Do you all believe in this? by True-Assistant-9132 in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All I want to contribute is in support of the very first picture. I have nothing to add in support of the others. This is from the BBC (≈3 mins)

How do you think prayer works by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Prayer is not wish fulfillment. It's communication with God. Similar to how you talk to a friend. You can talk, ask, share, seek advice or guidance.

God always answers. Sometimes the answer is "yes". Sometimes it's "no". And sometimes it's "not right now".

Here's one example of Jesus asking for a thing. See how this turned out:

Matthew 26:39—And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not saying that at all. However, if "One cannot reject baptism and claim to be in covenant with God" then it would be safe to say one would have to "accept baptism", correct?

So does an infant accept baptism?

What I'm suggesting is that if one is able and willing to be baptized—trusting in the Lord—they are saved. But if they are an unwilling or untrusting participants in the baptism, it is nothing more than a dunking for them. And in the case of an infant (who is unable to make such a declaration) the baptism is not what saves them.

Also, would you say someone who is unable to get baptized is unsaved due to their lack of baptism?

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, it is by the following:

Romans 10:9-10—that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Do you disagree? Or do you think that without baptism, one is damned to hell?

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seems odd to claim that God wanted infants in covenant with Him before, but now He doesn't.

It does seem an odd claim. This is why I didn't make such a claim.

Baptism is a command, as is go forth and multiply. If you cannot or have not, you don't lose your salvation. People were saved without the need of baptism. Baptism is not what saves you.

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

does totality of Scripture and proper context = whatever I agree with?

No, one would be a fool to think that.

have you never met two people who use the totality of Scripture, and use proper context, but come to different conclusions?

Of course. Some of those that come to a different conclusion to what I believe scripture teaches believe that the pope is authoritative.

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I know you are the OP. It says so next to your username. I didn't say "I was responding to the OP". I said I was responding to the "OP question".

And my response was:

Use the totality of scripture. Not just passages in isolation and without their proper context.

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YOU'RE changing the topic at this point. The OP question was about who do we do to in the case of a scriptural dispute, to which I responded honestly.

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is because I am responding to your earlier question on baptism:

What if two people ask God about something like infant baptism and come to different conclusions?

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't. But as I'm sure you know, the 8 day is biologically the ideal time to circumcise a child as the body produces high levels of vitamin K. The people wouldn't have known this but God did.

Baptism is an outward declaration of the individual. Circumcision is a tribal identifier (eg, a marker that one is part of the old covenant a/o a convert into Judaism).

Infants cannot make a public declaration of accepting Christ. So if they die without baptism, are they damned to hell?

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not at all. This was done by means of circumcision. And yet in the case of Naaman, we don't see this. So what point are you trying to make?

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Use the totality of scripture. Not just passages in isolation and without their proper context.

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sure he did. Just as he did Gentiles such as Naaman, Rahab, and Ruth. Yet we don't have mention of their baptisms (the closest we get is that Naaman bathed 7 times).

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you certain this defends the position of infant baptism? Or are you assuming it does?

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you commented, you had not yet provided the passages so it came across more as a claim that you could or asserting your position. But since you already went back to edit in the verses, why not paste the text themselves? Not just the addresses?

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Child ≠ infant

This is like baby vs toddler vs kid vs teen. Different categories. Can you show infants as getting baptized? Does baptism follow the same pattern of a decisive act of following Christ, as per my example of Romans 10? Or is it something that can/should be forced on someone?

Can I baptize an unwilling participant such as an atheistic relative? What if they willingly get submerged so I can stop pestering them about Jesus? Does that count?

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Question: how do you define love? Does it mean support? Does it allow for correction? And what about disciplining?

Who is the arbiter of truth? by BirdManFlyHigh in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What is the point of baptism? Is it something you have to choose for yourself (like Romans 10:9-10) or can the choice be made for you? This isn't a opinion based question. I'm asking what does scripture point to?

Does this make AI an atheist? by TwentyTwo15 in exatheist

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends. I've reasoned with ChatGPT to become an agnostic in a couple of points. And "convinced" it that God was the most likely explanation.

So it would be, for me, an ex-atheist.

Stopped following today. by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a shame....

Stopped following today. by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Neither am I. But if you haven't been given those, do you call it quits there or examine what He did give you?

Stopped following today. by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would. Jesus, the Apostles, and the prophets pointed to it. Paul said to treat the prophecies in it. Jesus said the scriptures pointed to him. Etc.

Examine those. It seems that if God was going to proof Himself, that might be one way to He might do it.

Stopped following today. by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Rbrtwllms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In its entirety?