Introduction
On 9/7/2016, I joined the website discussion board Bible and Faith Discussions – Christian Viewpoint. Recovering, I was still trapped at home, unable to return to work yet. I had to find ways to entertain my untrapped mind and spirit. I posted three comments on the discussion board. I read several comments by others.
Two days ago, I posted the following on the discussion board:
I have stopped by here many times over the years. I haven't visited, to drink coffee with y'all, in a while. My website, which I own, will catch you up on my 'life, such as it is.' https://www.appalachianirishman.com. I'm working on my book to be published, 'Light at the End of the Tunnel.' My website tells you how to contact me directly. Otherwise, I may stop by again in a few weeks or months.
The post had views. It has received one comment so far. I replied. It was a fine comment.
1/31/2021: Βαπτίζω in the Context of Grace
Yesterday, the website administrator posted an article to start a new discussion topic. The post is titled, “Do we need to be baptized to be saved?” The article drew my interest.
Today, I posted my following reply:
I am honored to be the first to comment on your 1/30/2021 post.
On 3/7/2009 on my website, I wrote “Why I Left.” Over the last almost 12 years, I have reread my article many times, such as today. I still would not change one word. My unpublished book, “Light at the End of the Tunnel,” expands greatly on my 3/7/2009 article. I plan to publish my book.
The CoC had the formula: faith + repentance + confession + immersion (to be saved, not after one thought he had been saved) + faithful living = salvation. The implication is that a Baptist, whose faith glows by example in life, as my mother's did, wasn't “saved,” if immersion came after thinking to have been saved by prayer. I know. I remember, even in my own sermons from decades ago. The CoC had that formula. I hope the CoC has matured in the last couple of decades.
The formula is not 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 5. The formula is 1 (faith that includes the others) = 1 (everlasting salvation).
The formula is genuine and active faith in response to God's grace. That faith includes repentance, confession, βαπτίζω, and living in appreciation of God's gift. God doesn't demand perfection. He expects faithfulness. This is the faith that takes us to heaven!
Βαπτίζω is defined as “I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize” (https://greeklexicon.org/lexicon/strongs/907/). My God is bigger than the quibble on the mode of “immersion” or “baptism.” I know many fine Christian examples who were “sprinkled” as adults. That was their genuine and active faith response to God's grace. Their lives demonstrate the Lord living in them. They are saved by their genuine and active faith, despite any doctrinal imperfections, such as the mode of baptism. The correct mode of baptism is immersion, as per the Greek and New Testament examples, but I digress.
My God honors a Christian's genuine and active faith response to his grace through his Son. If that person's faith is incorrect on certain precise doctrinal details, then my God is bigger than that!
An earthly father instructs his son, “If you dig up weeds in the garden, mow the yard, pick ripe corn from the garden, bring it inside, and take a bath, then I will give you your allowance for the week.” The son, eager to honor his good father, digs up weeds and accidentally a few beans. He mows the yard, including some of his mother's flowers. He picks corn, several ripe, but a few not ripe. Outside, he takes a garden hose and douses himself with water over his head and down his face. (He is hot and sweaty.) His father comes outside just as the garden hose shower is done. His earthly father, a good man, says, “Well, you did a good enough job. You tried. You honored me. Here's your weekly allowance, son. Now, let's go home.”
If a good, earthly father would do that (as my father did, similarly), how much more will our perfect heavenly Father do? (Dad didn't have the extra money to pay me an allowance, as a side note for humor.)
God expects faith, not doctrinal perfection. Faith should guide us to be as exact doctrinally as we can be. Salvation is based on faith, not perfection in doctrinal understanding. I rest my case. My case is biblical. I can prove it. My God is bigger than that!
By the way, my website, https://www.appalachianirishman.com, will include my remarks on this topic. Your name will not be mentioned. My website protects privacy. I see numbers of readers only. I do not know who they are or where they are. You are welcome to comment on my website. Thank you for administering this discussion board.
Kindest regards, in Christ,
Marion W. Ferrell (aka M. Fearghail as “the Appalachian Irishman”)
Conclusion
On 9/17/2022, the anniversary of my father's birth, I updated this article by improving the formatting and by adding this conclusion only.
Today, I still affirm my words in this article from 1/31/2021. I am not very active on the website discussion board Bible and Faith Discussions – Christian Viewpoint. I write articles here.
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