Introduction:

A person is born of Water and Spirit, getting cleaned and becomes holy through Baptism of the Catholic Church. Through this baptism, one becomes the member of the Church. So the Catholic Church gives baptism to the people even from their childhood. But some Christian sects like Pentecostals speak ill of catholic baptism and confuse with their misconception and wrong views. This is a humble endeavor through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the truth regarding Baptism. Let us clarify from the wrong views of Pentecostals. May the Holy Spirit guide us in the true path.

Views of Pentecostals:

Our Pentecostal friends say that baptism in the Catholic Church is not in accordance with the bible. They say:

I) The Holy Spirit will descend upon a person only when one gets immersed baptism. The person who gets baptism should be completely immersed into the water.

II) The baptism Jesus received from John the Baptist is an immersed baptism. So we also should get that type of baptism.

III) In Catholic baptism the water is used only to wash the head of the person baptized. So we cannot receive the Holy Spirit through the baptism of the Catholic Church and so it is invalid.

IV) ‘Being born of water’ means immersed baptism. A person could not enter into the kingdom of God unless he is being born of water and Spirit. So without immersed baptism one can not enter into heaven.
V) Gift of Tongues is a sign of reception of the Holy Spirit. As there is no sign of Gift of Tongue, Holy Spirit does not descend in Catholic baptism.

VI) Jesus got baptism at the age of 30 after he attained adulthood. So we should receive baptism only after we become adults.

VII) John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. So infants could not receive baptism, as they are incapable of repentance. And also Mark 16:16 says, “The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” So, an infant cannot believe and so the child that gets baptized cannot be saved. Thus baptism given to infants in the Catholic Church is invalid baptism.

VIII)The person who got the immersed baptism becomes “redeemed” and the heaven is guaranteed for him beyond any doubt.

The answer to Pentecostals:

Pentecostals view No I:

The Holy Spirit will descend upon a person only when one gets immersed baptism. The person who gets baptism should be completely immersed into the water.

The answer:

John the Baptist started the baptism in the river Jordan. It is said to be immersed baptism by the Pentecostals. But through out the bible, nowhere it is found that the person who received baptism got immersed into the water. Even if we accept that the baptism of John the Baptist is the baptism of immersion, except Jesus, nobody received the Holy Spirit through this baptism.

Let us read Acts 19:1-6. Paul asks Ephesians, “”Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” So through the so-called immersed baptism of John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit did not descend upon them. The Holy Spirit came upon them only after a long time when they were baptized in the name of Lord Jesus when Paul laid his hands on them.

The incidents of Acts 8:36-39 is claimed by Pentecostals that the baptism given by Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch is baptism of immersion. Even when Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in the way of so-called immersed baptism, the Holy Spirit did not descend upon the eunuch. Let us read the verses: “As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.” Here we see the Holy Spirit snatched away only Philip the person who baptizes, but we do not see the Holy Spirit descending upon the person who is being baptized.

The so-called immersed baptism given by Philip in Samaria in Acts 8:12 also did not cause Holy Spirit to descend upon people being baptized. Let us read Acts 8:12 & 16: “But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” “Yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” After that, Peter and John came from Jerusalem and prayed for them for the Holy Spirit. Let us read Acts 8:14-15: “Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:17 says, “Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” So it is proved that this so-called immersed baptism did not help them to receive the Holy Spirit. So the argument of the Pentecostal people that the Holy Spirit will descend upon a person only when one gets immersed baptism is lifeless.

But we are highly surprised to see that the gentiles receive the Holy Spirit even without baptism. Let us read Acts 10:44-46: “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.” Even though they were born of the Spirit, they must be born of water also. So Peter said in Acts 10:47-48, “Can any one withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit Just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” So even without baptism in water a man can receive the Holy Spirit.

Pentecostals view No II:

The baptism Jesus received from John the Baptist is an immersed baptism. So we also should get that type of baptism.

The answer:

But however when we analyze this, there is no evidence through out the bible that Jesus got immersed baptism from John the Baptist. Jesus received baptism in the river Jordan. But it is not said whether he got immersed into the water or not. Let us look into the verses that are dealing with his baptism.

