Some people add to the Gospel various sorts of works. Preeminently, these have to do with baptism and union with a particular church.

Both ideas are fallacious.

First, let it be clear that Paul was saved, and filled with the Holy Spirit before he was baptized (Acts 9:17,18) or joined the church. Try to get them to admit that! Moreover, he was designated a “brother” before baptism or church membership (See also Acts 9:26). Try to get any of them to call you “brother” if you aren’t a member of their group! I have, and failed.

Moreover, some of the groups who advocate ceremonies and works also speak of the Gospel as including Faith, Repentance, Baptism (by immersion, by their church) and union with their congregation.

This is also fallacious.

How do we know? The answer—I Corinthians 1:17: “Christ didn’t send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel.” Plainly, baptism is designated as something other than a part of the Gospel.

These people call themselves a “restoration” group that claims to have restored the Gospel that had been lost for centuries. What nonsense in the light of Mt 16:19. If they are correct the Devil has prevailed against the church for most of its history!

Don’t be taken in by such teaching. It was the figment of men’s imagination inserted into Scripture during the 1800s!

Believe it—or not? NOT!