As Baptist?????????????

[JesusFan]

I do both. They're interchangeable.

Actually, I use the term "believer" more I do either Baptist or Christian.

Believer is more precise, to me. If I describe myself as Baptist, I could be one of 38 kinds. But at least people have an idea what I believe. The label Christian means everything from born-again, to Roman Catholic, to Mormon to Christian Science. All it tells them is that I'm not an atheist, Muslim or Hindu.

My favorite self-label is "Right-wing, redneck, deep-water Baptist." One time, I used that description of myself, and the one I was talking with said, "Oh, one of those." He thought I meant IFB. I told him I was SBC, and SBCers could be one one of those, too.

Christian is who who has Jesus as their Lord and saviour...

the"label"idenifies us as to which Christian 'group" we agree with on doctrines

Such as baptist/methodist/presby etc

Christian is the 'term" we oroginally ALL got labeled with, and that was before any baptist Churches were started!

 

[JesusFan]

Jesusfan, not that you are wrong in what they believe, but is that enough to consider them a "cult"? They aren't into mind control, which I believe is a hallmark of a "cult" are they?

IF the actually add water Baptism as MUST to salvation, than is adding a work to Grace, and is a "false Gospel"

trick here is that IF you hold that Jesus died for your sins, saved by faith in Him, but add another requirement, does that save you still

 

[JesusFan]

When allowing someone to fill the pulpit we have to be very careful who to allow to feed the sheep. That is of utmost importance. If we are not sure of their doctrine then the pastor should not allow that person to teach or preach. The Bible is our foundation. It is the pillar and ground of the church. That is why study is so important.

My parents would put most Christians to shame in the kind of lives they lived: righteous (but self-righteous), moral, faithful in their church, faithful in prayer, generous, faithful in giving, kind to others, etc. But they were not saved. They were Roman Catholics, and believed to the end that salvation was in the RCC, not in Christ. Their belief in the trinity, deity of Christ, the resurrection, the second coming, the virgin birth, original sin, the literal existence of heaven and hell, --all of these important Biblical doctrines will not get them to heaven. They did not trust Christ. You cannot worship with liberals--the unsaved. You cannot worship with those who agree on essentials and yet remain unsaved such as my parents. There is more to it than that.

If you examined the lives of my parents you could have said that perhaps they exhibited the fruits of the Spirit. It's deceptive. What about Mother Theresa and all of her good works and sacrifice. But Mother Theresa was not saved. She said if: If you are a good Catholic, then be a good Catholic; if you are a Hindu then be a good Hindu; if you are a Muslim then be a good Muslim. That is heresy.

Academic belief and salvation are two different things. The one doesn't bring salvation nor does it bring a spiritual life. On the other hand, for a Christian correct doctrine is necessary.

The RCC is NOT example of a Church teaching Gospel though...
It might believ in Chrsitian truths, BUT since it misses the real Gospel, it cannot even be considered as being a real Christian Church in its officialteachings...

I was thinking more along lines of a baptist and a conservative presby, disagree on baptism modes, events of second coming, but still have SAME Gospel, so fellowship can be around same masic salvation and same Lord!

 

[JesusFan]

Yep, those are the essentials, and any deviation from those truths is wrong. Many, many churches say that water baptism is necessary for
salvation. THAT is wrong. Many charismatics say that a person doesn't have an indwelling Holy Spirit unless they give evidence by speaking in tongues, and THAT is wrong. Many churches say that if a person sins
after they are saved, they will lose their salvation...and THAT is wrong.

Where do you draw the line???

basic dividing line would be on the nature of the Gospel of Christ...

Do they hold to the Gospel of Bible, saved by grace alone, faith alone?

If yes, than we will also have to agree on the core essentials of the Faith, and have freedom to disagree on those "secondary issues!"

 

[DHK]

The RCC is NOT example of a Church teaching Gospel though...
It might believ in Chrsitian truths, BUT since it misses the real Gospel, it cannot even be considered as being a real Christian Church in its officialteachings...

I was thinking more along lines of a baptist and a conservative presby, disagree on baptism modes, events of second coming, but still have SAME Gospel, so fellowship can be around same masic salvation and same Lord!

Again, How can two walk together unless they be agreed?
Who are you going to admit into the fellowship of your church unless your church is interdenominational and accepts all denominations? We have distinct doctrine that makes us Baptist because of our doctrine. If you want to have fellowship with those that baptize by other methods then go their churches not Baptist churches. Your logic doesn't make any sense. Why remain a Baptist if you don't truly accept Baptist doctrine? Join a community church whose doctrine is wishy-washy and have a smorgasbord of doctrine--something for everyone and take a stand on nothing.

 

[Alive in Christ]

DHK...

I don't hate anyone.
We fellowship with people of like faith and practice. Those are the only ones that you can truly have fellowship with.

Nonsense

You can have sweet fellowship with any believer or group of believers who are in agreement regarding the foundational truths.

People who are either in doctrinal error or in error of a personal error, it is the believer's responsibility to bring that one to a place where he is right with God. That is not fellowship; it is correction, instruction and often rebuke.

If we see some things differently then they do, there is nothing wrong with entering into discussion with them. Sometimes that can be beneficial for both sides.

But we should not be condemnatory towards them. They are our brothers and sisters. We love them and should continue to fellowship with them.

People who are not saved need to be saved. There is no fellowship with the unsaved.

I agree

But we should of course be willing to spend time with them to share the gosple with them.

