The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Muslim becomes Christian and so does his wives...

Tom,

I took what J_Edwards wrote at face value, found here: His post

In his reply above, I was and am justified in what I wrote since he again responded by saying that he believes one should "in love" accept everyone's profession as being true unless shown otherwise. I on the other hand, disagree and believe that ALL who profess Christ should be examined as to the credibility of their profession before being received into fellowship and baptized.

Although there were 3000 added to the church at Pentecost, there were in excess of 5000 men, plus women and children who allegedly believed on Christ and then departed from Him because His sayings were too hard, including many of His own disciples. (cf. Jh 6) Even Jesus Himself didn't accept the "profession" of men at face value, because He "knew what was in man".

John 2:23-25 (ASV) "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did. But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men, and because he needed not that any one should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man."

We do not need to be deity to know what is in the heart of man by nature, for the Scripture everywhere testifies to man's depravity. So, I stand in good company when I say again, that knowing the spiritual dearth of our present age, the promulgation of myriad false gospels, Easy Believism, etc., etc., ad nauseam, one would be foolish to begin with a presumption of truth in regard to a stranger's profession of faith and request to be baptized.

Oh, and don't you worry about me and J_Edwards.... we know each other quite well and on infrequent occasions, disagree on things.

In His grace,