***So, Ruy, is baptism necessary? ****
If baptism were so necessary why would the CoC not accept my baptism in a cold running creek? Why will they not accept other Baptist or pentecostal immersionism?
NO! It only has to be YOUR baptism. So the CoC has thrown up walls of it’s own making. Even “ remission of sin” baptisms are not accepted by your church. It is YOUR way or the highway. NO THANKS!
Even the Catholics will accept baptisms from converters that have been baptized in Protestant Trinitarian churches.
I knew a man who had been baptised by sprinkling, then he changed churches several times.
He was Sprinkled, immersed, immersed three times backward, immersed forward, immersed three times forward, sprinkled again... So, which was “correct”?
And another man I worked with who felt he was such a sinner he went forward in his church and got re baptized about once a month.
Like Cornelius, as Peter said, To him give all the prophets witness, that through HIS NAME whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
“Even to them that believe on his name...”
I dunno, because that particular congregation lacked understanding? I can't speak for other people.
If your baptism was in accordance with God's word it is valid. Period.
There are several strains of Pharisaic people in the CoC (and other groups) but so what? My or your salvation does not ride on what other people think.
The point is, scripture is the only authority, hence God's command to 'work out your salvation with fear and trembling'
IOW, each of us will stand before God's throne and give an accounting for what we did with our 'talents' and how seriously we took God's commands.
And another man I worked with who felt he was such a sinner he went forward in his church and got re baptized about once a month.
This poor unfortunate also misunderstands God's grace and the 'once for all' sacrifice of Jesus. 'Getting dunked' in and of itself means nothing. We must understand that Jesus' blood CONTINUOUSLY washes us of our sins.