Subject: In search of the truth |
Bible Note: Hi Doc. "All of those activities of the church specifically prescribed in Scripture are called a "means of grace." In other words, they are activities by which God has promised and decreed (by positive and sovereign institution) to channel His grace." This statement of yours, is it in truth, what all of the Religions (Christendom) believe? Are there scriptures for backing up these claims? Or is it in effect the doctrine of Reformed Theology? "Consequently, we cannot state that something "happens" when a believer is Baptized. Instead, it reflects something that has already "happened" spiritually in regeneration." Again you make a very sweeping statement, as though it is truth. Isn't this again, the interpretation of Reformed Theology? Where is it found in scripture, (baptism), "reflects something that has already "happened" spiritually in regeneration." If I am understanding you correctly, you have interchanged the word (regeneration) for the word (salvation) if I am correct in my assumption, where is this found in scripture, that they are in actuality the same event? "It is "to be unto the party baptized, a sign of his fellowship with Him [Christ], in His death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into Him; of remission of sins; and of giving up into God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life." If it is only a "sign" as you say, is it therefore only a symbolic gesture on the part of the believer, that nothing actually happens when baptism takes place? Is baptism merely a means by which the believer has fellowship with Christ, this fellowship being the symbolic identification with the death and resurrection of Christ? If believers really don't die to the flesh, how then does engrafting actually take place if baptism is only a sign (symbolic)? How is it possible for the believer to "live and walk in newness of life" if the whole baptismal experience is only a symbolic gesture? Vintage68 |