[162 words]
The late Batsell Barrett Baxter once told the story about the 19th century agnostic, Robert Ingersoll, who often displayed animosity toward the Christian faith.
One noted denominational preacher wanted to debate Ingersoll, but the atheist refused every challenge. Then, one day, the two met by accident.
The preacher said, “Mr. Ingersoll, some months ago I wrote to challenge you to a debate on the topic ‘The truthfulness of the Bible.’ Why did you not respond?”
Ingersoll asked, “I heard you preach one time, and I now ask you if you believe that baptism is necessary for salvation?” The preacher replied that he did not believe it was required. Mr. Ingersoll asked for the preacher’s own copy of the Bible and opened it to Mark 16:16, and read, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be condemned.”
Mr. Ingersoll then explained, “Why should I debate the Bible with you? You don’t believe it either.”
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX