Scott1
Puritanboard Commissioner
armourbearer
Moderator
It affects this question -- members and adherents or members only; but it is broader than that. The issue fundamentally pertains to the constitution of the visible church.
Doesn't this seem to define the visible church as those who at least "profess the true religion"? In other words, someone who is attending but does not yet profess would not be a member of visible church in this sense and thus would not be able to present a child for baptism.Westminster Confession of Faith XXV. 2.
II. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion;[2] and of their children:[3] and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,[4] the house and family of God,[5] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.[6]
Any idea what the denominational practices are on this? Is there an examination of a parent required in most denominations (part of membership or perhaps specific to the request for the ordinance of baptism)?