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Originally Posted by North Jersey Baptist  Quote: |
Thus, maybe we should accept one's profession, and Elders and fellow church member's hold one accountable to that profession.
| We do and we should. Still, prudence dictates that a minister has an understanding, however flawed, of the candidate for baptism. I think that would be an agreed upon statement since both credos and paedos are looking for a credible profession. |
I'm curious as to why we see nothing of this "prudence" in the New Testament or in the church fathers. While I agree that we should desire a willingness to be discipled in adult believers, that does not involve an infallible knowledge of the individual's sincerity or true belief on the part of the minister or elder. Not once do we see Paul or Peter regret baptizing anyone. I see no reason for any minister or elder to regret baptizing anyone. I see nothing in Scripture to advance the idea that God will judge a minister or elder because they baptized someone that turned out to be a Judas or Simon.
And besides, a minister sprinkling water on someone only applies the sign, it does not mean that the Holy Spirit will make it effectual no matter what the profession or how sincere the person is.
In Christ,
KC