Baptism, Church Membership and Churches claiming they are the True Church.

My last post investigated whether the baptisms recently run by the Last Empire organisers was legitimate or not.  Here I explore this further by attempting to explain a possible motive behind these showy mass baptisms.


Many church denominations have criteria for membership. It may surprise you that repentance is not a criterion for some memberships. Those denominations that do not require repentance tend to replace this with the believer having a penitent heart. These churches therefore tend to practice baby baptisms (a baby of course unable to repent,) while some add on confirmation ceremonies when the child is old enough to declare their commitment to the Church (usually associated with the coming of age for communion.)

Those that require a form of repentance (be it in public or private) typically also require water baptism to either confirm their new life, or in some cases, to act as the form of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Some churches (especially Pentecostal and Charismatic ones) also require a separate baptism of the Holy Spirit to have taken place – proof being for some that the receiver must, Speak in Tongues as proof.

Set alongside that is once only baptism verses re-baptisms. In this context I have pondered why it is that certain churches promote, encourage and sometimes coerce people to get baptised into their particular church when they may have already been baptised in another church. The baptism I am talking about here is full immersion baptism of which I advocate as being closer to the biblical examples. For example, why does an AoG church member, who joins the Mormons or SDAs(or visa versa) seek rebaptism if they supposedly say they all believe in Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of the church. Why get baptised again in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit?

Firstly, repeat baptisms I believe are not necessary. Baptism is merely a public expression of the fact that you have repented and are now following after Jesus Christ. You are baptised into Jesus Christ. That is, you are baptised in the Name of Jesus Christ – you are baptized into the authority of His name. It can be considered as an act of allegiance. The concept of baptism as the act that washes away sin leading to as a mandatory part of salvation is biblically incorrect. (Acts 22:16 is often used to say that baptism washes away sin by joining the two concepts of repent and be baptized.) The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

The issue of whether there is a distinction between sprinkling and immersion needs to be raised too. There seem reasonable grounds that sprinkling is not legitimate as a form of baptism, but is it that important? I will leave that up to the believer to determine. However, as outlined previously, those who go to a sprinkling church usually cannot remember when they were themselves sprinkled, simply because they were only a few months old at the time. Of course, new converts at an age when they can make a conscious decision to be baptized do occur.

So in summary of this introduction, we will work within these frames of reference when looking at baptism across different denominations and cults :

1. We are looking at water baptism by immersion as legitimate
2. We can view sprinkling as not legitimate, but not critical
3. Baptism in either form declares that the repentant believer chooses to follow the way of Jesus Christ.
4. Baptism is a conscious decision a disciple makes after repentance.
5. Most denominations have in one form or another, baptism as a criterion for membership.

With that as a prelude, I want to share the relevance of Water baptism to church membership especially in the context of the Christian cults.

Re-baptisms within the same church.

The concept of re-baptism is perplexing. Recall that the ordinance of baptism is typically done in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In some cases, in the name of Jesus only (acts 2:38) while Acts 8:16 may indicate that being baptised in the name of Jesus only is not sufficient, but with the concept of the Trinity and the deliberate use of the concepts associated with water and spirit baptism not coming though well in English translations, it is hard (and sometimes detrimental or even dangerous) to turn an example in Acts into a clear doctrinal ordinance.

No matter how it is said, the bottom line of Trinitarian or Jesus only baptism is that we are being baptised to show that we have turned away from sin and towards a new life in Christ. And since that can be summed up in one word, repentance, we could state the whole thing as – Baptism is a public expression of repentence away from sin and towards Jesus Christ. On that basis, along with whatever criteria are added, will determine a member’s rights to become a member of the Church.

The perplexity therefore is why a person, who is baptised and becomes a member of the Church needs to seek rebaptism. Surely they have publically declared that they are turning away from sin and towards Christ, only for the following year, month or at very crusade or motivangelist visit, they rush to get dunked again. This person seeks to turn away from sin and towards Christ, again, and again, and again, and so on. That person is not declaring that they are moving along the narrow road but are going around in confusing circles of doubt.

Rebaptism across denominations

There may be a legitimate case for baptising a believer who has moved from a sprinkling church to an immersion church, but perhaps only for those who either

1. Were sprinkled as a baby (and therefore not repentant)
2. The believer is convicted to be baptised by immersion 
3. They have come from a cult that practices immersion baptism, but includes vows made that a contrary to the Word of God.

