Joshua –
Thanks for taking the time, and making the effort, to respond.
By comparing our views on becoming a Christian, maybe you will come to understand, better, why I see so many as ‘lost’.
I don’t exactly, totally, perfectly, agree with the break down, which you have listed…mainly because water is lacking.
The following are the steps as I see the scriptures teaching.
Before anything can happen –
First, we must hear the truth being preached/taught.
Second, we must believe this truth...that Jesus is the one true living Son, of the one true living God, Jehovah.
Third, we must publicly confess this belief before men.
Fourth, we are then to publicly repent of our past sins.
And finally, fifth, we are to be baptised, by immersion, into water.
As is now obvious...I believe in taking the literal examples, and commands, of the scriptures LITERALLY!
Now I realize that your understanding is the most popular of the two, and I regret that we don’t see eye-to-eye on this issue.
But, by my becoming a Christian late in life, after years of skepticism, I screen the teachings of churches, led by fallible, mortal men, through the eyes of a cynic.
And, I have found much error being taught in every main stream denomination that I have taken the time to examine.
I invite you, and everyone, to compare these two accounts of ours, above, against the scriptures, if you haven't already, and draw your own conclusion.
Joshua, you certainly don’t have to agree with my views, and most probably won’t.
I’m just trying to give you ONE example, of many, of why I feel that most who call themselves Christians, are in my eyes, ultimately…lost.
BTW - Joshua, please feel free to weigh-in here on this issue of women 'wearing a veil' during prayer!
What is the position of the leadership of your church on this subject? And, do you agree with it?
duval -
Of course, you are exactly right, it's just that I can't expect others to believe ME when I share that with them, because I don't believe OTHERS who say that, when their walk conflicts with what I see the scriptures teaching.
In Christ,
Pogo