• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

The Sacraments

1watchman

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Yes, it is important to see that both baptism of adults who confess the truth of Jesus, the Christ of God, and faithful Christian parents who assume responsibility for the teaching and training of their child, are shown in the Bible. We need to appreciate that baptism does NOT save a soul, but is taking a stand with Jesus against the unbelieving world. God is pleased with that, and one may experience many mercies and care by God. Salvation is only in being "born again" (John 3; John 14; and 1 Jn. 5:10-12; etc.). There is sound ministry on this subject if one is interested in some reading. Let me know.
 
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PloverWing

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For people who grew up in Christian homes and churches from infancy, and who have always believed and practiced the Christian faith, there are often two ways to answer "When did you become a Christian?" One answer is that they've been Christians from the time they were born, because they have loved and followed Jesus for as long as they can remember. Another answer is that they became Christians when they were old enough to make a commitment to Jesus for themselves, a conscious decision to continue to follow in the path of Christianity.

It's reasonable for churches to mark both stages of life -- being born into a Christian environment, and making one's own decision.

Some churches use baptism as the rite through which one makes one's own commitment to Christ. These churches often have a dedication ceremony for infants.

Other churches use baptism as the rite through which an infant is accepted into the Christian community, to begin the Christian journey. These churches often have a rite of confirmation later in life, through which a person declares their decision to follow Christ.
 
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