Attack of the Judaizers

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Alfa

Guest
#42
What in the world is wrong with you all!!!!??? You are clearly demonizing the mosaic law, do you know God spoke to Moses and gave that law! Read your Bibles for crying out loud!! Jesus said he did not come to abolish the law, and much of the NT is quotations from the mosaic law, and Jesus was teaching from the mosaic law, but was fixing errors that were put in buy the Pharisees. LORD HAVE MERCY ON YOU!!
 
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LT

Guest
#43
What in the world is wrong with you all!!!!??? You are clearly demonizing the mosaic law, do you know God spoke to Moses and gave that law! Read your Bibles for crying out loud!! Jesus said he did not come to abolish the law, and much of the NT is quotations from the mosaic law, and Jesus was teaching from the mosaic law, but was fixing errors that were put in buy the Pharisees. LORD HAVE MERCY ON YOU!!
Don't fight what isn't there. I don't think anyone is demonizing the Law.
Salvation is by faith in Christ alone, as the Scripture clearly teaches, and as all Believers agree. And we should also all agree that once we are saved, we should press on toward the goal of holiness, in following after Christ.

If someone is preaching faith plus works for salvation, then they preach a false gospel according to Galatians.
 
Oct 31, 2011
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#44
Red, I have told you this atleast once, I have a Mezuza on my front door. Once I even hosted a Seder for a Jewish friend. it is not wrong to engage in such things. However, it is wrong to say we are under obligation to them when in fact we are free from them.
Wow!! You sound like a mature Christian, listening to the Lord!

Then I don't see the purpose of this thread. From the time when Cain tried to attain atonement through his works and it was rejected, works without even the symbolism of Christ was not accepted. Even though the entire Hebrew language is based on doing to express an emotion, the spirit has been taught by the Lord as the most important. There have been sects such as the Pharisees during the time of Christ who distorted doing for salvation, but it is certainly not the problem in our churches, now. To the contrary, our problem is separating doing with our worship. The focus of the message Paul took to the gentiles was that first must come the spirit of the Lord, and it is still a focus of the church. Our need is not to learn the spirit, it is to learn the part that doing has in our worship, for it takes both.
 
Oct 31, 2011
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#45
Don't fight what isn't there. I don't think anyone is demonizing the Law.
Salvation is by faith in Christ alone, as the Scripture clearly teaches, and as all Believers agree. And we should also all agree that once we are saved, we should press on toward the goal of holiness, in following after Christ.

If someone is preaching faith plus works for salvation, then they preach a false gospel according to Galatians.
How can you think that God separates what we do from faith? If you have faith in the Lord you will be able to act on it, it would be lack of faith if we could not follow God. If we truly have faith, we can rely on what God tells us.

Abraham is an example of faith. His faith in God led him to say "yes Sir" to anything he felt God asked. We can't truly have faith and at the same time tell the Lord that no, we won't do as you say, we haven't enough faith in you for that.

If you believe you are as powerful as the Lord, that it is what you do and not what God does that makes for salvation, that is different.
 
L

LT

Guest
#46
How can you think that God separates what we do from faith? If you have faith in the Lord you will be able to act on it, it would be lack of faith if we could not follow God. If we truly have faith, we can rely on what God tells us.

Abraham is an example of faith. His faith in God led him to say "yes Sir" to anything he felt God asked. We can't truly have faith and at the same time tell the Lord that no, we won't do as you say, we haven't enough faith in you for that.

If you believe you are as powerful as the Lord, that it is what you do and not what God does that makes for salvation, that is different.
Yes, I do believe as you do, that genuine faith is shown by faithfulness. But you must separate the logical/natural following of faith, from what the Scriture clearly teaches: that works are not a part of salvation.
Try to understand the balance that is in the Word.
It says that true faith will show works, but the works don't save, the faith does.

I don't just think that God separates what we do from our faith, I know He does, because the Word says so.
 
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TheAristocat

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2011
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#47
[...]

There are also a few on CC who accidentally say phrases that can be taken as 'legalistic' because they are trying to counter the opposite extreme, which is 'licence' to continue in sin.

Don't be too hasty in forming individual judgements, because sometimes those sounding like Judaizers are really just defending our Christian call to follow Christ, and to push on toward the goal of holiness.

We are not saved by works, but once saved we are called to go and do good work (prepared in advance for us to do).

I'm just saying that there is a balance.
Best post I've found on here as of yet. Kudos. I think there are two main groups on here who believe in adhering to OT regulations. Those who accept the Gospel fall into one category, and those who add to or subtract from the Gospel fall into another category. But I think a lot of people here are content to throw both groups into the same bin. But I've also learned the reason for this behavior is due to their particular theology, which in turn - and oddly enough - seems too close to diminishing the Gospel for comfort.
 
