While my situational example is hypothetical, much of the situation portion of the question is from a real example. So it really isn’t so false.

In discussing with a brother the differences between the church that I attend and the other groups, the question came up “what is the difference, as long as we’re baptized believers.” Generally, my response to that is: It isn’t for me to judge whether or not some group of Christians is right or wrong, unless I am attending that group on a regular basis. However, the issue of baptism isn’t alone an issue that can define a group that is following a Biblical example. There are, in fact, churches that baptize, yet have little focus on Bible morals (a local church in the city where I live openly advertises that they accept same sex couples). One of my neighbors attends a church that baptizes those that want to be baptized. Some in the group are baptized and others aren’t. The group teaches on morals, but the church leaders do not have a practice of demanding those living openly immoral lives to repent. Another giant Southland church leader preaches that the public services should be “non-threatening” which translated means watered down and believes that the local church should be the home for “support groups for depression, eating disorders, infertility, family and friends of homosexuals, post abortion, and separated men and women” (by Dennis Costella, FOUNDATION Magazine, March-April 1998). That same church leader suggests that doctrine should not be taught on the Lord’s Day (which leads me to believe that he may not agree with your correct definition of doctrine).

You, rightly said: “When people reject the conscience that God gave them in pursuit of their own lusts, it's not a mere "difference of opinion."” I agree 100%. And that brings me to what my answer is to the question I raised. It appears that you and Charles agree, this is an issue where it would appear that baptizing this person would be the wrong thing to do. We should attempt to keep lines of communication open and we even may be forced to prove, based on Bible teaching, that the other group that they are talking with is Biblically wrong.

I believe that this situational question raises an issue that touches on a great potential for growth in churches that love and respect Biblical teaching. Too many churches today are watering down Bible teaching to attract new people. While that appears to work if you have thousands of members, it also leaves too many that want to serve God, underserved. It seems that we should desire to open up lines of communication with Christians that love Bible teaching and want to follow it rather than to follow the same path that many mega-churches follow. The Bible is the only “purpose driven” book that we need.