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This question should be addressed to your priest
When one declares the dictates of the Almighty to be symbolic, and overemphasizes subjective intent, one gives rise to the sort of mindset that considers warning one of danger to their soul to be wrong, as you seem to have.
Perhaps, but trust me when I tell you that there are a lot of baptists who think the ritual IS the only route and once you get wet, you are forgiven for any sin you happen to commit thereafter.
So basically, a person who finds Christ, but gets shot before he can get baptized, is **** out of luck? I'm so happy that my holy trinity is a lot more lax that that.
This runs in both directions. When one overemphasizes subjective intent towards the action/sacrament/ritual/etc, then the focus becomes that and not the actual worship. This is what leads to many of the cults and is even a problem in many established religions/denominations today. The soul is no danger if they do not receive a baptism in water, even when it was possible to receive one. The water baptism is symbolic of the actual spiritual baptism of the soul. The former gives physical/visual form to what is actually occurring. This is why the method of water application is irrelevant.
I do believe the OP requested that atheists and skeptic refrain from the discussion
Have a hood day
When did God tell you this?