Re: A Baptist with questions

Did you forget about the thieves that were hanging on the cross with Jesus?
Luke chapter 23
39Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."
40But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
43And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
That thief got saved right there on the cross. I don't remember him being let down so he could take communion or get baptized. Now don't get me wrong communion is important and baptizism is an afirmation of one's faith. But as you can see the saving grace of God allowed him to enter the kingdom of heaven.As far as Mary if you read John 19 v26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son. At that point he severed his ties with his mother and seen her no different or any more special than anyone else that he loved. As you can see Christ in his infinite wisdom had to say this so man would not put Mary on a pedestal or saint hood, or any other position other then a person that died in Christ. But as you can see man loves to perverse what God has said or done in order to accomodate himself. Again I must say that having a relationship with Christ is very simple. It is man that leans to his own understanding that makes it difficult.