Even though I am an immersion adherent, I will not be drawn on my opinion here as to whether baptism should be by immersion for a person who consciously repented and was baptised by sprinkling. It would make for a long debate.

But what happens when a person baptized by immersion in one church, then is advised to be rebaptised (and in some cases – forced or coerced) in a different immersion based church? In my opinion that says one, two or three things about that particular church

1. They treat baptism as an entry requirement into their denomination and doctrine
2. They believe that their church denomination or belief is somehow different to the others.
3. They have no concept of what water baptism is.

It is with this scenario that I begin to ask questions regarding why it is that Christian cults are so quick to re-baptize Christians, irrespective it they were previously baptised by immersion, sprinkling or never. To me I smell a rat here.

Lets look at the two denominations that are very good at this – The Mormons and the Seventh Day Adventists. I will state that the SDAs admit in their manuals that they do not coerce rebaptism but trust the persons convictions.  However, they are extremely good at "convicting," making it hard for a person to not be coerced. We will look directly at their respective Church Handbooks/Manuals.

Mormon

The suitability for baptism occurs at an interview. This is from their Church Handbook of Instructions 2006. I have emphasised questionable details.

The person conducting the baptismal interview should ask the following questions, with the guidance of the Spirit, to determine whether the candidate meets the qualifications described in D&C 20:37 (see also Mosiah 18:8-10 and Moroni 6:1- 4). These questions apply to all baptismal candidates but should be adapted to the age and maturity of the candidate. For example, because children are sinless and have no need to repent until the age of accountability, the bishop should adapt the questions accordingly.

Born sinless?  Psalms 51:5 and Eccesiastes 7:20 would disagree.  But lets continue

1. Do you believe that God is the Eternal Father? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Saviour and Redeemer of the world?

2. Do you believe the Church and gospel of Jesus Christ have been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith? Do you believe that [current Church President] is a prophet of God? What does this this mean to you?

3. What does it mean to you to repent? Do you feel that you have repented of your past transgressions?

4. Have you ever committed a serious crime? If so, are you now on probation or parole? Have you ever participated in an abortion? a homosexual relationship?

Hmm, is this what they call confessing their sins? So in question 3 they know they have repented (I assume) and since the bible says that forgiven sins are covered and that Jesus forgave us our sins for those who believe, (Rom 4:7) then why do they need to probe over serious crimes. Futhermore, your supposedly forgiven sins are recorded forever by the Mormon Church against your personal Mormon number on a file in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. I will answer that for you. The first is that those on probation or parole cannot get baptized, so this is a check for that, but on a more sinster (and at the risk of being labelled a conspiracy theorist) the Mormon Church uses this against members who leave the church at a later date and who stir up problems for them. There is an secretive division in Mormon Inc, called the Strengthening members Committee, that acts on this information.

5. You have been taught that membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints includes living by gospel standards. What do you understand of the following standards? Are you willing to obey them?
a. The law of chastity, which prohibits any sexual relationship outside the bonds of a legal marriage between a man and a woman
b. The law of tithing.
c. The Word of Wisdom.
d. Keeping the Sabbath day holy, including partaking of the sacrament weekly and rendering service to others.

Just like the SDAs they legalize tithing. Then so do AoGs and many other denominations.  But unlike the SDAs, the Mormons demand tithes, while the SDAs strongly encourage and rely on guilt trips. A Tithing Mormon gets special attention and rewards like being able to attend temple endowments. Without which they cannot get into Celestial Heaven (where their God sits). The Word of Wisdom is a jargon way of saying living healthy lives and abstinence. I will get to that one later. Ironically, they talk about the Sabbath as being the Holy Day, but that day for them is Sunday! Finishing the question time....

6. When you are baptized, you covenant with God that you are willing to take upon yourself the name of Christ and keep His commandments throughout your life. Are you ready to make this covenant and strive to be faithful to it?

So those are the six questions. It is worth pointing out that the Mormon Church will not baptize a person who is currently in prison or on parole. They also prohibit full-time missionaries from witnessing to prisoners or those in jail. They also prohibit anyone who has murdered from being baptised unless they get a special dispensation from the presidency. The actual baptism is a short affair but only after the candidate has demonstrated that they have answered correctly to the above set of questions. In true Mormon Inc fashion, and since they love details, paperwork and certificates (as most financial corporations do), they complete a candidates, “Baptism and Confirmation Form.”

