I wrote this article in response to an article Bob Russell wrote in the Lookout in May of 2001. At this writing I have gone back to retrieve this article and want to present it here for your warning. I am rewriting this in Jan. 07. Here is the article with some editing.
    Over the past few years I have been hearing about what Bob Russell, Sr. Evangelist at the Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY believes or does not believe. I have heard and read that he does not believe that "baptism now saves you" I Peter 3:21. I would like to quote from an article he wrote for the May 6 2001 Lookout. Before I do, I want to say that he strikes me as favoring interdenominationalism, something our forefathers in the Restoration Movement proved to be unworkable.
    His quote; "Last summer Charles Colson, popular author and speaker, was a guest at the North American Christian Convention. Prior to the convention an anonymous letter was mailed to leaders of many Christian churches and churches of Christ objecting to Colson's appearance on the program. Why?  Because he is too sympathetic to Catholics and he doesn't emphasize baptism enough. Yet Colson is one of the most articulate and respected apologists for the Christian faith of our generation. It's like a corporal in the Christian army maligning a four star general because, "He's not one of us!" Such sectarian thinking makes us appear rigid and foolish to the world."
      I'm glad I don't have to rely on a salary from one of the weak kneed churches so that I don't have to write an anonymous letter! I'm sorry; I don't consider Chuck Colson a brother in the Lord. I do consider him a good speaker but that doesn't mean we should have him stand up on one of our main platforms as an example to us. Call me a "fool for the truth of the word of God." He goes on to explain himself further in his Lookout article.
    He says; "An old slogan says, 'In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love.' Some Christians may worship differently, pray differently, organize differently, and even have different interpretations of secondary doctrines, but they're still part of the body."
    Now I know for sure he thinks baptism is unnecessary for salvation. He has pronounced all denominations saved just in different ways. I think he has included baptism in his list of secondary doctrines. One more quote from the article as he seems to pull the cover of his spiritual coffin over himself.
    "Rather than attack each other we ought to graciously seek unity that supersedes denominational boundaries or human creeds. Christian unity requires us to swallow our pride and exalt Christ alone. A man doesn't have to be my twin to be my brother."
    While spouting noble platitudes and high sayings he has forgotten that unity starts in the Law of Christ. Lee mason wrote very well on unity some years ago, in the Restoration Herald. The article may still be viewed on their web site at www.thecra.org We cannot become Christians or stay Christians for very long by ignoring the clear commands of Christ; "He who believes and is baptized will be saved…"
    I know many of you are already aware of this man's departure from the truth but this will reaffirm your fears of a church gone astray. In my personal opinion the North American Christian Convention has gone astray also. If our churches (the people) do not pull in the reigns on these organizations gone astray, we will see more denominationalism and interdenominationalism in our nondenominational organism. (The next statement was for when I e-mailed this out in 2001)  Please don't keep this to yourself. Pass it on to someone on your list.
Confidently in Christ
Art Irvine
  Further after-note: Much more could be said in commentary about this article Bob Russell wrote but we only need to see that he has disregarded the truth of the word in a few instances to realize he is not our brother in Christ anymore.