A Trick That Had a Truthful Point To It
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesDuring our recent lectureship, a good friend of mine brought me “debate” propositions, and asked me to sign the position I would affirm, and he left me up in the air as to whom he thought would have the other side of the question. The parties are neither here nor there, since it was simply a trick, but there was a serious point on the subject at issue.
It was this: (1), One who is baptized in obedience to the gospel must understand that the baptism is FOR the remission of sins, or, (2), One who is baptized may do so, and may receive the remission of sins, even though he does not at this time understand that the baptism is FOR remission of sins.
I signed point (1). In view of Acts 2:38, and Acts 22:16, I do not see how it could be otherwise. Look at it, if point (2) was correct. In that case, one could be baptized, and obtain the remission of sins, while believing the false doctrine that he was saved at the point of faith! He believes error about the very action being taken, but in spite of the error he holds in his heart, truth worked for him, overriding the error, and he goes on his way, cleansed, while at the same time still believing, and teaching others, the error! And, could he then not also believe that salvation comes at repentance, or at confession, or on the basis of some prayer he had uttered?
So, it was a “trick” debate that this friend posed before me, but at least we have occasion to look at a point of truth. To state other than number (1), would be to have one with sins remitted while he believed and taught false doctrine about the plan of salvation!
THE SOUTHWESTERNER, June 14, 1989