Good Morning,
I came across a quote by Charles Haddon Spurgeon and I really liked it.
“Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite.”
I thought it was a really good thought. I posted it on my FB page and Ashley asked me who’s quote it was, so that got my wheels turning. I have a question about his alleged beliefs.
I was reading in Wikipedia about him, and it said that he opposed baptismal regeneration. I am not quite sure that I correctly understand the meaning of baptismal regeneration. I think it means that you can only be ‘saved’ if you are physically baptized in water.
==========
“Baptismal generation” is a Christian phrase referring to the truth concerning the new birth. We are “generated” or born of God when we are baptized — with the holy ghost. Where most Christians go wrong is to attach the wrong baptism to those verses in the New Testament that speak of this (e.g., Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27). They teach that water baptism makes a person born again. If Spurgeon had enough of the Spirit to recognize that error, I am glad to hear it.
==========
It also stated that he taught across denominational lines. What exactly does this mean? Did he teach his views to others no matter what their religious preference was?
==========
It probably means that he was open to visit and preach in any Christian church.
==========
And lastly, is there any documentation that indicates he had the holy ghost? What I have read has not indicated whether he actually did or not.
Brittany Mellick
==========
I assume that he did. But with biographies of men and women like Spurgeon, from centuries past, you cannot trust what you read, concerning the holy ghost baptism. If at all possible, no mention of that will be made, or it will be downplayed greatly. For example, in one biography of the blind song writer of the 19th century, Fanny Crosby, it was obvious, from the biographer’s description of her experience, that she received the holy ghost baptism at a young age and that the experience was a watershed experience in her life. At the same time, it was equally obvious that the biographer was uncomfortable with that experience and that he was trying hard NOT to tell about it.
You cannot trust Christian historians and biographers if they are committed to their sect’s beliefs and traditions. Such people equate serving God with serving their sect’s interest, and in such cases, “truth” becomes whatever serves their purpose.
Pastor John