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New closing Section: Discernment of Truth: Seekers, Converts and Christian Apologetics
==="They" not "We"===
==="They" not "We"===
Those who deny that baptism on behalf of the dead was ever part of Christian doctrine and apostolic tradition point out that Paul says, "''they''", in reference to others who believe in the resurrection of the dead. He does not say, "Else what shall '''we''' do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are '''we''' then baptized for the dead?" He does not say this. If baptism for the dead had been Christian doctrine they reason that Paul would have included it as a practice that "we" Christians perform on behalf of the dead as a [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy|work of mercy]]. There is no evidence from the first centuries of Christianity in the writings of the [[Apostolic Fathers]], the [[Ante-Nicene Fathers]], and the first seven [[Ecumenical council]]s of any mention of the practice of being baptized for the dead as being part of Christian [[doctrine]] and [[dogma]]. According to the [[Orthodox Church]] and the [[Catholic Church]] this practice was never a part of [[Apostolic Tradition]]. No Protestant denomination practices baptism for the dead. It is unknown in the [[Church of Christ]]. For this reason the Mormon doctrine of baptizing for the dead is not Christian.
Those who deny that baptism on behalf of the dead was ever part of Christian doctrine and apostolic tradition point out that Paul says, "''they''", in reference to others who believe in the resurrection of the dead. He does not say, "Else what shall '''we''' do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are '''we''' then baptized for the dead?" He does not say this. If baptism for the dead had been Christian doctrine they reason that Paul would have included it as a practice that "we" Christians perform on behalf of the dead as a [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy|work of mercy]]. There is no evidence from the first centuries of Christianity in the writings of the [[Apostolic Fathers]], the [[Ante-Nicene Fathers]], and the first seven [[Ecumenical council]]s of any mention of the practice of being baptized for the dead as being part of Christian [[doctrine]] and [[dogma]]. According to the [[Orthodox Church]] and the [[Catholic Church]] this practice was never a part of [[Apostolic Tradition]]. No Protestant denomination practices baptism for the dead. It is unknown in the [[Church of Christ]]. For this reason the Mormon doctrine of baptizing for the dead is not Christian.
==Discernment of Truth: Seekers, Converts, and Christian Apologetics==
Independent seekers of truth who are not Christians, but are attracted to the person of the historical [[Jesus Christ|Jesus of Nazareth]], struggle with [[discernment of what is right in accordance with [[reason]] and their [[conscience]]. This is especially true for those persons with an unborn or newborn child, infant, babe, child in arms, a child not yet able to walk, faced with the question of the eternal soul and the [[Last Judgment]]. Those who have recourse to [[Christian apologetics]] for help are offered arguments from scripture and tradition to help them decide. Those who are persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God and become converts to [[Christianity]] will rely on what seems to them to be the truth of the matter of infant baptism according to the various and differing apologists they read and hear, with whom they agree or disagree. Some of them may or may not be found to use [[specious reasoning]], which may or may not be exposed by the arguments of other apologists discussing infant baptism. Some use [[polemic]]. Accordingly they will choose to become a Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant, Independent, non-denominational, or [[Cafeteria Christianity|"cafeteria Christian"]], and, on their own personal judgment, on their own personal authority, as being answerable solely to their own conscience alone, decide what to believe about the matter. Any one of them can become closed-minded and firmly entrenched in their [[opinion]] because of [[Sloth (sin)|mental and spiritual sloth]]. There are those who seek to be more and more informed about the matter and sometimes change their minds. Then, after careful discernment and much "soul-searching" with prayer to God for guidance, they often move to a different [[church]] or [[denomination]] as being more in accord with [[truth]] and the [[Bible]], fully assured that they are doing what is right. Their friends and associates may strongly disagree, some even warning that they could possibly, or most certainly will, go to [[hell]] unless they [[Repentance|repent]] their decision.
Catholics rely on [[Petrine Primacy]], the authority of the [[Pope]] and the whole of Scripture and Tradition as the one deposit of the divine faith authentically interpreted by the Catholic [[Magisterium]].
The Orthodox rely on the organic whole of Orthodox ''praxis'' in accordance with the authority of the Seven Ecumenical Councils and the writings of the Church Fathers and saints of the faith consistent with what they understand to be the tradition of the Apostles and Prophets in harmony with the Scriptures and the Sacraments which lead to [[Theosis]].
Protestants rely on the [[Five Solas]] to discern the truth about infant baptism according to the Bible. Some rely on the principle that what is not explicitly forbidden is permitted, and they accept infant baptism. Some rely on the principle that what is not explicitly commanded is forbidden, and they condemn infant baptism.
[[Cafeteria Christianity|Cafeteria Christians]] and [[Cafeteria Catholic]]s decide for themselves if infant baptism is right.
Others decide for or against infant baptism based on the principle of ''[[sola spiritu]]'', relying solely on what they discern to be the will of the [[Holy Spirit]] and their prayerful reading of the Bible apart from any other guidance or authority.
[[Saint Peter]] counselled restraint and respect with courtesy regarding defense of Christian doctrine in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A15-16&version=KJV 1 Peter 3:15-16].
[[Saint Paul]] counselled patience toward those weak in the faith in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A1-15%3A7&version=KJV Romans 14:1–15:7].
According to the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'' paragraph '''1776''' <ref>Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ, Section One: Man's Vocation Life in the Spirit, Chapter One: The Dignity of the Human Person, Article 6: Moral Conscience, '''[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1776 1776]'''</ref>{{cquote|Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sound in his heart at the right moment.... For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God.... His conscience is man's most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths. [''GS'' 16.] <ref>"GS". The [[Second Vatican Council|Vatican II]] document Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World ''Gaudium et Spes'' 16.</ref>}}
Jesus himself relied on the [[intuition]] and conscience of his hearers to discern the truth of doctrine:{{cquote|Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.<br>If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or ''whether'' I speak of myself.<br>—John 7:16-17 (KJV) <ref>See [[http://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/7-17.htm multiple commentaries on John 7:17]</ref>
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:<br>For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.<br>—Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV) <ref>See [[http://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/7-8.htm multiple commentaries on Matthew 7:8]</ref>}}
==See also==
==See also==
[[Theosis]]
[[Theosis]]
[[Schism]]
[[Heresy]]
[[Heresy]]
[[Invincible ignorance]]
[[Protestant Reformation]]
[[Protestant Reformation]]
[[Salvation: declarational salvation and ontological salvation]]
[[Salvation: declarational salvation and ontological salvation]]
[[Invincible ignorance]]
[[Substitutionary atonement]]
[[Old Catholic Church]]
[[Society of St. Pius X]]
[[Substitutionary atonement]]
[[Ecumenical movement]]
==References==
==References==