by Bobby L. Graham
Synopsis:
After studying the Bible, a Baptist friend agreed he needed to be baptized for remission of his sins. He was scripturally baptized. However, he plans to continue worshiping with the Baptists to teach as many as he can. He also now refuses to eat with them in their fellowship hall after learning that it is unauthorized. Please comment.
All should rejoice that the man has learned better about his Baptist baptism, because it is not scriptural baptism. It fails in its purpose, which is to show one has already been saved and in the change of status it produces by putting one into the Baptist Church. Because it is not baptism into Christ for the forgiveness of one's sins, as taught in the New Testament (Acts 2:38), it falls short also of being "in the name of the Lord Jesus," i.e., by His authority (Acts 19:5). It is also good that he knows better than to take part in their church-sponsored fellowship meals. We should commend this individual for the changes he has made.
On the other hand, he is currently engaging in unscriptural worship, as he continues to worship with the Baptists, despite his refusal to eat in their fellowship hall. At least in his singing with instrumental music and in his failure to observe the Lord's Supper each first day of the week, he does not submit to Christ's teaching and authority (Col. 3:17). Possibly this is a good time to point out that the Lord will not judge anybody based on whether he does more things right than wrong! One's good does not cancel the bad. One would be hard-pressed to find such teaching in the Scriptures. Judgment will take place according to the unchanging standard of God's word (John 12:48; Rom. 2:2, 16; Rev.20:12).
If possible, I would make my appeal to the person's recognition of Christ's authority (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23). His authority covers baptism, as well as all that He commanded for us after our baptism, as stated in Matthew's account of the Great Commission in chapter 28. In other words, it extends to our worship. Baptism is the dividing line between sin and salvation/sinner and saint, but it does not indicate that submission to Christ's authority can then cease. If he respects that authority and appreciates his salvation from the Lord, then he should willingly comply in all matters. His example then would speak louder to his Baptist friends.