SDA

For SDAs there is also a private interview over the candidate’s suitability and heavy emphasis placed on that the candidate knows the 28 Fundamental Statements which involves a lengthy study process. The SDA Church manual 2010 states

Candidates individually or in a baptismal class should be instructed from the Scriptures regarding the Church’s fundamental beliefs and practices and the responsibilities of membership. A pastor should satisfy the church by a public examination that candidates are well instructed, are committed to taking this important step, and by practice and conduct demonstrate a willing acceptance of Church doctrines and the principles of conduct which are the outward expression of those doctrines, for “by their fruits you will know them” (Matt. 7:20).

If public examination is impractical, then candidates should be examined by the board or a committee appointed by the board, such as the board of elders, whose report then should be given to the church before the baptism. “The test of discipleship is not brought to bear as closely as it should be upon those who present themselves for baptism. It should be understood whether they are simply taking the name of Seventh-day Adventists, or whether they are taking their stand on the Lord’s side, to come out from the world and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing. Before baptism there should be a thorough inquiry as to the experience of the candidates. Let this inquiry be made, not in a cold and distant way, but kindly, tenderly, pointing the new converts to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Bring the requirements of the gospel to bear upon the candidates for baptism.”—6T 95, 96.

The reference at the end points to Ellen G White’s Testimonies V6, pg 95-96

So in general terms, before one is supposed to be baptized as an SDA or Mormon, they must undergo an indoctrination process followed by a suitability interview. But what I am seeing in Vanuatu at least is that there are many SDA baptisms that are not legitimate, which I have posted on before.  To restate their own manual,

"The test of discipleship is not brought to bear as closely as it should be upon those who present themselves for baptism..."

The Baptism Process Proper

The Mormons have a lot to say in the correct way to baptize, what forms to fill in and so on. In fact they have a lot to say on the correct way to do many things.  But the actual baptism itself is outlines thus:

Under the direction of the presiding authority, a worthy priest or Melchizedek Priestthood holder may perform the ordination of baptism. To do so, he:

1. Stands in the water with the person to be baptized.
2. Holds the person's right wrist with his left hand (for convenience and safety); the person being baptized holds the priesthood holder's left wrist with his or her left hand.
3. Places his right arrn to the square.
4. States the person's full name and says, "having been commissioned ofJesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen" (D&C 20:73).



Mormon bapstism.  Note the right arm "to the square."
That small boy is now a mormon member!

5. [and the rest involving total immersion]

Point three (Placing the right arm to the square is a relic from Joseph Smith’s freemasonry days where “the right arm to the square” was used as an entered apprentice oath taking ceremony. It surfaces again in the Mormon endowment ceremonies in their temples. The actual baptism statement is nothing unusual.

Unlike the Mormons, the SDA baptismal vows are lengthy as the candidate must answer yes publically to the following questions. I have emphasised some questionable statements

Vow

1. Do you believe there is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons?
2. Do you accept the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary as the atoning sacrifice for your sins and believe that by God’s grace through faith in His shed blood you are saved from sin and its penalty?
3. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior, believing that God, in Christ, has forgiven your sins and given you a new heart, and do you renounce the sinful ways of the world?
4. Do you accept by faith the righteousness of Christ, your Intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary, and accept His promise of transforming grace and power to live a loving, Christ-centered life in your home and before the world?
5. Do you believe that the Bible is God’s inspired Word, the only rule of faith and practice for the Christian? Do you covenant to spend time regularly in prayer and Bible study?

Pretty good so far but then the SDA doctrine creeps in

6. Do you accept the Ten Commandments as a transcript of the character of God and a revelation of His will? Is it your purpose by the power of the indwelling Christ to keep this law, including the fourth commandment, which requires the observance of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath of the Lord and the memorial of Creation?

7. Do you look forward to the soon coming of Jesus and the blessed hope, when “this mortal shall . . . put on immortality” [1 Cor. 15:54, KJV]? As you prepare to meet the Lord, will you witness to His loving salvation by using your talents in personal soul-winning endeavor to help others to be ready for His glorious appearing?

8. Do you accept the biblical teaching of spiritual gifts and believe that the gift of prophecy is one of the identifying marks of the remnant church?

