Did you know that there is no such thing as "re-baptism"? Though people are sometimes cajoled into submitting to having their bodies plunged into a tub of water, this is *not* a baptism, if that person had already been baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (in a legitimate church).
Just as it would have been impossible to re-circumcise a man in the Old Covenant, so it is completely impossible to "re-baptize" a body (in the New).
Here is a way to look at the issue of "re-baptism," (and I do not mean the illustration to be taken as an offense). . . . Just as "gay marriage" may actually be technically "legal" in some states (and in some European countries)--nonetheless, there is no such thing as a "gay marriage." It is neither sanctioned by God, nor is it recognized by Him.
Some churches may register people as having been "re-baptized" in their books and rolls. These churches have indeed done something, but God does not recognize what they have done, (because there is no such thing as "re-baptism").
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, January 08, 2009
The Ecclesiocentricity of Matthew 6:33
One time a dear soul told me that he thought Matt. 6:33 was the single most important verse in the Bible. Even though I think those kinds of assessments are unnecessary (and even potentially dangerous), no Christian would deny the power, relevance, and wonder of these words, which fell from our Redeemer's lips: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
This one verse really wraps-up, in only a few words, the doctrine of ecclesiocentricity. It is precisely *when* we "seek *first* the kingdom of God [viz. the church and her welfare] and [God's] righteousness," that we gain everything else of value as well--(and we get that on the "backswing" as it were).
God's "righteousness" is gained by hearing the church's gospel proclamation, that asserts that any righteousness to be had, by any sinner, must be imputed, from Christ to the sinner, (and that, by faith).
The error of most religion today is that God is sought outside of the church (first and foremost). The problem is this: The Lord refuses to be found, except within the holy bounds of His church. Another common mistake, of even very ardent Christian people, is their insistence upon putting other things before Christ's church. This usually amounts to other good things, like family, jobs, the nation, or any other concern.
When we seek Christ's kingdom (church) first, God takes care of the rest. May we be found faithful in this most-important of pursuits.
This one verse really wraps-up, in only a few words, the doctrine of ecclesiocentricity. It is precisely *when* we "seek *first* the kingdom of God [viz. the church and her welfare] and [God's] righteousness," that we gain everything else of value as well--(and we get that on the "backswing" as it were).
God's "righteousness" is gained by hearing the church's gospel proclamation, that asserts that any righteousness to be had, by any sinner, must be imputed, from Christ to the sinner, (and that, by faith).
The error of most religion today is that God is sought outside of the church (first and foremost). The problem is this: The Lord refuses to be found, except within the holy bounds of His church. Another common mistake, of even very ardent Christian people, is their insistence upon putting other things before Christ's church. This usually amounts to other good things, like family, jobs, the nation, or any other concern.
When we seek Christ's kingdom (church) first, God takes care of the rest. May we be found faithful in this most-important of pursuits.
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