We have a purpose in life. Our purpose is to live holy lives. Sin or sinful living draws one away from the Lord. The Bible says to shun evil. Avoid all appearance. Give no place to the devil; to be conformed to the image of Christ, and not to be conformed to this world. These commands I must take into consideration as I live my life.

I agree. But we must keep in mind that part of the "commands" that Christ has given us is to not be "standoffish" towards sinners and lost people. Christ Himself was criticized for spending time with them and being kind to them.

 

[JesusFan]

Again, How can two walk together unless they be agreed?
Who are you going to admit into the fellowship of your church unless your church is interdenominational and accepts all denominations? We have distinct doctrine that makes us Baptist because of our doctrine. If you want to have fellowship with those that baptize by other methods then go their churches not Baptist churches. Your logic doesn't make any sense. Why remain a Baptist if you don't truly accept Baptist doctrine? Join a community church whose doctrine is wishy-washy and have a smorgasbord of doctrine--something for everyone and take a stand on nothing.

Amusing, ironic, and quite sad that you seem to forgotten on eof the MAIn baptist distinctives that set us "apart" from others...

That We do allow for freedom and diversity, individual choice, in matters of theology and the Bible!

As long as the held beliefs conform to the bible!

 

[DHK]

Amusing, ironic, and quite sad that you seem to forgotten on eof the MAIn baptist distinctives that set us "apart" from others...

That We do allow for freedom and diversity, individual choice, in matters of theology and the Bible!

As long as the held beliefs conform to the bible!

Baptists fled to America because of their belief in soul liberty; religious tolerance--the right to believe freely what they believed the Bible taught without interference from the State of threat of persecution. Baptists fought for that right more than any other group, denomination or sect. They left a trail of blood.

The basic premise of that principle of soul liberty is summed in such a statement as this: "I will fight for the right of a J.W. to practice his religion freely even though I oppose everything he believes." He has the right to practice his religion. That is soul liberty.

Soul liberty is not allowing others into membership into my church with divergent beliefs such as different modes of baptism. If they want to believe that then they can find a wishy-washy church that believes that, or perhaps a Presbyterian Church or some other denomination that agrees with what they believe. Why join a church when they don't agree with its statement of faith. You don't make sense!!

 

[JesusFan]

Baptists fled to America because of their belief in soul liberty; religious tolerance--the right to believe freely what they believed the Bible taught without interference from the State of threat of persecution. Baptists fought for that right more than any other group, denomination or sect. They left a trail of blood.

The basic premise of that principle of soul liberty is summed in such a statement as this: "I will fight for the right of a J.W. to practice his religion freely even though I oppose everything he believes." He has the right to practice his religion. That is soul liberty.

Soul liberty is not allowing others into membership into my church with divergent beliefs such as different modes of baptism. If they want to believe that then they can find a wishy-washy church that believes that, or perhaps a Presbyterian Church or some other denomination that agrees with what they believe. Why join a church when they don't agree with its statement of faith. You don't make sense!!

Again, NOT referring to membership/joining local Church!

We are referring to the fact that per the Bible, we MUST fellowship with, not seperate from. ALL Believers in real Gospel and real jesus, regardless of which Church label on their local assembly!

there is an exception granted us in Bible, "shunning" those who say they are saved and walk in willful disobedience to ways of God!

 

[HAMel]

We are referring to the fact that per the Bible, we MUST fellowship with, not seperate from. ALL Believers in real Gospel and real jesus, regardless of which Church label on their local assembly!

It's very possible I'm missing something here. I know many individuals who are not Christian and while I'm friendly with them and have witnessed to many, the following comes to mind: And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

I could be applying the above out of context but I really don't "fellowship" with non-believers or those hung up in religious circles and do separate myself from them often and distance myself from their lifestyles.

 

[Iconoclast]

Again, How can two walk together unless they be agreed?
Who are you going to admit into the fellowship of your church unless your church is interdenominational and accepts all denominations? We have distinct doctrine that makes us Baptist because of our doctrine. If you want to have fellowship with those that baptize by other methods then go their churches not Baptist churches. Your logic doesn't make any sense. Why remain a Baptist if you don't truly accept Baptist doctrine? Join a community church whose doctrine is wishy-washy and have a smorgasbord of doctrine--something for everyone and take a stand on nothing.

:thumbs::thumbs::1_grouphug::thumbs:

 

[JesusFan]

:thumbs::thumbs::1_grouphug::thumbs:

Do you believe that there are Christians who membership in other churches than Baptist?

That methodists/presbys/ etc are all Christian churches/groups IF they adhere to real Gospel?

 

[DHK]

Do you believe that there are Christians who membership in other churches than Baptist?

That methodists/presbys/ etc are all Christian churches/groups IF they adhere to real Gospel?

It is a big IF. I don't go looking for believers in other denominations. Most of those particular denominations are not evangelical and filled with rank liberalism having left the fundamentals of the faith.

On another note it is very important to choose carefully who your friends are. Will you fellowship with those who will lift you up spiritually, exalt the name of Jesus, be able to teach you and draw you closer to Christ? Those are the friends that you need. Those are the ones that you need to seek out for fellowship. Those in other denominations aren't going to meet those standards (unless you are in the wrong church already).

I know of a young person who chose the wrong friends. The friends she chose were friends of the world. They dragged her down. They took her down the road of worldliness, of having fun and putting the world before God. Today it is hard to tell if she is a Christian or not. She chose the wrong path--the wrong friends. What a difference it would have made in her life had she chosen more spiritual friends in her life!