Quote:
Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis  There is unity, Will, but the analogy you drew about "two countries" denies this unity. If your analogy is accurate then there is no fellowship if we belong to different Kingdoms. I'm suggesting that you use better analogies to make the distinction if you concede that a man can be a believer and be baptized outside of your Church. |
The "two countries" analogy is in reference to two different ecclesiolastical bodies, not two different kingdoms.
Consider another analogy. Let's say that I've been employed for 10 years with AT&T. I'm now deciding to work for Coca-Cola. Let's say Coca-Cola requires all new employees to undergo drug-testing. I tell them that AT&T made no such requirements of their employees. Coca-Cola says that if I wish to be employed by them, I must. Whereas, if a Coca-Cola employees wishes to join AT&T, there is no requirement for drug-testing.
The difference is not that the "two countries" analogy or the "two companies" analogy represent two different kingdoms, but that they represent two different local church bodies under different ecclesiology.