Good morning everyone!
Ok, the reason I posted that is because Singer seems to think that he is the only one who can win souls because DHK, myself and all of us 'denominationalist' Christians are just too confusing to win anyone to Christ.
I had to show him that he is mistaken in his assumption.
The converts in Africa were people who were Baptist, one even a Pastor. Did anyone go to the site and look at the pictures? Very moving stuff! I went to a Faith Summit weekend 2 Sabbaths ago and met with the Evangelistic team that did this. I saw a multimedia presentation that had about 150 pictures. The ones on the site are just a drop in the bucket. There were converts from the Pentecostal Church, one of them THE pastor, and again, they were converted to Christ.
I understand MEE the sense of misunderstanding on your part as to 'why' these people were getting baptized 'again' if they were already in a denomination. Here is the reason.
I speak from experience. I was baptized when I joined the SDA church. The reason why is for the same reason that people who had been baptized by John were getting REbaptized by the Apostles. They were baptized again because they had a NEW and DIFFERENT relationship with God after being taught the Apostles Doctrines. What they had before was limited light on scripture. John baptized them unto repentance, and the Apostles were baptizing them into Jesus.
I was baptized when I joined the IFB church. That was when I was a teen, and had 'gotten saved'. When I joined the SDA church it was after several years of being OUT of the Grace of God, and completely away from anything that could be called good.
When I was humbled before God, and submitted myself to Him, the Holy Spirit led me into truth, and I learned all sorts of new things that I had never known about God, and the Bible, FROM the Bible and my own personal study. By the time I met SDA's and started realizing how much of what they believed agreed with what God had shown me, I joined. It was important to me to be baptized because the baptism that took place at the IFB church was in the realm of my 'repentance' while I was a teen. When I did that, then, I wasn't submitted to God, I had not had a complete conversion. It was a step, but I didn't take it far enough, or a better way to put that would be, I didn't allow God to complete the work that He started in me.
When I submitted myself to Him 3 years ago, I did it with my whole heart, and felt compelled to be baptized due to the completely NEW relationship that God had started with me.
I can only assume, but that is most likely what has happened with these converts in Africa. They may have had a conversion experience, being Baptist, Pentecostal, and Catholic, but when they encountered the Truth from the Bible at the mouth of the Evangelists, they felt compelled by this NEW relationship that God had started with them, to signify it with Baptism.
From what the guys were telling us, some of these Baptist, Pentecostal, and Catholics had never even HAD a conversion experience. The very idea of being born again was news to them! Don't forget, their churches over there are slightly different from ours! Even here the African American churches differ from what we 'white' folks do in ours. The Division of African American SDA churches have a VERY spirited worship service. Something that I haven't ever seen, except IN AA churches.
I in no way am passing judgment upon the readers of this forum, but I would like to say that in my experience since joining the SDA church with my old friends that are still Baptist is this:
Some of THEM, here in the US have not even been converted. The shallow 'gospel' that is being preached in the pulpits in America is leaving them not only without conviction but without conversion. It is a sad thing to see, indeed. Some are seeking truth and leave their churches each week unfulfilled, while others are so complacent in spirit that it makes no difference to them if the pastor is teaching them truth or not. It is that 'easy believism' that we are talking about here.
If you would like a glimpse of the 'wonderful works of God' that these converts heard that 'pricked' their hearts, there are audio files at the Evangelism site that you can listen to. Don't get all weird on me and tell me I am trying to indoctrinate you! If you are scared of even 'exposing' your self the SDA teachings, then don't go there, but if you would like to hear the man who taught these meetings where 10,000 people some in standing room only, listened and were converted, check it out. The links to the audio and video are in the description to the right of each picture of the lessons.
Video and Audio of Evangelistic Mettings
Now that I think of it, if you are scared of being exposed to SDA teaching, you better not read any more of my posts!
I would also like to point out, that by the FIFTH night of meetings there were converts. People ALREADY wanting baptism. The lesson done that night was 'The Supreme Sacrifice'. If you only listen to one, listen to that one! It is AWESOME.
God Bless
PS, MEE, I thought you were YOUNGER!!!