The Auburn Beacon
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

A Website dedicated to the Restoration of New Testament Christianity
 

Home | About Us | Directions | Bulletins | Sermons & Audio | Cross Of Christ Studies | Classes | Student and Parent Resource Page Dangers Facing the "Non-Traditional"


Click Here for the Latest Edition of the Auburn Beacon


To Subscribe to
the Auburn Beacon please send an E-mail to:
 larryrouse@aubeacon.com


Hear Buddy Payne 
Speak in Auburn, Alabama


All Joy and Peace in Believing 
PowerPoint
Audio

One Thing I Do 
PowerPoint
Audio

We Must Broaden Our Vision
PowerPoint
Audio

Our God He is Alive
(Evidences from DNA)

PowerPoint
Audio

Keeping Our Balance
PowerPoint
Audio



The Final Stages of Israel's Apostasy

Adult Bible Class in Progress - Sunday Morning 9:30 - Auditorium Class
Click For Outlines and Audio
 


Planning to Visit Us?

What to Expect
Current Class Information


Thoughts To Ponder

 

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

(Romans 6:4)

 

 


You will need
the following viewers
to view many of the
files on this site.

 

Click here to
download
Adobe Acrobat Reader

Click here to
download
Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer


 

University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830
Click Here for Specific Directions

 

Elders

Larry Rouse
1174 Terrace Acres Drive
Auburn, AL 36830

Cell:    (334) 734-2133
Home:
(334) 209-9165

Walker Davis
1653 Millbranch Drive,
Auburn, AL 36832

Cell:    (334) 703-0050
Home: (334) 826-3690


Contact Us

 University
church of Christ

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

 

Or directly e-mail us at:
larryrouse@aubeacon.com

 

What is "Sectarian Baptism?"
 

by Robert Turner

 

In the early days of what is now the Oaks-West church in Burnet, a young man answered the gospel invitation by declaring his faith in Christ, and his desire to be baptized into Christ. We had no baptistery at that time, so we asked leaders of another church in Burnt, if we might use their baptistery. We were refused. The preacher said, "You will baptize him into a sect; bring him to me and I will baptize him into Christ." I replied, "You mean the one baptizing him makes the difference?" No reply! We took the boy to a lake and baptized him "into Christ" - not because we did the baptizing, or because we uttered the right words, but because that is what takes place when one obeys Jesus Christ.

I doubt the boy had any "views" on institutionalism. He had learned that he was a sinner, that Christ had died for sinners, and wanted each of us to trust and obey Him. By repenting of his sins and obeying the Lord in baptism the young man came into an acceptable relationship with Christ, his sins being forgiven. My baptizing him, even if I espoused a "sect," would not make this act "sectarian baptism." Nor was his baptism valid or invalid on the basis of "church authority" to baptize. Baptism is not a "church" ordinance, it is the Lord's ordinance, depending upon the subject's compliance with the Lord's teaching for its validity. The "sectarianism" of the church who heard his confession, if it had any, would not invalidate his baptism. Scriptural baptism is a covenant, direct and immediate, between the subject and his Lord.

The subject must have proper respect for Christ, and act in compliance with the Lord's will, in order for that baptism to have divine approval. For example, if the subject submitted to baptism out of respect for a "church" ordinance, as an initiative ritual of some sort, that baptism could be called "sectarian." If he was baptized for some reason other than that given in the gospel of Christ, seeking to obtain some benefit promised, not by the Lord, but by some religious group, we could call that sectarian baptism. If he ignored the instructions of the Lord concerning the nature of baptism, accepting sprinkling or pouring on some "church" authority rather than the immersion commanded by the Lord, that would be sectarian baptism. It is very possible that some young people (and older people) have been baptized to "join" a local "Church of Christ" - with nothing more than sectarian baptism.

One's baptism depends upon the genuineness of one's faith in Christ (Mk. 16:16); and genuine repentance, crucifying the "old man" or former way of life (Rom. 6:6). It is the symbolic burial, before the resurrection to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-11). It is not "for remission of sins" because someone said this at the time of the immersion, but because divinity gave it this purpose (Acts 2:38; 22:16). It does not bring into the "right" church because it is the initiation ritual of any church, but because the Lord's church consists of all who, come to Christ. We must put greater stress upon the true nature of baptism, and its indication of a changed allegiance and life, if we are to do much about the problem of sectarian baptism. If we continue to regard "our" baptisms as valid, and "their" baptisms as sectarian, we are arguing on the wrong basis (cf. Mk. 9:38f), and only adding fuel to the problem.

