Feuding First Cousins

Sometimes family members refuse to acknowledge that they are related.  They may even attempt to validate their lack of relation by pointing out and contrasting the differences between themselves, thus " proving  " that they are not akin to each other in any way.  Regardless of the differences cited by these family members,there are certain similarities that cannot be denied.  There are some things that simply cannot be dismissed regardless of the efforts to do so.  I have applied this logic in a spiritual sense  in relation to two groups of people; Roman Catholics and church of Christ denominations.  Both  these groups claim to be the one true church on  earth today, and both draw a circle that includes all that agree with their theology, and exclude all who do not, including each other.  With all the " differences " that may be cited from each denomination towards the other, there is one eternally binding similarity, however, that has linked these groups forever, and that is water baptism theology.  For this reason, I have labeled them " Feuding First Cousins ", and this article will explain why.  I will demonstrate in this study at least six points concerning water baptism that both the Roman Catholic and the church of Christ Salvation apologist are in total agreement on, and neither deny.  When we apply the facts coupled with logical reasoning, we will find that these  family members are indeed " first cousins of baptism theology ".  Here are the facts, the " ties that bind " these otherwise exclusive groups.  1.  There Is No Salvation Apart From Water Baptism.  Both groups mentioned in this article seek to bind water baptism for Salvation on all lost Gentiles ( and Jews ) on the earth today.  2.  The Blood Of Christ Is Contacted During Water Baptism.  The Roman Catholic refers to this as " baptismal regeneration ", while the church of Christ minister refers to it as " baptismal remission ".  3.  Water Baptism Does Not Figuratively Save You; It Literally Saves You.  Both of these exclusive groups are in agreement with one another in that you are literally saved at the point of contact with literal water.  Both vehemently disagree with Baptists, who affirm that water baptism " figuratively " saves you, just as a badge figuratively " makes " one a police officer, or a robe figuratively " makes " one a judge.  4.  No Person Today Becomes A Part Of Christ's Church Apart From Water Baptism.  Entrance into each denominations circle ( the Church ) is gained only at the point of a " proper " baptism, at which time the lost person is deemed to be a part of the Church. 5.  The Purpose Of Water Baptism Is " In Order To Receive " Remission Of Sins.  Both of these " cousins by doctrine " affirm that the meaning of the word " for " in verse thirty-eight of Acts chapter two has the above meaning, even though the Writer of Acts chose to use the Greek word " Eis ", and indefinite proposition, and not the word " Hina " which has only one meaning; " in order to receive". If the Writer of Acts wanted to say " in order to ", He had this word at his disposal to use. The Holy Ghost did not tell Him to use it 6.  Water Baptism For Salvation Is A Commandment For Today.  Both the Catholic and c.o.C. apologist affirms that all lost people after Jesus' resurrection must obey the " command to be baptized in order to be saved " ( Acts 2:38 ).  Both groups, however, ignore the fact that not one lost Gentile in all Scripture was ever commanded to be baptized in order to receive Salvation.  Just an aside ; there is no command in Mark 16 for baptism for Salvation from the Lord.  There is a command to go and preach the Gospel in verse 15, but no command for water baptism for Salvation.  Both of these otherwise feuding organizations would ironically find themselves in total agreement in their opposition to this obvious conclusion .  If you listen to arguments made in favor of baptismal remission or baptismal regeneration, you would find yourself being given the same basic Scriptures in either case.  The foundational arguments made for both " seemingly different " doctrines concerning baptism come from the same source; Mk.16:16, Ac.2:38, Ro.6:3-6, Ac.22:16, and 1Pet.3:21. Both groups employ ( necessarily ) the use of implication in their interpretation of Scripture that, at face value, does not command water baptism for Salvation ( Ac.16:30-33, Ac.10:44-48).  This article has demonstrated the undeniable fact that the Roman Catholic and church of Christ denominations are indelibly linked by a seminal and foundational doctrine that is shared by both; the doctrine of Salvation by water baptism.  Both groups scoff at the doctrine of faith alone ( Sola Fide ) in Christ alone ( Sola Christos ), and affirm that you are saved by faith plus works, namely the work of water baptism.  Until such time that one party denies this shared doctrine, I will continue to charge them with being spiritual first cousins, albeit feuding ones.