The Rise of Denominationalism

by Andy Sochor via Unmasking Sophistry, Vol. 4, No. 3, July-September 2024 In the previous article, we discussed the Reformation Movement, which came when the Roman Catholic Church was a religiously and politically dominating force. Over the centuries, it became increasingly corrupt until Martin Luther challenged some of the errors and abuses of the prevailing system.…

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How do I help my girlfriend see the importance of pure worship?

Question: I grew up in the church of Christ and my girlfriend grew up with a Baptist denominational background. When we started dating, she began coming to church with me. We talked about the differences and she claimed to have been saved at a younger age even though she was never baptized. We studied and…

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What Is “A Different Gospel?”

by Jefferson David Tant In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches, in the beginning, he deals with a serious problem in the churches concerning which he has knowledge, and that is “a different gospel.” “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for…

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What are your thoughts on the International Baptist Convention?

Question: Hello, I hope you are well. I intend to visit a church that is under the International Baptist Convention. May I ask you what is your opinion on the International Baptist Convention? Thanks. Answer: The International Baptist Convention started out as an organization of Baptist Churches that served U.S. military personnel in Europe. The group…

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Jericho and our Salvation

by Jefferson David Tant After reading the title, some might wonder what the battle of Jericho has to do with our salvation today. The battle when Israel conquered Jericho was about 1410 B.C., over 3,400 years ago. Thus the question might be, “What in the world would some event over three thousand years ago have…

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I’m so confused about baptism

Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton, Sorry to trouble you. I understand if you do not have time to read or respond, but I am very confused and would appreciate any help and any clarification you might be able to give. I don’t really know what to make of this, but I am sure you would have…

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What is successionist baptism?

Question: Hello brother, I had a question about John Smith. Can you please explain to me what successionist baptism is? I saw it in your “Where Do They All Come From” sermon, and I just didn’t understand very well what this baptism is about. Answer: Successionism is the belief that there has to be an…

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If Christ Built Only One, Where Did They All Come From?

by Jefferson David Tant At the beginning of the gospel age, there was but one church, and now, 2000 years later, according to some reports, there are over 1,200. How did this happen? People wonder where they all came from. Is this division and confusion what Christ intended? Let’s examine this situation to see just…

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Is baptism necessary for salvation?

Question: Hello! I am from Brazil, and I am seeking salvation. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for my sins on the cross and rose on the third day for my justification. I am sorry for all my sins. I would like to ask you: Is baptism by immersion necessary…

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Baptism: Necessary for Salvation

by Allen Dvorak It is virtually undisputed truth that man is saved by divine grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). However, some have concluded from this fact that there is nothing that man can or must do for his salvation. It is frequently argued that “water baptism can’t possibly be necessary for salvation because it is…

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Should I leave the Baptist church?

Question: I’ve been up since 5 this morning wrestling through scriptures, websites, my pastor’s teaching from three Wednesday nights ago entitled “Is baptism required or necessary for salvation” and emails from a close friend (who is a Baptist) who is trying to help me study the Scripture.  I asked several questions that night at Bible…

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What do Primitive Baptists believe?

Question: To start with, I want to thank you for your website, particularly the questions and answers section. It is well organized and presents a strong knowledge base, which I am now wanting to draw from. I am a member of the church of Christ and have been using your information on denominations to help…

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We’ve gone back to church, but find some things to be not right

Question: We have joined a Southern Baptist church and this is the first church we have ever attended since we were small children, so it’s all new to us. I know now how important church is now and we want to be in one, they even agreed to baptize us when we asked last night!…

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What is the difference between Pentecostals and Baptists?

Question: Hi, I have a question about the differences between the Christian religions. I started going to a Pentecostal church. I love this church. I got baptized in this church, but I moved to a different city so I started to look for a Pentecostal church. I found one near my house but after going…

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Why do people tolerate adultery in the name of “forgiveness?”

