First off, thanks Thad for the nice words.
I decided to come back, because I see some good points on both sides, but some serious flaws in the reasoning. Mind you, I was a 3-stepper until my recent situation, so I do know both sides real well, and willingly fellowship with both. I see no reason to cut ties or cut off people, or down people for differing over one little words definition.
So, here is my reasoning on all this.
Time and again, we read of the
Acts 2:38 formula being preached. Repentance, water baptism in Jesus name, receiving the Holy Ghost. The problem lies in our interpretation of what occurs. But, when I saw the "1-step" plan, as it has been so eloquently called, it came at a high cost to me.
I read of where believers received the Holy Ghost before baptism in water. Many times, I have heard of people saying God was making a down payment on that soul. However, they had no scriptural precedent for that belief. We know the Lord will not dwell in an unclean vessel, so why would He come and abide in someone unless they had been made clean? And, if one is made clean through water baptism, why would He dwell in someone before they had been baptized? Too many questions, and not enough scripture was the problem I faced.
Another issue came when I read of Paul preaching our salvation by grace through faith. How can one equate this when a person includes the need of a physical act to be part of salvation, ie water baptism? I mean, if God's grace was not enough on the Cross, that when we come to Him in faith we come under the Blood, then what is His grace then?
I continued asking, with no responses. Then, I remembered a good brother out of McAllen, TX who taught a Soul Winning Class at a conference I attended. He was a PCIer, and he taught well. He was old school holiness, but he spoke well of the need for souls to accept Christ, and then after they were saved, lead them to the waters of baptism. Wonderful course. All this stuck in my mind.
The icing came on the 13th when the unthinkable happened. I remember now, that as I went to the hospital that afternoon before Dad passed, I sought the Lord in the car. I remember the Lord speaking to my heart saying to release my Dad, that He would take him in His arms. Oh, what peace! I knew what had happened, and I knew God had a hand in it all.
I am not going to down tree-steppers and claim they are not Apostolic. I believe, just as what happened with the merger, we must work while it is day.
OK, my $0.02 worth. Love all.
