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| Vol. 12 No. 9 September 2010 | Page 9 |
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| Vol. 12 No. 9 September 2010 | Page 9 |
Donald R. Fox
Do we believe what the Word of God teaches? Most of us would answer in the affirmative, with a hardy, “Yes.” For many, the New Testament subject of baptism has caused the most study and misunderstanding. The proposition “Is baptism necessary in order to be saved?” has been debated many times over the years. Denominational creeds have been very conflicting on this biblical subject. Throughout the centuries, denominations have added or changed what they believe concerning the doctrine of baptism. Is the problem with the Word of God or is it with man?
Let me suggest that we allow the Bible to answer the question, “Is baptism necessary?” Or, we could rephrase by asking, “Is baptism part of God’s plan of salvation for sinful man?”
Hopefully, you have taken the time to search the Scriptures in our brief study of baptism. Is it not time to lay aside our preconceived ideas concerning this important biblical subject?
NOTE: Daniel Coe, evangelist for the Trail Creek church of Christ, Shawnee, Kansas, furnished the twenty summary remarks concerning our study of baptism. See: https://trailcreekcoc.us/index.html
Steve Higginbotham
Have you ever had questions like that asked of you? Through the years, I have often had people ask the question, “Do I have to go to all the services of the church? I mean, what if I do not go on Sunday night or Wednesday night? Do I have to go at those times if I faithfully go Sunday morning?” Well, allow me to answer that question with a few questions of my own.
Do you have to hug and kiss your little children?
Do you have to remember your wife’s birthday?
Do you have to call home when you are late coming home from work?
Do you have to buy Christmas presents for your family?
Do you have to attend ballgames and band functions in which your children are involved?
Do you have to attend the funeral of a close friend or loved one?
Do you have to say, “I love you” when you love someone?
I think you see the point. Sometimes we are guilty of asking the wrong questions. There are some things in life that we do not “have” to do, but we “get” to do. In fact, even asking the question, “Do I have to…” is terribly inappropriate. When my relationship with my God is based on what I “have” to do and what I don’t “have” to do, then I had better take a long hard look at that relationship. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).