Apostolic Litumus Test: Do you affirm - Yes or no?

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by pelathais

This one also touches on the question about John's baptism being "for the remission of sins." The Bible clearly and repeatedly states that John's was a "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins..." (Mark 1:4; Luke 1:77 and Luke 3:3).

How was it possible for the people to receive "the remission of sins" in John's baptism if Jesus had not yet been crucified? Paul tells us how in Acts 19:4. If the people believed on the One who was to follow John, then they received remission of sins - before Calvary. The Bible cl;early states that they did.

This points out emphatically, the importance of of faith in baptism. I am personally at a loss as to why Apostolic churches are so timid about the the issue of faith in baptism. When pressed about it they'll say something in an embarassed tone. But why don't we lead with faith? Why isn't faith in Jesus Christ the foundational topic in every Bible study and Sunday School lesson on baptism? Why?

The answer is a little hard to acknowledge for us. But could it be that we are allowing "the Trintarians" to write our doctrines for us in an off-handed manner? Most of our Articles of Faith are a reactionary statement to something someone else said or had done. Why don't we tell folk outright - it doesn't matter who helps you into the water, it doesn't matter if they mess it all up or forget a line or miss a beat - what matters is your own personal faith in Jesus Christ.

The only issue I have with your post her Pel, is that those with John didn't know who Jesus was at that time, so how could they believe on Him? Their belief would have been put in a future Savior.

Also, we cannot go beyond the plainly stated scripture that Sam posted.

Where there is a testament, there has to be the death of the testator because a testament is in force after the death of the testator.


Until the death of Christ, the new covenant had NO LEGAL bite. If anyone was "saved" prior to His death and blood offering, then it was either through the old covenant, or Jesus simply worked outside of the scope we understand. But the latter would have been an exception, and not the rule.