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danschance

Guest
#48
Yes, I do believe as you do, that genuine faith is shown by faithfulness. But you must separate the logical/natural following of faith, from what the Scriture clearly teaches: that works are not a part of salvation.
Try to understand the balance that is in the Word.
It says that true faith will show works, but the works don't save, the faith does.

I don't just think that God separates what we do from our faith, I know He does, because the Word says so.
Bravo, good post. I could not of said it better.
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
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#49
Revelation 12

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Look who makes war with the seed that: ^^^^^^^^

The issue is not new and was dealt with:

Acts 15

15 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Ask yourselves what are the Commandments of GOD?

Yes, it is to believe on His Son an love one another.

Now the Messiah teaches us to Keep and teach even the least Commandment.

Do we believe Him and do as He taught us?

If at this point you reach for a verse to teach counter, then you are in error.

The Messiah taught us to make His Word our foundation.

Have you done this?
 
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psychomom

Guest
#50
Technically speaking, I think we should avoid the use of Judaizer as a coverall word for folks who point us to trust in the shadows. Isn't Judaizer something more specific, related to circumcision? Or does the scope of the term cover all things related to trusting in the shadows?
Gal 2:11-14 NASB
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.
But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?


v 14, YLT
But when I saw that they are not walking uprightly to the truth of the good news, I said to Peter before all, 'If thou, being a Jew, in the manner of the nations dost live, and not in the manner of the Jews, how the nations dost thou compel to Judaize?

Strong's:
Ioudaizó: to Judaize
Original Word: Ἰουδαΐζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: Ioudaizó
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-oo-dah-id'-zo)
Short Definition: I live as a Jew
Definition: I live as a Jew (in religion, ceremonially)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance:
live as the Jews. From Ioudaios; to become a Judaean, i.e. "Judaize" -- live as the Jews.

So, there's the word in scripture. (I know, I was surprised, too! lol)
I will ask my husband what he thinks this encompasses, and I'd like to hear what you think about it.
At first glance it seems to mean more than circumcision, but since the first part of the chapter speaks to circumcision,
...I will ask my husband. :)





 
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danschance

Guest
#51
Revelation 12



Look who makes war with the seed that: ^^^^^^^^

The issue is not new and was dealt with:

Acts 15



Ask yourselves what are the Commandments of GOD?

Yes, it is to believe on His Son an love one another.

Now the Messiah teaches us to Keep and teach even the least Commandment.

Do we believe Him and do as He taught us?

If at this point you reach for a verse to teach counter, then you are in error.

The Messiah taught us to make His Word our foundation.

Have you done this?
"Keep the commandments of God and have the testimony Of Christ" is a very true statement. Unfortunately the Judaizers seek to add to those commandments by insisting that Christians circumcise the flesh, observe sabbath, eat kosher foods, etc. The NT is clear we follow Christ AND HIS COMMANDMENTS. Jesus affirmed 9 out of ten commandments. Sabbath Christ never confirmed. Christ fulfilled the Mosaic laws and they have no hold on the believer.
 
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psychomom

Guest
#52
I think we should be careful to see those who observe, say, the OC sabbath, on a person by person basis.
I know one member who I don't see teaching it, but observes on the basis of his/her conscience.
This member clearly understands righteousness by faith alone in Christ alone.

Though I disagree with his/her interpretation of the NT scriptures, I love this member very much and wouldn't condemn him/her for following conscience. I don't believe this person would do so to me, either. ♥
(sorry to be so vague, but I don't have permission to use this member's name, and don't want to call out a particular person without it.)
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,083
190
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#53
"Keep the commandments of God and have the testimony Of Christ" is a very true statement. Unfortunately the Judaizers seek to add to those commandments by insisting that Christians circumcise the flesh, observe sabbath, eat kosher foods, etc. The NT is clear we follow Christ AND HIS COMMANDMENTS. Jesus affirmed 9 out of ten commandments. Sabbath Christ never confirmed. Christ fulfilled the Mosaic laws and they have no hold on the believer.
The Messiah taught us how to keep Sabbath.

The Sabbath Commandment was written with 9 others, that would be the "tenor" for our behaviour.

circumcision and "kosher" food was not part of this, so I believe Acts 15 to be the set standard for we Gentiles.

The other day after reading through different threads on different issues... i thought to myself, if GOD called us all in to give account of ourselves, which of us would not Call out for the Messiah and crumble.

At this knowing that all we have is the Messiah our Mediator.

You see my Faith is not in Keeping the Sabbath, not lying, stealing or cheating etc... nope it is in the One Good Shepherd who taught me to Keep and Teach the Commandments, ah, if only you could receive this.
 