9. Do you believe in Church organization? Is it your purpose to worship God and to support the Church through your tithes and offerings and by your personal effort and influence?

10. Do you believe that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; and will you honor God by caring for it, avoiding the use of that which is harmful, and abstaining from all unclean foods; from the use, manufacture, or sale of alcoholic beverages; from the use, manufacture, or sale of tobacco in any of its forms for human consumption; and from the misuse of or trafficking in narcotics or other drugs?

Harmful includes pig products eggs, duck, shellfish, lobster, butter, (tea and coffee before) Not that I would condemn anyone for taking a stand against harmful things, if they are actually harmful, but I do not need to spiritualize it.


Now this is where we get a tricky one, and one that is the reason why they have lengthy baptism classes beforehand.

11. Do you know and understand the fundamental Bible principles as taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Do you purpose, by the grace of God, to fulfill His will by ordering your life in harmony with these principles?

12. Do you accept the New Testament teaching of baptism by immersion and desire to be so baptized as a public expression of faith in Christ and His forgiveness of your sins?

And finally, the one that states in unbiblical terms, that their denomination is the remnant church. (No denomination is the remnant church; simply because the bible never talks about a remnant church in the first place, only a remnant from the Nation of Israel.

13. Do you accept and believe that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the remnant church of Bible prophecy and that people of every nation, race, and language are invited and accepted into its fellowship? Do you desire to be a member of this local congregation of the world Church?

Can you imagine how long that takes, which does not fit their new model of mass baptisms done at, for example, the Last Empire Crusades. So the Australasian/South Pacific Conference of the SDA church mooted an Alternative vow in 2005 that has been authorised by the General Conference and is included in the manual. The disadvantage is that my shortening it down, it avoids the candidate and the public from being aware of major doctrinal disagreements that run contradictory to scripture. Again, I have emphasised issues.

Alternative Vow

1. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, and do you desire to live your life in a saving relationship with Him?

2. Do you accept the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and do you pledge by God’s grace to live your life in harmony with these teachings?

3. Do you desire to be baptized as a public expression of your belief in Jesus Christ, to be accepted into the fellowship of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and to support the Church and its mission as a faithful steward by your personal influence, tithes and offerings, and a life of service?

Notice how the vows begins well enough, but that most of the vow is done in allegiance to the SDA movement rather than towards being a disciple of Jesus. Essentially, they are confessing that Jesus is saviour and Lord, and that they believe in Him, but they will follow the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs and will live according to their teachings, that they will support the Church by influence, money and volunteer work!

Despite the Alternative Vows being much quicker to say but also enables them to fudge the facts and bind someone to a vow that they may not agree with.  It is like me asking you to take a vow that you will do absolutely everything I say, and that I can change what I like whenever I like.  You would not say that vow.  But Vow number 2 does that.  because in the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church it states this as a forward:

Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church’s understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God’s Holy Word.

So if you agree to the fundamental beliefs, and they then decide that a careful analysis of the tithe in the Law requires not 10% but is now revised Statement #21 (Stewardship) to between 22% and 25% (this is true, if you add up all the tithe requirements throughout the year!) then because you vowed to God that you would live in harmony with those teachings.

Now this may seem silly, but that blind vowing is exactly what cults are infamous for - follow the leder, no matter what.


Now one thing I believe is highly unlikely is that the Apostles went around the Roman Empire with a list of fundamental statements or perhaps a set of questions, which they recorded and archived. Imagine in Acts 2 where 3,000 were baptized. This came after Peter’s address that had the main point of revealing Jesus as the Christ and Messiah. The gospel convicted them. We do not see Peter telling them that they must attend a weekly series of baptismal lessons so they really know what they are believing in. We do not see Phillip approaching the Ethiopian Eunuch on the road and recording his answers on a piece of papyrus for filing back with the Church in Jerusalem. Philip and Peter simply highlighted the Messiah and in both cases they people said “what do we need to do to be saved,” or, “what is to stop be being baptised?”

Which brings me back to why Mormons and SDAs encourage rebaptism into their denominations, even if they have been baptised (by Immersion) already. The person considering this needs to understand that they are not baptizing you into Jesus Christ, but rather into their doctrines. Both baptisms make the candidates vow things that are very similar. For example

1. Both incorporate tithing
2. Both incorporate the importance of service (salvation by works)
3. Both vow allegiance to their prophets and their writings (SDA: Ellen G White; Mormon: Joseph Smith and the living president today.)  However noone really knows what those prophets said or wrote.  Certainly never at the time of baptism and often they never do.
4. Both vow to live healthy lives by abstinence from harmful substances. The Mormons give this the nickname Word of Wisdom which is outlined in Doctrines and Covenants. Here is what the forward to that particular price of Mormon Scripture has to say.

