The Relationship Between Faith and Works

​Recently I had the honor of baptizing four new converts at our church, and the words I recite when baptizing individuals stirred up some discussion between myself and a fellow church member—a good, healthy, and friendly discussion. When baptizing new converts, I ask two questions: (1) Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died on the cross to pay for your sins and was raised from the dead for your justification? (2) Do you hereby commit to strive to live your life in obedience to the Word of God and for the glory of God?  After answering “I do” to both those questions, I then baptize them “my brother [or sister] in Christ in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

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