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psychomom

Guest
#54
I have been judged a judaizer. You down with the law people say that when I stand up for law, I am denying Christ. When I have said that we need to relate our everyday life to life with the Lord I am told we must not do that, Paul taught us not to, it is sinful. You people truly believe it is best to hide your Christianity so no one can see it. When I say that Christ wanted obedience if we love Him, you say that Christ did away with all law and obedience requires knowledge of law. When I say that we must have Christ in our heart, but that needs to be checked to be sure our heart is right, you say absolutely not, we become perfect when we accept Christ, anything our heart says to us after that is always reliable and perfect, we do not need to even think about written law. When I show that all this is not scriptural, you ignore it and give scriptures you say is sure proof that you may distort, deny, and use words to make it sound wonderful so it makes it OK.

So immorality is preached, for that is what relying on our own hearts without checking what God is. I began studying the OT, for I had only read it with no understanding. I knew all about our life in Christ, but nothing about what Christ based what He did on. Then I began studying OT, with ancient culture and Hebrew word meanings. With every verse of the OT, I was sent to how Christ fulfilled it. I had been studying scripture backwards. Christ knew OT, Christ was sent by His Father to mold the world to better accept gentiles. If you don't understand what Christ started with, you don't understand Christ.

So you are all cutting out the foundations of Christ. The definition of a judaizer is one who uses rituals in the wrong way. If we know OT, then we know about how the Jews lived and how Christ changed things. You say we are not to know that, it is Judaizing. You have no idea of how you are damaging the kingdom of God. How you are demeaning Christ and what wonders Christ has performed for you. I'm ashamed of you as fellow Christians.
1. we do not discourage obedience. we repeatedly affirm there are about a thousand commands given in the NT that we must obey. no need to return to what has vanished/faded away.

2. Heb 10:14
tells us we who believe have been made perfect in Christ.

3. you said
"Christ was sent by His Father to mold the world to better accept gentiles."
No, ma'am, Christ was sent to fulfill God's Promise of a Savior!
But that's a classic example of where the teaching you sit under leads...:(

4. I haven't seen anyone say we are not to know the OT scriptures. I read from the OT and the NT daily, as I'm sure many do.
But we interpret the OT through the lens of the NT, not the other way around.

Heb 1:1,2
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son...
the whole book speaks to the superiority of the Lord Jesus.

5. I do not wish to decry your use of Old Covenant rituals to remind yourself of what the Lord has done for us.
But it's when people claim we MUST do so, or that we as Christians are mandated to follow the Sinaitic
Covenant I must disagree.
We are people of the Covenant of Promise.

6. You complain of being judged, and then this: (??)
"
I'm ashamed of you as fellow Christians."
You're an intelligent woman. Surely you see the dichotomy there?
 
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danschance

Guest
#55
The Messiah taught us how to keep Sabbath.

The Sabbath Commandment was written with 9 others, that would be the "tenor" for our behaviour.

circumcision and "kosher" food was not part of this, so I believe Acts 15 to be the set standard for we Gentiles.
Nope. Jesus never taught the NT believer to obey the sabbath, not even once as a hint. Jesus was a Jew and attend sabbath but never once are the NT believers ever told to obey the sabbath.

The other day after reading through different threads on different issues... i thought to myself, if GOD called us all in to give account of ourselves, which of us would not Call out for the Messiah and crumble.

At this knowing that all we have is the Messiah our Mediator.

You see my Faith is not in Keeping the Sabbath, not lying, stealing or cheating etc... nope it is in the One Good Shepherd who taught me to Keep and Teach the Commandments, ah, if only you could receive this.
Yes, our faith is in Christ alone and never in Christ plus sabbath observance. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation, it is the free gift of God to a sinful world.
 
M

MidniteWelder

Guest
#56
Written in Matthew 12
3
He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?
6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.
(where here? what could be greater than the temple and is now here?
7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent.
8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. (one of his most potent claims that he is Lord of all)

On the 7th day God rested so we would observe him, take rest in him.
Once Jesus came he made it clear he is our rest, Jesus is the Sabbath.
We observe and take rest in him... at all times.
 
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#57
Nope. Jesus never taught the NT believer to obey the sabbath, not even once as a hint. Jesus was a Jew and attend sabbath but never once are the NT believers ever told to obey the sabbath.



Yes, our faith is in Christ alone and never in Christ plus sabbath observance. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation, it is the free gift of God to a sinful world.
Question for you Dan..
Did Jesus teach Old Testament truth?

Hebrews 9:16-17 (KJV)
[SUP]16 [/SUP]For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
 
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LT

Guest
#58
Still, taking a day off is sound advice. God did set it up for a reason.

