We (Christians) are all the same, right? - by Fr. Evan Armatas
Recently, one of the largest Baptist churches in Oklahoma has put the issue of baptism to a vote. This 7,000 member mega church under the guidance of its pastors is in the process of deciding whether or not baptism should be required for people who desire to become members of the Henderson Hills Baptist Church. In support of their position to do away with baptism as a requirement for membership the church issued the following statement: “First, we do not find clear biblical evidence for using baptism as a prerequisite. We have read and reread the New Testament searching for one. ... Secondly, if there is no clear biblical command requiring baptism as a prerequisite for membership, then each local church has the right to decide whether or not baptism should be used as a prerequisite.”
Obviously, the Orthodox Church opposes such a position 100%. Certainly, we can find direct scriptural evidence for baptism in the Bible (see Matthew 28.19, John 3.5, Mark 1.9, Acts 8.36, and Acts 9.18). In fact, the very word baptism comes from the Greek verb, baptizo, which means to immerse, it would appear that the Baptist have forgotten the origin of their own name! Yet, the decision of Henderson Hills raises the broader question of whether or not all Christians are the same. To put this question a different way we can ask; do all Christians believe the same thing and therefore worship the same God?
It is not unusual for Christians of various denominations to reach the conclusion that ultimately we all believe the same things. However, when you survey the wide range of differences between Christians you quickly realize we don’t share the same faith. For example, some believe baptism is unnecessary while others think you can’t do without it. Some say that once you have been saved you can never lose your spot in heaven and other Christians caution that your salvation is in question up to your last moment on earth. Certain Christians dismiss any and all sacraments including the Eucharist, while others believe it to be the real Body and Blood of Christ. Of course, the list goes on. . .
Such a situation is not new to the Church. From the beginning there have been differences in teaching between people claiming to follow Christ. The great Apostle Paul struggled with this very problem and wrote to two communities urging them to stay faithful to the one true Gospel, see 2 Corinthians 11:4, and Galatians 1:6. For St. Paul there were not many Gospels but one.
It appears as if we have not moved very far from this ancient problem. So what should we do? Obviously, the Church reacted against the heresies of old by defining what was and was not appropriate teaching and dogma. For example, the Church defended the person of Jesus Christ claiming that he was truly God and man against the heretical claims of various first century groups. Later, the Church would develop creeds that gave the faithful a laundry list of what was acceptable to believe. Our situation today has not changed. Churches continue to emerge seemingly out of nowhere to preach new and different gospels. These gospels turn out to be very different from the one that we have received and if we are not careful we too will be carried away and forsake the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. St. Paul cautioned Christians against such a drift from true faith when he wrote in Hebrews 13.8-9a, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings.”
Against all of this we can resolve to follow the advice of St. Vincent of Lérins who lived in what is now France. He came up with a formula that was very useful in determining whether or not something was true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He said that any teaching by Christians must meet three criteria: universality, antiquity, and consent. Or in other words, it would have to be believed everywhere in the world, not just in one geographic area; it would have to have been believed from the beginning, not just in the past two hundred years; and it would have to be believed by everyone, not just one group. Obviously, Henderson Hills’ new teaching on baptism doesn’t appear to meet even one of these criteria.
It is time for each of us to be sober minded and serious about our faith and careful in what we profess. St. Peter wrote, “always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence,” (1 Peter 3:15b). We need to be sure of what we believe and careful that we are following the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and not another. It is important that we search out the true teachings of the faith and that we live according to the soul saving message of the Church. Remember the words of St. Paul, “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith (1Timothy 6.21-22).” My brothers and sisters in Christ we do not wage war against phantoms of the air therefore be vigilant and stand fast in the faith, for your very soul depends upon it.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” 1 Timothy 4.1