Pilgrim
Puritanboard Commissioner
I realize from the outset that in all likelihood this will be an unpopular post, but I feel compelled to invest the time in it because I'm seeing arguments all over the Baptist blogosphere that echo those in this thread.
Here's the bottom line. None of the Presbyterians are knowingly going to allow someone to join the church and/or come to the table without being baptized. Why should the Baptist be raked over the coals for answering the question in the same way? Of course the answer is clear. It's because the results of that answer are different, and some don't like it because they appear to be uncharitable. As I'm sure we've all noticed, a lot of people don't like Calvinism and complementarianism either. Shall truth be sacrificed for the sake of unity? Does the Bible speak authoritatively on the subject of baptism or not? I have to admit some dismay at arguments like "Well he sincerely believes the sprinkling he received as an infant is a valid baptism, and he's a much better theologian than anyone in the congregation so why should we refuse him church membership?" And at times this comes from people claiming to represent the historic Baptist position!
Also, let's not forget that many Reformed churches (particularly the continental tradition) do not consider Baptist churches to be true churches and will not allow them to partake in the Lord's Supper. Many Presbyterian churches who will let Baptists partake in the Lord's Supper will eventually discipline baptistic members who refuse to present their children for baptism. And let's not forget that it was the liberals who led the charge for open communion in Baptist churches.
It would be far better for those calling themselves Baptists but who are out of accord with every Baptist confession that addresses this issue to just admit that they are broad church evangelicals who just happen to be personally baptistic, but to borrow a phrase from Mario Cuomo, aren't going to "force" that view on the unpersuaded. The fact that they still wear the Baptist label is a testimony to the great declension in Baptist churches over the years. This is a novel view in church history. Many will cite Bunyan, but whether or not he was actually a Baptist has long been the subject of debate. It's certainly possible that the near unanimous view of professing Christendom is wrong on this issue, but I would tread lightly before I would adopt such a newfangled position.
By posting the above and the following from various Calvinistic and Particular Baptist confessions, I'm not really looking to debate baptism with the paedos. That's been done to death here. But I would like those who admire the Founders and who want to get back to "historic Baptist principles" to consider whether their views represent historic Particular/Calvinistic Baptist beliefs on this matter. Historic Baptist principles didn't just deal with soteriology, but ecclesiology as well. We hear the cry of Landmarkism thrown around a lot today, but this isn't Landmarkism, it's simply the confessional Baptist view. Those who believe that these views originated with American Baptists or Southern Baptists and weren't held by the English Baptists should take particular note.
1st London Baptist Confession (1644)
The Baptist Catechism, Charleston Association (1813)
Here's the bottom line. None of the Presbyterians are knowingly going to allow someone to join the church and/or come to the table without being baptized. Why should the Baptist be raked over the coals for answering the question in the same way? Of course the answer is clear. It's because the results of that answer are different, and some don't like it because they appear to be uncharitable. As I'm sure we've all noticed, a lot of people don't like Calvinism and complementarianism either. Shall truth be sacrificed for the sake of unity? Does the Bible speak authoritatively on the subject of baptism or not? I have to admit some dismay at arguments like "Well he sincerely believes the sprinkling he received as an infant is a valid baptism, and he's a much better theologian than anyone in the congregation so why should we refuse him church membership?" And at times this comes from people claiming to represent the historic Baptist position!
Also, let's not forget that many Reformed churches (particularly the continental tradition) do not consider Baptist churches to be true churches and will not allow them to partake in the Lord's Supper. Many Presbyterian churches who will let Baptists partake in the Lord's Supper will eventually discipline baptistic members who refuse to present their children for baptism. And let's not forget that it was the liberals who led the charge for open communion in Baptist churches.
It would be far better for those calling themselves Baptists but who are out of accord with every Baptist confession that addresses this issue to just admit that they are broad church evangelicals who just happen to be personally baptistic, but to borrow a phrase from Mario Cuomo, aren't going to "force" that view on the unpersuaded. The fact that they still wear the Baptist label is a testimony to the great declension in Baptist churches over the years. This is a novel view in church history. Many will cite Bunyan, but whether or not he was actually a Baptist has long been the subject of debate. It's certainly possible that the near unanimous view of professing Christendom is wrong on this issue, but I would tread lightly before I would adopt such a newfangled position.
By posting the above and the following from various Calvinistic and Particular Baptist confessions, I'm not really looking to debate baptism with the paedos. That's been done to death here. But I would like those who admire the Founders and who want to get back to "historic Baptist principles" to consider whether their views represent historic Particular/Calvinistic Baptist beliefs on this matter. Historic Baptist principles didn't just deal with soteriology, but ecclesiology as well. We hear the cry of Landmarkism thrown around a lot today, but this isn't Landmarkism, it's simply the confessional Baptist view. Those who believe that these views originated with American Baptists or Southern Baptists and weren't held by the English Baptists should take particular note.
