How can Roland and Heidi Baker have such extreme joy when their people get murdered by Muslims, their buildings get burned down, their food gets stolen, they get lied about and targeted? The Lord had told Heidi that she will die a martyr.
You know what? She’s one of the happiest Christians I’ve ever seen. Meanwhile, we have a thread full of miserable people here criticizing a pastor who’s probably accomplishing more than all of us put together.
I don't think that anyone's saying that Christians should not be happy ... or should not have joy.
I think what's being expressed is a concern that those being brought to baptism in 40 different ways ... are not really being brought into an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.
It might be different if the thrust was not baptism, ... but rather belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
I mean ... the first thing that struck me aabout the posting was that I didn't understand why there seemed to be so much concern over people being baptized. I mean, baptism is for believers, and the vast majority of believers have no hesitancy about being baptized.
But perhaps you are right and the 40 ways will bring more people into relationship with Jesus. I certainly have no problem with any church doing what they sincerely feel led by God to do and I will sincerely pray for their efforts.
It was just one of those things that make you go ... hmmmm ...
yeah cuz Scripture surely isn't enough to convince them. We have to add a classy photo/rememberance album to it!
I think you're reading somehting into this that doesn't exist. I also believe that baptism is SOLELY and EXPLICITLY for believers.
Where did you read that this pastor doesn't believe that? He's a Baptist. They're very strict on that, you know. These are just ideas 'outside the box' for a baptism service, (some of which are, at worst, kind of cheesy) and you guys are wigging out over it. Get a grip.