A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ
Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417
(home/office)
Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
Check out the web site:
(I Corinthians 10:31 and I Peter 4:11)
I recently read an article
in a publication called “Grace Centered Magazine” on the subject of Baptism.
In that publication the author of this article stated this in answer to
a discussion he referred to in his or her article:
“He worked from the premise that if a person really is yielded to Jesus, he has obeyed every command. Therefore, he believed that those who haven ’t been immersed for the remission of sins haven ’t really yielded themselves to Jesus, even if they believe that they have. He sees an unimmersed believer as a person whose faith is flawed and whose end is destruction. Though I didn ’t agree with him, the truth is that for many years before I had seen things just as he did. I, too, had believed that it was only when one’s faith led her to the point of being baptized for the remission of sins that she was saved. I no longer do.” [1]
At the conclusion of the article the
author states this:
“All too often the author becomes the target of debate rather than the subject at hand. Rather than allow that to happen with this treatise, I decided to assure the subject is paramount by keeping the author unknown. I am unimportant; the subject is extremely important. Let ’s focus on that. If you decide to critique or debate, deal with the text rather than a personality.” [1]
The question is this: why does this author
want to remain unknown?
He Wants to Remain Unknown Because His Doctrine is in Opposition to the Truth
Jesus said: John 3:5 “…Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” When someone writes
a paper, that is a supposed study of the scriptures, and the conclusion
of their writings are in opposition of the Bible they are false teachers.
It is clear from what our Lord said that baptism is necessary unto salvation.
Jesus said that we as His disciples are to go preach and baptize those
who believe and the result of baptism is salvation (Mark 16:15-16; cf.
Matthew 28:19). Peter, being led by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13),
taught that baptism was for [unto] the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
The conclusion of just the two previously cited passages is this:
1. To be saved you must be immersed.
2. Those whom have not been immersed have not had their sins remitted, thus they are lost in sin.
To suggest that baptism
is not essential to salvation is to suggest that the New Testament preachers
of the Gospel performed an action that was essentially a waste of time.
There are nine accounts throughout to book of Acts in which the Apostles
and other men of the faith baptized people (Acts 2:36-41, Acts 8:5-13,
Acts 8:26-39, Acts 9:1-20, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 16:13-15, Acts 16:23-34,
Acts 18:8, and Acts 19:1-7). It was the teaching of Christ (Acts
8:35) that spurred individuals to realize they needed to be immersed into
Christ (Acts 8:36). So, those who are teaching the error that baptism
is not essential unto salvation are obviously not teaching Christ.
Peter certainly made a clear point when he said “…baptism doth also
now save us…” (I Peter 3:21). How much clearer can it get?
As a result of baptism one is added to the body of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47 and I Corinthians 12:12-13). It is the body [church] of Christ that will be saved (Ephesians 5:23). There is no other way recorded within the pages of the New Testament that tells one how to become a member of the church of Christ. One of the clearest passages in the Bible that shows baptism puts one into Christ is Galatians 3:27. If someone argues that an alien sinner can be saved without being baptized they must also conclude that one who is not a member of the body of Christ can be saved. Of course, they are not afraid to teach that false conclusion. Those who take these positions need to be marked and avoided, but this one keeps himself or herself anonymous to avoid such action.
He or She Wants to Remain Unknown to Avoid Biblically Approved Action Against He or She
Because this “unknown author’s” doctrine is in opposition of truth, those who remain faithful to the scriptures would have to mark and avoid this false teacher (Romans 16:17-18). By his or her remaining anonymous he or she feels as though they have slipped through the crack of exposure. However, while they might not be known by man they will stand one day accountable before the Lord (II Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:11-12). In that day our Lord will take vengeance on this individual for their heresy (II Thessalonians 1:8-9). When one considers the names of all the known false teachers that write in this publication they should not be surprised in reading the above quotes. Notice what is written introducing the writers:
“Grace Centered writers are held to high standards to bring you sound, relevant, and uplifting articles. Our writers have backgrounds mostly in Churches of Christ. Writers include Joe Beam, Dr. Rubel Shelly, Lee Wilson, Dr. Lynn Anderson, Al Maxey, Edward Fudge, Dr. Dallas Burdette, Dr. Barry Davis, Dennis Crawford, Buff Scott Jr., Paul Woodhouse, Bobby Valentine, Lance Pape, and guest writers contribute as well.” [2]
Conclusion
It is sickening that “so called” members of the body of Christ would write things that contradict the truth so clearly. Then the unknown author begins to argue that we should not concern ourselves with personalities. Is that what Jesus would say (Matthew 7:15-20)? How about Paul and Peter (Acts 20:28-31, II Peter 2:1ff.)? Those few of us who remain faithful to the teachings of Christ need to realize that we have a great responsibility to expose the errors our so called brethren are teaching. Our lack of concern and teaching against these things will cause the blood of men to be on our hands (Ezekiel 3:18 and Acts 20:26-27).
It is sad that many are digressing to the point of trying to teach that an “umbrella of Grace” will open in the Judgment Day and cover all the sins of the disobedient. To suggest such a thing is to call God a liar. The underlying cause of the doctrine that liberals are teaching about the “umbrella of Grace” is their need to accept all men of all faiths. The liberals have a difficulty laying aside the emotional side of religion to look at the truth God has set forth. The truth of the matter is that Heaven will not be overpopulated (Matthew 7:13-14). There are not many faiths, just one (Ephesians 4:5). The problem with the “unknown author” quoted in this article is his lack of concern to take responsibility for his teachings. That type of person is typically known as a coward.
~Endnotes~
[1] Unknown Author - “Are Unbaptized
Believers Lost?” (An Article in Grace Centered Magazine): http://www.gcmagazine.net/Are%20Unbaptized%20Believers%20Lost.pdf
[2] Author Page of the “Grace
Centered Magazine Website” - http://gcm.ibelieve.com/content.asp?SID=5&CID=38
Quick
NotesThose In Need of Our Prayers:
Marie Glunt (a friend of the Papp’s who
has been diagnosed with Cancer), Nancy Green (Barb’s cousin who has cancer),
Steve Burgoon as he recovers from his surgery, and Joan Croyle who has
been struggling with her health.
Workbook Information:
If you did not get your workbook on the
book of James please see Brian. It took many hours to put the material
together so please do not misplace your copy.