Ultra-Liberalism In Churches of Christ
Baptism and Fellowship With God
In the last two issues of StraitWay we discussed the false concepts of grace held by the ultra-liberal, unity-in-diversity group within the churches of Christ. Their gospel/doctrine distinction causes them to downplay the importance of doctrinal teaching .and obedience to God's word. This, in turn, allows them to extend fellowship to all sincere believers, regardless of doctrinal positions and practices. It is held that the "perfect obedience" of Christ is imputed to the believer and sins of doctrinal error and ignorance are "continuously cleansed" by the Blood of Christ. This is simply a modified version of the old "once saved, always saved" position taught by the Baptist Church.
When Carl Ketcherside first started advocating the gospel/doctrine distinction, continuous cleansing was applied only to members of the church of Christ who had been Scripturally baptized. Later, he advocated the continuous cleansing of those who had submitted to denominational baptism. Cecil Hook, in Free In Christ, stated a belief that baptism is necessary, but also argues that denominational baptism fills the bill. The man I have alluded to in previous articles who advocated ultra-liberalism and unity-in-diversity also advocated the acceptance of denominational baptism, especially Baptist Church baptism.
When we talk about "fellowship" we are talking about a sharing or a joint participation. In the Bible the context tells what is being shared. In our spiritual relationships there is a vertical fellowship with God and a horizontal fellowship with others, who are also in fellowship with God. John speaks of this in 1 John 1:3, "what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." Paul says, "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord," 1 Corinthians 1:9.
Fellowship with God begins when our sins are forgiven. This takes place at baptism, Acts 2:38. However, New Testament baptism is not just immersion in water. New Testament baptism is immersion in water preceded by faith, John 3:16; Mark 16:16, repentance, Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38 and confession of faith, Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:9-10. In New Testament baptism man is saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21), forgiven (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16), raised up into newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4), added to the Lord's church (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:12-13) and puts on Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).
Having been raised in the Baptist Church and joined it at age 13, I can assure you, Baptist baptism is not New Testament baptism. Baptist baptism is performed on a person who believes he is already saved, already forgiven, already raised up, already a member of the church universal and already in Christ. Baptist baptism makes one a member of that particular denomination, but, by their own admission, is not necessary for salvation or fellowship with God.
Fellowship with God begins at New Testament baptism. Denominational baptism is not New Testament baptism and does not establish fellowship with God. Therefore, denominational baptism cannot be accepted by faithful brethren and churches.
Fellowship with God is maintained by living in accordance with God's word. 2 Thess. 2:14-15 says, "And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." John wrote, "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son," 2 John 9. When a Christian sins he must repent, confess and pray for forgiveness, Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:6-9.
Ultra-liberals do not abide in the teaching of Christ and they extend fellowship to those who are not in fellowship with Christ, 2 John 10-11. Faithful brethren need to be aware of this and on guard against all forms of error. Next month: Ultra-liberalism, Romans 14 and Horizontal Fellowship. - Richard Sims