Page 77 - SoulWinning Crash Course

LESSON 4

REFUTING CAMPBELLISM

("CHURCH OF CHRIST")

Campbellites are named after their founder Alexander Campbell who started
(in the early 1800s) a church which they now call the "Church of Christ."
They believe in what is referred to in theological terminology as 'baptismal
regeneration' -the idea that you are saved (i.e. born again, regenerated by the
Holy Spirit) when (and ONLY when) you are baptized in water.

Some Campbellites are saved, because they weren't taught baptismal
regeneration until after they made a confession of faith. For the rest of them,
baptismal regeneration must be refuted or else their trust will be in the
wrong place. Ask them what they believed when they confessed the Lord
Jesus.

WATER-BAPTISMS

Campbellites oversimplify doctrine concerning water-baptism. Water-
baptism has had multiple purposes. It's impossible to understand the subject
of baptisms without a thorough knowledge of the book of Acts. In fact,
shortly before you read this Lesson, read Acts through at least once, paying
close attention to all mentions of "baptism" and the Holy Spirit and the
numbers of the chapters they appear in.

REVIEW

Here is a chronological review of water-baptism as it was variously used
throughout the New Testament:

* John the Baptist's father prophesied that John would "go before the face
of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his

people by the remission of their sins" (Luke 1:76-77). John the Baptist
baptized Jews (Matthew 3:5,9) "unto repentance" (Matthew 3:11) to make