There are many things the scripturally baptized may not understand. But God-approved baptism involves conscious willful faith in Jesus as the Christ, recognition of one's absolute need for Him, and a submission of man's will to His will. Such a convert then grows in the knowledge of "all things whatsoever I command you" (Matt. 28:18-19). An attitude toward divine authority has been established that affects his treatment of all subsequent questions. His worship and work, collectively and individually, is dictated by his understanding of the Lord's will, not to please himself or his peers. Church members who settle questions on the basis of traditional practices or "the great middle section," have abandoned the Christ they once received and promised to serve.

When thinking along these lines some are prompted to ask, "Could a member of some denomination have been scripturally baptized?" It is certainly possible, although such baptism is contrary to most sectarian teaching, and the one with such an understanding is on his way out. One does not get into a denomination by scriptural baptism, and those who faithfully serve the Lord, growing in the knowledge and sincerely conforming their practice to each new truth learned, could not remain in a church whose worship and work is without divine authority. And when they do leave the denomination how are we to regard their baptism? The problem is not who baptized them, or where they were baptized. It is the far more basic, where they truly baptized? The fact that they are leaving some sect is encouraging, but we should be concerned that they are not simply "changing sects"; nor should we encourage them in a false hope.

It is true that sincerity in repentance and trusting faith are things we can but imperfectly judge, and some have concluded from this that we have no right to question anyone's baptism. But that is tantamount to saying we cannot help one another get to heaven. If our faith is true conviction, we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Cor. 4:13). With loving concern we examine their fruits that we may know them (Matt. 7:16-20). 1 question people who come from churches believed to be in error because of concern for their souls. If one has only been sprinkled as an infant, or, if allegiance was to some church rather than unto Christ, it is in their interest that the error be corrected. In the final analysis you might say I am questioning their faith rather than their baptism, but it is done in exactly the same vein and for the same reason that I would welcome their assisting me to a better understanding of God's will, and the way to heaven (1 Pet. 3:15).

Sectarian baptism gives a false hope, both in "our" churches and in others. It is in the interest of eternal souls that we should avoid sectarianism in our own lives, and do all possible to bring others into true fellowship with God.

Guardian of Truth - August 7, 1986

 

  Other Articles by Robert Turner
The New Creature

Young People's Program
Church Autonomy
The Security of the Believer
What Went Forth?


 

Should the Lord's Supper be taken like a meal? May women speak during the Lord's Supper as they would at a common meal at a table?
Click Here to Read and Hear More About this Question

 

 Would you like others to read this article?

                    Please share!

 

 


Student Sunday Night Home Study and Singing

 

 

Our God He Is Alive! (Evidences From DNA by Buddy Payne)
PowerPoint
Audio of Lesson
 

Making God Real to Us by Joshua Carter - Nov. 27, 2011
Outline
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

The College Christian by Harold Carswell - Nov. 6, 2011
Outline
Audio of Lesson (Part 1)
Audio of Lesson (Part 2)
Audio of Singing

My Struggle as a College Student by Kyle Gibson- Oct. 23, 2011
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

When Evolutionist Tell the Truth by David Tant
Outline
PowerPoint
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing
 

For Additional Information and Past Audio and Outlines Click Here


Click Here to Hear:

A Friendly Discussion on Mormonism

Held at the University church of Christ -
February 17, 2011


 

Monthly Bible Study in Lagrange
at the Eastside church of Christ in LaGrange, Georgia

Overcoming the Present Apostasy by Larry Rouse

 

Saturday October 9, 2010


9:30 AM
- How do We View the Bible?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

 

Saturday December 11, 2010

9:30 AM - How Do We View the World?

Outline
PowerPoint

 

 


University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

Click Here for Specific Directions



 

Overcoming the Present Apostasy

Sermon Series by Larry Rouse

Piscataway, NJ Nov 20-22, 2009

 

 

Friday Night 7:30

Lesson1 - How Do We View the Bible?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Saturday Night 7:30

Lesson 2 - How do we View the World?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 9:15
Lesson 3 - How do we View God's Order for Leadership?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 10:00
Lesson 4 - How Do We View the Local Church?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 11:00
Lesson 5 - How Do We View God's Instruction on Fellowship

Outline
Audio

For Additional Information, Audio and Outlines Click Here

 


Recent Bulletins:

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 26, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 19, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 12, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 5, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Nov 28, 2010 Edition


Your
Questions Please
!

Do you have a Bible question that you have hesitated to ask?

E-Mail us now at:
larryrouse@aubeacon.com

Visit our question page to submit your question and to read other's questions with Bible answers!

[click here]
 

Our Adult Bible Classes

You may obtain both the current outlines and the audio of past Bible classes from our assemblies.

[click here]

 

     

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Email Newsletter

The Beacon is sent weekly

 
 
 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxzz

 

  © 2012 - University church of Christ - All rights reserved!