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Dear Pastor,

I am 29 years old and I am living with my girlfriend who is 32. She has one child, but I am not the child's father.

Recently my girlfriend has been pressuring me to marry her because she has been attending a church and they told her that unless she is baptised, she cannot be a member. We are having a conflict because I do not like the type of church she is attending, but my father told me that I should not stand in her way if she wants to join that church. I wanted to attend the same church that my girlfriend attends, but not that one. The pastor of that church does not believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. So I do not want to be a member of that church.

Is it true that unless a person is baptised, in 'Jesus only', that person is not a true Christian? I would like for you to explain this matter to me. I will refuse to marry my girlfriend if she considers me a heathen unless I agree to be baptised only in Jesus' name.

Initials withheld

Dear Writer,

I understand the Bible to teach that if anyone believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, he will be saved.

I know that many churches and denominations argue as to whether it is right for a person to be baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, or for the person to be baptised in the name of Jesus. I am not here to judge anybody, but I do know that baptism does not save anybody. Anyone who does not believe in Jesus is lost. The Bible says anybody who believes in Jesus has life. Anyone who does not believe in the Son of God, the wrath of God is up on him.

I believe that you should allow your girlfriend to be baptised in the church she loves. You don't have to attend that church, but don't hinder her from getting baptised.

Pastor