Yes, Tom, I agree with you. However, they have an answer to each one of your points. It just goes on and on.....Let me see if I can give you what I've heard in the past from them point-by-point:

1. The thief on the cross died under the "Old Law", therefore the baptism rule did not apply to him.

2. I've been in discussions with them on these passages, they still believe the context does not relate that Cornelius was saved until after he was baptized, that this was an "exceptional" case since it was the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit to show that Gentiles could now be saved(baptized).

3. Since salvific baptism didn't apply until after his death, the fact that he didn't baptize makes sense to them.

4. They argue that Paul was simply stating that he was glad they weren't baptizing in his name.

5. They will argue that there is not one phrase that says "faith alone", that the only phrase in the NT with "faith" and "alone" in it is found in James where it says we are not saved by faith alone.


Last edited by AllToHim; Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:36 PM.