BTW guys,
The gathering and fellowship of Believers is also commanded in the Letters of Paul. (not for our continued salvation, but because it is a good thing that God wants us to do)
This gathering (going to church) is never equated with the observing the Sabbath in the Bible.

Connecting Sabbath to a weekly gathering of Christians is a habit formed in the 1st century, but it is not a Biblical mandate. In-fact, once a week doesn't seem often enough when you read through what Paul says about gathering together.
 
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BradC

Guest
#59
That is debatable. The Judaizers wanted the gentiles to cut their foreskins according to the Mosaic law. "Neo-Judaizers" are generally not concerned with Circumcision. They are for Sabbath observance, eating kosher foods and/or observing the Jewish festivals. I see it as exactly the same thing, "Christ plus a portion of Mosaic law" as being a false gospel message that leads one to hell.

We should never call people names or cast aspersions but I use the term Judaizer as a label and do not seek to be pejorative.
So much for these things that concern believers about Judaizers and what they mingle with the gospel. We have in our own back yard professing believers who do the same with repentance and water baptism as some Judaizers do with circumcision and the Sabbath. They demand repentance and/or water baptism in addition to trusting in the cross making these things conditions to salvation. Don't say this is not true because it happens all around us and we want to tag these things as secondary and no big deal when in reality they are a form of leaven. Repentance is something that God grants the sinner through the gospel of grace so that they can turn from those things that have kept them in unbelief. If it involves personal sin the believer learns to put off the old man and all his deeds and the works of the flesh and puts on the one new man (Christ) that is created in righteousness and true holiness through mercy.

Water baptism is an individual act of faith that identifies the believer with Christ through his death, burial and resurrection. The baptism (or filling) of the Spirit happens when the sinner believes by faith in the name of Christ and the work of the blood of Christ and receives the indwelling of the Spirit that is imputed to him through faith. This is the one baptism that happens in Christ for every believer at the point of salvation. Water baptism is the outward act of an inward identification of the believer with Christ signifying the renewal of the new man and the drowning out of the old man. The believer gets baptized by water immersion because they have decided to follow Christ and identify with his name and with the cross. The baptism of the Spirit comes to the believer to reveal and guide them into truth, to be a witness within, to shed the love in the heart, to bear fruit in the believer, to continually point them to Christ, to quicken them by the word and to teach them how and what to pray.

There is leaven in both camps that we need to be concerned about as we continue to make the cross and the finished work of Christ the reference and focal point of who we have been made to be in the one new man. The cross and blood of Christ is what is being attacked or diminished when these things are being wrongfully added to complete a perfect and great salvation that comes by faith through mercy and grace.
 
L

LT

Guest
#60
So much for these things that concern believers about Judaizers and what they mingle with the gospel. We have in our own back yard professing believers who do the same with repentance and water baptism as some Judaizers do with circumcision and the Sabbath. They demand repentance and/or water baptism in addition to trusting in the cross making these things conditions to salvation. Don't say this is not true because it happens all around us and we want to tag these things as secondary and no big deal when in reality they are a form of leaven. Repentance is something that God grants the sinner through the gospel of grace so that they can turn from those things that have kept them in unbelief. If it involves personal sin the believer learns to put off the old man and all his deeds and the works of the flesh and puts on the one new man (Christ) that is created in righteousness and true holiness through mercy.

Water baptism is an individual act of faith that identifies the believer with Christ through his death, burial and resurrection. The baptism (or filling) of the Spirit happens when the sinner believes by faith in the name of Christ and the work of the blood of Christ and receives the indwelling of the Spirit that is imputed to him through faith. This is the one baptism that happens in Christ for every believer at the point of salvation. Water baptism is the outward act of an inward identification of the believer with Christ signifying the renewal of the new man and the drowning out of the old man. The believer gets baptized by water immersion because they have decided to follow Christ and identify with his name and with the cross. The baptism of the Spirit comes to the believer to reveal and guide them into truth, to be a witness within, to shed the love in the heart, to bear fruit in the believer, to continually point them to Christ, to quicken them by the word and to teach them how and what to pray.

There is leaven in both camps that we need to be concerned about as we continue to make the cross and the finished work of Christ the reference and focal point of who we have been made to be in the one new man. The cross and blood of Christ is what is being attacked or diminished when these things are being wrongfully added to complete a perfect and great salvation that comes by faith through mercy and grace.
Be careful when dealing with repentance in regards to salvation. Although salvation doesn't actually 'depend' on repentance, the two are inseparable.

The Greek word for 'repentance' literally means "to turn".
The repentance called for in the Bible is to turn toward Christ.

^that was just a side-note. Your post was very good, and hits on several problem areas in our community.