Matthew 3:16 says, “And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.”

Mark 1:9-10 says, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.”

Luke 3:21-22 says, “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.”

In these three verses nothing was said about immersed baptism. We cannot say definitely whether John the Baptist immerse the people into the water or pour the water upon their head while they are standing in the river. How ever the Holy Spirit is descending upon him only when he is coming out of the water. Thus it is not proved in the bible that Jesus got immersed baptism and so it is meaningless to say that we have to receive an immersed baptism like Jesus.

Like that even when Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:36-39 they went down into the water but it is not said that he immersed the eunuch into the water or the eunuch got immersed baptism. There was only some water where both of them might go down and stand in the water and Philip might pour water upon his head. It is not said explicitly how he was baptized with water. So how can we say that Philip gave immersed baptism? There is nothing explicitly said in the Bible that Jesus or other people in those days got immersed baptism.

However, apart from the Bible, the traditional belief among the Pentecostals is that baptism with water given by John the Baptist is immersed baptism. Beware! It is not said in the bible. It is their traditional belief! If they accept it, they have to accept the traditional message of ‘Ascension of Mother Mary’ that exists from the beginning of Christianity. Even if we accept the traditional belief that the ‘baptism with water’ given by John the Baptist to Jesus is immersed baptism we need not receive it in that type. The purpose of the baptism of John the Baptist is to reveal Jesus to the world as the Son of God. Let us read the words of John the Baptist about Jesus in John 1: 31-34, “”I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” So the purpose of the baptism of John the Baptist that Jesus received is to make Jesus known to the world and it is different from the purpose of our baptism. So we cannot and need not receive the type of baptism that Jesus received from John the Baptist as ours is to be born of water and Holy Spirit and thereby become spotless and without blemish.
It is also to be noted that if we have to follow the type of baptism of Jesus we have to take baptism in rivers only. But I witnessed that many Pentecostals received baptism in tanks, seas, and pools! However we should understand that the baptism of John the Baptist is not a Christian Baptism.

Pentecostals view No III:

In Catholic baptism the water is used only to wash the head of the person baptized. So we cannot receive the Holy Spirit through the baptism of the Catholic Church and so it is invalid.

The answer:

We have already seen that the Holy Spirit did not descend upon the persons who were baptized in the way of the so-called immersed baptism. So it is meaningless to say that immersed baptism alone is the way to receive the Holy Spirit.

Baptism cannot be constrained to the bank of river Jordan only. It is to be spread to wider areas where water might be a thing of scarcity. We know Palestine is also a dry area. Jesus introduces new type of washing that we see in John 13:8-10. Let us read the verses: “Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean.”” Jesus referred to the Spirit as the Living Water in John 7:39. By cleaning only Peter’s feet - not the whole body but a part of his body - only with ordinary water, Jesus made him entirely clean inwardly by the Living Water. Peter was not immersed into the water for this wash but only his feet are washed. This is the way Jesus cleans a person. By cleaning with water only a part of his body Jesus cleaned the whole person Peter. Now the Catholic Church baptizes the way Jesus adapted for washing, by washing a part of the body (head) with water, and thereby Holy Spirit descends upon the person and is inwardly washing them when the priest prays and anoints the person’s forehead. It is perfectly valid baptism.
After His resurrection, Jesus met his disciples and says in Acts 1:5, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This is what in Luke 3:16, John the Baptist says, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire.” Here we realize that the way of baptism of John the Baptist is to come to an end and the way of Jesus is to be in force. The Catholic Church gives baptism in the way of Jesus and the Pentecostals seek to follow John the Baptist thinking that he has given immersed baptism. But it is to be ended as he himself suggested in John 3:30 where he says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”.

