Category Archives: Sacraments

Sawdust So, yes, the other denominations make serious mistakes regarding baptism, too. But everyone teaches baptism, although imperfectly. I’m aware of no denomination that doesn’t require some sort of baptism for its members. Now, the errors made by most denominations … Continue reading →

Planks It seems to me that before we in the Churches of Christ can criticize someone else’s baptismal theology we have to first confess a few mistakes of our own. We’ve focused the gospel on baptism rather than Jesus. When … Continue reading →

Reliance on baptism Of course, the role of baptism in bringing converts into Christian community is not all that happens in baptism. There are many other blessings associated with baptism. There’s forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of Spirit — … Continue reading →

Boasting Because we’re boastful people, we rarely hear lessons on the theology of boasting. But the scriptures say a lot on the subject. (Jer 9:23-24 ESV) 23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, … Continue reading →

“Not because of works” Taking “washing” or “bath” in Titus 3:5 as a reference to baptism creates a theological problem for some, because Paul has just said — in the very same sentence — “he saved us, not because of … Continue reading →

I saved this passage for late in the discussion because I wanted to share this story near the end. You see, when I was law school (and woolly mammoths ruled the earth), the leaders of my church asked for volunteers … Continue reading →

(1Pe 3:18-22 ESV) 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,  19 in which he … Continue reading →

One more poll — [poll id=”4″] In the last poll, nearly no readers were willing to damn someone because his baptism was because of sins already forgiven, that is, the typical Southern Baptist teaching. No one selected “Ignorance of God’s … Continue reading →