Question: I came upon your web site while trying to find answers regarding repentance for adultery, divorce, and the actions taken by so-called “Christians” thereafter.  My husband left our nearly twenty-year marriage for another woman last year.  We seemed to have a good marriage and he lied about any situations that caused suspicion during the…

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Was John the Baptist associated with the Baptist church?

Question: I love your site. It is very helpful and is the truth. Why was John called “John the Baptist?” I know there is no other religion mentioned in the Bible. Is this where the Baptist organization get its name? Is John the Baptist the same as John the apostle? Answer: Actually, the truth is…

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I’m finding flaws in my denomination and I don’t know what to do

Question: Hello. As a fellow believer of the true gospel, I thought I’d ask you for some personal advice. I apologize if this gets a little long. This is a problem I haven’t been able to receive any real help with and had to battle by myself for years, and I’m still without a sense…

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What is your church like?

Question: How do you have such a great understanding of the Bible? I would love to understand and live whole-heartily according to the Bible. This is what I have been in search of. I believe in Jesus Christ, I’ve accepted him as my personal savior, was baptized as an infant, but would like to be…

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Is Acts 2:38 Heresy?

by Tommy Thornhill “Jesse L. Sewell was born in Overton County, TN in 1818. He grew up in a Baptist community and became a Baptist preacher of some note in his native county. In the course of time, he learned the truth about Acts 2:38 (i.e. that baptism was in order to obtain remission of…

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Are Baptists Christians and where does the Bible speak against creeds?

Question: I have discussed with a lady the fact that one has not put on Christ until she has been baptized into Him. She is a Baptist but has been discussing the Bible with an open mind. She said her preacher told the congregation this weekend that they are “bought with His blood.”  She wants…

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Why I Left the Baptist Church

by Larry Rouse In the fall of 1973, I had no intention of leaving the church in which I was raised. On the contrary, I had recently publicly professed my faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized on the same day. I could well be described as “on fire” for the Lord. I was quickly…

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Could you write a response to “Common Sense Questions a ‘Church of Christ’ Preacher Cannot Clearly Answer?”

Question: I just wanted to start by saying how much I appreciate your website, it has helped answer many questions that have arisen in my life. My preacher has just started a Sunday night study based on the web site http://www.biblebelievers.com/david_martin/martin_church-christ.html and the many false and some “silly” questions this site brings to light. After one night…

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The Truth About Error

by Kenneth E. Thomas Often one will read an article or hear a sermon and immediately think or say, “I wish I had written or preached that.” When this is the case I often do a lesson with the same title or a modified one with some of the same points, giving it my style…

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“Baptism is an Elective”

by Larry Ray Hafley Truth Magazine, June 16, 1977 “The great church history writers state that baptism misunderstood and misapplied became the major factor of separation in the early church which Jesus formed. Apparently the much mention of baptism in the New Testament overworked the minds of some ceremonialists to the point of declaring it…

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Why I Left the Baptist Church

by Grover Stevens No Animosity For Baptists I would like to say in the beginning that I have no animosity whatsoever against Baptists. Personally, I have no reason for leaving the Baptist church, but quite to the contrary, if personal reasons counted, I would never have left the Baptist Church, because personality is in their…

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How can one justify being a Christian if he is not baptized?

Question: How can one justify being a Christian if he claims to believe but is not baptized until some time later? Is he convinced that baptism does not save you? Question: Many denominations teach people that belief is all that is required for salvation. Some, such as the Baptists, do practice a form of baptism,…

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The Authority of the Church

 by Dan Gatlin   What is your attitude toward the church?  For many sectarians, a foundational belief is that the church has all authority.  Whatever the church says to believe and practice, that is what must be done without question.  This is the basic attitude of the vast majority of Roman Catholics.  They are taught…

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Why I Left the Baptist Church

via Biblical Insights, April 2005, pp 20,21 There’s a proverb that says, “A wise man learned from the mistakes of others; a fool learns only from his own.” When asked to prepare a short treatise on my conversion, I jumped at the opportunity to do so. There was a time in my life when I was…

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