Are Old Fashioned Baptist Churches shrinking?

I'm sure you'll get to tag me.

 

I'm lost. I'm not sure what you are saying here except for the end part, counting numbers for our own benefit. God does command today through the Scriptures. I've said nothing about God speaking to all Baptist churches (other than as far as we follow Scripture). I'm not a member of any convention, and being here in Japan I don't know what they are saying back in the States.

Concerning counting, my whole purpose in what I have posted was to show that the statement "God is not concerned with numbers" is false. I think I have proved that, and that all churches and Christians are concerned with numbers in God's work one way or another.

I absolutely agree that baptism is never, anywhere, for salvation.

Other than that, well, we will certainly have to agree to disagree here. I think. I'm still really not sure what you are saying. You appear to have different definitions for many things than I do (kingdom of God, etc.). You seem to be saying that the Great Commission was for the Jews and not us, but wait, maybe it is for us, too.

I believe that all five statements of the Great Commission were for us. I see no change in the age in Scripture between the Apostles and us in what we are to do for the Lord.

Your other statements wander further from the OP, so forgive me, but I'll let them slide.

God bless.

John

 

As I read this thread, this thought came to mind-

"More hair-splitting!"

 

There are some things I've noticed/learned on this thread.
First of all, I want to thank all the PBs and ORBs for letting us know what goes on. I have always wondered how they worshipped.

I have noticed that our worship stems from our theology.
Of course the PBs aren't concerned about missions, or reaching people, why should they be? They don't believe it is our job to reach people. So therefore, that part of their Sunday Service doesn't exist.
But us ABCs, SBC, other IFBs, and others view that we have a command to reach people so it is an important part of our service.
IOWs, We worship according to our theology.

Next, I have a suspicion that when we get to Heaven, we will all realize we have missed some part of true worship. We are all fallen creatures here. And no branch of Baptists have the exclusive worship rights.

Next, God is a creative God that has given us a multitude of worship styles in which our personalities match. It would drive me crazy to worship like a PB. As I am sure it would them to worship like me.
Instead of cutting one another down, we need to recognize that God accepts all kinds of worship. And worship is based on our personal taste.

Finally, I have found the most important thing that links all of us together, whether we are PB, ORB, IFB, SBC, ABC, or anyother type of Baptist:

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FOOOOOOOOOD!!!
Praise God for lunches!!!

 

You beat me to it, Tim!

I was going to say that the reason Baptists count people is so they will know how much food they need for the potlucks... :godisgood:

 

And all this time I thought it was the distinctives that defined what a Baptist is...

But folks, you have seen it here...
We can disagree over everything, but the one thing we all agree on is Food!
Food is both old fashioned and modern
They had food in 1611, and food today
Food is neither calvinistic nor freewill.... (unless that pig that died so that I have the ham sandwich I am about to eat was predestined for consumption by me?!)
I can sing bluegrass while eating, or CCm while eating....
Food stops arguments... (you have to keep your mouth closed while you eat)

Praise God for Food.
(can you tell I am on a diet?)

 

I just want you to know, Brother Mexdeaf: God knows the number of every hair we split! :laugh: :wavey:

 

As long as the hair (split ends or not) doesn't get into my food, I am happy!!!

 

Well Tim, my friend;
Its food alright, but its that Heavenly food that came down from Heaven that we all have in common by the name of "Jesus", and I don't think you are on a diet for that food. Blessings,

BBob

 

Tiny, I sort of agree with you, but realize that the "way we worship" stems from being baptist, i.e., non-liturgical. There has long been a specific baptist approach to worship services that today is most closely found among the old order baptists. I don't know exactly when things started to change for other baptists, I expect the first subtle changes began to occur around the time fo the U.S. civil war. I like to do historical research, and read about a few southern churches getting an organ around that time. The arguments made by members of the congregation against the organ were exactly what an old order baptist might say today. I suspect that the emphasis on productions, "specials" etc., came about in the 20th century under the influence of the entertainment industry. Really, I think we are just contrasting those who continued worshipping the way baptists traditionally worshipped with those who chose to modernize and drew their concepts for doing so from somewhere outside the baptist churches.

At any rate, like you said, each to his own interpretation on this. I really thought most people here would recognize what I am saying, because we already established that this is a generally conservative board and that most of us attend relatively small churches. I guess I just didn't realize how widespread a lot of the modern practice is. I expected most to agree with me!

 

Amity, welcome to Baptistboard... you are an official member...
lol!!!

I am also talking about the differences in worship styles amongst Baptists... Liturgies never crossed my mind.

As for most agreeing with you.... that is the other thing about Baptists... when you have 2 Baptists in a room, you have 10 different opinions.
We have all kinds of Baptists here.
Some from small churches, some from mega churches, some from conservative churches, some more liberal. We have missionaries, seminary professors, and everything else in between... (and this is just the Baptist section of the board.!!!, when you get to the other denominations section..... Who knows what we got... I only go there when I feel brave... it is a whole other world!!!)
One of my favorite posters, and she is an SBC preacher's wife, Tatertot even had a clown ministry at one point... and i doubt you could ever find a more spiritual lady than she.
One thing you will learn by being here longer is, that although we disagree on different things, most, if not all, loves Jesus with all their hearts!
And we will hold each other up in prayer... Just ask Brother Bob. I don't agree with him on everything. But when it comes to what really matters...Love... we both are there!
There are others here that wouldn't let me preach in their pulpits, and I wouldn't let them preach in mine, but we still love each other...
Pinoy is one of them... he is PB also. And of course we disagree over predestination. But I consider him a brother in Christ, the same as I consider you a sister in Christ.

It does get hot in here sometimes... but that is just the nature of BB.
When the fire dies down, we can still agree to disagree.
Now there have been some to come along that didn't learn this, and left too soon... they were immature, and had to have things their way. And they couldn't understand that just because someone differs with them, they are not a bad Christian.

And, Bob...all I can say about heavenly food is this.... BRING IT ON!!!!

 

Thanks Ladies, you are special.

 

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:laugh: :laugh:

 

thank you very much, thank you very much. :laugh: :laugh: :applause:

 

I hope that chicken's not playing that instrument in the church, Brother Bob.:laugh:

 

Great. Primitive Baptists and Progressive Chickens. What next? :laugh:

 

Progressively primitive Baptist Chickens.


:laugh: :1_grouphug:

 

Wouldn't that be reverse evolution?

Let's form a committee to discuss it.:1_grouphug:

 

NOT a committeeeeee!!!!!

 

How's this for the committee?