Al Maxey--Turncoat

by Robert Waters

Al Maxey, in a recent "Reflections" article, once again viciously attacked his own brethren. Hence the title "Turncoat.

In previous articles, Al blatantly and deliberately misrepresented the beliefs and teachings of members of the church of Christ regarding the subject of baptism, but this time he has outdone himself. In his article, "Peter's Problem Preposition Reflecting on ’EIS‘ in Acts 2:38," Al used the old straw man tactic in a very deceptive way. He wrote,

On the web site of the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, Matt Slick, in an article titled "Baptism and Acts 2:38" observed, "Acts 2:38 is one of the more controversial verses in the Bible regarding baptism and whether or not it is the requirement for salvation." Notice that he didn't say "a requirement," but "the requirement."

Anyone reading the above would immediately conclude that Al has presented an example of a preacher who believes that baptism is THE requirement for salvation. (Of course, it is left for the reader to merely assume Mr. Slick is a member of the Church of Christ--the body that Al relentlessly attacks.) But I researched Mr. Slick and read some of his articles to get the information needed to catch Al in his deceptive efforts.

First, Matt was not teaching that baptism is THE requirement for salvation. Second, Matt teaches the same thing Al teaches on what one must do to be saved. Third, Matt makes no claim of membership to the Church of Christ or any denomination.

So, we have to ask, why did Al use this quote in his article? Isn't it apparent by now? Al concluded the paragraph (quoted above) by saying, "Notice that he didn't say 'a requirement,' but 'the requirement.'" The word "the," as used in this context, would be defined as: uniqueness, exclusive--showing particular importance in respect to other criterion. Mr. Slick in no way represented baptism in this light and Al knows it. He inserted the quotation into his article to make it appear that Mr. Slick was of some group that actually believes that baptism is THE requirement for salvation when that is simply not the case.

I know of no one in the world that teaches that baptism is THE requirement for salvation. Al doesn't know of anyone either, so he contrived one. This is just the latest of Al's tireless and persistent efforts to do harm to the Lord's church that teaches the plan of salvation: 1) Believe in Christ (John 8:24); 2) repent of your sins (Luke 13:3, 5); 3) confess your faith in Christ (Romans 10:10; Acts 8:37); and 4) be baptized (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16).

Here is what Mr. Slick believes, as quoted from his web site, and it is exactly what Al teaches:

Likewise, baptism is also a ceremony where one person performs a religious rite on another person. But, we are saved by faith alone and anything else we do, including ceremonies, will not help.

Having deceptively and dishonestly erected his straw man, Al then proceeded to attempt to expose the errant teaching of his ignorant, misguided brethren.

Al wrote:

Down through the ages, many within Christendom have conferred upon water baptism the mantle of Sacrament, proclaiming thereby that it is the act through which God bestows forgiveness, justification, divine acceptance and eternal salvation.

I wrote Al expressing my concerns regarding his use of Mr. Slick's statement, but he did not reply. My challenge to Al Maxey to engage in a written discussion of what the Bible teaches regarding the point at which one becomes a Christian remains open. But Al will never take me up on this challenge--it is not his style. The deceptive methods Al uses to promote his agenda are becoming apparent to more and more. For that we can be grateful.