Malcolm Smith is an Anglican Bishop, and true to Anglican doctrine misprepresents baptism and the gospel.
Although he calls it an "announcement" of what we have in Christ (not bad), he goes on to say that in baptism the Holy Spirit "connects" us to our salvation, and calls it a Sacrament (that's code for an effectual ritual).
To clarify what he means, you can look at any Anglican statement of faith.
Here's an example:
Is baptism necessary?
Yes, because Jesus commanded it. Also ordinarily baptism is part of the way in which God works to redeem his people....
Does baptism do anything?
In Anglican teaching the two sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper) ARE MORE THAN JUST SIGNS OR SYMBOLS [my emphasis - TR]. Rather they are sure witnesses and effectual signs of God's grace and good will towards us. Through them he works invisibly within us, both BRINGING TO LIFE [my emphasis - TR] and also strengthening and confirming our faith in him. (Article 25).
This is legalism, false teaching and "another gospel".
By that I'm not implying that Malcolm is not a born-again brother, but he sure wasn't born again by his baptism, whether he thinks so or not.
Good News!! "Into the Dance of God...become the adopted child(ren) of God that Jesus made (us)..." Thank you for the gift, Malcolm! I, too, "abondon myself in wreckless trust to such a God as this; this is the gospel- I am one with Him!" Well said, indeed!
I am fond of saying "It is good news ... not BAD OLD!" Meaning we've heard all our lives "be good OR ELSE." That's not good news -- "be good OR ELSE." It is neither news (we've heard it all our lives every generation since Adam & Eve) nor is it "good" (it has no power to really change anyone, obviously, or it would have worked by now, ya THINK???)
The gospel, by contrast, is GOOD NEWS. It is NEW and it is GOOD. Totally fresh!! So fresh it makes tomorrow look like yesterday!! It is not, "repent and change your ways and start living a right life from here on out and you will be accepted and forgiven by God." NO! It is not even, "You are accepted and forgiven by God, so you'd better mend your ways or you will come back under His wrath." WRONG!! It is that His wrath is fully satisfied and done, period. It is that you are accepted and forgiven, PERIOD. That is eternal, fixed, established permanently by Christ and NOTHING you can do will remove it, EVER. Now it is your choice whether you want to do anything with that or not, whether you want to come out of your living tomb, have your eyes and ears open, get your heart healed, all your wrongs forgiven, and enter into an abundant life beyond your wildest dreams -- or not. But even if you choose not, it is still there for you at any time, and will be until the day you die.
His comments were excellent. I was checking him out and found that he belonged to the episcopalian church at one time. Are you familiar with this man? Would you recommend his teaching series at his Unconditional Love, Int'l website? I'm asking because I was unable to dig up any real information on him and what he beliefs from the web or even his own website.
David - I know Malcolm and he is an outstanding teacher of grace. He has been teaching grace for 50 years and is somebody for whom I have always had great respect. I would recommend his teachings without reservation.
Thank you Steve! I just didn't want to buy something where he would be shouting grace one moment and then shortly later teach that you can walk away from grace throwing your salvation away. I have books like that. My heart is stirred 3/4 of the way through the book and then comes the bucket of cold water of forfeiting salvation.
I haven't heard Malcom Smith in ages! I've been a believer for over 30 years and it is the first time I heard that wonderful Scottish voice. I still have some tapes some good friends of mine gave me back in the late 80s-early 90s. I think they were seeds that made me receptive to the whole grace move I find myself following. Thanks for the post and I hope there is more of his recordings somewhere available.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteMalcolm Smith is an Anglican Bishop, and true to Anglican doctrine misprepresents baptism and the gospel.
Although he calls it an "announcement" of what we have in Christ (not bad), he goes on to say that in baptism the Holy Spirit "connects" us to our salvation, and calls it a Sacrament (that's code for an effectual ritual).
To clarify what he means, you can look at any Anglican statement of faith.
Here's an example:
Is baptism necessary?
Yes, because Jesus commanded it. Also ordinarily baptism is part of the way in which God works to redeem his people....
Does baptism do anything?
In Anglican teaching the two sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper) ARE MORE THAN JUST SIGNS OR SYMBOLS [my emphasis - TR]. Rather they are sure witnesses and effectual signs of God's grace and good will towards us. Through them he works invisibly within us, both BRINGING TO LIFE [my emphasis - TR] and also strengthening and confirming our faith in him. (Article 25).
This is legalism, false teaching and "another gospel".
By that I'm not implying that Malcolm is not a born-again brother, but he sure wasn't born again by his baptism, whether he thinks so or not.
Great words of truth AND encouragement and appropriate to hear Malcolm on his birthday.
ReplyDeleteGood News!!
ReplyDelete"Into the Dance of God...become the adopted child(ren) of God that Jesus made (us)..."
Thank you for the gift, Malcolm!
I, too, "abondon myself in wreckless trust to such a God as this; this is the gospel- I am one with Him!"
Well said, indeed!
Yes, this is great!!
ReplyDeleteI often say to friends of mine that it is Good News - not a 'good possibility'!
I am fond of saying "It is good news ... not BAD OLD!" Meaning we've heard all our lives "be good OR ELSE." That's not good news -- "be good OR ELSE." It is neither news (we've heard it all our lives every generation since Adam & Eve) nor is it "good" (it has no power to really change anyone, obviously, or it would have worked by now, ya THINK???)
ReplyDeleteThe gospel, by contrast, is GOOD NEWS. It is NEW and it is GOOD. Totally fresh!! So fresh it makes tomorrow look like yesterday!! It is not, "repent and change your ways and start living a right life from here on out and you will be accepted and forgiven by God." NO! It is not even, "You are accepted and forgiven by God, so you'd better mend your ways or you will come back under His wrath." WRONG!! It is that His wrath is fully satisfied and done, period. It is that you are accepted and forgiven, PERIOD. That is eternal, fixed, established permanently by Christ and NOTHING you can do will remove it, EVER. Now it is your choice whether you want to do anything with that or not, whether you want to come out of your living tomb, have your eyes and ears open, get your heart healed, all your wrongs forgiven, and enter into an abundant life beyond your wildest dreams -- or not. But even if you choose not, it is still there for you at any time, and will be until the day you die.
@EdenFire - Well said.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteHis comments were excellent. I was checking him out and found that he belonged to the episcopalian church at one time. Are you familiar with this man? Would you recommend his teaching series at his Unconditional Love, Int'l website? I'm asking because I was unable to dig up any real information on him and what he beliefs from the web or even his own website.
Thanks!
Dave
David - I know Malcolm and he is an outstanding teacher of grace. He has been teaching grace for 50 years and is somebody for whom I have always had great respect. I would recommend his teachings without reservation.
ReplyDeleteThank you Steve! I just didn't want to buy something where he would be shouting grace one moment and then shortly later teach that you can walk away from grace throwing your salvation away. I have books like that. My heart is stirred 3/4 of the way through the book and then comes the bucket of cold water of forfeiting salvation.
ReplyDeleteI will order a CD from him, thank you!
Dave
Dave - you wont' be disappointed :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I know you are trustworthy as your books have not disappointed me once like other authors have done. I can never get enough of grace!
ReplyDeleteDave
I haven't heard Malcom Smith in ages! I've been a believer for over 30 years and it is the first time I heard that wonderful Scottish voice. I still have some tapes some good friends of mine gave me back in the late 80s-early 90s. I think they were seeds that made me receptive to the whole grace move I find myself following. Thanks for the post and I hope there is more of his recordings somewhere available.
ReplyDelete