Article: EXCLUSIONARY EXPIATION

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 07:36 PM

EXCLUSIONARY EXPIATION
By Patrick D. Andrews

It can argued either way. We either have it or we don't. There are either exclusions or there are not. If it is not all inclusive, then it must be exclusive, even if the exclusion is minuscule.

I recently read the published version of an interview with one of my "contemporary church of Christ preachers" as it was presented in one of our "brotherhood" publications. An earlier (published on a page closer to the front) by the same author/reporter was apologetic for being exclusive in their coverage of a certain popular author and preacher in the brotherhood.

I certainly found some disturbing points/questions and vernacular contained within the questions and answers of that interview. Although some of those same points that were asked and answered are similar if not identical to positions, interpretations, and conclusions held by others in our "movement" (to use that author's poor choice of words).

One point that goes even more distant from the truth is found in this quoted sentence: "My only contribution to my salvation is my own sin."

Now follow the course of logic. If the only contribution that one makes toward their own salvation is their own sin, then it follows that all have made the same contribution. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV) Does the respondent to the reporter's question ("What do you teach and believe regarding central beliefs such as baptism?") want to go to the necessary conclusion of the answer or is that the direction of the current drift? Does he (or they) seem to believe that salvation is universal to all sinners?

However to come to his defense, we must also indicate that when he answered the next question ("How is this vision of baptism different than how baptism has been used by our movement? Does accepting a Christian before baptism pose difficulties in teaching baptism? How does [your congregation] implement this?), he contradicted a part of his first answer with a part of his second when he stated, "With the exception of the thief on the cross, Scripture provides us no example of an unbaptized heaven-bound soul."

Does the doctrine of this popular author/preacher conclude that one can go to heaven after they are saved, and that salvation is attainable prior to obedience to the tenets of the "God-breathed" scriptures, and it is not essential to be obedient in baptism prior to salvation? Is the slant of that doctrine to include a "pick and choose" acceptance of some commandments and rejection of others? Would it be reasonable to conclude that King Saul was obedient (as in his own estimation) due to his partial compliance to the will of God when the Amalekites were embattled and destroyed--almost?

Saul said he did! 1 Samuel 15:13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. Did he believe it? Was he simply lying to Samuel or did he convince himself in his own mind that the sacrifices, although made with forbidden animals would be acceptable to God because they wanted it that way? 1 Samuel 15:15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

That would make a strong argument among the various "camps" of our brethren as one contends for this thing and another contends for another thing. Would it be acceptable to argue that worship, salvation, and obedience are subjective to the whims, fancies, and urges of the one worshipping, saving, being saved, and obeying?

Why are so many so willing to focus on one portion of the Word of God to the exclusion of the "rest of the story?" The same scriptures that indicate that one is saved by Faith, includes grace, Christ, the Holy Spirit, baptism, hope, and endurance! Luke 7:50b ....Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace; John 10:9a I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved....; Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 1 Peter 3:21a The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us....; Romans 8:24a For we are saved by hope....; Revelation 2:10b ....be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Is it possible to be saved by one part to the exclusion of the rest?

The Faith that is once delivered, is the story of the Christ that God sent as an outpouring of His wonderful Grace with a confirmed Word by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit which convinced the believers that He was indeed the Christ and salvation was found only in Him and they were baptized for the remission of their sins so that they might have hope of eternal life if they endured to the fulness of their ability.

God does not save without obedience! That is what the story of Samuel, Saul, and the king's incomplete obedience teaches. 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. The whole truth is important.

Was the thief on the cross baptized of John's baptism? This is unknown to us because the scriptures are silent. However, the Scriptures are not silent on what God expects of all of us--obedience. John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.