Baptism for Church Membership?

Sadly I know a few 'baptist' churches where immersion is not a pre-requisite for membership here in Australia.

In the Baptist Union of Victoria there are about half a dozen churches that have what they call 'open membership'. It means that if any come from a church where they have been sprinkled then they don't have to be immersed unless they wish to.

Regards
Bob

 

My old church use to let any of the churches who did not have a baptistery use theirs. It was all scheduled by the month. I feel full immersion is the only way to be water baptized.

If Baptism were just sprinkling, why not just get a mist bottle and go around misting everyone you see, and call it baptizing. LOL....

God Bless
Sherrie

 

I have visited Baptist churches in Alabama that require that a person be Baptized in a Baptist church if they want to be a member.
In these churches it does not matter that the person has already been baptized by immersion after recieving Jesus into their heart.
Some must think that the H2O in the Baptist Baptistry is some kind of "Holy Water."
It is sad that some churches have such an arrogant attitude but each Baptist Church is autonomous. I hope their H2O is as holy as they think it is.

 

Not only are there Baptist churches in Alabama, but all accross the nation etc. that require baptism in a Baptist church for membership.

But I must ask, were you implying, by your post, that they baptised every member who came to them, even if they were baptized in a IFB church?

We read in various books on Baptist History; that the Baptist were called such (Anabaptist etc.) because they took no account of the Baptism of other groups.

Baptists, down through history rejected baptism of infants; sprinkling; pouring; baptism from religions that were not doctrinally correct.

The autonomy of the local church is and has been, a Baptist belief down through the ages. This is contrary to the catholic belief, (held by many, including some Baptists), of a universal invisable church.

I do not recognize/accept baptism from ANY church that is not scriptural, even if they immerse. The question here, is doctrine.
Not just salvation or immersion ... but good sound Bible doctrine.
That eliminates: any pentecostal/charismatic group--Church of Christ--ANY church/Baptist- that is a member of and/or participates in/with the World/National council of churches.
This eliminates Bible churches and anyone who is not an Fundamental Baptist.
Doctrine is the issue; not preference.

Hope this helps.

 

Mortenview,

Amen!

Mark Osgatharp

 

I know of some baptist churches are not strict on mode, but are strict on the baptism being "believer's baptism" and jettisoning any kind of acceptance of paedobaptism.

There are some folks who I'd let come preach at church who were presbys or were paedos. But they couldn't join the church! Always seemed odd to me, but never enough to change my understanding of Scripture on baptism being an ordinance for believers.

 

Would you accept baptism from Evangelical Free, Church of the Nazarene, Church of God Anderson Indiana, Congregational Holiness, Disciples of Christ?
Why?/Why Not?
These groups immerse but do not call themselves Baptist.
Are you saying that Pentecostals/Charismatics , Church Of Christ are not saved.
When They ask Jesus into their heart did They Get rejected by God?

 

Posted by alestring
__________________________________________________
Would you accept baptism from Evangelical Free, Church of the Nazarene, Church of God Anderson Indiana, Congregational Holiness, Disciples of Christ?
Why?/Why Not?
These groups immerse but do not call themselves Baptist.
Are you saying that Pentecostals/Charismatics , Church Of Christ are not saved.
When They ask Jesus into their heart did They Get rejected by God?
_________________________________________________

If you read my post, you already have your answer. And it was/still is NO.

Why? Because they are not scriptural churches.
The issue is not were they immersed, but the doctrines of the local church that baptized those folks.

Now... I never said that any of those folks are not saved...you posed that thread.
however....
Think about it.....
Say a Church of Christ: believes that baptism seals/completes salvation. What are they trusting in? Jesus plus baptism.
I have some Church of Christ books and have discussed the matter throughly with several C of C pastors.... their take: "The blood is applied in the waters of baptism."

I cannot accept that doctrine and therefore cannot accept the authority of such a church's baptism.

I never question the sincerety of the individual, but the doctrines of the church that does the baptizing.
That's a historical part of and practice of Baptist.

Pentecostals etc. with tongues-unscriptural: losing salvation: unscriptural; second blessing: unscriptural etc. etc.
I will not recognize their doctrines as scriptural nor lend credability to them by accepting their baptism.

