Coming Back to RM

[DiscipleOfIAm]

I have been a way from RM for awhile. After I left home after high school, I joined the military and met and married my wife. We have not attended RM churches together. She grew up in AoG and so we have been attending non-denominational contemporary churches. Sort of compromised. Now 10 years later and since moving back to my hometown, I am thinking of going back to my old church, which is an independant RM church.

When I was growing up in a RM church, it always seemed as though if you weren't baptized, you weren't saved. Baptism was the big thing. Granted, I could have been a confused youth and not known the full story, so I ask here.

I know Jesus set the example of baptism and that you are supposed to do it as a sign of your faith, but is it the belief of RM that the act of baptism, along with your commitment to Christ, is what saves you?

Finally, I never remember hearing much talk of the Trinity. Until I was an adult, I always thought the three were actually three different people and not the same. But, now, obviously, I know the doctrine of the Trinity. Was this just something that was not dwelled upon in the RM or is there something else?

Any other beliefs or doctrines that are common within RM that may or may not stand out different to other denominations?

Thanks and God Bless!

[HeyHomie]

As for baptism - You're likely to get 100 different answers if you ask 99 different people! As you may or may not know, the RM places a lot of stock in the doctrine of example, and since there are several examples of baptism in the New Testament, most notably Jesus himself... well, draw your own conclusions. If a believer has repented of his sins, has confessed, and is genuinely walking with the Lord, but hasn't been baptised - well, IMHO baptism is an act of salvation, not the salvation itself, if you get my drift. In other words, God knows who His people are, and doesn't need me to use the litmus test of baptism to tell Him if some is saved or isn't.

As for the trinity - we are definitely trinitarians, believing in God being three persons in one. I don't think there's a lot of emphasis on it because... well, I don't know why, really. Except that maybe we don't want the people in the pews to get bogged down in weighty theological and doctrinal issues that ultimately don't matter for salvation.

[Theophorus]

As for baptism - You're likely to get 100 different answers if you ask 99 different people! As you may or may not know, the RM places a lot of stock in the doctrine of example, and since there are several examples of baptism in the New Testament, most notably Jesus himself... well, draw your own conclusions. If a believer has repented of his sins, has confessed, and is genuinely walking with the Lord, but hasn't been baptised - well, IMHO baptism is an act of salvation, not the salvation itself, if you get my drift. In other words, God knows who His people are, and doesn't need me to use the litmus test of baptism to tell Him if some is saved or isn't.

As for the trinity - we are definitely trinitarians, believing in God being three persons in one. I don't think there's a lot of emphasis on it because... well, I don't know why, really. Except that maybe we don't want the people in the pews to get bogged down in weighty theological and doctrinal issues that ultimately don't matter for salvation.

These views were consistent with my experience. RM puts a lot of emphasis on the "pattern" of the New Testament. In this regard they are somewhat apophatic, but will quickly defend practices that are easily identified within NT writings. This is one of their greatest attributes, imo.

[HeyHomie]

These views were consistent with my experience. RM puts a lot of emphasis on the "pattern" of the New Testament.

And don't forget our favorite saying: "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we make something up." ;)

[Theophorus]

And don't forget our favorite saying: "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we make something up." ;)

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to HeyHomie again.


:D:D

[WesWoodell]

Where are you living now, DiscipleOfIAm?

[DiscipleOfIAm]

Where are you living now, DiscipleOfIAm?

Indiana. We would be going back to the same church I grew up in. Still not sure about yet though. We've had a rough time finding a church home these last couple of years.

[Thenolos]

I think the baptism issue is only as big as it is in RM churches because it is the easiest target for people from other theological backgrounds. Most of us tend to overcompensate in areas we feel we are being attacked. Sometimes that compensation can result in too many messages on the same subject, and too much focus on only one facet of the Christian walk.