Howdy Grams,
I looked over your church's doctrinal statement and I agree with it on a number of topics such as-The Bible,The Godhead, the person of Christ,total depravity, redemption,Eternal Security, the Holy Spirit, the church, walk,resurrection,and second coming of Christ.
I agree with half of your churches statement on baptism- "All saved persons have been made members of the Body of Christ by One divine baptism (this is baptism into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit). By that ONE BAPTISM, every member of the Body of Christ is identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection."
But disagree with the statement-
" In light of the statement concerning the "ONE BAPTISM" in Ephesians 4:5 and the statement in I Corinthians 1:17 that "Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel", we affirm that water baptism has no place in God's spiritual program for the Body of Christ in this day of grace."
I believe that the great commission is in order until the Lord comes for His own and that all of those who have trusted Christ for salvation should be immersed in water. Just as the elements of the Lord's supper symbolize the body and blood of our blessed Lord our burial in water (baptism) symbolizes our union with Him and this ritual saves us in a symbolic sense- We are told in 1Peter 3:21-
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God)"
Baptism symbolizes the washing away of our sins- "And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name."(Acts22:16)
Don't get me wrong- I do not believe in literal baptismal regeneration just as I do not believe in transubstantiation-but these symbols (not substance- I know), are rituals (not the reality- I know) that are full of meaning and are important. Are there unbaptized born again Christians- of course! But they are like those who are married but without a wedding ceremony.I know I probably will not change your mind on baptism-and that is OK. I think that your church has emphasized dispensational truth far beyond the understanding of most Christians-and some of the teaching sounds interesting,but doesn't convince me personally.
I say all this to also say-there is so much that we do agree on-and I pray for the Lord's blessing for you and yours.