Baptism in Catholic Church:

a) Born of water and Spirit:

Through baptism given in the Catholic Church, a person is washed from all the sins. The Catholic priest is washing the head of the person by ordinary water and praying though the word of God during baptism. In reality, the Holy Spirit, the living water is flowing into his heart at that time, washing his soul and body. And he is given a white cloth as the symbol that his soul is clothed with whiteness and that he is born anew for a good life in Jesus.He is born of water and Spirit. Even though ordinary water is incapable of washing the soul, being born of water is essential. Jesus says in John 3:5, “very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” While ordinary water is washing the part of the body, the living water, the Holy Spirit is really washing the entire body and soul and gives new birth. Through this baptism a person is filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit. The old man is changed into a new man for new life in Jesus. The old man is dead and through baptism the new man is born to enter the Kingdom of God. Paul says in Romans 6:3-5, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into his death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” As there are many chances to quench the Spirit we received through baptism 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not quench the Spirit.”

b) Cleaning through baptism:

Through this baptism one gets cleaned and become holy to be a member of the Church. Referring to the Church as a woman, St.Paul says in Ephesians 5:26-27, “in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind – yes, so that she may be Holy and without blemish.” So washing the Church - her member - of water by the word is essential and a must to be in splendor and holy without a spot, wrinkle or blemish. Thus to become a disciple of Jesus, getting cleaned through baptism is a must. The Original Sin and the sins of our deeds are cleansed by baptism.

c) Holy Spirit through baptism:

Holy Spirit descends upon men through baptism helps us to lead a good life. He gives us strength and power to be a true Christian. In John 7:37-39, “Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ “Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive.” This Spirit the living water that flows into the believer’s heart comes through the baptism.

d) Baptism is essential to be a true Christian:

So Jesus Christ expects from us to have baptism through which he can shower his Holy Spirit upon us. Jesus Christ commanded his disciples in Mathew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” So it is evident that the disciples of Jesus should receive baptism. Here, disciples mean the followers of Jesus Christ. Believing in Jesus and worshiping him is not enough to be a follower of Jesus. The true follower of Jesus Christ should receive baptism. Then only he is eligible to receive the Holy Sacraments of ‘Confirmation’ and ‘Eucharist’. Paul asks Ephesians in Acts 19:2-3, “”Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?”” This shows that the believers always received baptism in those days. A person becomes the member of the Holy Church only when he gets baptism and through baptism he is admitted in the Church as a Christian - the disciple of Jesus.

e) Christian– Member of Christ’s body:

God the Father has put all things under Jesus and made him head over all things for the church. The Church is the body of Jesus. Ephesians 1:22-23 says thus: “And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 5:25 says, “Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.” Since the Church is the body of Jesus, every member of the church is the member of Christ’s body. St. Paul asks us in 1 Corinthians 6:15, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?” Yes, every Christian is an organ of Christ’s body. Jesus is the head of the Church.

f) Jesus cares for the church:

Jesus nourishes and tenderly cares for the Church, as it is his own body. Jesus nourishes and cares each and every member of the Church, as the members constitute the Church. Ephesians 5:29-30 says, “For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body.” Yes, Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her and cares for it. Therefore to become the member of his own body and experience his tender care and nourishment one should become the member of the Church through baptism.

g) Baptism is God’s mercy:

Titus 3:4-8 says, “when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.”

Pentecostals view No IV:

‘Being born of water’ means immersed baptism. A person could not enter into the kingdom of God unless he is being born of water and Spirit. So without immersed baptism one can not enter into heaven.

He also says when we are immersing into water the old man is dying and is buried with Jesus. Similarly, when we are rising from water we are rising as a newborn man, as Jesus resurrected. For that he quotes Romans 6:3-5: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into his death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

The answer:

No where in the bible, we can find that ‘Being born of water’ means receiving immersed baptism. Born of water does not mean immersing into and rising from the water any way. It is a futile human fancy. We have seen that the Holy Spirit does not descend in the so-called immersed baptism. Mere immersion into and rising from water can not bring about the state of ‘being born of water’. It is not the immersion into and rising from water, but the Holy Spirit that causes the death of the old man and the birth of the new man in baptism. The Holy Spirit is responsible to have the old man to be buried with Jesus and new man to be resurrected with him in baptism. But the state of ‘being born of water’ is happened when we are washed with water in baptism. But it is not explicitly specified how the washing is to be taken place. It is only said in John 3:5, “very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” We have already seen that a person is being born of water and Spirit by the baptism given in the Catholic Church and so one can enter the kingdom of God on receiving Catholic baptism.

