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**Moderating**
Responding to several suggestions for closing the thread: No, not at this time.
Personally, I haven't seen anything (starting with the OP) that would move me to add input the thread.
And if the Reformation Monk indulges the replies or queries with more extensive answers, rather than ignoring them, then he's changed his own stated purpose for beginning the thread. It is posted in the "Baptism" forum... Don't engage if you can't be patient and civil, especially when dealing with a fellow member who is congealing his theology, really for the first time.
Everyone, behave yourselves.
Fair enough. This is why I am not a moderator...yet. I am planning a mutiny! Not really.
Very good point! I get so used to thinking of Presbyterian in terms of RPCGA, PCA, OPC, etc...NOT PCUSA
**Moderating**
Responding to several suggestions for closing the thread: No, not at this time.
Personally, I haven't seen anything (starting with the OP) that would move me to add input the thread.
And if the Reformation Monk indulges the replies or queries with more extensive answers, rather than ignoring them, then he's changed his own stated purpose for beginning the thread. It is posted in the "Baptism" forum... Don't engage if you can't be patient and civil, especially when dealing with a fellow member who is congealing his theology, really for the first time.
Everyone, behave yourselves.
I genuinely regret hearing this decision. I think more important is this: I hear you saying that Pres folk focus on the efficacy of the sacraments over the Gospel. I would encourage you to watch what you're saying, to wit, "it has just been my observation that Baptists tend to have a little more focus on the efficacy of the "pronouncement of the gospel" or the "gospel call". Presbyterians seem to put a little more focus on the efficacy of the Church and Sacraments...." Of course, just before that you say, "Presbyterians tend to be a little more expository, but over all no less gospel centered." I appreciate the latter, but I see it as in conflict with the first quote. We Pres love Christ and his Word and say without a doubt that neither sacraments nor the Church are the foundation of our faith or the center of the message we preach. We love the Gospel above all else, no matter how big a shame it would be to not preach the whole counsel of God, to wit WCF "The Church, IV. ...particular Churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them." The emphasis would be, if all else failed, that the Gospel is foremost. WCF "Baptism. V. Although it is a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it: or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated." At any rate, you are apologizing for negativity but then simultaneously saying that the Gospel call isn't emphasized as well in the Pres church as in the Baptist. Who wouldn't bristle at that? Wouldn't you if someone slighted Baptist emphasis of the Gospel? I certainly wouldn't say the about the Baptists what you say about the Pres. and I would hope that no other Pres on here would. Some of the most powerful Gospel preachers of all times are Baptist and all Christians, Pres included (maybe Pres especially!), would do well to examine their ministries and follow those big footprints left by these Christian giants.
This is one of those threads one wants to reply to with some words of encouragement but fears to in case the same is misinterpreted as gloating!