Jack Chick vs Roman Catholicism - On Baptism
Yes, I know I should be working now and that I'm going to starve soon if I don't. That said, Jack Chick from Chick Publications (you know, think "chick tracts") has several articles regarding the folly of Roman Catholic doctrines. The first one that caught my eye was regarding baptism, so I started reading.
Apparently Jack Chick doesn't believe that it's necessary for salvation to be baptized... and the Catholic Church (according to the Catechism) does. That's fine. Although, it's interesting the minimal amount of scripture used on both sides (except when Jack uses verses which show that both are required). For example, Jack Chick will quote the Catechism (which says that by baptism all sins are forgiven) and then respond by saying,
"The Bible teaches that only Christ can forgive our sins, performing a "good work" like baptism will never do it."and supports it with one verse which says:
""In whom we have redemption through his (Christ's) blood, the forgiveness of sins..." Ephesians 1:7"But this doesn't teach that ONLY Christ can forgive sins... rather that that forgiveness of sins comes through him. The only other verse that comes to my mind regarding the exclusive ability to forgive sins was when the Pharasees accused Jesus of blasphemy because "only God can forgive sins." The verse that comes to mind regarding baptism and the forgiveness of sins is Acts 2:38 in which Peter replied:
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."That seems pretty plain to me. I'll let you draw your own conclusions on these.
and Acts 22:16, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Jack a little while later says that,
"The Bible teaches that baptism should occur after salvation, not as a requirement for salvation."This I don't agree with either. Rather, belief is a prerequisite for baptism, and baptism is an act of obedience coming out of faith... without which it is impossible to please God.
""He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)Jack Chick believes that baptism is not necessary for salvation. The Catholic Church believes that it is, although they consent that "in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel to that faith..."
I plan to revisit this at a later time.
posted by She who is by birth... at 7:08 AM
1 Comments:
I never really have dabbled to much in this debate. My only opinion on it before was simply that when you have asked Jesus into your heart that you were saved. This is what we were taught at the First Baptist Church of Swansboro in NC. Baptism wasn't a requirement but a showing of faith to others that this is what you believed. I think I will do some digging on this as well...when I was baptized, it was because I wanted to join the church, membership requirements were baptized in, transfer in(you were baptized elsewhere, show proof of baptizement please?)and a third which I honestly cannot remember...definitely worth digging into...
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