(The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column, “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
By PASTOR DENNIS JACOB
Then yer-man said to me, “The duel-carriageway is just chockablock with traffic, so ye might be best to go by way of the docks.”
Living in Galway, on the beautiful green west coast of Ireland for 25 years, was a wonderful experience and as other Americans have humorously noted, we are two nations divided by a common language. My ministry experience in Ireland was filled with memorable moments of wonderful people that my wife, Traci, and I will carry in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
We arrived in 1988 to a nation whose culture was similar to ours, and yet very different. A people whose long-oppressed history and her church’s part in attempting to help, created a bond not so much religious, but national and personal.
I clearly recall moments on Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City, conversations I had with people while sitting on a bench, or on the stone steps surrounding the water fountain. Once I introduced myself as the local Baptist Pastor, curiosity would set in, and the question most often asked was, “What’s the difference between my church and the Baptist church?”
One particular conversation I recall, saying, “Well, first of all, Paddy, it’s good to bear in mind that both churches confess the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, yet One God. Both teach the virgin birth of Christ, and His death, burial and resurrection from the dead.”
He then said, “Well, that being the case, what’s left to discuss?”
” If you have a few minutes Paddy, I’ll explain three basic thoughts that come to mind.
“To answer your question, the first difference would be how the Lord is received into one’s life, so to benefit personally from His death on the cross. You’d agree, Paddy, that your own church teaches that children at a certain age can begin receiving the wafer of bread which is transformed into the actual body of Christ, so that by eating it, they receive Him. I would believe the scriptures teach that Christ is spiritually received by faith only, and that He personally enters the hearts of those who believe in Him. So though we agree on the fact that He died for sinners, there’s a difference regarding how one receives Christ, and the benefits of what He accomplished on the cross.
“Secondly, Paddy, you’d agree you’ve been taught that by church confessions, keeping the commandments and other religious efforts, your sins will ultimately be absolved, so the Lord can let you into heaven. I believe the scriptures reveal that all people are sinners, and fall short of God’s glory. Therefore, by human efforts, no one is capable of having their sins forgiven. So in this case, the difference is that your church requires human efforts to have sins forgiven by God. I would teach that it is only by admitting your sinfulness, along with total dependence on Christ and what He accomplished on the cross, that a person’s sins can be forgiven.
“Thirdly, you’ve been instructed that to have God’s forgiveness, you get the help of a priest or other assistance to accomplish this. I would believe ‘there is One God and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.’ In other words, Paddy, I believe that God not only sent Christ to die for our sins, but also to make Him the only Priest we’d ever need to gain access to heaven. Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.’”
Two men relaxing on a park bench discussing things that matter to both of them — where did the time go? The sun was no longer high in the sky, and our stomachs were growling, reminding us to head to our homes and families. Rising with a handshake, respecting one another with a smile and tip of the head, both benefiting from a bit of company on an uncommon sunny Galway afternoon.
I thank the Lord for Paddy, and for the many other diverse and pleasant faith encounters I experienced!
Buiochas le Dia! Thanks be to God!
A group of Bible believers met together in the homes of Christians to study the Word of God, resulting in the Northfield Baptist Church being organized. In September 1955, the former Argosy building located at 87 Main St. was purchased for a new Church home. The Church building and parsonage presently standing were built beginning in May of 1960, and have housed the church family and pastors ever since.
Sunday morning 9:45 a.m., Sunday School for all ages
11 a.m., Worship Service and Junior Church
6 p.m., Worship Service
Tuesdays 7 p.m., Bible Study
Wednesdays 7 p.m., Prayer Meeting
Monthly Fellowship Dinners, Summer Vacation Bible School (June 26-30) and other special events are advertised locally as well as in The Recorder.