Wow. That last paragraph is the most interesting. Again, I repeat. It's a pretty picture, but it "must come from our gallery" seems to be a motto that I am seeing. So much for "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism..." I also like the assumption that churches must be autonomous. I used to be of that opinion. They I read Acts 15 where the Jerusalem church made policy for the church at Antioch (or perhaps some might call it a Synod). It's hard to get around that one. :) Blessings, Randy > Since churches are (should be) autonomous the question to whether or not > to > accept the baptism of another denomination is a doctrinal issue. Therefore > the choice belongs to the individual church to make. > > > > Some denominations, baptism is essential for salvation. Others it is > because > of salvation. Then we have those that it just does not matter. Not the > mode, > the reason but the fact it happened. Some require regenerated individuals > only and from there it trickles to infants. Baptist have historically > stood > on the position of only those who have been regenerated and make a public > profession are eligible and then only by immersion by a church who is > doctrinally the same . . . or as it is stated of *like* faith. > > > > Being of like faith means that doctrinally we stand on the same doctrinal > issues. Some denominations believe baptism imparts added grace - others do > not hold to this belief. At the same time the question of whether or not > salvation is eternal - once saved always saved or it is based upon ones > ability to keep it or lose it. > > > > Being once saved eternally saved not based upon my ability to keep it but > trusting God - I would not accept anyone's baptism from an other > denomination where doctrinal differences on the essentials exist. > > > > Miguel > > > > > > > > > > > > OK. I am talking about whether or not we would accept a Baptism as being > "valid" or "acceptable" as Christian Baptism. I am not saying that we > agree > with the concept that only those who are able to verbally express the > desire > should be baptized. > > > > Hopefully that gets us on the same page as to what I'm talking about. > > > > Blessings, > > Randy > > > > > > > > Click here to join DoctrinalDebate > > > > > > Because of Calvary > > > > > > > > Pastor Miguel > > > > First Baptist Church of Olivehurst > > > > PO Box 578 - Olivehurst, CA 95961 > > Church 530-743-1831 or Cell 530-701-5131 > > > > > > > > /} Sword of the Spirit > > @##1611 KJV ###{ ]::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::> > > \} Use it Daily! > > > > > > > > > > > > "Looking to the Future . . . Because People Matter!" > > > > Jesus is the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords! > > > > Preaching the Gospel > > > > Teaching the Word - Contending for truth > > > > Thank you for visiting our Web Page > > > > http://home.comcast.net/~fbco/ > > > > fbco@... > > > > > > > > > > Click to join DoctrinalDebate > > > > > > > > > To subscribe, send a message to: pastorsforum-join@... > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: pastorsforum-unsubscribe@... >