I would be willing to maintain the second sentence: 'Water baptism plays no following role in the salvation of those who instantly come to belief in Jesus Christ'.
Correct, and you will have to take the negative on the previous resolution. The structure would look something like this:
First Resolution: "Baptism is commanded by God for the remission of sins. Baptism plays a critical part in salvation and is something all who would become Christians must do."
Affirm: Aggie03
Deny: Cuddles222
The debate of the first resolution will have the following structure:
First Affirmative Constructive: Aggie03 will outline definitions and reasons supporting the resolution. (4000 word limit)
Negative Cross-Examination: Cuddles222 will be given an opportunity to ask up to 10 questions about the first affirmative constructive. No argumentation may be made at this point. (No word limit)
Affirmative Response: Aggie03 will be given an opportunity to answer the questions that have been asked. No new material may be presented at this time unless is directly related to one of the asked questions. (No word limit, but may only address the questions from the first negative cross-examination).
First Negative Rebuttal: Cuddles222 will present argumentation to refute the information in the first affirmative constructive. No new material may be presented that is not directly related to the first affirmative constructive, e.g. if the mode of baptism is not addressed in the first affirmative constructive, then it should not be addressed here. (4000 word limit)
Second Affirmative Constructive: Aggie03 will be given an opportunity to present additional information in support of the resolution. (3000 word limit)
Second Negative Rebuttal: Cuddles222 will present argumentation refuting the second affirmative constructive. No new material may be presented that is not directly related to the second affirmative constructive. (3000 word limit)
Third Affirmative Constructive: Aggie03 will be given an opportunity to present additional information in support of the resolution. (2000 word limit)
Third Negative Rebuttal: Cuddles222 will present argumentation refuting the third affirmative constructive. No new material may be presented that is not directly related to the third affirmative constructive. Closing comments should made at this time. (2500 word limit)
Affirmative Closing: Aggie03 will summarize salient points finalizing and clarifying why the resolution is true. No new information that has not been touched on in the previous portions of the debate may be brought up at this time. (1000 word limit)
Following this section will be the second resolution:
Second Resolution: "Those who come to faith in Christ have no need of water baptism. Baptism plays no role in the salvation of lost people and is something that is not required of all who become Christians."
Affirm: Cuddles222
Deny: Aggie03
The debate over this resolution will have the same structure, rules and word count as the previous resolution, namely:
First Affirmative Constructive: Cuddles222 (4000 word limit)
Negative Cross-Examination: Aggie03 (up to 10 questions, no word limit)
Affirmative Response: Cuddles222 (No limit, but may only address and answer questions from cross-examination)
First Negative Rebuttal: Aggie03 (4000 word limit)
Second Affirmative Constructive: Cuddles222 (3000 word limit)
Second Negative Rebuttal: Aggie03 (3000 word limit)
Third Affirmative Constructive: Cuddles222 (2000 word limit)
Third Negative Rebuttal: Aggie03 (2500 word limit)
Affirmative Closing: Cuddles222 (1000 word limit)
If you agree to the following structure and resolutions, we can begin. If the rules are violated (e.g. new material is brought up when it shouldn't be, like in a closing statement), the offended party may take appropriate action to address the violation (e.g. post a response to only the new material brought up in the closing).
Additionally, I would like to make this available on my website that I'm putting together. I think something like this would be a good resource for everyone interested in the topic. By agreeing to the debate, we both agree that the debate in its fullness can be made available in PDF or other digital format for the edification and education of others seeking to grow in their faith. I would like to use our actual names in the PDF copy, so any reference to screen names here would be replaced with our names in the PDF copy of the debate. I would also like to include a brief bio of both participants (300 words or less) written by themselves.
