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About Me
What I'm Reading
- I am also currently reading Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee, " It is one of the best books I have ever read."
- Just finished-Soul Cravings, by Erwin McManus, "I love Erwin and his writings but this book was hard for me to read."
- Just finished Metamorpha, by Kyle Strobel, "It was very much a take off on writings of Rob Bell. Since I strongly disagree with Rob Bell It was uncomfortable to read."
9 comments:
Scott, you guys are such attention grabbers! This is so cute. But of course I had the real experience with you baptizing someone. Remember, the Jordan River in Israel, you dunked me twice in
"subzero temperature water". Actually it was because your camera battery died between the going in the water and back out. At least thats what I was told. Although after watching this I am not too sure if I believe that any more! :)
Scott,
This video was forwarded to me by a friend of Carmen Mallard. This friend is a member of my church and her husband is on the borderline between accepting Christ and following the Lord in believer's baptism. She was extremely upset by this video. This video set me back tremendously in witnessing to this man. I didn't think it was very funny and it could be a huge detriment to others making a decision for Christ. I understand that it was intended to cause no harm and to grab people's attention, but in my opinion it is in poor taste and a poor witness to the saving grace of Christ. You do what you want, but please, please, in the future consider the negative impact something like this can cause.
In Christ,
Mike Bowien
Pastor, Indianhead Lake Baptist
Sherwood, AR 72120
Hey Mike;
Sorry that you feel like this might have influenced someone you are working with. Matt, the guy in the video lived through the video it wasn't intended to be used as a documentary but a way of helping people be more at ease with baptism. Again please accept my apology if we hurt the cause you have.
Thank you for loving people and serving our community. If we can serve you or your church please let us know it truly would be an honor to serve you.
Scott Harness
I think what Mike is failing to realize is that someone is drawn to Christ by the Holy Spirit and when they are being drawn in, no video, no man, nothing but their own decision can keep them from receiving Christ. It is not in any of our abilities to make someone come to Christ.
If their decision for Christ was wavered by a video showing the Church can have a sense of humor as God does, then that person wasn't any closer to coming to Christ than any other non-believer. If they had made a profession of faith, it most likely wouldn't have been a sound one, but one they had been convinced is the right thing to do.
We all have felt God drawing us and we all know how powerful that draw is. Nothing in the world, my own fears, my phobias, my doubts, could keep me from falling to the ground to my knees and begging God to forgive me and shed His mercy and grace on me.
As Scott stated, it was never our intention to offend anyone with the video. Remember, other people's salvation isn't in our control. We're extremely blessed when we are present when they make that decision.
David, I couldn't have said it better.Exactly what I think. The Holy Spirit is what draws a person to salvation.When the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to my heart, I could do NOTHING BUT SURRENDER.I met Christ in my bed one night while I was reading HIS word, and it was the Holy Spirit who removed the scales from my eyes. I had been living a life of trying to be good enough or worthy enough for salvation, and HE showed me, that when HE died on the cross and said "it is finished" thats exactly what he meant.Price paid in full.I realize that Christ sometimes gives us the honor of pointing others to Christ and witnessing their salvation. But if the Holy Spirit is dealing with someones soul. I agree if this video caused a man to rethink coming to Christ, it was never the Holy Spirit drawing him in the first place.Not by persuading, or convincing,or begging, but by my "Spirit" says the Lord.
Oh and Mike, please let us know the name of the person who needs Christ and I promise you, you'll have alot of people praying that the Holy Spirit will draw him to Christ.I feel as the church we should carry each others burdens, whether we gather at the same place to worship or not. I will be praying for this individual to surrender to the Holy Spirits nudging.I don't need a name, as God already knows who he is.
Aaah! My apologies to one and all. I must have been misinformed that you were a Southern Baptist Church, as your understanding of soteriology seems vastly different than traditional Southern Baptist doctrine as taught in our SBC seminaries. Therefore I have overstepped my bounds in thinking that you were like minded even as we are. No more comments, nor responses will be forthcoming from me as I wish to offend no one. God bless.
Pastor Mike, I have watched the video again,read the comments that have been posted and have even posted some myself (and here I go again).I see nothing that would cause you to say that "we" have a different understanding of soteriology. I have been affiliated with the Southern Baptist for alot of years even before attending Mercy's Cross.We certainly believe and KNOW that the salvation of all humanity is made possible only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Nothing more and nothing less.I feel that as "the church" the body of Christ can and should be united in pointing a lost world to Christ, even if we as "the church" meet in several different locations.I pray God's presence be felt in the services at Indianhead, Mercy's Cross and everywhere else that the "church" is gathered together tomorrow and the days to come.
Mike,
Take a look at this and see if it helps any. http://www.amereservant.com/?p=45
It's amazing how God reveals things and His timing in it all.
Mike, Mercy's Cross Church is a Purpose Driven Church, they also are associated with the Southern Baptist Convention in a loose sense...but more importantly on the issue of Soteriology I believe you should look at your own conventions writings on the matter. The Baptist Faith and Message states the following about Salvation, or Soteriology.
IV. Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.
Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour.
B. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
C. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life.
D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
No where does it state in these writings that Salvation is in anyway a work of man. It seems that you are relying on your own human efforts to convert souls. I refer you to the scriptures on this.
Ephesians 2:8-9, John 6:44, Eph 1:4, Phil 1:29, Ezk 36:26-30 to name some...
Someone either wants to accept Christ or they don't. I believe the person you are working with still has a heart of stone and does not have ears to hear the Gospel. He or she is still looking for excuses to reject Christ. Remember, God does the saving, we are the instruments through whom he works.
I would ask the person you are working with if a youtube video making light of Baptism is a good reason to burn in hell?
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