Quote:
Originally Posted by North Jersey Baptist  Tom,
Anabaptists hold to a body of theological belief that is repudiated by confessional baptists. While confessional Baptists share a similar view on the proper recipients of baptism (namely, believers), we radically depart from their larger theology. |
Bill,
No argument there, but that is not how we started down this trail. In my comments I have attempted to focus on the matter of rebaptism (of infants and/or by immersion) as it is practiced by both Baptists and Anabaptists.
How many different ways to I have to agree with you that Baptist and Anabaptist are not identical in all areas?
Quote:
Originally Posted by North Jersey Baptist And to answer your question, the confessional Baptist view of baptism departs from Anabaptists in scope. Anabaptists held a more socialistic and separatist view of their existence. Confessional Baptists view baptism through the larger prism of scripture and are bound together by a codified system of beliefs; something that cannot be said about Anabaptists. |
I appreciate what you are saying, but difference in scope does not necessarily equal difference in substance. On the matter of rebaptism of infants, the views are not materially different. And frankly the similarity enforces the view that confessional Baptists have a deficient view of the covenant, much like the Anabaptists.
So, allow me to say it one more time, just for the record, Baptists and Anabaptists are not identical in all areas. But in the area of the rebaptism of infants (which is a denial of the confessional position of Westminster) they are no different.