That's why I am a Baptist and not a Heinz 57 preacher that stands for everything in general and nothing in particular.

Consider: Lucas Oslander in his book AGAINST the Anabaptist in 1607: Our modern Anabaptists are the same as the Donatists of old. They took no account of the baptism of others ..."

Baptists have rejected all forms of baptism except immersion after a profession of faith.
Some of the churches you mentioned, accept infant baptism, no baptism, catholic baptism, Lutheran baptism, baptism from churches that believe that baptism saves etc.

I want no part of that and will not have any part of those false doctrines. When you accept folks into your church with such baptisms, you accept their strange doctrines, excess baggage from those churches, you become a watered down church that ends up compromising the Bible and thus, will end up not being a Baptist church - in practice- maybe in name only-but not in practice.

I trust that this clears up the matter of where I stand with you.

 

So do you believe that Baptist are the only ones that will make it to heaven?

 

Don't be ridiculous....

So when do you begin equating baptism with going to heaven???

That was not nor is the issue. You are chasing rabbits and evading the issue.

 

mortenview,

So, your requirements for being a member of your church are much more strict than God's requirements for getting into heaven.

Hmmm...

 

I am not chasing rabbits and evading the issue. Your post sounds like you think your version of Baptist are some kind of surperior race. If a group does not agree with you 100% and say "shiboleth" the way you want them to you make it sound as if they are not up to par with the scriptures!

 

The churches I have been a part of also have the same views on baptism as mortenview. Baptism has nothing to do with going to heaven, or salvation. But when the church baptises a believer, the representation of Christ's work is to be understood. If the individual believes a false doctrine, or teaching, they may not fully understand the purpose of baptism.

Churches also will baptise the believer, into the membership. If baptised by like practice and belief, the baptism will transfer with the membership not requiring re-baptism.

I thought that if a person is baptised, that they become a member of that church as found in Acts 2:41. But I have been a member of a church that will baptise anyone who claims salvation. They don't ever have to come to the church again. This includes children. I'm not sure this is right.

 

Sounds like some of you are not Baptists but interdenomidationalists ....
Requirements for Heaven ... trust in Christ as personal Saviour ... confessing sins. That's the only way.

Requirements for joining a N.T. Local Baptist Church ... evidence of Salvation PLUS Baptism. So yes... the requirements (not mine but God's)
for joing a Baptist are stricter than just getting into heaven.

Again, sounds like some of you are equating baptism with salvation.

Besides, this is a historical position of Baptists

If you don't hold to the Bible doctrine of the local church and jump to the erronous doctrine of a universal invisible church, then you can do whatever.

I don't follow/accept/practice catholic doctrines.

Depends if you are a Baptist or one who stand for everything in general or nothing in particular.

As for the post re/the watchnight service - your comments are without regard to Scripture, rather just a disagreement with someone.

 

Originally posted by atestring:

/QUOTE]I am not chasing rabbits and evading the issue. Your post sounds like you think your version of Baptist are some kind of surperior race. If a group does not agree with you 100% and say "shiboleth" the way you want them to you make it sound as if they are not up to par with the scriptures! [/QB][/QUOTE]

Still chasing rabbits arent you?

I posted my reply and you did not answer it, just more rabbit chasing and trying to evade the issue. I made my case in a very brief way, I see no rebuttal of the facts I posted to you.

Could it be you just want to argue for agruments sake????

 

I tried posting on this or a similar thread, but now I can't find that thread, nor my post.

I am Baptist, I have been immersed as a believer, who disfellowshipped me? What and when was the vote?

Bro. Dallas

 

I actually dreamed once that I was turned out of my local church because I couldn't pronounce a word properly in the Greek. Can' remember the word though. I was relieved when I awoke and found I was still in ol' kentuk, the land of hillbillies and wholistic language

I don't think anyone will worry whether or not I can pronounce Greek words properly...do you? I mean if you do let me know and I will forgo and learn to syllables until I get it right

 

Not necessarily baptized in a "baptist church." Many churches in my denomination accept baptisms from other denominations (even the sprinkled or poured on kind). This is complemented by our position as open communionists--members from other churches and denominations can share in the Lord's table with us as long as they are baptized.

Grace and Peace, Danny