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Originally Posted by Blueridge Baptist  Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Ritchie Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueridge Baptist At our church a Presbyterian in good standing in his chruch could and would be invited to partake of the Lord's supper but not join the assembly untill he was baptized by immersion. I guess that's as close to Bunyan as we would get. However, I, like Bunyan fear that this doctrine becomes and idol for some. | In my denomination the issue of whether or not Baptists should be members is a sore point; I say that if we allow them to partake of the Lord's Supper, then they should be recognised as church members.  | To my baptist shame my Presbyterian brethren seem to show much more grace in this matter. I have often partook of the sacrement at an ARP church close by. Some of my baptist brethren won't let anyone who is not baptized by immersion partake and some if they are not part of "thier" group. Shamefull behaviour imo. |
Those who exclude those who in their view do not have a valid baptism are only acting in accordance with their confession and historic Baptist practice, although the ones who won't commune those who weren't baptized in a church that is part of their group may have veered closer to Landmarkism. Maybe you are starting to see the light and will come over to the Presby side!
In my opinion, a position that allows presbys or anyone else to commune but bars them from church membership is inconsistent although it may be laudable for its charity. From a practical standpoint, I don't imagine too many convinced Presbys would join a Baptist church unless there were no sound Presby or other paedo options in the area. The same goes for convinced Baptists joining a Presbyterian church.
Lest someone think I'm cutting it too fine, well we Puritans are precisionists after all.
__________________
Chris
Member at
Grace Community Baptist Church, Mandeville, LA
Beware of a religion without holdfasts. But if I get a grip upon a doctrine they call me a bigot. Let them do so. Bigotry is a hateful thing, and yet that which is now abused as bigotry is a great
virtue, and greatly needed in these frivolous times. I have been inclined lately to start a new denomination, and call it "the Church of the Bigoted." Spurgeon