Does it matter how we are baptized and who baptizes us as long as it’s in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?  I'm getting baptized at my friend's church which is Calvinistic; I'm more of non-denominational Bible-believer, but anyway, they're going to baptize me in a swimming pool.  Should I go through with it?

Sincerely,
Diving In

Dear Diving In,

Why you are baptized is one of the most important elements of baptism, and a Calvinistic church will not baptize you for the right reasons.  People are baptized all the time without being saved!  The word ‘baptism’ comes from the Greek word ‘baptizo’ which means ‘immersion’.  The word ‘baptism’ is the same word that Greeks used when a ship sank to the bottom of the ocean or when someone dove to the bottom of a swimming pool.  In the most technical sense, people are baptized when they take baths, go swimming, etc.  Taking a bath will baptize you, but it definitely won’t save you.

The Bible teaches that baptism saves you.  According to the Bible, baptism is a requirement of salvation.  Peter said so in Acts 2:38 when he preached the first sermon after Christ’s ascension.  In 1 Pet 3:21, it specifically says that baptism saves us.  Mk 16:16 says that baptism is as integral a part of salvation as belief, and Paul tells us in Rom 6:4-5 that baptism buries us with Christ, so we might be born again without our sins.  The Bible clearly teaches baptism as a prerequisite for salvation.

Now, here is your problem.  Calvinism teaches that baptism is “an outward showing of an inward grace.”  That means that Calvinistic churches do baptize people, but they believe it is only for show and that you were already saved before you were baptized.  Therefore, the reason they baptize people is completely wrong.  If you are baptized for the wrong reasons, you just get wet – not saved.  We would be happy to get you in touch with a congregation that isn’t tied to denominations, teaches the whole Bible (Rev 22:18-19), avoids manmade traditions (Matt 15:9), and will baptize you for the right reasons.  Just e-mail us (askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org) with the general area of the country you live in and we will happily put you in contact with a faithful church.  You may also find the article “Calvin And Sobs” on Calvinism of use to better understand this manmade religion.

      If christians of all different denominations are bound for heaven if they accept Jesus, why is there so much division?  If there aren't different levels to heaven and varied eternal rewards based on your denominational allegiance, then why the need for so much variation?

Sincerely,
Too Many Choices

Dear Too Many Choices,

The denominational world is confusing… exactly the opposite of God’s church (1 Cor 14:33).  The term ‘denomination’ comes from the idea that a church believes that it is a subgroup of a larger religious body.  Lutherans worship and teach differently than Episcopalians, Catholics, Presbyterians, etc., but they all believe themselves to be christians – this is wrong.  Jesus said that there is only one path to heaven (Matt 7:14).  The apostle Paul said that there is only one church (Eph 4:3-6).  Denominationalism teaches that how you act and worship are matters of opinion, but Jesus said that how you act and worship are matters of truth (Jhn 4:24) and the Bible condemns the division we see in the religious world today (1 Cor 1:13).  The only way to avoid denominationalism is to find a congregation that simply teaches what the Bible says – no creeds, no opinions, no personal agendas.  If we truly love Christ, we will follow His commandments (1 Jn 5:2).

Everything a church does (worship, membership, how they teach to be saved, how they spend their money, even their name) needs to have Bible verses backing them up (1 Tim 3:15).  A church needs to be able to explain the reasons for why they do what they do (1 Pet 3:15).

Our congregation here in Monroe goes by the name ‘Monroe Valley church of Christ’ because ‘church of Christ’ is a Biblical name for a congregation (Rom 16:16).  We worship by singing (Col 3:16), studying the Bible (1 Tim 4:13), praying (2 Thess 3:1), taking communion (only on Sundays – Acts 20:7), and taking up a collection (also only on Sundays – 1 Cor 16:1-2).  We teach that you must hear God’s Word (Rom 10:17), believe God’s Word (Jhn 3:16), repent of your sins (Mk 6:12), confess Jesus as your Savior (Lk 12:8), and be baptized to be saved (Acts 2:38, 1 Pet 3:21).  We do all these things because they are practices found in the Bible.  As you said, you don’t want to go to a church that offers their own thoughts – you want God’s thoughts.