Section 89
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently, he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result.

1–9, The use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks is proscribed; 10–17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 18–21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.

The irony is that Joseph Smith was a heavy drinker and smoker. This was one of the reasons why he was declined from becoming a Methodist Church preacher.But enough on that - Like SDAs, mormons do not like it when they hear about what their founder got up to.


Understand by reading the above, that you are being baptized into a church structure more than you are being baptized in Jesus Christ, and those churches are teaching doctrines contradictory to the Word of God in a number of important areas. The SDAs to a lesser degree than Mormons, but nevertheless, there are significant doctrinal error.

That of course will get me offside with SDAs and Mormons. So I will add that if I consider all essential doctrines that are necessary for salvation, then I would say that the SDAs still basically teach salvation. At least that is what the first 5 fundamental statements outline. Given those, and the SDAs confession thereof, despite the other stuff, that I will surely see many SDAs in heaven. I won’t comment on a Mormon’s salvation but only to say that their concept of the three persons of the trinity is seriously warped. Whether that affects their salvation I leave to Christ. As for all other denominations, some will be saved and some will not. The issue here is not the denomination but the person. Since a person can come to know Christ, but a denomination cannot.

That does not make me a judge although the standard mantra, "do not judge, lest you be judged yourself," will be thrown about. To that I say that I always try to make sure to check out my own logs and specks as well.  I am simply pointing out that salvation is feely given to those who believe that Jesus is the Christ – that he died on the cross, according to scripture, was buried and rose again according to scripture. That is a saved person understands the heart of the Gospel and its truth. Therefore any church that adopts doctrines that also understand the heart of the gospel are also more likely to result in saved members. Those that warp those, warp salvation at the risk of its members.

Membership

It is not unusual for membership to be tied to water baptism. In fact I agree that before anyone is admitted into church membership, wherever that may be, the church should check out who they admit. If churches had done that in the past, then we would not have as many false teachings today. But churches did not, so we live with the consequences.

One thing I do want to pick up on again is the motive behind rebaptizing a Christian once they move from any denomination into the SDA or Mormon denominations. That motive has to do with membership. Unlike all denominations I have looked at, membership is a fluid affair. But not so in the Mormon Organisation. Effectively, once a Mormon, always a Mormon. To leave, say, the Presbyterian Church, you tell them and the Presbyterian membership drops by one. But with Mormon Inc, you need to personally write a letter to the Presidency expressing your desire to leave the membership. They will send a reply telling you that you need counselling and to make an appointment with your Bishop, etc. You cannot just tell them, “I have decided to become a Presbyterian.” Your membership is still quoted as a statistic, which is why the Mormon membership has been calculated as perhaps only 30% of its stated value.

But one thing that largely determines membership is baptisms, and that is why they are keen these days to rush as many into baptism as possible. Here is what the SDA Church Manual states.

A Prerequisite to Membership—“Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. … Baptism is the avenue of induction into the Church. … The Church believes in baptism by immersion and accepts into membership only those who have been baptized in this manner….Those who acknowledge their lost state as sinners, sincerely repent of their sins, and experience conversion may, after proper instruction, be accepted as candidates for baptism and Church membership.

So baptism is the prerequisite. Baptism an membership go hand in hand.  The next step is known as the profession of faith. It is this that I want to point out an interesting issue, especially in light of what is happening in Vanuatu.

Profession of Faith
Individuals who have accepted the fundamental beliefs of the Seventhday Adventist Church and who desire membership in the Church on profession of faith may be accepted under any of the following four circumstances:

There are four but I will list the most relevant one here:

1. A committed Christian coming from another Christian communion who has already been baptized by immersion as practiced by the Seventhday Adventist Church.

Great care should be exercised in receiving members if they have formerly been members of another congregation. When a person applies for membership on profession of faith, inquiries should be made concerning the applicant’s former experience. Church officers should seek the advice and help of the conference president. Sufficient time should be taken to investigate the facts.

That is a good thing.  Every church should do that. And then...

