Once and for all

The Hodge quote now in the description of this blog, above:

What are the conditions of admission into Christ's kingdom? Simply practical recognition of the authority of the sovereign. - A. A. Hodge

is for those who mandate that ritual water baptism is necessary for 'entrance' into the Church of which Christ is King. 'Sacraments' are a stumbling block put in the Bible to trip up those who refuse to accept the authority and sovereignty of God in regeneration. They are also visual parables, or a dumb show for people who need it, but they are not necessary acts or works for entrance into, or staying in, the Church of which Christ is King. You either understand this or you don't, and if you don't you don't understand the faith.

Regeneration is effected, when it is, by the Word and the Spirit, not by ritual, clerics, or physical, sensual trappings. To not accept this (to not even be yet able to see it) means you have to engage the Word of God humbly and in a dedicated manner. Regeneration just happens, but you can move towards God and He will move towards you (James 4), and faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans).

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.