Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 995
Christian Church Ad
by Larry Ray Hafley
Did you see the half-page ad put out by "The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)"? It appeared in the Houston Chronicle, April 3, 2004. In commenting on their views of various subjects, they had a section about baptism. Under the heading, "Baptism by Immersion," it said:
"In baptism, the old self-centered life is set aside, washed away and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored."
Comments: To say that they "practice baptism by immersion" indicates that baptism can be practiced or performed in some other way. That is not true. Baptism is immersion. It would be like a Catholic saying, "We practice sprinkling by sprinkling."
To sprinkle or pour water on a person is one thing. To immerse or baptize is quite another.
Does the Christian Church believe immersion to be the act of baptism in the New Testament? Do they believe baptism occurred when both the baptizer and the one to be baptized went "down into the water," and, after the baptism, both "came up out of the water" (Acts 8:35-39)? Do they believe New Testament baptism is referred to as a burial and a resurrection and that, therefore, it was an immersion (Rom. 6:3, 4; Col. 2:12)? If that is what the Bible teaches, and if that is what they believe, by what authority can they say that "other baptism traditions are honored"? The Holy Spirit says that if anyone preaches "any other gospel...let him be accursed," that is, cut off (Gal. 1:8, 9). We are not to "honor" the traditions of men. We are to reject and repudiate both them and those who advocate them (2 Cor. 10:5; Eph. 5:11; 2 Jn. 9).
There is "one baptism" (Eph. 4:5). That being true, how can "other" baptisms (so-called) be "honored"? The same verse that says there is "one baptism," also says there is "one Lord." Would the Christian Church say that, "Although Disciples accept one Lord, other lords are honored"? No, they would not say that. Alright, then, since "one Lord" means that we cannot honor another "lord," why does not "one baptism" mean we cannot "honor other baptism traditions"?
Ephesians 4:5 says there is "one faith," one divine system of faith, "the faith," that has been once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). It is "the faith" to which we are obedient (Acts 6:7). It is "the faith" in which churches are established (Acts 16:5). It is "the faith," the gospel, which the apostles preached (Gal. 1:11, 12, 23; Cf. Acts 13:7, 8-"the word of God, the faith"). There is "one faith." Will the Christian Church say that, "Although Disciples accept one faith, other faith traditions are honored"?
Ephesians 4:6 says there is "one God" (Cf. 1 Cor. 8:5, 6). Would the Christian Church say that, "Although Disciples accept one God, other gods are honored"? Why not? The Bible says there is "one baptism," but that does not prevent them from honoring "other baptism traditions," so, why would the fact that there is "one God" keep them from honoring other gods?
We are being too hard on the Christian Church, you say? It is strange that they can contradict the word of God, but let their error be pointed out, their deviation from Scripture be identified, along with its consequences, and immediately those who teach the truth are the "bad guys." Those who contend for the faith, those who sustain the teaching of the word of God are criticized and condemned while those who teach contrary to the truth are defended and upheld.
Let someone objectively analyze our charges. Let them answer the logical, scriptural questions we have raised. It is easier to denounce the arguments than it is to answer them. Ignoring them will not make them go away.
