Bible Studies

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Baptism

Introduction
This is a humble endeavour through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the truth regarding baptism amidst the wrong notions and misconceptions that is propagated all over the world. May the Holy Spirit guide us in the true path!

Member of the church:
Jesus Christ expects from us to have baptism through which he can shower his Holy Spirit upon us. Jesus Christ commanded his disciples in Mathew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” So it is evident that the disciples of Jesus should receive baptism. Here, disciples mean the followers of Jesus Christ. Believing in Jesus and worshiping him is not enough to be a disciple of Jesus. The true follower of Jesus Christ should receive baptism. Paul asks Ephesians in Acts 19:2-3, “ “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” ” This shows that the believers always received baptism in those days. A person becomes the member of the Holy Church only when he gets baptism and through baptism he is admitted in the Church as a Christian - the disciple of Jesus.

Christian- Member of Christ’s body:
God the Father has put all things under Jesus and made him head over all things for the church. The Church is the body of Jesus. Ephesians 1:22-23 says thus: “And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 5:25 says, “Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.” Since the Church is the body of Jesus, every member of the church is the member of Christ's body. St. Paul asks us in 1 Corinthians 6:15, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?” Yes, every Christian is an organ of Christ’s body. Jesus is the head of the Church.

Jesus cares for the church:
Jesus nourishes and tenderly cares for the Church, as it is his own body. Jesus nourishes and cares each and every member of the Church, as the members constitute the Church. Ephesians 5:29-30 says, “For no ne ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body.” Yes, Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her and cares for it. Therefore to become the member of his own body and experience his tender care and nourishment one should become the member of the Church through baptism.

Holy Spirit through the baptism:
Holy Spirit descends upon men through baptism. Holy Spirit helps us to lead a good life. He gives us strength and power to be a true Christian. In John 7:37-39, “Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ “Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive.” Holy Spirit the living water that flows into the believer’s heart comes through the word of God also. We see it in Acts 10:44 that says, “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.” Jesus says in John 6:63, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Holy Spirit the living water of baptism, by the word, flows into the heart of the persons who receive baptism.

Cleaning through baptism:
Through the water of baptism one gets cleaned and become holy to be a member of the Church. Referring to the Church as a woman, St.Paul says in Ephesians 5:26-27, “in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind - yes, so that she may be Holy and without blemish.” So washing the Church - her member - of water by the word is essential and a must to be in splendor and holy without a spot, wrinkle or blemish. Thus to become a disciple of Jesus, getting cleaned through baptism is a must. We know that all human beings except Mother Mary and John the Baptist were born with the Original Sin of Adam. Of course, Jesus is exempted, as he is God who is sinless. This Original Sin and the sins of our deeds are cleansed by baptism.

Baptism in Catholic Church:
Through baptism given in the Catholic Church, a man is washed from all his sins and becomes without blemish and spotless. The Catholic priest is washing the head of the person by ordinary water and praying though the word of God during baptism. In reality, the Holy Spirit, the living water is flowing into his heart at that time, washing his soul and body. And he is given a white cloth as the symbol that his soul is clothed with whiteness and that he is born anew for a good life in Jesus. He is born of water and Spirit. We know that ordinary water is incapable of washing the soul. But while ordinary water is washing the part of the body, the living water, the Holy Spirit is really washing the body and soul. The old man is changed into a new man for new life in Jesus. The old man is dead and through baptism the new man is born to enter the Kingdom of God. Paul says in Romans 6:3-5, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into his death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” But as 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not quench the Spirit.”

Baptism is God's mercy:
Titus 3:4-8 says, “when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.”

Some views of Protestants:
Our Protestant friends say that baptism in the Catholic Church is not in accordance with the bible. They say:

I) The Holy Spirit will descend upon a man only when he gets immersed baptism. -The persn who gets baptism should be completely immersed into the water.

II) The baptism Jesus received from John the Baptist is immersed baptism. So we should follow that type of baptism.

III) In Catholic baptism the water is used only to wash the head of the person baptized. So we cannot receive the Holy Spirit through the baptism of the Catholic Church and thus it is invalid.

IV) A person could not enter into the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit.

V) Gift of Tongues is a sign of reception of the Holy Spirit. Without the Gift of Tongue there is no Holy Spirit through baptism.

VI) Jesus got baptized at the age of 30 while he became a full-fledged man. So we should receive baptism only after we attain majority.

VII) John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. So infants could not receive baptism, as they are incapable of repentance. And also Mark 16:16 says, “The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” So, an infant cannot believe and so the child that gets baptized cannot be saved. Thus baptism given to infants in the Catholic Church is invalid baptism.

VIII) The person who got the immersed baptism becomes “redeemed” and the heaven is guaranteed for him beyond any doubt.

