The evangelical Christian prescription for salvation goes something like this:
First, one must acknowledge one is a sinner, and that nothing one can do by one's own efforts can reconcile one to God.
Then, one must sincerely believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and ask Him to come into one's heart with a "sinner's prayer" (reportedly the only prayer God hears from the unredeemed). Having done this -- either alone, or in the presence of others -- one is "born again", "saved", and nothing more needs to be done. But only then is one baptized.
1. If it is the Holy Spirit that convicts, isn't He already present in the heart -- and therefore Christ?
2. If all that is necessary is to believe, how is this different from James 2:19?
3. Who determines the sinner's sincerity and thus the validity of their conversion?
4. What exactly does baptism accomplish in this construct? Is it merely symbolic ritual? ("outward sign of inward change" still doesn't explain the necessity).
2007-11-02
05:27:43
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25 answers
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Anonymous
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Religion & Spirituality