Is Immersion the Only Valid Baptism?

Have you ever heard someone say that immersion is the only valid mode of baptism? That’s in the Bible — not! The word baptism literally means immersion. But, it’s used in several non-literal senses. It means wash in several places (Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38; Acts 22:16). It describes Israel walking through the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). The Israelites were not literally immersed in the Red Sea, but figuratively. They walked through with dry feet, baptized into Moses without being literally dipped or immersed in any water. So, biblical use of the word baptism reveals that it can certainly be an immersion and also some other use of water such as a symbolic washing.

Is Alcohol Use a Sin?

Have you ever met someone who proudly announced that they had never touched a drop of alcohol in their life? That’s in the Bible — not!

If used moderately, wine and beer were designed by God to be a blessing in the body of a normally healthy person. They may be enjoyed at worship feasts (Deuteronomy 14:24-26). Wine cheers God and men (Judges 9:13), gladdens the heart (Psalms 104:15), gladdens life (Ecclesiastes 10:19), makes the heart rejoice (Zechariah 10:7), and cheers up the depressed (Proverbs 31:6). It is to be imbibed with a cheerful heart (Ecclesiastes 9:7) and makes life merry (Ecclesiastes 10:19).

The Bible does not ban moderate and responsible use of alcohol, only drunkenness. Instead of acting like Pharisees and inventing sins not found in the Bible, what if we took genuine sins seriously, like bearing false witness?

Is Karma in the Bible?

Is karma compatible with Christianity? That’s in the Bible - not! Karma is a version of salvation by good works, which contradicts the Christian teaching of salvation by grace. Karma is a form of cause and effect, teaching that the balance of our deeds determines our future in this life and the next. This contradicts a foundational teaching of Christianity, God’s forgiveness in Christ. Romans 6:23 says that sin brings death, but God’s gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 says God reconciled us to Himself through Christ, not counting our sins against us. John 3:16-18 says God gave His Son, so that everyone who believes will have eternal life. Karma is unforgiving. God forgives.

Is Sola Scriptura Accurate?

Many Protestants believe in sola scriptura, the Bible alone. That’s in the Bible - not! Every church has important traditions, well-reasoned doctrinal statements, and experiences of the Holy Spirit. A more accurate statement is prima scriptura, primarily the scriptures. When tradition, reason or experience are made equal to the Bible we are in danger of preaching another Gospel (Galatians 1:8-9). God has inspired Scripture to teach us what is true, right from wrong, and prepare and equip us (2 Timothy 3:15-17; Acts 17:10-12; Isaiah 8:20; 40:8). The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth (John 16:12-14) and faithful preachers expound the Bible (Acts 17:2; Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4; 1 Timothy 4:13).

Is Apostolic Succession True?

Is apostolic succession true? That’s in the Bible - not! Right teaching is not automatically passed on by continuously consecutive ordinations (2 Timothy 2:2; 4:2-5; Titus 1:5; 2:15; 1 Timothy 5:19-22). Some church leaders will be false teachers. We should compare their dogmas with the Bible. The Bible is the ultimate written teaching authority (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:18-21). The church repeatedly overly focuses on human traditions, earthly reasoning and popular experiences. It wanders from the Bible to the right ditch of legalism and the left ditch of liberalism. Faithful believers are brought back to right doctrine by knowing their Bibles. The Bible reforms the church in a way that apostolic succession could not.

Is Papal Dogma Infallible?

Are ex-cathedra dogmatic statements of popes infallible? That’s in the Bible - not! Matthew 16:18-19 does not call Peter the first pope or chief of the apostles. James chaired the first church council (Acts 15:1-23). Paul corrected Peter (Galatians 2:1-14). The church is built on the foundation of all the apostles (Ephesians 2:19-20) and Jesus is the chief. Peter was not alone in having the authority to loose and bind (Matthew 18:15-19). It was Peter who said not to be authoritarian, lording it over others (1 Peter 5:3). A heavy-handed way to coerce people is by claiming that your dogmatic statements are infallible. Is infallibility bullying? Does Infallibility deny the need for human leaders to repent of bad doctrines?

Do Catholics Teach Salvation by Works?

Do Catholics teach salvation by works? That’s in the Bible - not! Some Protestants falsely accuse the Roman Church of teaching salvation by works. We Protestants ought to repent of bearing false witness towards our Roman brothers and sisters. Catholics, Protestants and Eastern Orthodox Christians believe what the Bible teaches on this. Let me explain. All major branches of Christianity, east and west, believe in salvation by faith. But, a saving faith is not a dead faith. What is a living faith? Jesus said that good trees produce good fruit. We can be identified by our actions (Matthew 7:15-20). James explains it plainly. A saving faith is evidenced by good works and faith without works is dead (James 2:17-26).

Is Justification by Faith Alone?

Is justification by faith that is alone, sola fide? That’s in the Bible - not! Luther added the word alone to Romans 3:28, believing it made the text clearer. The letter of James annoyed Luther. He called it an epistle of straw and removed it from the Bible among other books. James 2:14-26 says that faith is proven by action, good deeds, and we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. Faith is dead without good works. Later theologians wrote, “We are justified by faith alone but not by a faith that is alone.” What makes faith not alone? Could it be works? Are Catholics and Protestants closer than we think?

Is the One True Church Visible?

Are apostolic succession, baptist succession, sabbatarianism, or restorationism reasons to declare any denomination the one true church? That’s in the Bible - not! The church is built upon the foundation of all the apostles (Ephesians 2:20). One of those apostles was Thomas who started churches in south western India. Those churches were separated for 1500 years and some remain independent to this day. Are they not part of the one true church? Thomas and Bartholomew also planted the Assyrian Church much of which remains independent. The church is not visibly one but invisibly one in Christ (Galatians 3:28; 1 Peter 3:8; Philippians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Colossians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 4:32).

Is Financial Success Having Money?

Is financial success measured by having lots of money? That’s in the Bible - not! Throughout the Bible those who give are considered by God to be truly successful and those who focus on getting are miserable losers. Selflessness is success. Selfishness is the ultimate failure. The parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46) reveals eternal bliss for the charitable and hell for the greedy. The story of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1-4) shows that it is not the amount that gauges successful giving, but the percentage. There are two kinds of people, givers and takers. Givers are winners and takers are losers. True financial success is not gauged by what we accumulate, but by what we give.