Randy,
I just think you need to let those old white dudes speak for themselves. Update the language. "
Make the most of your baptism." "
Refresh your soul-appreciation of your baptism." "
Ponder your baptism."
You can indeed "improve" baptism, just as you can "improve" the Lord Supper when you partake of it. In fact, you better be "improving" the latter, because if you aren't, then you are "eating and drinking condemnation to yourselves." If you aren't "improving" you are falling into disuse and forgetfulness.
Randy, please don't assert that we are making a "work" out of this! Go ahead and make whatever hash you can out of our Presbyterian Catechism. Seems to me you could be cutting off your nose to spite your face... On the other hand, I can understand you not caring to "reflect" or "improve" on
your statement to God--if that's what baptism is. But if the reality is a promise from God, if it is the gospel in pictures, then such reflection is more than warranted.
As for the matter of the body, well, same visible-invisible distinction that always hangs us up. If you can't call the people you gather with on Sunday morning "the church" and "the body", then there we are. At an impasse.
Blessings, my friend.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PuritanCovenanter  Can one improve upon their sanctification. Yes, I would agree with that. Can one cause or improve themselves unto regeneration. I am not convinced that that can happen. In fact I am sure it can not happen. It is from God alone.
Bruce, I know we disagree about the Colosians 2:11,12 passage but one can not improve himself the way you are speaking about in my opinion. Baptism is representative of some reality in a persons life. That being a persons life hid in Christ and in union with him.
We are just going to disagree who is the Body of Christ. If we don't have his Spirit we are none of His as it says in Romans. |
__________________
Rev. Bruce G. Buchanan
ChainOLakes Presbyterian Church, CentralLake, MI
Made both Lord and Christ--Jesus, the Destroyer
Acts 2:36 - 1 Cor. 10:9-10 & 15:22-26 - Hebrews 2:9-15 - 1 John 3:8 - James 4:12
When posting friends, kindly bear those words of earthly wisdom in mind:
Oh, that God the gift would give us
To see ourselves as others see us.
--Robert Burns, 1786 (modernized) ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions? --