Most of this does not contradict believer's baptism as a confession of what Christ has already changed in our hearts? It's a first act of obedience - nothing about that is made light.
On the matter of its necessity to salvation? The thief on the cross and the countless saved on their deathbeds would disagree at least on the physical process of a baptism. John himself said his baptism was inferior to what Christ would offer. Matther 3:11.
Ergo Luther is wrong on that count. The baptism necessary to salvation cannot be the same immersion in water that John offered. Rather, being baptised by fire and Spirit.
Luther had a lot of fantastic points in his theses. This isn't one of them.
We genuinely do not care how many. Our debate is not whether we should accept immigrants or how many. It's one side insisting that they enter through legal channels and the other arguing that we should overlook the crime of illegal entry on humanitarian grounds. The former does not negate the latter, however. Following the legal process ensures humanitarian cases are handled first. But it's more profitable for politicians to ignore this and call the ones insisting they enter legally racist.
This comes from love to you, Jackson. You need to accept that Christ is God and God is an unmade being with no beginning and was never "once as we are now."
And this comes from the harshest condemnation to your priesthood that I can muster. It is a brood of vipers and it would be better for them to find a millstone to tie their own necks to.
@TheMuppetPastor Of all the gifts that Paul tells us to pray for, he clearly says that three are superior: Faith, hope, and love. I don't need babbling charismatics without interpretation. I need Him.
@ApexSeeker_ This is the second time you've asked a nearly identical question. Are you worried about break-ins or are you trying to make a point about us?
No, this is a dumbed down attempt at explaining Calvinism. It's possible for God to know everything you will do (He does) at the same time as us being accountable for our choices (we are). Scripture is clear on both of these points. A lot of theology tries to rationalize these two concepts together for our simple mortal minds and truth is dilluted.
@frankherg@JoshuaBarzon No one is arguing congregation size here. But for what it's worth, I think many RCC members are truly saved. The RCC probably sees them as backslidden.
Lots of questions like this from Japan. I don't believe that the average Japanese person has ever considered the possible scenarios that start with a break-in and end with you and your family dead. Our first priority is to live. You will never know the true intentions of your burglar - so you assume the worst and aim for center mass. That's a risk he took when he broke into your house.