with the person where they're at. Apollos, for instance already believed in God but was teaching John the Baptist baptism so he needed to be corrected. Anyway, after confirming and teaching as necessary God's plan of salvation, it's just a matter of time until that new disciple of God is ready to commit his whole life to Christ as his savior and Lord. It might be mentioned here, it's also a good idea to recite the Lord's caution about the sacrifice of this decision, and the fact that this new babe in Christ will face the very real possibility of ridicule and maybe even persecution, especially in another country. Until this process is completed, that is until he/she makes that committment, they're not able to be added to the Lord's church as we see demonstrated through the Book of Acts and the NT. But that doesn't mean we stop loving them, we just have to wait in accordance with God's time-table. We plant the seed and let God provide for the ultimate fruit within. Good question and God bless. |
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Questions and/or Subjects for NT general Archive 1 | Author | ||
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bcollier | ||
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foreverfaithful | ||
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onewaytriple7 | ||
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fritzygirl001 | ||
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New Creature | ||
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lilithcrown | ||
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Rowdy | ||
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tkosborne | ||
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New Creature | ||
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kobusv | ||
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onewaytriple7 | ||
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mommies4 |