A few words on baptism

ByHal Hammons

I could go on and on indefinitely regarding my brother in Christ and fellow Bible student Jesse Winn — particularly regarding some of the specific issues he raised recently regarding the things he has come to “believe” about faith in Jesus.  If anyone would like to discuss a particular point of interest with which I have not fully dealt, I will be more than happy to do so in a different forum.  I believe I have made my general points I have made about differences of doctrine within the body of Christ and how to deal with them.  I will limit my specific points regarding such differences to one specific: baptism.

A few words about erring brethren

ByHal Hammons

One of the oddest parts of my brief exchange with Bro. Jesse Winn, to which I have made considerable reference over the last few weeks, was something he said about me personally.  In my experience, “about me personally” is a prepositional phrase that is hardly ever a good thing in the context of brethren debating doctrinal differences.  But this was an exception.

Drama at Mark 16:16 Airlines

ByHal Hammons

The scene is the lobby of Mark 16:16 Airlines.  A worker stands behind the counter, smiling, waiting to assist someone.  A man approaches.

Worker: Good morning!  Welcome to Mark 16:16 Airlines.  How can I be of assistance?

Customer: Yes, hello.  I would like a ticket, please.

Worker: I would be glad to assist you.  Would you like a ticket to heaven or to hell?  We are proud to offer both.

Receiving Jesus

ByHal Hammons

I was called on the carpet recently for using the term “receiving Jesus” — a term frequently used by those in the denominations to refer to finding grace, particularly in the absence of baptism or any other concrete act of obedience.  I then caught myself saying it twice in the very next sermon I preached, so I suppose the observation is valid.

The Rules for Mercy

ByHal Hammons

Those who follow women’s professional golf (and there’s bound to be one of you out there somewhere) are no doubt already acquainted with events regarding Lexi Thompson earlier this month.  She was two strokes up on the 12th hole of the final round at the ANA Inspiration tournament, which is a “major” for the ladies.  A rules official approached her and said she had incorrectly replaced her ball on the 17th hole the day before.  She placed her marker.  She picked up the ball.  She placed it about an inch away from its previous location.  That’s a two stroke penalty.  And it meant she signed an incorrect scorecard.  That’s another two strokes.  Suddenly she was two strokes behind, not two ahead.