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The Baptismal Formula: Difference between revisions
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I do not believe that a person baptized in the second example can be excluded from the body of Christ solely on the basis of how they were baptized. What is important is not the exact words that are said. Rather, it is that it is clear that the person is making a public declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ through water baptism. It is important to understand that: | |||
#water baptism is not the means of salvation. The basis of condemnation is unbelief only. | |||
#Both the Acts 2:38 forumula and the Matthew 28:19 formula are acceptable because they are both based in scripture. | |||
#While baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (or a similar variant) may be the preferred method of baptism for some, those espousing the Acts 2:38 formula cannnot exclude those baptized in accordance with Matthew 28:19. If someone comes to faith in Christ, publicly declares that faith, and is then baptized in the Matthew 28:19 formula as shown in example #2 above, there is no basis to excluded from the church on any reasonable grounds. ''"Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.''<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 16:7.</ref> | |||
We deal with this in more detail below. | |||
==Examples== | |||
Here are a few examples from personal experience. | |||
===Example #1=== | ===Example #1=== | ||
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Given the whole focus on confirming the new convert's faith in Jesus Christ, I have no problem with how this church baptized people. | Given the whole focus on confirming the new convert's faith in Jesus Christ, I have no problem with how this church baptized people. | ||
== | ===Example #3=== | ||
We were at a baptismal service in a message church where a person was baptized by one of the deacons in the name of the Jesus Christ. After the baptism was over, the pastor stood up and required the deacon to immediately rebaptized the person in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. | |||
Such actions demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of water baptism. There are no "magic words" that are required to be pronounced over the person being baptized. Baptism is "''the promise made to God from a good conscience. It saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone to heaven and is at the right-hand side of God, ruling over all angels and heavenly authorities and powers.''<ref>American Bible Society, The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation, 2nd ed. (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), 1 Pe 3:21–22.</ref> | |||
==Derivation from a Oneness Christology== | ==Derivation from a Oneness Christology== | ||