I need some advice and wisdom on a situation for a person...
Apparently, this person is contemplating moving from being a Baptist (of the Southern Baptist variety) to the PCA. He feels he can no longer be a Baptist with his beliefs regarding the following: ecclesiology (he affirms eldership and the presbyterian form of gov't), hermeneutics (he affirms covenantal theology), the Lord's Supper (he affirms a real spiritual presence), and those who are invited to the Lord's Supper (he does NOT feel as though only those who have been baptized by immersion are the only ones allowed to the table).
Of course, his question centers around infant baptism. From what I understand, he is now at the point to of saying that infant baptism is ok, but that believing parents probably should (but it is not mandatory) baptize their infant children.
He is a MDIV student, but not an ordained SBC minister yet. He would probably pursue PCA ordination eventually.
I believe his question centers around this: due to his beliefs on infant baptism right now, is that enough to "not make him a Southern Baptist"? He realizes that most likely presbyteries would want him to affirm that believing parents MUST baptize their children. So, I believe he feels as though he is in limbo (not of the Catholic kind!) because he affirms more than Southern Baptists are comfortable with, but not all the way of what Presbyterians are comfortable with.
What advice can I give to this young man?
Thanks!
Apparently, this person is contemplating moving from being a Baptist (of the Southern Baptist variety) to the PCA. He feels he can no longer be a Baptist with his beliefs regarding the following: ecclesiology (he affirms eldership and the presbyterian form of gov't), hermeneutics (he affirms covenantal theology), the Lord's Supper (he affirms a real spiritual presence), and those who are invited to the Lord's Supper (he does NOT feel as though only those who have been baptized by immersion are the only ones allowed to the table).
Of course, his question centers around infant baptism. From what I understand, he is now at the point to of saying that infant baptism is ok, but that believing parents probably should (but it is not mandatory) baptize their infant children.
He is a MDIV student, but not an ordained SBC minister yet. He would probably pursue PCA ordination eventually.
I believe his question centers around this: due to his beliefs on infant baptism right now, is that enough to "not make him a Southern Baptist"? He realizes that most likely presbyteries would want him to affirm that believing parents MUST baptize their children. So, I believe he feels as though he is in limbo (not of the Catholic kind!) because he affirms more than Southern Baptists are comfortable with, but not all the way of what Presbyterians are comfortable with.
What advice can I give to this young man?
Thanks!