I’d like to seek some pastoral wisdom regarding a friend’s fiancé. He is hesitant about baptism because he feels some baptism vows sound overly works-based and focused on human promises rather than faith in Christ alone. He strongly emphasises salvation by grace and is uncomfortable with heavy vow-oriented language.
Would you see this mainly as a doctrinal difference about baptism practices, or could it indicate deeper concerns about repentance, accountability, or submission to Christ and the church? My friend does not currently see this as a dealbreaker, but I encouraged her to seek discernment before marriage.
Joey says
Dear Braveheart,
Without knowing your friend’s fiancé personally, I hesitate to say that there are deeper concerns. Just based off what you have described, it seems like an issue of theological misunderstanding. The relationship between faith and works is commonly misunderstood. It is true that we are saved by faith in Christ. However, James 2:14-26 tells us that true faith leads to works. We don’t work to earn God’s love: God loves us, therefore we work. Works has no salvific power, but it is important to the Christian life; it is how we express our love for God and neighbour, and the means through which we grow in Christlikeness.
While this is not indicative of a character flaw, theological misunderstandings have repercussions on how we live as Christians, and on our soul. In the case of your friend’s fiancée, such theological misunderstandings can undermine his trust in the Church’s teachings and practices, and affect his ability to be on the same page (i.e. united) with the Church. Over time, unresolved theological misunderstandings can fester and lead to greater problems in one’s faith. Therefore, it is important that your friend’s fiancé resolves this. Encourage him to familiarise himself with what the Bible says about Christian living rather than building his theology around a handful of Bible passages focused on faith and salvation. Some useful verses to consider are John 14:12, Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 2:8-10 (especially verse 10). Encourage him to share his concerns about the baptismal vows with a pastor (from the church they are attending) who can help to clarify his doubts, and grow deeper in his theological understanding.