1st London Baptist Confession (1644)
Appendix to the 1646 Confession of Faith by Benjamin Cox:[SIZE=+1] XXXIX [/SIZE] BAPTlSM is an ordinance of the New Testament, given by Christ, to be dispensed upon persons professing faith, or that are made disciples; who upon profession of faith, ought to be baptized, and after to partake of the Lord's Supper.
Matt.28:18,19; John 4:1; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:37.38, 8:36,37,etc.
XL THAT the way and manner of dispensing this ordinance, is dipping or plunging the body under water; it being a sign, must answer the things signified, which is, that interest the saints have in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ: And that as certainly as the body is buried under water, and risen again, so certainly shall the bodies of the saints be raised by the power of Christ, in the day of the resurrection, to reign with Christ.
Matt.3:16; Mark 15:9 reads (into Jordan) in Greek; John 3:23; Acts 8:38; Rev.1:5, 7:14; Heb.10:22; Rom.6:3,4,5.6; 1 Cor.15:28.29. The word baptizo signifies to dip or plunge (yet so as convenient garments be both upon the administrator and subject with all modesty).
Midland Confession of Faith (1655)Though a believer's right to the use of the Lord's Supper doth immediately flow from Jesus Christ apprehended and received by faith, yet in as much as all things ought to be done not only decently, but also in order, 1 Cor.14:40; and the Word holds forth this order, that disciples should be baptized, Matt.28:19; Acts 2:38, and then be taught to observe all things (that is to say. all other things) that Christ commanded the Apostles, Matt.28:20, and accordingly the Apostles first baptized disciples, and then admitted them to the use of the Supper, Acts 2:41, 42; we therefore do not admit any in the use of the Supper, nor communicate with any in the use of this ordinance, but disciples having once been Scripturally baptized, less we should have fellowship with them in their doing contrary to order.
2nd London Baptist Confession (1689)13th. That those who profess faith in Christ, and make the same appear by their fruits, are the proper subjects of Baptism. Matthew xxviii.18,19.
14th. That this baptizing is not by sprinkling, but dipping of the persons in the water, representing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Romans vi.3,4; Colossians ii.12; Acts viii.38,39.
15th. That persons so baptized ought, by free consent, to walk together, as God shall give opportunity in distinct churches, or assemblies of Zion, continuing in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers, as fellow-men caring for one another, according to the will of God. All these ordinances of Christ are enjoined in His Church, being to be observed till his Second Coming, which we all ought diligently to wait for.
Carter Lane Declaration--John Gill's Confession of Faith (1757)
Chapter 28: Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper
1._____ Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continued in his church to the end of the world.
( Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26 )
2._____ These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ.
( Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 4:1 )
Chapter 29: Of Baptism
1._____ Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized, a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him; of remission of sins; and of giving up into God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.
( Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2;12; Galatians 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4 )
2._____ Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects of this ordinance.
( Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8 )
3._____The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
( Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38 )
4._____Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance. ( Matthew 3:16; John 3:23 )
The Sandy Creek Confession (1758)XI. We believe, That Baptism (Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26) and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Christ, to be continued until his second coming; and that the former is absolutely requisite to the latter; that is to say, that those (Acts 2:41 and 9:18, 26) only are to be admitted into the communion of the church, and to participate of all ordinances in it, (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36, 37 and 16:31-34 and 8:8) who upon profession of their faith, have been baptized, (Matthew 3:6, 16; John 3:23; Acts 8:38, 39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12) by immersion, in the name of the Father, (Matthew 28:19) and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
IX. That true believers are the only fit subjects of baptism;, and that immersion is the only mode.
X. That the church has no right to admit any but regular baptized church members to communion at the Lord's table.
The Baptist Catechism, Charleston Association (1813)
New Hampshire Confession (1833)Q. Who are the proper subjects of this ordinance? (The Lord's Supper)
A. They who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from dead works (Acts 2:41, 42).
Abstract of Principles--Adopted at the founding of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1858:
- Of a Gospel Church We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (66), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (67); observing the ordinances of Christ (68); governed by his laws (69), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word (70); that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons (71), whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
- Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (72), into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost (73); to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (74); that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation; and to the Lord's Supper (75), in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (76); preceded always by solemn self- examination (77).
A Catechism of Bible Teaching by John A. Broadus (1892)XV. Baptism.
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. It is prerequisite to church fellowship, and to participation in the Lord's Supper.
The Baptist Faith and Message (2000) of the Southern Baptist Convention echoes the language of the New Hampshire Confession and the Abstract of Principles:Lesson 11: Baptism and the Lord's Supper
10. Who ought to partake of the Lord's Supper
A. Those ought to partake of the Lord's Supper who have believed in Christ, and have been baptized, and are trying to live in obedience of Christ's commands.
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Univers,Zurich BT][SIZE=-1]Being a church ordinance, it [baptism] is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper. [/SIZE][/FONT]