The answer to Protesta~ts:

Protestants view No 1:
The Holy Spirit will descend upon a man only when he gets immersed baptism. - The person who gets baptism should be completely immersed into the water.

The answer:
John the Baptist started the baptism in the river Jordan. It is said to be immersed baptism by the Protestants. But through out the bible, nowhere it is found that the person who received baptism immersed into the water. Even if we accept that the baptism of John the Baptist is the baptism of immersion, except Jesus, nobody received the Holy Spirit through this baptism.

Let us read Acts 19:1-6. Paul asks Ephesians, “ “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John's baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” So through the so-called immersed baptism of John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit did not descend upon them. The Holy Spirit came upon them only after a long time when they were baptized in the name of Lord Jesus when Paul laid his hands on them.

Even when Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in the way of so-called immersed baptism in Acts 8:36-39 the Holy Spirit did not descend upon the eunuch. Let us read the verses: “As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.” Here in the baptism with water the Holy Spirit is not descending upon the person baptized.

The so-called immersed baptism with water given by Philip even in the name of Jesus does not cause Holy Spirit to descend upon people. Let us read Acts 8:12: “But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:16 continues, “yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The so-called immersed baptism even in the name of Jesus is not helping them to receive the Holy Spirit. After that, Peter and John came from Jerusalem and Prayed for them for the Holy Spirit. Let us read Acts 8:14-15: “Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:17 says, “Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

So it is proved that this so-called immersed baptism is not helping us to receive the Holy Spirit.

But to our wonder, even the gentiles even without Baptism, receive the Holy Spirit. Let us read Acts 10:44-46: “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.” Even though they were born of the Spirit, they must be born of water also. So Peter said in Acts 10:47-48, “ “ Can any one withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit Just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” So even without ‘baptism with water’ a man can receive the Holy Spirit.

Protestants view No 2:
The baptism Jesus received from John the Baptist is immersed baptism. So we should follow that type of baptism.

The answer:
But however when we analyze thoroughly, there is no evidence through out the bible that Jesus immersed into the water when he received baptism from John the Baptist. Jesus received baptism in the river Jordan. But it is not said whether he immersed into the water or not. Let us look into the verses that are dealing with his baptism.

Matthew 3:16 says, “And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.”

Mark 1:9-10 says, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.”

Luke 3:21-22 says, “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.”

In these three verses nothing was said about immersed baptism. We cannot say definitely whether John the Baptist make the people immerse into the water or pour the water upon their head while they are standing in the river. How ever the Holy Spirit is descending upon him only when he is coming out of the water. Thus it is not proved in the bible that Jesus got immersed baptism and so it is meaningless to say that we have to receive an immersed baptism like Jesus.

Even when Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:36-39 they went down into the water but it is not said that he immersed into the water. There was only some water where both of them might go down and stand in the water and Philip might pour water upon his head. We cannot say exactly how he was baptized with water. So how can we say that Jesus got immersed baptism?

Apart from bible, the traditional message says that the baptism with water given by John the Baptist is immersed baptism. Beware! It is not said in the bible. It is traditional message! If you accept it, you have to accept the traditional message of ‘Ascension of Mother Mary’ also. Even if we accept the traditional message that the ‘baptism with water’ given by John to Jesus is immersed baptism we need not receive it in that type. The purpose of the baptism of John the Baptist is to reveal Jesus to the world as the Son of God. Let us read the words of John the Baptist about Jesus in John 1: 31-34, “ “I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” So the purpose of the baptism of John the Baptist that Jesus received is to make Jesus known to the world and it is different from the purpose of our baptism. So we cannot and need not receive the type of baptism that Jesus received from John the Baptist as ours is to be born of water and Holy Spirit and thereby become spotless and without blemish.

It is also to be noted that if we have to follow the type of baptism of Jesus we have to take baptism in rivers only. But I witnessed that many Protestants took baptism in tanks, seas, and pools!

Protestants view No 3:
In Catholic baptism the water is used only to wash the head of the person baptized. So we cannot receive the Holy Spirit through the baptism of the Catholic Church and thus it is invalid.


The answer:
In those dry areas like Palestine, baptism cannot be constrained to the bank of river Jordan only. It is to be spread to wider areas where water might be a thing of scarcity. Jesus introduces new type of washing that we see in John 13:8-10. Let us read the verses: “Peter said to him, “You wil| never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean.” ” Water is meant for cleansing the body. Jesus referred to the Spirit as the Living Water in John 7:39. By washing Peter’s feet that is a part of his body but not the whole of his body, only with ordinary water, Jesus made him “Entirely clean” inwardly by the Living Water.

This is the way Jesus cleans a person. By cleaning with water only a part of his body Jesus cleaned the whole person Peter. The Catholic Church baptizes the way Jesus pointed out, by washing a part of the body (head) with water, and thereby Holy Spirit is inwardly washing the person when the priest prays by holy words and lays his hand on the person’s head. Baptism by immersion practiced by John the Baptist has been discontinued as the Baptist Himself suggested.

