Characters: Bro. Legalism and Bro. Grace
Setting: The What's Happening Now Church parking lot
Time: After Sunday morning Worship services

Bro. Grace, "Bro. Legalist, what a wonderful Worship service we had this
morning. Bro. Professional was in great spirits as he broke to us the
bread of life."

Bro. Legalist, "Yes, Bro. Grace, Bro. Professional is a good speaker who
can keep the interest of the members."

Bro. Grace, "I thought he did a good job of explaining that we have
Christian siblings in other denominations. That is somewhat new to us
here at the W.H.N.C. It's high time we let the denominations know we
accept them into the body of Christ."

Bro. Legalist, "Something bothers me though, Bro. Grace. In the New
Testament we read in many places where baptism is taught for remission
of sins, and when someone was taught the gospel he immediately was
baptized. Is not that teaching for us today?"

Bro. Grace, "Well, Bro. Legalist, we must not get too legal here. We
know God is love and He will accept all who believe in His Son.
Remember He doesn't want any to perish but wants all to be saved."

Bro. Legalist, "True, He wants all to come to repentance. However, what
do you think He meant when He said all spiritual blessings are in
Christ, and when we are baptized we put on Christ. Do you think that
means that one of the spiritual blessings that is in Christ is our
salvation?"

Bro. Grace, "Heavens, no! Bro. Legalist, baptism is a work and we know
we are not required to do any works for our salvation. Salvation is a
free gift of God. I once believed as you do until Bro. Professional
arrived here. He has opened my eyes to many things. I would never
again tell anyone he should be baptized because that would be the same
as telling Jesus His grace is not sufficient. Now, if one wishes to be
baptized as the eunuch did, I would tell him to go ahead, as Philip told
the eunuch to do. The person also has the right to choose the type of
baptism he wants, as Bro. Professional mentioned this morning. He can
be sprinkled, poured upon, or completely taken under the water, whatever
the Spirit guides him to do."

Bro. Legalist, "But didn't the Spirit guide those who wrote the New
Testament as they tell us baptism is immersion and that 'baptism doth
also now save us', meaning by the act of man that God takes and brings
about the spiritual new birth? Would the Spirit contradict Himself?
And didn't Philip, when the eunuch said, "Here is water what doth hinder
me from being baptize" tell him he could if he believed with all his
heart that Jesus was the Son of God?"

Bro. Grace, "Oh, Bro. Legalist, you are burdened down with much weight.
Forget all that and go to Jesus..telling Him you are ready to give up
legalism and are ready to accept His grace without any action on your
part. Put your trust in the Man, not in a plan."

Bro. Legalist, "Well, I don't know...the New Testament seems pretty
clear on getting into Christ."

Bro. Grace, "Bro. Legalist, you are rather new to this good Church.
After sitting at the feet of Bro. Professional for a while you will give
up your legalism and with empty hands take the grace of God with no
strings attached. Well, Luby's awaits. It was nice talking with you

Bro. Legalist. "Bye for now!"

Bro. Legalism (as he stands alone in the W.H.N.C parking lot) wonders if
the teachings of the word of God are no longer sufficient for His
children.