• Baptism is included in works by some Christian denominations, including the church in which I've placed my membership. These denominations go on to say that baptism, therefore, isn't required for salvation. Now I'll agree that in many places the Bible states that by faith alone you'll be saved. These are black-letter statements. In the red letters the Bible says to believe AND be baptised and you'll be saved. The Romans didn't have their law written, because everyone knew it. I can't help but wonder if the New Testament writers thought that baptism went without saying. Whether or not you believe that Baptism is a requirement for salvation, refusal to do so is rebellion against God. If someone asks me, I gotta go with what Jesus, Himself, says. God is a just God, and he can make exceptions as He sees fit. I don't want to risk teaching wrong doctrine in the area of salvation. I'm a Christian, not necessarily a Southern Baptist.
• After reading all the references on divorce in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, I can't see how any preacher, with a clear conscience, can perform a wedding when either the bride or groom have been divorced and the ex-spouse still lives (widows and widowers were Biblically expected to re-marry). Divorce is granted, and approved of, in the Bible on the grounds of adultery. I don't see where it says that the marriage is annulled in God's eyes. God doesn't like divorce, but He know we're human. The Bible does state that a man who marries a divorced woman causes her to be an adulteress. I step out on a limb here when I read something into it that's not expressly written: I believe that if a woman marries a divorced man, she causes him to be an adulterer as well. What the Bible doesn't say is, "if a man marries a divorced woman, except for these reasons..." If a preacher marries such a couple, he's causing the adultery to happen as much as the bride and groom. I see it as a twist to interpret it any other way, because it's just not there.
• Several denominations claim that tongues is the sign which says you've got the Holy Spirit. Tongues is not listed as a "fruit of the Spirit." Tongues is listed as one of the gifts of the Spirit --one of, not the mandatory of, the gifts. The Bible says not to speak in tongues if you don't have an interpreter on-hand. God's intent is not to confuse His people.

I'm just glad I'm not the Judge!

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