Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 11/30/2004

Question
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Dear Reverend Woods,

The Catholic church agrees that no amount of good works will earn us salvation, but also says that those who do not know God but seek God have the chance of eternal salvation.  The Catholic church, however, believes that faith without works is dead (James 2:24) and that we must merit the kingdom by serving God.  Satan believed in God but obviously chose to turn against Him.  St. Augustine said "creativit sine te non te salvabit sine te" meaning "created without you He doesn't save you without you."  We played no role in our creation but we certainly play a role in our salvation.  Catholics believe that some are predestined to heaven (single predestination) but reject the Calvinist idea that some are predestined to hell.  The blessed Virgin Mary was predestined to heaven because the scriptures tell us she was "full of grace".  Here is Malachi 1:11  For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.   'From the rising of the sun to the going down' refers to one day.  Catholics offer Jesus Christ in the mass every day and He is a pure offering.  We believes this foreshadows daily communion in the Catholic church.  I wonder how Baptists interpret 'pure offering' here.  I have two final questions:  'incense' is mentioned here and also in Revelation.  Why do Baptists never use incense?  Is it because it's considered too Catholic?  

Thank you  

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

Incense is a form of liturgy.  Baptists as a whole (outside of baptism and communion) have abandoned all forms of liturgy.  This is fundamental to baptist belief.  Baptist want their worship services to follow the holy spirit not a pre-prescribed plan or way of worship.