Evidence of the shift is seen in the churches and organization which are promoted in our Brotherhood by the influential organizations. The www.ChristianChurchToday.com (CCT) website is one such influential organization. Recently an article entitled, “Church planting, Oui!” was featured. It can be found here: http://www.christianchurchtoday.com/articles/articles.asp?id=4904

The article points out that “Churches like One Life Christian Church are working with Christian Associates International to develop high-impact churches and church leaders throughout Europe–an area with rich spiritual heritage but growing numbers of unchurched, unbelieving people.” In posting this article, CCT promotes both One Life Christian Church and Christian Associates International.

In the past we could assume that both the church and organization held to the Biblical view on baptism because they are being promoted by a prominent Brotherhood organization. However, because there is a shift on baptism we can no longer be sure of that. Thus, let’s look and see. Here is what we learn about the church and Christian Associates International by following the hyperlinks in the article.

First, Christian Associates International.

Their doctrinal beliefs can be found on a page entitled “Faith.” http://www.christianassociates.org/?p=27

Under “God’s Plan to Save Man” they say this, “God regenerates those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord, declares them righteous, forgives them of their sins, adopts them as His children, baptizes them with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their future resurrection and inheritance with Christ, incorporates them into His Body and empowers them for His service.” We can applaud their inclusion of repentance and confession but notice that baptism is missing and thus not deemed necessary for forgiveness.

Under “The Church” they say this, “The Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We respect the variations of practice of these ordinances and affirm the unity of Christ’s Body.”

What can we conclude? Christian Associates International does not believe that baptism is a condition of salvation nor do they believe that either the mode of or candidate for baptism is important enough to take a position on. The promotion of such an organization would be evidence of a shift on baptism. CCT does that.

Second, One Life Christian Church.

Their doctrinal beliefs can be found on a page entitled “What We Believe.” http://www.christianassociates.org/?p=27

Under “In Salvation by Faith Alone” they write this, “We believe that men and women can be saved from the consequences of sin, which is eternal death; by the grace of God through his or her faith in Jesus Christ, and in their repentance of sin. We are justified through Christ’s death on the cross, His burial, and resurrection.” Although we cannot conclude that they don’t hold the Biblical position on baptism, they fail to mention it under salvation and use a code word “Faith Alone” which is often used to exclude baptism. For a Christian church/church of Christ to fail to mention baptism when the plan of salvation is discussed is a shift on baptism. CCT promotes such a church.

Under “In Baptism” they write this, “We believe in Baptism by immersion. One models his or her faith in Christ by being baptized. Immersion is a picture of death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as well as a picture of the new birth that one has experienced. We believe baptism serves as a demonstration of our living faith in Christ.” Baptism is described as “a picture of the new birth that one has experienced.” In other words, one experiences new birth prior to baptism and then what has already happened is pictured in baptism. Thus, baptism is not a condition of forgiveness or the new birth but a picture of the fact that those have already taken place. This is not the Biblical position that has been held by our Brotherhood. It is a shift on the doctrine of baptism. I think the working together of a Christian church/church of Christ with a organization that does not take the Biblical view of the purpose, candidate, and mode of baptism is a shift but since the church has made a shift that would not be surprising.

However, the biggest evidence of the shift is that the church and organization are promoted by an influential Brotherhood organization. In a sense, CCT is saying that these issues no longer matter so we can promote those entities that do not hold to the Biblical doctrine. That is not only a shift but is a form of advocating a Brotherhood wide shift.

I find it interesting that note that One Life Christian Church is a daughter church of Adventure Christian Church a church a noted for making a “Good Faith Effort on Baptism.” One Life was planted by Stadia, one of the sponsors of CCT, in 2002.

I do not doubt the dedication or sincerity of anyone I have mentioned. It just needs to be said that there is a shift on baptism and here is evidence of it.