We’ve all heard it from the lips of our denominational friends, neighbors, and family members: “But I believe I am saved ; in fact, I’m sure I am; I feel it deep inside! So why all the fuss about baptism and the like anyway?”
Because just like a computer which will only produce output based solely and exclusively on what has been programmed into it, so we too as human beings tend to do. Terrorists who are convicted enough to kill innocent victims are still wrong, despite the obvious strength of their convictions; just as those who routinely kill unborn babies “because of the [biblical] ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:18) are still wrong, despite their contrarian convictions and delusions (Prov. 6:16-19). And those “religious folk” today whose convictions fly in the face of God’s Word are still wrong, despite the strength of their convictions to the contrary; it’s always been that way (See the following for example: Isa. 30:8-14, 66:2-5; Jer. 5:30-31; Hos. 4:1-6; Matt. 7:21-23, 15:1-14; Lk. 6:46-49; Jn. 14:15, 16:1-3).
Saul of Tarsus, an extremely devout – and one of, if not the most well-educated religious man of the first century, was so convicted that Christianity was a pagan and ungodly religion that he became a literal Christian-killer, later stating: “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison… and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often… and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities…” (Acts 26:9-11). He was so “zealous toward God” that he persecuted Christians “…to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women…” (Acts 22:3-4; see also Acts 7:57-8:3). But his zealousness and convictions – although strong enough to mercilessly and maniacally kill for – were completely contrary to God’s will! Why? Because they were not based on an absolute knowledge of, and obedience to, God’s total and undeniable, infallible truth (Romans 10:1-3; Acts 22:1-16)! What we “think” or “feel” simply will not save us on Judgment day, if it is not absolutely, accurately, and obediently in accordance with God’s holy Word – which Jesus said is exactly and exclusively what we will all be judged by on the last day (Jn. 12:48).
What we need to lovingly ask our sincere but biblically ignorant and errant religious friends and relatives is this: “If you’re truly saved as you believe you are, then why not come and study God’s word with us and simply confirm it for sure? What have you got to lose? You can help me out if nothing else, by helping me see the biblical truth about salvation. And if through the thorough study of God’s Word, you should conclude that you’re somehow not saved, it will surely show you what is lacking so you can correct it. Either way you win! What’ve you got to lose? Nothing by coming to study; everything by not. Please contact us today and let’s study only what God really has to say.”