You mean the Jewish nation who as foretold in the Bible would reject Him? They refused to acknowledge Him as Savior and sought to make Him their earthly king. Not the same thing as another Christian Church following Him by any stretch unless that church rejects Him which is a very different matter.
I also do not think that it is right that people believe whatever they want, or interpret the Bible however they think it is right and I believe they do it to their own destruction.
Which is exactly why we are given the Holy Spirit and a One on One relationship with Christ to pray to Him and ask for his guidance. We also have GOD's Word the Bible. In those I trust. I read mans writings and church doctorines/theology with caution especially church leaders. In faith I seek the HOLY SPIRIT to guide me in truth and it's been a life long learning experience some lessons came the hard way.
And my example of that point is this thread, where people have dismissed Baptism, saying instead all one has to do is be "born again." That Scripture is taken out of context, Jesus Himself was baptized with water, then the Holy Spirit descended on Him.
Jesus was Baptized to fulfill the law that what He did on earth was perfect and except able to GOD. Salvation comes the very second you answer the call. Public Profession is also a highly desired action as well as following in Baptism. Desired yes but sometimes simply not practical nor enough time. Baptism saves no one. It is the heart of man humbled before the LORD calling on His name for forgiveness and salvation that saves. The Baptism which saves you is the Blood Of Christ which you are Baptized in Spiritually the second salvation comes. Note even John The Baptist proclaimed this very thing.
Matthew ch 3 v11 “I baptize with£ water those who turn from their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am—so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave.£ He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Who Baptized the thief on the cross? Christ himself. It is the Spiritual Baptism of the soul which saves that Baptism comes not from man. Man should be baptized however in accordance with a show of faith in following Christ example.
There are some very whacky (probably well intentioned) notions out there and I believe this is one of them. It has no standing Biblically, Historically and it doesn't even make sense. The Bible, Acts of the Apostles and the history of Christianity say otherwise, that being baptised with water is necessary for salvation. That's why I asked for historical proof/documentation of this man-made doctrine. Funny that people say that the Church has "man-made" doctrines when this notion (being born again) is a glowing example of a man-made doctrine that does not stand up to the test.
Ceremonial cleansing came up quite a bit in Christ time on earth. That includes Baptism as it at the time of John The Baptism was just that. Christ taught us much about cleansing. It is not the outside that needs cleaning but the inside. The inside being mans heart. Which do you think is more powerful? Baptism by a preacher or Baptism by the Holy Spirit that comes at the moment of salvation?
Baptism Water can not wash away your sins you will still be stained. The Blood Of Christ washes sins away. So how can we be Baptized in His blood? Only by the Holy Spirit. A Baptism not many churches talk about really. Church Baptism is ceremonial an act done after salvation is excepted. I know many who were saved years before they were ever publicly Baptized.
GOD deals with man on His own terms in His own time. Christ may call upon you for salvation while you're in the woods taking a walk. You may at that time say Yes LORD I except you as Lord and Savior. They may not feel the conviction for public profession and public Baptism for years. It does not mean they are not saved. The LORD may call you, wait your reply, and may wait again to take you further in faith. That is Biblically sound. Even Christ waited His public Baptism until His appointed time when the Father told Him to.
Baptism is one of legalist favorite tools. For example I had a very well intended by highly misguided one follow me around in the Navy asking me if I had been Baptized. I said yes. He asked well what did the preacher say when he did it? I said as written in the Great Commission In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He said you are not saved then because the preacher did not say I Baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ. Understand my point? I was saved and received Christ in my early youth and about a year later IIRC was went forward and was Baptized in my church. The LORD let it eat at me a while :>} but I was saved earlier. When I felt the overwhelming call to go forward I went but not before. The call to go forward to the Alter as it is called and the call of Salvation may or may not be in the same time frame. A person can be Found By Christ anywhere at any time.
BTW my back ground was growing up Southern Baptist but later joining an Independent Baptist Church. But about half my family is also Roman Catholic including a cousin Priest who is a Vicar General and several cousins who are Baptist preachers. ceremonial cleansing
I believe that when Martin Luther rejected the authority of priests and the Church, he gave rise to this mess we have today.
Martin Luther and his followers destroyed the sacraments instituted by Christ. The Bible warns of interpreting scripture by onesself.
Jesus clearly leaves us a church. I don't understand how you can say that you do not trust 'man's writings and church doctrines' yet with your thinking, every man has his own writings, his own doctrines and his own authority.
I believe that only leads to chaos and totally wipes out everything that Christ established.
I also think you have a mistaken idea of what we believe. As a catholic I have a 'personal relationship' with Jesus Christ. In fact it is very personal, since I believe that I recieve Him, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist.
In the sacraments man plays one part and Christ sends the graces. For instance in baptism, the priest pours the water or lowers the individual into water and says the prescribed words. God then sends the Holy Spirit and the graces to the individual. It is a co-operation between man and God.
The Bible and history are replete with just that.
Martin Luther destroyed that during the protestant revolt.
Some of your points I agree with, that baptism does not save somebody. It (salvation) is an ongoing, lifelong process. Just as St. Paul says that we are to 'work out our salvation in fear and trembling.' We have to co-operate with God our entire lives or we could lose our eternal salvation.
But, Jesus did institute Baptism. The Apostles went around baptising, the New Testament, and history are filled with evidence of this.
There is no evidence, historically or biblically for the man-made doctrine of 'being saved' as we come to know it today, which is one not needing baptism and only having to recite the 'sinner's prayer' and invite Jesus into his heart.