Quote:
Originally Posted by Contra_Mundum  Bill,
All I did with reference to our respective Confessions was point out a salient difference. I think its a difference that gives evidence that the two sides see baptism speaking two different ways; yes, in a fundamental sense, but not necessarily in a way that excludes the other when its turned obliquely.
I've honestly not tried to put an "everybody knows the WCF has priority" spin on our conversation. I'm simply arguing from my Confessional stance: I understand it, I know it, and it gives me confidence. I think its clearer to everyone now why I'm approaching the text as I do. I think, if I had not begun where I did, I would have had to go back there anyway, to justify why it just doesn't matter to me which baptism Paul might have had foremost in mind when he wrote 1 Cor. 12:13, if we assume he must have had one and not (or ahead of) the other. Most of the time if a baptist hears someone "mingling" the physical act and divine act, they just assume we are heading back to Rome.
I'll be happy to continue the discussion with you focused solely on the text. I have no need to make repeated references to standards. Blessings. Quote:
Originally Posted by North Jersey Baptist I don't like having to leave an interesting thread for something as mundane as my chosen profession. Bruce, you certainly articulate the Presbyterian view of baptism well. I need some time to respond back on a few points. I will do so as soon as I have more than just a few moments to sit down at the computer. But I will throw this out for thought. You have used the tactic of setting the WCF as the authority on baptism while trying to put the LBC on the defensive. That's great for the Presbyterian. I think I know you better than to throw out the term, "ad hominem." You do a good job of explaining your ecclesiology and your hermeneutic. I suppose I still am having a difficult time of getting my mind around your macro interpretation of 1 Cor. 12. I don't see what you see. I'll try to respond to this later. Time is against me right now.
Peace. | |
Bruce, how about this for starters: what is Paul writing about in 1 Cor. 12? I'm not talking about the interpretive grid of our macro-presupposition but of the face value of the text? He starts and ends the chapter on spiritual gifts. "Now, concerning spiritual
gifts..." (1 Cor. 12:1). "But earnestly desire the greater gifts." (1 Cor. 12:31). Within this discussion Paul writes about the unit of the body in the midst of varying gifts. "For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, yet are one body as also is Christ." (1 Cor. 12:12). To emphasize this point he describes the spiritual foundation of the SOMA. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit." I don't believe Paul's intent (v. 13) was to write about baptism (whether spiritual or water). Paul was writing about the administration of spiritual gifts within the body and how the body is unified even though there are varying gifts. That's it. Help me see what I'm missing.