Taylor Ortwell's thread "Credobaptism and Raising Families" generated some excellent discussion. Towards the end of the thread the subject of children of believers being more likely to be saved than children of unbelievers was was brought up. See -- HERE. Responses were provided HERE and HERE. I believe the discussion will prove profitable if opened up for all to participate.
In the thread "What difference does Baptism make since Credo-Baptists train their children?" Cesar (discipulo) attached a sermon preached by Charles Spurgeon on household baptism from a credo perspective. Thanks go to Cesar for sourcing this wonderful message. Spurgeon certainly had no paedo inclinations. If anyone is confused as to his position on baptism consider this quote from his sermon titled, "Household Salvation."
It seems that God does work through families in calling sinners to repentance. Indeed, Spurgeon writes:
Obviously there is going to be a measure of agreement and disagreement among credos and paedos re: household salvation. The issue has been laid out. The only thing missing is discussion.
In the thread "What difference does Baptism make since Credo-Baptists train their children?" Cesar (discipulo) attached a sermon preached by Charles Spurgeon on household baptism from a credo perspective. Thanks go to Cesar for sourcing this wonderful message. Spurgeon certainly had no paedo inclinations. If anyone is confused as to his position on baptism consider this quote from his sermon titled, "Household Salvation."
The answers I provided to Rich's question in the "Credobaptism and raising families" thread left something to be desired. I stand by the intent of what I said, but certainly could have acquitted myself better in the manner in which I expressed my thoughts. I defer to Spurgeon on the matter. Regarding household salvation Spurgeon writes:If you have come to the cross, and all your hope is placed there, then come and declare that you are Christ's. Touch not the ordinance till you believe in Jesus Christ: it may work you mighty mischief if you do. The sacramentarianism, which is so rampant in this age, is of all lies I think most deadly, and you encourage sacramentarianism if you give a Christian ordinance to an unconverted person. Touch it not, then, until you are saved. Until you are believers, ordinances are not for you, and it is a sacrilege for you to intrude yourselves into them."
The question was asked, "Is this the historical Baptist position?" I answer honestly, I don't know. Is Spurgeon historical enough? Spurgeon cites the 17th century Baptist, John Bunyan, and his work, "Pilgrims Progress" as a treatise on how household salvation takes place. First Christian, then followed some time later by his wife Christiana and his children; all these come to faith, albeit at different times and in different ways, but all through the same means -- the hearing of the gospel."Far oftener, however, it happens that the God who is the God of Abraham becomes the God of Sarah, and then of Isaac, and then of Jacob, and though grace does not run in the blood, and regeneration is not of blood nor of birth, yet doth it very frequently - I was about to say almost always - happen that God, by means of one of a household, draws the rest to himself. He calls an individual, and then uses him to be sort of a spiritual decoy to bring the rest of the family into the gospel net."
It seems that God does work through families in calling sinners to repentance. Indeed, Spurgeon writes:
But while Spurgeon believed God works his grace in believing families, it was not consummated until the sinner believed."We rejoice to think of whole families enclosed within the lines of electing grace, and entire households, redeemed by blood, devoting themselves to the service of the God of love."
Obviously there is going to be a measure of agreement and disagreement among credos and paedos re: household salvation. The issue has been laid out. The only thing missing is discussion.
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