We know John the Baptist said in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Yes, the way of Jesus is to increase and the way of John the Baptist is to decrease. So, Jesus’ way of baptism must replace John's baptism. After His resurrection, Jesus met his disciples and says in Acts 1:5, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This is what in Luke 3:16, John the Baptist says, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire.” Here we realize that the way of baptism of John the Baptist is to come to an end and the way of Jesus is to be in force. The Catholic Church gives baptism in the way Jesus taught and the Protestants follow the John the Baptist's baptism that is to be ended as John the Baptist himself suggested.

Protestants view No 4:
A person could not enter into the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit.

The answer:
As we already have seen, John 3:5 says, “very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” My Protestant friend says, born of water means immersing into the water. But we cannot find throughout the bible that the baptism of water means immersed baptism. The Bible says nothing about this. However, being born of water is essential. The Catholic Church gives such a baptism in the way of Jesus as explained in answer no 3.

In this context, my Protestant friend raises a feeble argument that when we are immersing into water the old man is dying and is buried with Jesus. Similarly, when we are rising from water we are rising as a newborn man, as Jesus resurrected. For that he quotes Romans 6:3-5: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into his death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

But mere immersion into water will not annihilate the old man. We have already seen that it is the Holy Spirit that causes the death of the old man and the birth of the new man in baptism. Since we have seen that the Holy Spirit does not descend in the baptism of so-called immersion, immersion into and rising from water does not bring about the death of the old man and the birth of the new man. So thinking that it is immersion that causes the death of the old man and birth of the new man is a futile human fancy. So we cannot give any importance to this human view. Born of water does not mean immersing into the water in any way. Regarding Catholic baptism where a man is born of water and Spirit, please refer above in the sub title, ‘Baptism in Catholic Church.’

Protestants view No 5:
Gift of Tongues is a sign of reception of the Holy Spirit. Without the Gift of Tongue there is no Holy Spirit through baptism.

The answer:
Another wrong impression is that unless a person receives the Gift of Tongue after baptism he cannot be said to be a receiver of Holy Spirit. But in 1 Corinthians 12: 8-11 we see that everyone touched by the Spirit aught not get the Gift of Tongue. Different gifts are given to different persons as the Spirit chooses. Let us read the verses: “To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gift of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kind of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.” 1 Corinthians 14:4-5 says, “Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.”

Protestants view No 6:
Jesus got baptism at the age of 30 after he attained adulthood. So we shuld receive baptism only after we become an adult.

The answer:
Jesus received baptism not to get purified but to be revealed to the world when his time came. The time to reveal himself came when he attained the age of 30 years. But our position is different from that of Jesus as we are sinners from birth. We have to get ourselves cleansed as early as possible. If we do not get cleansed through baptism, we live with Original Sin so that we live sinners until baptism. Satan tricks us in order to keep us in sin by not getting ourselves washed in baptism earlier. Think of our fate if we die with sin without baptism. Beware! Do not fall into the tricky net of Satan. Receive baptism as early as possible from infancy itself.

After baptism, we receive another sacrament ‘Confirmation’, which is mentioned in 1Timothy 4:14 that says, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.” Confirmation is a holy Sacrament in the Catholic Church, which gives anointment and is given by a bishop by the laying on of his hands.

Protestants view No 7: (Infant Baptism)
John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. So infants could not receive the baptism, as they are incapable of repentance. Also Mark 16:16 says, “The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” An infant cannot believe and so the child that gets baptized cannot be saved. So the baptism given to infants in the Catholic Church is invalid baptism.

The answer:
John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. But Jesus received baptism without repentance because He needs not to repent, as he did not commit any sin. As an infant does not commit any sin at all, it also needs not repent for its sin. Repentance is needed for a man only for the sins he committed. Jesus had no Original Sin also, as his ancestor is sinless, he being the Son of God. But, Infants have the Original Sin on their souls, as their ancestors are sinners. So repentance is not required for the Original Sin because it is not a sin committed by the infant. Therefore infants can receive baptism without repentance, to cleanse their Original Sin. That is why the Catholic Church prescribes infant baptism. However, we are not receiving the baptism of John the Baptist but we are receiving baptism in the name and way of Jesus. We should understand that the baptism of John the Baptist is the Baptism of repentance. Some Catholics by postponing the baptism of their infants delay their entry into the Kingdom of God, thereby abetting Satan’s craftiness to snatch away souls of children dying without baptism.

