T
T.N. Sampson
Guest
No, I was using their salvific view of baptism to make a point. Essentially, any group can make a claim, and the freedom they have to make such claims also justifies another in stating an opposing view.Your argument against the Catholic Church is their requirement of Baptism to enter Heaven?
Roman Catholic doctrine views baptism as an act of salvation, and the person undergoing the sacrament is forgiven of his sins and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. In fact, a person cannot be saved if he has not been baptized, according to the Church. This is one reason that Catholic couples try to get their infants baptised as soon as practical.You claim to be a Christian but take an opposing view to this? I could understand if you claimed to be Jewish or Muslim but you claim to be Christian and isn't that one of the tenants of the Christian faith?
Protestants and Baptists do not agree with that doctrine. We view baptism as an act of obedience, an outward sign of an inward change. Faith, and faith alone, are what saves a person.
Again, my point is this: in the marketplace of ideas, the Church is free to promote this doctrine and I am free to rebut it. Both sides would agree to that, and neither side would consider coming to blows over it, at least not in this country, as we both agree that it's God's job to condemn, not ours. Hope this clarifies things. Cordially, Skip.