Frank Mario Masters (1870-1959) was president of the West Kentucky Baptist Bible Institute from 1950-1959. He previously served as president of Oklahoma Baptist University and Bethel Baptist College. He authored “A History of Baptists in Kentucky” in 1953. At his death the WKBBI newspaper wrote, “Only eternity will reveal the power and influence of the life of Dr. F. M. Masters over the students who sat in his classes.”
The Dividing Line Between The People Called Baptists
And Those Called Church of Christ On Bible Doctrine
By F. M. Masters, Teacher
Baptist Bible Institute, Clinton, Kentucky
The Dividing LineThe purpose of the author is preparing this tract is to kindly show the Dividing Line that exists between the people called Baptist and the group designated Church of Christ in their interpretation and application of many passages of scripture. There is a dividing line between them on the gospel condition of salvation; on the design and purpose of baptism; and the relation of good works to salvation; on the origin and purpose of the church Jesus built.
To draw the dividing line more definitely between the system of teaching of the Church of Christ and the faith and practice of the Baptists, it will be necessary to consider, Repentance and Faith; Baptism; Good Works and the Church Jesus built
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REPENTANCE AND FAITHRepentance and Faith are inseparable graces wrought in the soul of the sinner by the preaching of the gospel and by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit; and are essential to the salvation of every lost sinner. All who do not repent “shall perish”, and he that believeth not is “condemned already.” (Luke 13:3, 5; John 3:18). Paul at Ephesus preached to both Jews and Gentiles, “Repentance toward (eis) God and faith toward (eis) our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Repentance is toward God, whose law has been transgressed; and faith toward the Lord Jesus, “who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25, 26 ASV - American Standard Version. “Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God saying. . . . repent ye and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14, 15).
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But the leaders of Church of Christ contend that genuine faith must precede real repentance. “If it were possible to repent before believing, it would be a sin and displeasing to God to do so. Faith that saves include both repentance and faith. (Moody-Harding Debate, p. 98.)1. Repentance will first be considered. In the Greek New Testament are two words translated to repent - repentance. The first word is meta-mellomai, meaning regret as shown in the repentance of Judas, who was filled with regret and remorse resulting in his despair (Matthew 27:3-5). The second Greek word translated repentance is meta-noia, which means a change of mind toward God concerning sin; and is the word always used in calling men [and women] to repentance. This “change of mind is limited to those who have come to abhor their error and misdeeds, and have determined upon a better course in life, which embraces the recognition of sin and sorrow for it” (Thayer's Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament).
Apart from Bible repentance, there is no forgiveness of sins, whether the sin was committed against an individual or against God. Jesus said to his disciples, “If they brother trespass, rebuke him; and if he repeat forgive him” (Luke 17:3, 4) Peter said to sinning Simon, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22, 23 ASV). He also said to the wicked Jews, “Repent ye therefore and turn again (why?) that your sins may beblotted out” (Acts 3:19 ASV).
Repentance and remissions of sins are joined together. Peter said to the Jewish Court that God had exalted Jesus, “in order to give repentance
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And remissions of sins to all Israel” (Acts 5:3, Williams). It was the purpose of Jesus after his resurrection, “That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations” (Luke 24:47 ASV) (Acts 17:30).2. Faith. The repenting sinner by faith in the Lord Jesus is justified – made righteous – and thus saved. Paul said, “And by him (Jesus) everyone that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39 ASV). Paul also said, “For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to everyone that believeth” (Romans 10:1-4).
Abraham is the model scriptural example of being justified – made righteous – by faith. “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it unto him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Paul said, “What saith the Scriptures? Abraham believed believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (Romans 4:1-3; Galatians 3:6) James said “The scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called Friend of God the Friend of God” (James 2:21-24; Genesis 15:6; 22:1-18). Jesus said “Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56). As Abraham was saved, so all are saved (Romans 4:22-24; Galatians 3:6-9, 14).
The Gospel of John, written fifty years after Pentecost, reveals Christ the Son of God as Saviour of every penitent sinner, who believed in Him. This Gospel was written, ‘That ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life in his name” (John 20:31 ASV). The term eternal life is peculiar to John’s Gospel and means complete salvation. The word “repent” does not appear
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but is implied. As no impenitent sinner can or will believe in Christ as Saviour (Matthew 21:32).Observe these words of Jesus, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life (John 3:14, 15 ASV). Weymouth thus renders the passage: “Just as Moses lifted high the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up, in order that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life.” Numbers 21:7-9 tells how Moses lifted up the brazen serpent so that those bitten by the fiery serpents might look on it, and be physically saved from the poison. Jesus used this Old Testament narrative to show the necessity of His being lifted upon the Cross, to die for the sins of a lost world “so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life” (Williams). Weymouth thus renders John 3:16: “For so greatly did God love the world that he gave his only Son, that everyone who trusts in Him may not perish, but may have eternal life.” But “they” say that John 3:16 does not, cannot and must not mean what it says.
Jesus also taught that “eternal life” is a present possession. He said, “verily, verily I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death into life” (John 5:24). Williams thus renders the verse, “I most solemnly say to you whoever listens to me and believes Him who sent me possesses eternal life and will never come under condemnation but has already passed out of death unto life.” Read John 3:36; 6:47; 10:27-29; 17:3; I John 5:13 showing that eternal life is a present possession. Paul taught that eternal
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life (salvation) is a gift to be received, and not to be earned by works. He says “But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 ASV).II
BAPTISM AND SALVATION