Now let us see about Mark 16:16 that says that the one who believes and is baptized will be saved. The child should believe in Jesus and get baptized. But the belief of the child is declared through its parents in Catholic baptism. The promise to believe Jesus and relinquish Satan that is supposed to be made by the infant is made by the parents on its behalf. It is acceptable because Jesus offered the sacrifice for our sins on behalf of us, the sinners. As we are unable to offer sacrifice, Jesus offered it for us. Think of Job in Job 1:5 who offered burnt offerings for the sin of his children. Similarly, the parents of the infants give the promise and declare its belief in Jesus on its behalf, as the infant by itself is unable to offer the promise. So the parents of the infants can give the promise and believe in Jesus on their behalf, as the infants are unable to do it by themselves. So infant baptism is valid.

According to 1 Corinthians 15:29, in those days people received baptism even on behalf of the dead. Let us read the verse: “Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?” A dead person cannot repent for his sin or believe in Jesus. Yet the belief and repentance of the person who received the baptism on his behalf was valid in those days.

In fact, Mark 16:16 says about the persons who believe or disbelieve in Jesus even after Jesus is proclaimed to them. My protestant friend should read Mark 16:15 the previous verse along with Mark 16:16 that says, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” Thus it is evident that the above verse speaks about grown up persons who believe or disbelieve after Jesus is proclaimed to them and not about infants who cannot believe or disbelieve. Infants cannot disbelieve and so they cannot be condemned. But we have already seen that the parents believe on behalf of infants. Accepting their belief as the belief of infant, it is given baptism and thus it is saved.

Protestant’s view 8:
The person who got the immersed baptism becomes “redeemed” and the heaven is guaranteed for him beyond any doubt. Is it true?

The answer:
Usually I see many Protestant friends who got immersed baptism claim to have been redeemed with the surety of entering heaven. Let us examine the scriptures.

John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” As we have seen earlier, the Holy Spirit received through baptism annihilates the old man and leads to our rebirth and redemption. Yet, it does not mean that we will enter heaven even if we commit deadly sins and die without getting forgiveness. What we receive through baptism is only the seal of promised Holy Spirit, which is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption. We read in Ephesians 1:13-14, “In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.” So we have the hope and confidence through this seal of God that gives us guarantee of salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:4-8 says, “What is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence.” Even though we do have confidence, as human beings endowed with free will, we have to cooperate fully with the will and guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to attain salvation. It is also possible for us to fall again in sin and to lose ourselves. Ephesians 4:30 confirms to this view: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.” From the above verse, it is clear that what is given to us through baptism is only a seal for the day of redemption and that we can, by our actions grieve the Holy Spirit in us. Since there is a possibility of quenching the Spirit we received through baptism 1 Thessalonians 5:19 asks us, “Do not quench the Spirit.”

We find it in 1 Timothy 1:18-20 that says, “you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; among them are Hy-me-nae-us and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme.” So it is evident that those two persons who were the contemporaries of even St. Paul, who earlier had a good conscience, have fallen when they rejected their conscience.

I personally know certain so-called “redeemed” persons who had immersed baptism commit adultery, cheating and misappropriating others’ money, etc, etc. The tragedy is that in spite of living in such grave and deadly sins, they claim to be redeemed with the guarantee of heaven. What a dangerous view they have!

Hebrews 6:4-6 says, “For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt.” 2 Peter 2:20-22 says, “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back form the holy commandment that was passed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true Proverbs, “The dog turns back to its own vomit”, and, “The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.” ” Hebrews 10:38 says, “but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in one who shrinks back.” So the so-called redeemed persons should be conscience of the every chance of their falling.

Romans 8:24 says, “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?” Thus it is evident that until we enter into heaven we move ahead with the hope, but always with the danger of falling away by our sins. Our hope is fulfilled only when we reach heaven. As long as we are in this world, we cannot say that we are fully free of sin. 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Yet we deceive ourselves thinking that we are always in the light. Very often we commit sins and hate our brothers and sisters.1 John 2:9 says, “Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in darkness.” Then how can we claim that we are in the light always when we are living in this world?

2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For all of us must appear before the Judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.” Revelation 20:12 says, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books.” So the so-called redeemed persons should think of their Last Judgement.

We have already seen in Titus 3:4-8 that baptism is a great favour given to us by God from his mercy. However, we have to reciprocate this great mercy of God with our obedience and good deeds. It is our duty, failing which we cannot benefit from the mercy of God.

However, if we constantly cooperate with the guidance of the Spirit, we can definitely be in the light and surely be redeemed and enter into heaven. Let us recall what St. Paul hoped at his departure from this world in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Conclusion:
So the time has come for my Protestant friend to come out of such misconceptions based on mere human whims and fancies that is taught in Protestant Churches. Let this humble endeavour cause my Protestant friend to enter into the real truth of the Scripture, which we find in the Catholic Doctrine. May the Holy Sprit guide you to the real path of truth! Amen.

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