So thinking that it is immersion into and rising from water that causes the death of the old man and birth of the new man is a futile human fancy. So we cannot give any importance to this human view. Immersion is not required anywhere in the bible to be filled with the Holy Spirit and ‘being born of water and Spirit’.

Pentecostals view No V:

Gift of Tongues is a sign of reception of the Holy Spirit. As there is no sign of Gift of Tongue, Holy Spirit does not descend in Catholic baptism.

The answer:

Another wrong impression is that unless a person receives the Gift of Tongue after baptism he cannot be said to be a receiver of Holy Spirit. But in 1 Corinthians 12: 8-11 we see that everyone touched by the Spirit aught not get the Gift of Tongue. Different gifts are given to different persons as the Spirit chooses. Let us read the verses: “To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gift of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kind of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.” 1 Corinthians 14:4-5 says, “Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.”

Pentecostals view No VI:

Jesus got baptism at the age of 30 after he attained adulthood. So we should receive baptism only after we become adults.

The answer:

Jesus received baptism not to get purified but to be revealed to the world when his time came. The time to reveal himself came when he attained the age of 30 years. But our position is different from that of Jesus as we are sinners from birth. We have to get ourselves cleansed as early as possible. If we do not get cleansed through baptism, we live with Original Sin. Satan tricks us to keep us in sin by not getting ourselves washed in baptism earlier. Beware! We should not fall into the tricky net of Satan. So we should receive baptism as early as possible from infancy itself.

After baptism, at the outset of adulthood, we receive another holy sacrament, ‘Confirmation’, which is given by a Bishop laying his hands on and anointing the person receiving the sacrament. By this sacrament we get strengthened with the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. This is mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:14 that says, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.” This sacrament strengthens us in the Holy Spirit to proclaim our faith to the world.

Pentecostals view No VII: (Infant Baptism)

John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in Mark 1:4. So the infants could not receive baptism, as they are incapable of repentance. Also Mark 16:16 says, “The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” An infant cannot believe and so the child that gets baptized cannot be saved. So the baptism given to infants in the Catholic Church is invalid baptism.

The answer:

John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. But Jesus received baptism without repentance because He needed no repentance, as he did not commit any sin. As an infant does not commit any sin at all, it also does not need to repent for its sin. Repentance is needed for a man only for the sins he committed. Jesus, being the Son of God had no Original Sin. But, infants have the Original Sin, as their parents are sinners. Repentance is not required for the Original Sin because it is not a sin committed by the infant. Therefore infants can receive baptism without repentance, to cleanse their Original Sin. That is why the Catholic Church prescribes infant baptism. However, we are not receiving the baptism of John the Baptist but we are receiving baptism in the name of Jesus. We should understand that the baptism of John the Baptist is the Baptism of repentance. Some Catholics by postponing the baptism of their infants delay their entry into the Kingdom of God, thereby abetting Satan’s craftiness to snatch away the souls of children dying without baptism.

Now let us see about Mark 16:16 that says that the one who believes and is baptized will be saved. The child should believe in Jesus and get baptized. But the belief of the child is declared through its parents in Catholic baptism. The promise to believe Jesus and relinquish Satan that is supposed to be made by the infant is made by the parents on its behalf. It is acceptable because Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins. As we are unable to offer sacrifice, Jesus offered for us. Think of Job in Job 1:5 who offered burnt offerings for the sin of his children. Similarly, the parents of the infants promise and declare its belief in Jesus on its behalf, as the infant by itself is unable to promise. So the parents of
the infant can promise and believe in Jesus on its behalf, as the infant is unable to do it by itself. So, infant baptism is valid.

According to 1 Corinthians 15:29, in those days, people received baptism even on behalf of the dead. Let us read the verse: “Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?” A dead person cannot repent for his sin or believe in Jesus. Yet the belief and repentance of the person who received the baptism on his behalf was valid in those days.

