(1) Sprinkling or pouring for baptism. Substituting sprinkling or pouring for baptism seems to
be a very easy and convenient way to accomplish baptism; however, it is not what the Lord
commanded. Col. 2:12 says, "Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with
Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." (See also Rom. 6:3-4).
Bible baptism requires a going down into and a coming up out of the water (Acts 3:38-39). God
did not give man a choice in this matter, but plainly stated what He wanted.
(2) Can't fall from grace. This would be a very convenient and comforting doctrine if true.
There would be no need for a pure life or faithful service for none of those things would matter.
On the contrary, Paul said, "You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be
justified by law; you have fallen from grace." (Gal. 5:4). Some try to evade this by saying, "If
one falls away, he wasn't saved to start with." However, James 5:12, 19-20; Heb. 3:12 and many
others passages speak of brethren falling away.
(3) Death bed salvation or repentance. How convenient it would be if one could enjoy the
pleasures of sin and neglect all forms of worship and duty, but at the last breath call on the Lord
and be received up into glory! There is no indication in the Bible that the one who has been
stubborn and rebellious to God's will all his life and waits to the last minute to repent, will be
saved. There are only passages to the contrary (Ezek. 8:17-18; Prov. 1:24-28).
(4) Sincerity is sufficient. Many think that it doesn't make any difference which church one is a
member of so long as he is honest and sincere. However, "There is a way that seems right to a
man, but its end is the way of death." (Prov. 16:25). It would be very convenient indeed if only
honesty and sincerity were required, but needless to say, men can be sincerely wrong and honestly
mistaken. If one church is as good as another as some claim, why not join a church which caters
to one's own sinful desires? If one church is as good as another, it would mean that the "Church
of the Devil" in California is as good as the Lord's church! Instead of joining the church of your
choice, why not become a member of the church of God's choice?
(5) Institutionalism. The word "visit" (James 1:27; Matt. 25:35-36, 43) involves actually going to see and looking upon (Thayer, p. 142; Vine, p. 190). One has not "visited" an orphan, widow, or prisoner unless he has personally gone to see them and while there ministered to their needs. Sending a donation to a human institution is a very convenient dodge of what God requires.