Tag Archives: Baptism

The Fork in the Road: Moral vs. Positive Law: Baptized into Christ

Argument 3. It would be a mistake, of course, to discuss morality without discussing Christology. We are baptized “into” Christ. We become a part of his body on earth. We are transformed by the Spirit into his likeness. Therefore, acting/becoming … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: A Reply to John, Part 2 (Regarding Confession and Forgiveness)

Many in the Churches of Christ have taught that, while baptism forgives our former sins, future sins are forgiven by a three-step process — 1. Confess the sin to God (1 John 1:9). 2. Repent of the sin. 3. Ask … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: When Am I Justified?

I continue to try to sort out just where the progressives and conservatives part ways in their theology. Ask any conservative, and he’ll assure you that he believes we are justified by faith, not works, by the grace of God. … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace: What If We Fail to Convince Others Regarding Baptism?

Henry Kriete asked an important question in a comment a few days ago — Dear Jay Thanks for this article. Some great insights, especially on the character of God. My question is: when we strive to teach the truth about … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace: The ICOC and Baptism, Part 2

You see, the baptism verses are there, and they are true, and we understand them largely correctly — so don’t waste your time citing Acts 2:38 etc. to me. I know them and agree with them. But all those faith-only … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace: The ICOC and Baptism, Part 1

I’ve now had two readers independently ask me about a recent posting over at Disciples Today regarding baptism. This website serves the International Churches of Christ, formerly known as the Boston Movement (and the Crossroads Movement, before that) within the … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace: “Plain Talk” Questions Born of Water

I get emails — Jay- I feel your comments about 1 Cor 1: 17 miss the mark and I don’t know what your statement about making a choice between faith only and faith and baptism means. I have had faith … Continue reading

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Backgrounds of the Restoration Movement: Baptism, Primitivism, and Heresy, Part 2

This brings us to the famous Lunenburg letter correspondence. Some of Campbell’s early writing often seems to suggest that he considered baptism essential to salvation. And this was conventional wisdom within much of the Movement. However, Stone had never considered … Continue reading

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Backgrounds of the Restoration Movement: Baptism, Primitivism, and Heresy, Part 1

The Restoration Movement was not begun with baptism in mind. Indeed, Barton W. Stone, Thomas Campbell, and Alexander Campbell had all begun their ministries and had written some of their most famous documents long before baptism became an issue. You … Continue reading

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What Is “Gospel”? Part 5

“Gospel” is a big, big concept. And while it’s helpful, I hope, to work through the key “gospel” verses to understand the concept, this has hardly been a complete or thorough exposition. I mean, how can we consider “gospel” without … Continue reading

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