ECT and the enormous
challenge of our common evangelistic task, it is neither theologically
legitimate nor a prudent use of resources for one Christian community to proselytize among
active adherents of another Christian community.
Repentance and amendment of life do not dissolve remaining differences between us. In the context of evangelization and "reevangelization," we encounter a major difference in our understanding of the relationship between baptism and the new birth in Christ. For Catholics, all who are validly baptized are born again and are truly, however imperfectly, in communion with Christ. That baptismal grace is to be continuingly reawakened and revivified through conversion. For most Evangelicals, but not all, the experience of conversion is to be followed by baptism as a sign of new birth. For Catholics, all the baptized are already members of the church, however dormant their faith and life; for many Evangelicals, the new birth requires baptismal initiation into the community of the born again. These differing beliefs about the relationship between baptism, new birth, and membership in the church should be honestly presented to the Christian who has undergone conversion. But |
COMMENTARY Again, we do NOT have a "common evangelistic task" with the RCC. Since Roman Catholicism promotes an unbiblical gospel and is thus not a genuine "Christian community," then it is "theologically legitimate" and it is "a prudent use of resources" to witness to Roman Catholic persons. This is true whether an individual Catholic practice his religion or not. Telling Roman Catholic persons the truth in love that the real means to salvation is through Christ alone, contrary to the teachings of the RCC, is no more bigoted or mean-spirited than was Jesus when he spoke the truth to the Jews, or was Paul when he openly confronted idolatry, or was Peter when he preached at Pentecost, charging the Jews with killing the Messiah! History teaches that the RCC has been guilty of this for centuries. In our day as well, in Central and South America the RCC is still guilty of this.
Somebody wants to hide some unbiblical practices here! Try to tell Jesus, Peter, or Paul that they must not say anything negative, even if it is the truth. Personally, this is one of the greatest offenses of this whole document. The "evangelical" endorsers of this statement are saying that servants of Christ have corrupted the testimony of Christ and sinned against God by witnessing to Roman Catholic persons as if they are lost. It is NOT a sin to obey Christ. Almost all of the brethren of the church that I pastor are former Roman Catholics and Episcopalians. They are not sinning by trying to bring the Truth of the Gospel of Christ to their own family members. These men who pretentiously assume to speak for God in this ridiculous document need to repent and apologize to the Lord and to His Church. This document seriously damages our witness, particularly to Roman Catholics and Episcopalians. Note here also their stated agenda to correct this "sin," not only their own supposed sin, but that of the rest of us too! This public threat provides a very real justification for God's people to confront the endorsers of this heretical document, thus contending for the Faith and warning the rest of the Lord's Church. For Catholics, all who are "validly baptized" are "baptized" under the ultimate authority of the Roman Catholic Church, and this "baptism" is believed to be a sacrament (a religious work) that dispenses grace to the individual. In almost all cases in the RCC the individual is an infant. This statement is a true representation of official RCC doctrine and documents that Roman Catholicism preaches a perverted false gospel. The Bible refutes the idea that ANY religious work by man can have anything to do with being born again of the Spirit. "Baptismal grace" refers to this RCC sacrament. This term or concept is nowhere found in the Bible. Baptism confers no "grace," nor does any other sacrament. |
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