[quote]1) Rebaptism: There is a difference of opinion within the Reformed camp as to whether the Roman State Church is a true church or not. I am on the side that does not recognize Rome; it fails as to the necessary "marks" of a true Church which are: a) The preaching of the pure gospel,
Wrong, of course. Read the writings of the Early Fathers. The same Gospel which they believed is believed by the Church today. I will say this again and again: the so called "gospel" which Luther and Calvin invented was no "gospel" at all, but in fact, may have sent many thousands to the Pit of Hell because of the effect of their preaching. You do know, I'm sure, that during Luther's lifetime, that this idea that one is justified "once and for all time" before God led the Germans to turn Germany into a moral cesspool. After all, if one is "once saved - always saved" then of what difference does it make HOW one lives? And the German people came to this conclusion and turned Germany into a haven of immorality.
b) the right administration of the sacraments,
Might I ask you just HOW the Sacraments are supposed to be "rightly administered". I never heard of such a thing as "right administration" of the Sacraments as a Presbyterian.
c) proper church discipline.
To play in your sandbox, might I have some scriptural proof for this idea?
2) Immersion: Contrary to some of my Baptist brethren, I find no warrant in Scripture to believe that immersion is the ONLY valid mode for baptism.
I agree with you, but I am STRONGLY (like an 800 pound gorilla strong!)in favor of IMMERSION as the proper way of picturing the death burial and resurrection of our Lord. Also, it is the proper form to the administration of the New Covenant.
On a personal note, I was baptized as an infant in a very liberal Methodist church. Neither of my parents were believers.
[i]How do you know? What makes you the judge of another's heart? This is one thing I find extremely distasteful about Calvinist and Evangelical thought -- i.e., the right to judge others according to your standards of what makes one a Christian
When I was converted many years later, I came under conviction as to the validity of my former baptism and chose to be rebaptized by a believing pastor and according to my own personal faith. There are those who would object for various reasons and I do respect their opinion on the matter. However, I find no solid biblical teaching that would prohibit rebaptism when one's initial baptism was pagan with respect to everything involved; church, pastor, parents, etc.
Again, sir, and respectfully said to you, you do not understand how a covenant works.
