Ian--
What do you mean here: "Baptising immediately those who are actually unsaved"? Are you actually admitting that a person is unsaved before they are baptised?
Who's to judge whether a person is ready for baptism or not? Would you actually withhold baptism from someone because you don't think they are saved yet? If someone comes to you and says they want to be baptised for the remission of their sins, would you actually say "no" because you don't believe they are saved and that the act would give them false hope?
"I am a baptised Christian, saved for all eternity." Only people who believe "once saved, always saved" would believe this.
"But if their conduct does not show their "faith" they have grounds for self confidence in thier baptism." Don't you mean they have NO grounds for self confidence in their baptism?
"Baptism does not save such a person." I agree. Baptism in and of itself does not save. Belief in Christ as our Lord and Savior, repentance, baptism for the remission of sin, and a life lived following Christ and fulfilling His commands leads to salvation.
Carri
What do you mean here: "Baptising immediately those who are actually unsaved"? Are you actually admitting that a person is unsaved before they are baptised?
Who's to judge whether a person is ready for baptism or not? Would you actually withhold baptism from someone because you don't think they are saved yet? If someone comes to you and says they want to be baptised for the remission of their sins, would you actually say "no" because you don't believe they are saved and that the act would give them false hope?
"I am a baptised Christian, saved for all eternity." Only people who believe "once saved, always saved" would believe this.
"But if their conduct does not show their "faith" they have grounds for self confidence in thier baptism." Don't you mean they have NO grounds for self confidence in their baptism?
"Baptism does not save such a person." I agree. Baptism in and of itself does not save. Belief in Christ as our Lord and Savior, repentance, baptism for the remission of sin, and a life lived following Christ and fulfilling His commands leads to salvation.
Carri