When I say 'to follow Jesus I must let go of Jesus' I don't mean to actually let go of Jesus. Rather, I mean let go of my certainty that I have exclusive knowledge and understanding of Jesus. In other words, I must accept that in instances where I and another disagree it's possible that I or the other could be wrong.
Most of the doctrinal arguments I see online and in person stem from one or another person's inability to accept this possibility. This is why I don't argue matters of denomination. I simply see no value in such things. Of course this opens up the door for so-and-so to say, "then you must not be saved", blah blah blah, and to that I simply smile and walk away.
I understand!
However, when it comes to the Lord Jesus Christ and disagreements on Him, someone has to be right and someone has to be wrong.
Mark 8:29
“And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.”
It always comes down and back to what the Bible actually says. Many, Many people will say this and that but when you investigate what they say the Bible says, there is a discrepancy!
Allow me to give you an example.............
Catholic's, and many others will tell you that the "Bible says that infants must be baptized in water."
Southern Baptist will tell you....."The Bible does not say INFANTS should be baptized to be saved".
This is not a result of the Bible presenting a confusing message on baptism. Who is right?
Actually......The Bible does not record any infants being baptized at all!!!! From Jesus to the Apostles, there is no instance where baptism is prescribed in order to be saved or born again and
no instance where the baptism of infants is prescribed.
Now those who argue that the Bible says it does say INFANTS are to be baptized will use................
“She was baptized, with her household” (Acts 16:15)
“He was baptized at once, with all his family” (Acts 16:33
“I did baptize also the household of Stephanas.” (1 Corinthians 1:16)
Now.........does any of those say INFANTS??????
NO. IT says HOUSEHOLD and FAMILY.
The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes. In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized - as a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him. Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ. It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.
Now, I did not say that to start anything about INFANT baptism, I did it just to show how we can make a doctrine out of nothing WHEN WE WANT TO!
