Richard Hollerman

All we can say is that this horrible incident was sad and even lamentable. We know that I am not the only one to learn of this terrible calamity and others too are lamenting this. We wonder, when will it end?

The report, from AP News, had something to say about this catastrophe. Apparently on the Lord’s day (Sunday), some 11 people died and some 60 were injured in the disaster. This was according to the “searchers” two days ago. The church building was located along the coast in the city of Ciudad Madero, in Mexico, next to the port city of Tampico. This is located about 310 miles south of Brownville, Texas. Although this may have been in the area of the violence of drug cartels, there is no indication that they were involved.

Those of you who are attuned to God’s Word do have something to say about this and to think about it. Although there may be more than one way to evaluate these things, most Christians would say that these children were “safe” (not saved, of course). Then, when they come to a certain age of discretion (or accountability), they do pass into a state of being accountable for their sin before God. Just when this may be, we are not sure and Scripture doesn’t seem to say either.

Whatever the age may be—perhaps  8 or 10 or 12 or older—the person is responsible before God for his own sin and behavior. Thus, we think that up until about adolescence, the person is safe before God. But, if we read the forgoing report correctly, some (or many) of those killed were older than this. While some were younger and undergoing infant baptism (and we know that Catholic baptism of this nature is unscriptural and unneeded), some were older. It would be the older ones that we would be especially concerned about at this time.

The “search dogs” that they sent into the rubble and the rescue teams that were there found none still trapped. Although about 300 souls may have attended the event, only 70 were still there, with 30 trapped inside.

This again shows that we must always be prepared to meet God and to give an account to Him. At any time we could be called and such an event could occur. It also does show that we should ever be vigilant of the false teaching all around us. The report quoted a number of men (whom they called “Father”) to show that they had no idea of the tragedy that engulfed them so quickly. It may not be the false teaching and practice of Roman Catholicism, the false system that advocates this type of evil, or anything else, we know that we are all subject to false teaching and false ways and we must always be careful!

While you may not falsely “baptize” or pour water on your own infant, what about you? And are you prepared to meet God yourself?

 

(AP News)