False Security
It is not too uncommon to hear of a person who has received denominational baptism being received into the Lord's church at a given place. Usually those who are accepted believe that they were baptized for the remission of sins; therefore being satisfied with their former baptism.
There are several things that we should consider when such people present themselves for membership in the Lord's church. The person who received denominational baptism, claiming to have been baptized for the remission of sins usually does not understand the purpose for baptism. It is true that baptism is for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38. But is this all that baptism does? Paul wrote, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Gal. 3:27. One does not enter into Christ through love, prayer, nor repentance. Paul said it was through baptism. Paul again said, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...". 1 Cor. 12:13. A sinner is baptized, (1) for the remission of sins, (2) to put on Christ, and (3) to enter the body of Christ. In order for baptism to be valid all of these purposes must be evident.
Our friends of the Baptist faith believe a person is saved when he becomes a believer, at the point of faith. He is later baptized to enter the Baptist Church. He would have "False Security" on both counts. First, there is no authority in the New Testament for salvation at the point of faith, nor for the Baptist Church. If a person receives Baptist baptism "for the remission of sins" and to enter the Baptist Church it is void since God does not endorse the doctrine of the Baptist Church. To say that God does would place Baptist doctrine on a par with that of Jesus Christ.
Our friends of the Christian Church practice baptism "for the remission of sins"; but it is also in order to enter the Christian church. The Christian Church is not the Lord's church. To say that such baptism is valid would mean that there are saved people in the Christian Church. If such should be true, then it conflicts with what Paul said, "there is one body". Eph. 4: 4.
There is something wrong with the thinking of brethren, more over with preachers, who will lead a sectarian to believe that his baptism is pleasing to God. He does just this when he is accepted. He leads him to have "False Security". There is also false teaching done in leading the congregation (membership) to believe that denominational baptism is pleasing to God and is authorized by the word of God. We must give account of such.
The only time a person can be scripturally baptized is after he has been duly taught the word of God, he believes that word, he repents of his sins, and submits himself for baptism in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. He is taught that baptism is for the remission of sins, to put on Christ and to enter the body of Christ.
Any religious group which differs from what God authorizes, even though it practices a part of truth is still in error. There is no salvation offered separate and apart from the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is God's power to save. Rom.1:16. Why lead a person to have "False Security"? Teach him the gospel of Christ and urge him to obey it. Paul said, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." I Tim. 4:16. John declared, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." 2 John 9.
God's word presents the only way that leads man from sin to righteousness. Man's way has no place with God. Accept God and be sure.