PTM WEEKLY UPDATE -- JUNE 22, 2009
What our readers and listeners say
The downfall of America?
I have heard several televangelists tell people to prepare for the downfall of America. They say that we should prepare by stocking up on food, medications, pet supplies, water, etc. for 3 to 6 months because of what is going to befall us. Should one consider this vital information for Christians to beware? Please, what is your insight on this matter?
• I believe that any televangelists or pastors who are telling people to "prepare for the downfall of America" are, perhaps unwittingly, falling into a pit. Perhaps they fail to realize the profound importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for all people, wherever they live. Perhaps they fail to realize the true significance of the gospel, which transcends any appeal to "save our own necks" by preparing to survive a war or tribulation. Such a message that you report is, of course, short-sighted and somewhat nationalistic. If the gospel directs us to warn nations who are about to fall, then shouldn't we as Christians be more concerned about nations like Iraq and Pakistan and North Korea? Shouldn't we want them to have food, medications and water -- of course, they would not be as concerned as Americans about pet supplies because they realize that such luxuries are beyond their abilities.
Why should a televangelist teach a message which is, inherently, nationalistic? Does God love Americans more than he does Pakistanis, Iraqis or Koreans?
Why should a televangelists teach a message which has been proclaimed, over and over again, a "warning message" about the soon-coming tribulation -- when time and time again such predictions have failed (documented evidence over the last 180 years or so is abundantly available). What does such an emphasis do to those people who stockpile food, and get ready for horrible atrocities, and then, in three to six months, it doesn't happen? Who was wrong? For that matter, is anyone ever wrong -- or are new dates set for another impending calamity? And pray tell, what does this have to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ?
I recommend a three part series of podcasts which we are featuring on our website right now -- they should help bring some biblically based and Christ-centered clarity to what many call "end times" teaching. -- In Christ, Greg AlbrechtDog the Bounty Hunter
Regarding your article on Dog the Bounty Hunter, far too many "Christians" (often pushed, prodded or pulled along by their leaders) make many presumptions about others who also profess faith in Christ, and are living out their faith within some context other than an approved religious one. This attitude is made out of ignorance, and in my opinion, a false sense of religious pride. Not to mention, it's just plain wrong. Christianity is not a matter of a certain set of religious practices (or lack, thereof), but a matter of one's heart -- one's spirit -- saved through the blood/grace of Jesus Christ. Christ came to save ALL, and not to condemn. It is for him and him alone to decide who is, or is not Christian.
Remember the thief at the cross? A "Christian?" Hardly, BUT, a believer nonetheless, covered in Christ's blood because of his willingness to recognize his own need, and the belief that our dying Lord could, and would, save him and take him with him -- which he did.
Absolutely no one, other than God himself, has the right, or even the certain knowledge to pronounce someone a believer or non-believer. Those of us who are believers are given a personal responsibility to be discerning and wise when evaluating the permissive beneficiality of our close relationships, but we are never, ever given permission to judge someone else's heart or spirit . . . and there alone is where certainty lies as to whether one is or is not a Christian.
I can still be a bone fide Christian and not hold to every tenet of evangelical, Protestant, Christian religion. My faith is a matter of God's love demonstrated through the saving-grace blood of his Son, Jesus Christ, not my religion. Too many folks seem to really like riding their Christian high horses. -- CaliforniaWatered-down baptism
Your article on rebaptism was interesting. There was not one scripture quoted but a lot of personal opinion the author used to arrive at his conclusion. The scriptural reason for re-baptism is to be baptized on the correct side of salvation. When one is baptized and has not been truly saved, that baptism carries no meaning. Our Lord Jesus himself commanded us to disciple people and then baptize them (Matt 28:19-20). Many people are baptized as infants. They obviously do not understand the meaning of baptism at the time of their baptism. Believer's baptism is for people who have been saved. The only scriptural method of baptism was by immersion and is the method by which Jesus was baptized. Deviations from this lack the scriptural authority to be considered scriptural baptism.
Some churches will accept people from other denominations if their baptism had the same scriptural definition therefore, coming from another denomination is not in and of itself the reason for rebaptism. Again, requiring baptism by immersion is merely following the scriptural precedent. Sometimes re-baptism is requested from a person because they feel they were not saved the first time they were baptized. They desire to get their baptism on the correct side of their salvation because their first baptism was not only in the wrong order but did not have the right meaning.
I Peter 3:21-22 tells us that the baptism that saves us is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (the water) but the answer of a good conscience toward God. Because the water does not save us, it is merely symbolic of what is in a person's heart. Respectfully -- Florida
• Some thoughts in response. You say that in order to be Scriptural, baptism must be by immersion. By this, we assume that you mean total submersion. Where in Scripture is baptism clearly defined as submersion, and where are other forms of baptism disallowed or unacceptable? The accounts of Jesus' baptism do not give specific details as to the exact procedure (although it probably was some form of immersion). Yet if Christians are commanded to be baptized in exactly the same way as Jesus, then should we not be baptized in a river, preferably the Jordan, by a man wearing camel-hair clothing, who eats locusts and wild honey?
You say that baptism must be on "the correct side of salvation," -- that baptism before one has been saved (such as infant baptism) "carries no meaning." Again, we must ask where this sequence of events is mandated in Scripture? And further, when are we saved? The New Testament teaches that (although we may choose to reject God's gift of salvation) Jesus saved everyone nearly 2,000 years ago by his work on the cross (Hebrews 2:9; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 John 2:2; John 12:32; Titus 2:11). Certainly, few Christians, if any, are fully aware of the meaning of baptism at the time of their baptism. As one's understanding of God's grace deepens (a process which may take decades), so does one's understanding of the significance of baptism. As you say, 1 Peter 3:21-22 speaks of the symbolism of baptism, which goes beyond the washing away of our sin. It is symbolic of the fact that by believing in Jesus, we are baptized into his death and raised with him in his resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). We are now clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27).
Churches and denominations are free to practice many different distinctive traditions related to baptism, but when these become exclusivist requirements, they are nothing more than religious legalism.RETURN TO PTM WEEKLY UPDATE CONTENTS PAGE
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