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Apologetics Press

by | Dec 17, 2012 | Apologetics Press, Minor Groups & Issues

Founder of apologetics press:  Bert Thompson (This is not verified)
Headquarters:  Montgomery, Alabama
Membership: Not Applicable.  It is an organization with a staff.
Website: www.apologeticspress.org
Origins:  Origins in “the late 1970’s…In 1985 Apologetics Press moved to its own custom-built, 11,000 square-foot building…”

Teachings:  Baptism is necessary for salvation.  Salvation can be lost.  Obedience to the gospel is necessary to keep one’s self saved.  Denies election, predestination, and original sin.

Publications:  Monthly journal called Reason & Revelation; monthly publication called Discovery which is aimed at kids; various books and tracts; audio CD’s, and DVD’s.

Biblical Analysis:  We do not recommend this ministry.  Avoid it since it teaches baptism as a requirement for salvation, requires obedience to keep one’s self saved, and it denies original sin.

“According to the rest of the New Testament, spiritual conception occurs when the Gospel (i.e., the seed of the Holy Spirit—Luke 8:11) is implanted in the human heart and mind (James 1:18; 1 Corinthians 4:15; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Peter 1:23). The Word of God, in turn, generates penitent faith in the human heart (Romans 10:17) that leads the individual to obey the Gospel by being baptized in water (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 10:22). The resulting condition of the individual is that he or she is now a child of God, a citizen of the kingdom, and member of the church of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:4).1

However, the Scriptures say salvation is not by baptism, but by faith alone.  Roman 4:1-5 states…

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,” (Rom. 4:1-5).

Justification before God is by faith alone, not by faith and baptism.  Notice that Paul removes works from the only two options he mentions:  faith and works.  When you only have two things and one is removed, the other is alone.  Hence, justification by faith alone, which is why Paul says, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,” (Rom. 4:5).  (See Are We Justified by Faith (Romans) or by Works (James)?)

In its page “Why do You Believe ‘Obedience’ Is Necessary to Salvation,” there is an alarming statement:

“To be sure, the Gospel has law that we must obey, just like the Law of Moses; but it also has the means of ultimate atonement which the Law of Moses did not technically have (cf. Hebrews 10:4).2

And in a question submitted to them regarding salvation, they answered in part with,

“,,,that is why that same Peter impressed upon those present in Acts 10 that the reception of Holy Spirit baptism directly from God upon the Gentiles was proof positive that Gentiles had the right to become Christians just as much as the Jews. Once their eligibility for conversion was demonstrated by that miraculous act direct from God, Peter then pressed for their obedience…3

So, let’s understand their position. First, the gospel has law that must be obeyed just like the law of Moses. This is a complete misunderstanding of what Biblical grace is. It is a “gift” from God (Eph. 2: 8-9). It is not “law,” and should not under any circumstances be compared to “obeying” the law of Moses. The rite of Baptism is done “to” disciples (Matt. 28:19), not to “make them” disciples.

Secondly, they say Gentiles received the “Gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 10:45, which means He was in and upon them), yet they only had the “right to become Christians,” and were only “eligible for conversion,” because they had not yet been baptized in water. Yet in the same context of the Book of Acts, Peter declared that these Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit “just as” they (the Apostles) had. By the way, there is no indication in the Book of Acts that the Apostles were water baptized after they had received the “gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts chapter 2, so were they then only “eligible” to become Christians?

God the Holy Spirit is sovereign. He regenerates men, and distributes gifts according to His own will (1 Cor. 12:14), and in perfect harmony with God the Father and God the Son. He does not distribute His gifts to unbelieving, unregenerate people. The reason Peter called for baptism in water was because he recognized they were now believers, “just as” they were.

So, this is works righteousness and we must designate this organization as outside Christian orthodoxy.

I called the organization on 12/17/2012 and spoke with Eric Lyons.  In that interview, are some notes I made.  The outline is not necessarily in the order of the audio.  It was written while I was talking to him.

  1. What group are you?
    • No denominational affiliation, but mentioned they are Church of Christ
  2. Is baptism necessary for salvation?
    • Yes, it is necessary, cannot be saved without baptism.
  3. Can you lose your salvation?
    • Yes.
  4. If you lose your salvation what must you do to keep it
    • Must continue to walk in the light
    • Be faithful to the Lord
    • Be loving, be forgiving
    • If we don’t forgive others, we won’t be forgiven
  5. Is Jesus a man right now?
    • He came in the form of a man, ascended, no…he is not a man with flesh and blood (Eric Lyons).
  6. Trinity
    • Affirms the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity
  7. Predestination, election
    • Elect is the church of the Lord, and not individuals elected before they are ever born
  8. What is obedience to the Gospel system?
    • The good news of Jesus Christ
    • Strive to be obedient

Conclusion

Because they are affiliated with the Church of Christ and requires baptism for salvation, CARM cannot recommend them.

References

References
1 https://apologeticspress.org/baptism-and-the-new-birth-1516/
2 https://apologeticspress.org/why-do-you-believe-obedience-is-necessary-to-salvation/
3 https://apologeticspress.org/query-from-a-reader-1696/

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