In fact, Mark 16:16 says about the persons who believe or disbelieve in Jesus even after Jesus is proclaimed to them. My Pentecostal friend should read Mark 16:15 the previous verse along with Mark 16:16 that says, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” Thus it is evident that the above verse speaks about grown up persons who believe or disbelieve after Jesus is proclaimed to them and not about infants who cannot believe or disbelieve. Infants cannot disbelieve and so they cannot be condemned. But we have already seen that the parents believe on behalf of infants. Accepting their belief as the belief of infant, the child is baptized and thus it is saved.

Pentecostal’s view VIII:

The person who got the immersed baptism becomes “redeemed” and the heaven is guaranteed for him beyond any doubt. Is it true?

The answer:

Usually I see many Pentecostal friends who got immersed baptism claim to have been redeemed with the surety of entering heaven. Let us examine the scriptures.

John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” As we have seen earlier, the Holy Spirit received through baptism annihilates the old man and leads to our rebirth and redemption. Yet, it does not mean that we will enter heaven even if we commit deadly sins and die without getting forgiveness. What we receive through baptism is only the seal of promised Holy Spirit, which is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption. We read in Ephesians 1:13-14, “In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.” So we have the hope and confidence through this seal of God that gives us guarantee of salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:4-8 says, “What is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord – for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence.” Even though we do have confidence, as human beings endowed with free will, we have to cooperate fully with the will and guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to attain salvation. It is also possible for us to fall again in sin and to lose ourselves. Ephesians 4:30 confirms to this view: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.” From the above verse, it is clear that what is given to us through baptism is only a seal for the day of redemption and that we can, by our actions grieve the Holy Spirit in us. Since there is a possibility of quenching the Spirit we received through baptism 1 Thessalonians 5:19 asks us, “Do not quench the Spirit.”

We find it in 1 Timothy 1:18-20 that says, “you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; among them are Hy-me-nae-us and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme.” So it is evident that those two persons who were the contemporaries of even St. Paul, who earlier had a good conscience, have fallen when they rejected their conscience.

I personally know certain so-called “redeemed” persons who had immersed baptism commit adultery, cheating and misappropriating others’ money, etc, etc. The tragedy is that in spite of living in such grave and deadly sins, they claim to be redeemed with the guarantee of heaven. What a dangerous view they have!

Hebrews 6:4-6 says, “For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt.” 2 Peter 2:20-22 says, “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back form the holy commandment that was passed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true Proverbs, “The dog turns back to its own vomit”, and, “The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.” “ Hebrews 10:38 says, “but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in one who shrinks back.” Hence, the so-called redeemed persons should be conscious of the every chance of their falling.

Romans 8:24 says, “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?” Thus it is evident that until we enter into heaven we move ahead with the hope, but always with the danger of falling away by our sins. Our hope is fulfilled only when we reach heaven. As long as we are in this world, we cannot say that we are fully free of sin. 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Yet we deceive ourselves thinking that we are always in the light. Very often we commit sins and hate our brothers and sisters.1 John 2:9 says, “Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in darkness.” How can we claim that we are in the light always when we are living in this world?

2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For all of us must appear before the Judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.” Revelation 20:12 says, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books.” So the so-called redeemed persons should think of their Last Judgement.

We have already seen in Titus 3:4-8 that baptism is a great favor given to us by God from his mercy. However, we have to reciprocate this great mercy of God with our obedience and good deeds. It is our duty, failing which we cannot benefit from the mercy of God. Let us read Ephesians 2: 8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand to be our way of life.”

So, if we constantly cooperate with the guidance of the Spirit, we can believe that we will be in the light and surely be redeemed and enter into heaven. St. Paul cooperated with the guidance of the Spirit and hoped at his departure from this world in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Conclusion:

The time has come for my Pentecostal friend to come out of such misconceptions based on mere human whims and fancies that is taught in Pentecostal Churches. Let this humble endeavor cause my Pentecostal friend to enter into the real truth of the Scripture, which we find in the Catholic Doctrine. May the Holy Sprit guide him to the real path of truth! Amen.