There are other congregations like ours scattered across the country and the world.  Most of them use the name ‘church of Christ’, but then again, many churches that use that name aren’t faithful.  A Bible name for a church isn’t enough to make it faithful.  We have helped others, like yourself, looking for New Testament Christianity find faithful congregations in their area by contacting other preachers and christians that we know.  We’d be happy to do the same for you.  If you feel comfortable, just let us know what general area you live in, and we will try and get you in touch with a congregation that lives like your Bible reads (our e-mail is askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org).  It is frustrating, confusing, and exasperating to deal with denominationalism.  Thanks be to God that there is a better option!

     I understand that all spiritual gifts are no longer needed and have ceased; I understand why.  But a question came up with a Pentecostal friend that I need a little help with.  What is the scripture that explains to us that God chooses to no longer speak to people directly?  And what would be a good way to explain why He does not speak to people outside the Bible?

Sincerely,
Trying To Help

Dear Trying To Help,

There are several places that you can go to explain this concept to your Pentecostal friend.  Here are a few verses to show them:

1. We are told that the Bible contains everything we need to know concerning life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).  If the Bible tells us everything we need to know, we don’t need anything else.
2. The Bible tells us that we shouldn’t add or subtract from God’s Word (Rev 22:18-19).  A vision or prophecy given to an individual would do exactly that.  If a “vision” says more than the Bible, we don’t need it, and if it says the same thing as the Bible, we don’t need it.
3. Heb 1:1-2 says that God used to speak to mankind through many diverse methods, but today He has spoken to us through His Son.  Jesus’ Word is now our only guide.
4. Jude 1:3 says that we have the Word of God handed down “once and for all”.  God has finished providing revelation to us.
5. The silver bullet verses are 1 Cor 13:8-9, but it is a little lengthier discussion to handle all of the arguments in that verse.  We recommend you read “Incomplete Understanding” for a complete breakdown of the 1 Cor 13:8-9 argument.

The long and the short of it is that prophecy was needed until the Bible was complete, but now that we have everything God wanted us to know, prophecy has ceased.

     With no religious upbringing, I was baptized in 2008 according to Matthew 28:19 at a conservative evangelical church.  I moved and attended an apostolic church.  I was told I had to be re-baptized in Jesus' name because I was not saved.  And then the whole tongues thing.  I made the decision to leave because I could not embrace their doctrine of Oneness, Jesus' name only, speaking in tongues… forget all the holiness issues. How do you suppose the Lord looks upon me for leaving?  Should I have stayed to be a light of truth?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Fleet Of Foot

Dear Fleet Of Foot,

You can only do so much to help others, but in the end, it is more important that you seek the truth and be part of a faithful congregation than it is that you stay and try and be the lone voice for a church that isn’t interested in changing.  Your own salvation comes first (Php 2:12).  Furthermore, it isn’t like the congregation showed an interest in studying or changing.  In such cases, God tells us not to “cast your pearls before swine” (Matt 7:6).

As far as the doctrinal issues, you may find the articles “Just Gibberish” and “Gifts That Stop Giving” useful for future reference, but you are right to not embrace the doctrines you mentioned.  Christianity is meant to be simple.  If we take what the Bible says and follow its pattern, we will have the truth.  All the religious division is wrong and completely unnecessary.  Read “Down With Denominationalism” for an in-depth look at how denominationalism has strayed from the Bible.  All we have to do is follow the Bible like an instruction manual, and we will be fine.  We congratulate you on your stand for the truth, and we would be happy to help you get in touch with a congregation that has your same love for truth.  We know of many simple, honest, Bible-patterned congregations; e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org if we can be of service.

     Is the church of Christ a denominational church?

Sincerely,
Doing My Research

Dear Doing My Research,

The church of Christ is definitely not a denominational church.  Each congregation is led and guided autonomously by the Scriptures.  Whatever the Scriptures say, that is what we do (Col 3:17).  Denominationalism is wrong – read our article “Down With Denominationalism” for details on how the Lord’s church is being attacked by the religious confusion of the denominational world.