I guess that that the practice of cherry picking the Bible and not taking the verses surrounding the one selected is not just limited to the Bible.
I love that argument about the cherry picking; and not simply because I'm fond of cherries. It's simply a method of deflecting any type of argument with what is being stated. If I quoted:
Jhn 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
And said that no man can come to our Lord Jesus unless God the Father draws him, all I will hear is "you're cherry-picking verses again". It seems to me there is nothing about picking any cherries here. God the Father draws us and our Lord Jesus will raise those who the Father has drawn, up. The text is clear regardless of the "Yes, but...".
Do you see? It grants that indulgences exist and have existed right from the early Church; they were administered corruptly and that this corruption stops now. Period.
Sure I see it. I see the infallible Pope made an mistake in issuing indulgences for payment. I see the Council said this infallible Pope was corrupt. And, since this proclamation was made about 100+ years after the fact, it is also an indictment on the Church at the time. Infallibility isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
And as for baptism? We think so highly of our children that we lead them to the Holy Spirit as soon as is practicably in order that the Holy Spirit comes into them and leads them to everlasting life. We do not think so poorly of human beings that we chortle with glee to think that WE are of the ELECT and YOU are NOT, and there’s nothing that anyone can do about it.
Baptism has nothing to do with election. To a Baptist, baptism symbolically portrays our death in Christ and our newness of life (What Baptism Portrays). It isn't for show but a sacred ordinance ordained by our Lord Jesus, Himself. Some of our Presbyterian friends view baptism in much the same way as the Catholics. Baptists believe baptism should be left to those who wish to portray their new life in Christ, following the Lord in His ordiance. We don't baptize infants but we do have a dedication ceremony for them where we dedicate them to the Lord similar to your baptism. I'm pinging my fellow Baptist wmfight to this to ensure I have accurately stated this. While I disagree with baptizing infants, I find nothing wildly wrong with the concept.
What I do find interesting is that you do not consider yourself part of the "elect". The New Testament uses this word 17 times in reference to Christians.
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
I suppose that I could post all 17 verses but then I would, once again, be accused of "cherry-picking" verses.
It really depends on the concept of the elect.
If the elect means those who have been baptized, have received the Sacraments on a regular basis, who believe in God, who act according to His instructions, and who strive to imitate Christ (poorly of course), then yes I do.
If the elect means all men except those who have rejected Christ, then yes I do. If the elect is all men, who have all been offered the Grace of God, and have reached out for it, then yes I do.
If the elect means an exclusive club that you are entered into before you were even born, with little radio voices telling you things, preprogrammed behaviour that means nothing anyway, and everlasting heartburn, then no I don’t.
Indulgences are not wrong. They were not wrong, they are not wrong, they will always be not wrong. The manner of administration and the reasons for granting them were corrupt and were dealt with. Now the timeliness is of concern, certainly, and I think that a follow up nasty email to BXVI after the first one that we sent him is called for. :)
Some of our Presbyterian friends view baptism in much the same way as the Catholics. Baptists believe baptism should be left to those who wish to portray their new life in Christ, following the Lord in His ordiance. We don't baptize infants but we do have a dedication ceremony for them where we dedicate them to the Lord similar to your baptism. I'm pinging my fellow Baptist wmfight to this to ensure I have accurately stated this. While I disagree with baptizing infants, I find nothing wildly wrong with the concept. Amen Brother. I think you summed it up pretty well.
I believe in Scripture we always find Baptism referenced after repentance. We also see the Holy Spirit indwelling believers prior to Baptism. We view Baptism as a public manifestation of a completed act.
BTW, thanks for posting the link. I don't have time to read it now, but will later.