When a person applies for membership on profession of faith and it is found that he/she still is a member of another congregation, no steps should be taken to receive that person into membership until the church holding the membership grants a letter of transfer. If, after the process of transfer is followed (see p. 52), a church refuses to grant a letter of transfer and the member feels the letter has been unjustly denied, the member may appeal to the conference committee. Following this procedure will result in a higher appreciation of the sacredness of Church membership and in wrongs being made right. No church has the right to withhold transfer unless the person is under discipline.

Now I have a big question to ask SDA leaders (who never reply to my questions anyway).  What I want to know here, is how many former members of other church denominations got a letter from their original churches releasing them before they were accepted into the SDA membership. If any Pastor knows how many members have left their congregations for the SDA church without having signed a release letter, please let us know. Not that I would say don’t give them one (after all it is their choice. We do not own them, but we do have the right to protect them – That is what Pastors do…. right?)

The Mormons are worse, but in a different way!

As stated earlier, the Mormons count almost everyone as a member. As for baptism, children over the age of eight can be baptised. (Apparently, those under 8 are sinless. Eight is the age at which the sin switch must kick in. Now how many parents out there can affirm that their child under the age of eight was sinless. But let’s put that aside and look at their Church Handbook again.

Baptism
Under the direction of the presiding authority, children should be baptized on or as soon after their eighth birthday us reasonable.

Preparing Children for Baptism
Bishops give special attention to seven-year-old children in the ward, ensuring that their parents, Primary leaders and teachers, and home teachers help them prepare for baptism. Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society leaders also encourage parents to teach and prepare their children for this ordinance. When children reach age eight, the bishop makes sure they have every opportunity to accept the gospel and be baptized.

Eight· Year-Old Children
The bishop interviews each eight year-old child who is a member of record. The bishop also interviews eight-year-old children who are not members of record if they have at least one member parent or guardian.

Well, well, well. I know children in my area that were baptized but do not have a member parent or guardian. They jump on the back of trucks enticed by the missionary with the promise of treats, and then whisked away for, “study,” or "friendly sports." As soon as possible they are dunked. Now the trouble with my assumption is that is the fact that many people may not actually know they have a parent or guardian who is a member of record. Basically, an ex-mormon who quits the church, and fails to formally write a letter to the presidency is still a “member of record.” Given Ni-Vanuatu families too, (that a child has multiple guardians, from their actual mum and dad, to the sizable list of Smol Baba mo Smol Mama. All it takes is for one Mormon member of record and that permits an entire village 8+ year olds to get baptised. Perhaps since the Mormon Newsroom subscribe to my feed they could comment and clarify this for us?


Now I don’t know about you, but an eight year old is not in a position (in most cases) to come to a conviction of sin and repentance.

In summary then, Baptisms are a tool used by denominations like the SDAs and Mormons to first and foremost bind a person to their own doctrines, a number of which are biblically unsound. The second reason is to justify their existence as a credible denomination and the third is pure unadulterated marketing.  The Mormons are experts at marketing.  They have to be.  One big selling point they make in Vanuatu is that they claim they are the fastest growing denomination.  They actually are not - the evengelical churches are (like the AoG and other pentecostal churches).   They know (as do the SDAs) that the more baptisms, the more members.  And the more members makes others think they are the "true church" because rightly or wrongly, one person will always follow another.  For the Mormons, many statistics and reports including official census reports do not match membership claims.  This is occurring worldwide. But since Mormon membership is calculated on baptisms, then they feel the need to baptize, baptize, baptize.

There is a similar set of statistics for the SDAs, but.  I can's go into that too much, but SDA leaders familiar with the Global Tithe Index will know what I am referring to.

Everyone considering baptism “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” needs to carefully consider this first.I say this not just to those intending to be baptised an SDA or a Mormon, but anyone in any church.  Do not take baptism lightly.  Before I close I would like to show the SDAs some courtesy by what they said in their Church Manual:

To administer baptism repeatedly or on an emotional basis lessens its meaning and represents a misunderstanding of the gravity and significance that Scripture assigns to it.

There is a good reason for that, as the Word of God testifies:

It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. Prov 20:25

If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. Num 30:2

“Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not take oaths at all – not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one. Matt 5:33-37

[A motivangelist is word I invented for a religious motivational speaker who more motivational than scriptural - many televangelists fall into this category]