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Originally Posted by joshua  Quote:
Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis I assume you mean by non-Covenantal Family adult that the person is an adult that is not part of any family in the Church. Correct? | Correct (I would say "Yes," but I don't want to give the wrong impression!  ) Quote:
Those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ are to be baptized in this instance.
Profession of faith in and repentance unto Christ are key here. It's not saying that the person is truly regenerate but has professed faith and repentance.
| Right. And in another thread, I have asked Baptists what constitutes a "credible" profession of faith. I ask that, because I'm trying to understand where this concept comes in. As I watch/listen/read Reformed Paedobaptists discuss such things, I see what seems to be a more consistent approach, in that there's not this overt effort to make sure someone's not unregenerate before Baptizing. However, that's for that thread, not this one.
So, do Reformed Paedobaptists use the "credible profession of faith" language, or more along just "professiona of faith." In the New Testament, there didn't seem to be much of a period of time between one's profession and their baptism, so it's what gets me asking these things. |
I think if you look at the New Testament
examples {ding, ding where have we heard this reasoning before} then you'll see that there are clear cases where, had strict examination over a lengthy period been performed, then a person wouldn't be baptized if a definitive assurance of regeneration was the standard.
It just so happens that I'm teaching on Acts 8 this weekend and it appears to me that Simon (the Soceror) might have become a disciple so he could learn to be as powerful as Phillip. He was a disciple and might have even expressed faith and repentance because it would allow him access. I can't say for certain.
Either way, when Peter and John confer the Holy Spirit, he's blown away. He used to be powerful, Philip was more powerful but these two are really powerful and he wants some of that. I don't see how anyone can read that account and conclude that, if the standard was to test for definitive regeneration that Simon would have passed that test prior to baptism. For that matter, it would be impossible to test for that when baptizing thousands in one day as around Pentecost.
I've noted this before but when your eyes have been opened to the Truth there's really an obligation upon you to respond to the Gospel. If you're willing to be under the discipline of the Church and be trained in the fear and admonition of the Lord then the Church should be letting you learn if you're not disrupting anything. If you're in a position where you desire to learn, the Church has no right to be playing "Duck, duck, goose" and deciding it's pointless because you're not regenerate yet. Why? Because the next time you hear the Gospel might be the day of your conversion!
What really bothers me is that what some Baptists are after (especially those that claim a regenerate Church membership) is a Church with no bruised reeds or smoldering wicks. They break them off and snuff them out.
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Regarding participation in the Lord's Supper, the child must be able to maturely discern the nature of the matter they are participating in and, like an adult, not be guilty of any rebellion concerning the faith or unrepentant conduct. Discernment on this matter is left up to the Session. I think a rough analogy would be like discerning when you think a child is old enough to drive a car. It's not a matter of skill so much as maturity to be responsible in a serious matter.
| But this would also apply to any adult, insofar as examination goes. Are their explicity prooftexts for this sentiment, or other texts that give good and necessary inference/consequence for this?
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Are you talking about an adult that cannot discern the Body and Blood of the Lord? Sure there are adults that would be unable to participate. The requirement is discernment. In cases of diminished capacity or immaturity it might be appropriate to withold the Supper. Again, the Elder should be judging whether or not a member discerns the Body and Blood of Christ.