In order not to hijack a current thread, I thought a separate dialogue might prove profitable.
Brother Rich suggested that the majority of Baptist churches would deny the Lord's Supper to paedo's. I concur. Certainly that would be the case in Finney-Scofield style Baptist churches. I wonder what is the view of Calvinistic, Reformed or Particular Baptist churches? I'm also curious as to what these churches believe in regards to church membership.
Recently Bethlehem Baptist Church (John Piper, Pastor) took up the issue of church membership for paedos into consideration. While the majority of the elders supported allowing paedo's to join without being immersed, a minority of elders dissented, therefore Bethlehem Baptist Church has not adopted the consideration, although they plan to revisit the matter again. You can read about it here.
It is the opinion of this Baptist that there should be no requirement for participation on the Lord's Supper other than: a) a professed belief in the Lord Jesus Christ b) having been baptized c) not abiding in willful or gross sin.
Additionally, it is this Baptists opinion that membership should be open to those who have been baptized as infants and display the evidence of a Christian life. There would be certain expectations should a person who falls into this category desire to join. They must understand that we believe believers baptistism is scriptural. Secondly, the would be barred from teaching otherwise. Thirdly, they would not be able to teach or hold leadership in the church unless they were in agreement with our baptismal position.
I don't believe that either of these areas would negate Baptist's from being Baptist's. The 1646 and 1689 LBC's are at best, ambiguous on the matter of who may participate in the Lord's Supper. The issue of church membership for those baptized as infants is not addressed at all. As brother Rich so rightly pointed out, many Presbyterians churches will accept credo's as communicant members. I am sure there are those Presbyterian churches who won't, but God bless those that do. Would it undermine our Baptist distinctives if we allowed paedo's or those baptized as infants to join with us?
I believe these questions are worthy of discussion. While the comments of my Presbyterian brethren are welcome in this thread, I want my Baptist brethren to weigh in. Don't be shy!
Brother Rich suggested that the majority of Baptist churches would deny the Lord's Supper to paedo's. I concur. Certainly that would be the case in Finney-Scofield style Baptist churches. I wonder what is the view of Calvinistic, Reformed or Particular Baptist churches? I'm also curious as to what these churches believe in regards to church membership.
Recently Bethlehem Baptist Church (John Piper, Pastor) took up the issue of church membership for paedos into consideration. While the majority of the elders supported allowing paedo's to join without being immersed, a minority of elders dissented, therefore Bethlehem Baptist Church has not adopted the consideration, although they plan to revisit the matter again. You can read about it here.
It is the opinion of this Baptist that there should be no requirement for participation on the Lord's Supper other than: a) a professed belief in the Lord Jesus Christ b) having been baptized c) not abiding in willful or gross sin.
Additionally, it is this Baptists opinion that membership should be open to those who have been baptized as infants and display the evidence of a Christian life. There would be certain expectations should a person who falls into this category desire to join. They must understand that we believe believers baptistism is scriptural. Secondly, the would be barred from teaching otherwise. Thirdly, they would not be able to teach or hold leadership in the church unless they were in agreement with our baptismal position.
I don't believe that either of these areas would negate Baptist's from being Baptist's. The 1646 and 1689 LBC's are at best, ambiguous on the matter of who may participate in the Lord's Supper. The issue of church membership for those baptized as infants is not addressed at all. As brother Rich so rightly pointed out, many Presbyterians churches will accept credo's as communicant members. I am sure there are those Presbyterian churches who won't, but God bless those that do. Would it undermine our Baptist distinctives if we allowed paedo's or those baptized as infants to join with us?
I believe these questions are worthy of discussion. While the comments of my Presbyterian brethren are welcome in this thread, I want my Baptist brethren to weigh in. Don't be shy!