tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14760407.post116327179947088371..comments2023-05-15T08:35:06.642-04:00Comments on it's a blog.: Statements of Faith: Part OneLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14760407.post-48858139457426054622006-11-13T22:04:00.000-05:002006-11-13T22:04:00.000-05:00Oz says the same, but plant when you hit 100, rath...Oz says the same, but plant when you hit 100, rather than 1000.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14760407.post-1163422277886887962006-11-13T07:51:00.000-05:002006-11-13T07:51:00.000-05:00Shellyanne, right on! Cheers!I almost feel like a...Shellyanne, right on! Cheers!<BR/><BR/>I almost feel like a church ought to have to plant a new church when they hit 1000 or something. I certainly have never been to a mega-church that pastored its members effectively -- maybe there are some mega-churches with enough elders to have authority over and effectively pastor that many people, but I've never seen it happen.<BR/><BR/>What says Oz on the subject?Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14760407.post-1163322690918373072006-11-12T04:11:00.000-05:002006-11-12T04:11:00.000-05:00I'm not so comfortable with the 5th paragrah.I'm a...I'm not so comfortable with the 5th paragrah.<BR/><BR/>I'm always worried about seeing any "must" in such statements (perhaps I'm over reacting, though).<BR/><BR/>As far as I am concerned, salvation is wrought - nothing we must do.<BR/><BR/>1Pet 2:9-10 bespeaks of His intitiative independent of our actions but to live has His people accordingly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14760407.post-1163313718347639532006-11-12T01:41:00.000-05:002006-11-12T01:41:00.000-05:00Jonny, if you refuse to be baptised, you're certai...Jonny, if you <I>refuse</I> to be baptised, you're certainly in <I>danger</I> of hell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14760407.post-1163307681928647962006-11-12T00:01:00.000-05:002006-11-12T00:01:00.000-05:00Oh... I forgot to mention that all the italics are...Oh... I forgot to mention that all the italics are mine. Sorry!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14760407.post-1163307036300533262006-11-11T23:50:00.000-05:002006-11-11T23:50:00.000-05:00Jonny -- NO! And even most folks who believe in b...Jonny -- NO! And even most folks who believe in baptismal regeneration (i.e. you MUST be baptized to be really saved) would agree, if pressed. The question to ask someone who says you must be baptized to be saved is: "If I became a believer in Christ and wanted to be baptized but I was killed in a car wreck on the way to being baptized, would I go to heaven or hell?" If they say, "Heaven," they have no grounds for their view. If they say, "Hell," they're flippin' messed up and are trusting in works to save them. You are absolutely right to say that the water has no power in itself. Luther would be proud.<BR/><BR/>John, that's a good addition that I overlooked. It certainly smacks of justification by works!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14760407.post-1163302403180531832006-11-11T22:33:00.000-05:002006-11-11T22:33:00.000-05:00I also reject the idea that we repent and believe ...I also reject the idea that we repent and believe <I>in order</I> to receive the new birth.<BR/><BR/>Yes, statements of faith really need to be designed to <I>exclude</I>. But there is a difference between creeds and confessions, and I think both are important. Since this one is a creed, I don't agree with you about Scripture references being necessary - this statement of faith is not designed to <I>teach</I>.<BR/><BR/><I>Where is the discussion of the sufficiency of Scripture? Sure, it's "applicable," but is it enough?</I><BR/><BR/>This is a very good question. Churches need to think very carefully about which words they use. A classica example is "inerrant" vs. "infallible". Of course, here they use neither - and have (only!) "authoritative."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14760407.post-1163293575789885062006-11-11T20:06:00.000-05:002006-11-11T20:06:00.000-05:00The funny thing is, Hillsong is probably such a la...The funny thing is, Hillsong is probably such a large church because their statement is open with holes. If they tightened up their statement they may loose 30% of members. <BR/><BR/>Do we really need to have water put on us to be saved? I would like to think the water was a symbol to be used when needed. The water used in baptism has no special power in itself. I havn't been baptized with water, am I going to hell?Jonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00690974927956918080noreply@blogger.com