Presbyterian acceptance of other baptisms

[saturneptune]

A question crossed my mind the other day with all the talk of immersion in Baptist churches. If a Baptist who has been immersed joined a Presbyterian (or any other mainstream Protestant denomination), would they accept a Baptist baptism?

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

The short answer is yes. I was immersed in a Baptist church and am now a member of Presbyterian church. No re-baptism required.

The mode of baptism is much less of an issue in Presbyterian church than in a Baptist church. While pouring and sprinkling are more common, I know of situations where someone requested to be immersed and the Presbyterian pastor agreed.

BTW, we would view your baptism as a Christian baptism -- not a Baptist baptism.

Hope this helps.

FOS

 

[Amy.G]

Friend of Spurgeon, I don't want to hyjack this thread, but you could answer a question for me quickly?
What is the difference between Presbyterian USA and PCA?

Thank you!

 

[saturneptune]

Friend of Spurgeon, I don't want to hyjack this thread, but you could answer a question for me quickly?
What is the difference between Presbyterian USA and PCA?

Thank you!

My dad is a PCA member, and I believe that group is much more conservative than USA, such a women deacons, literal interpretation of the Bible, tolerance of gay rights, etc. I am sure it goes deeper than that.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

My dad is a PCA member, and I believe that group is much more conservative than USA, such a women deacons, literal interpretation of the Bible, tolerance of gay rights, etc. I am sure it goes deeper than that.

I am a deacon of a PCA church. Here's a quote from the PCA web site:

"It separated from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (Southern) in opposition to the long-developing theological liberalism which denied the deity of Jesus Christ and the inerrancy and authority of Scripture. Additionally, the PCA held to the traditional position on the role of women in church offices."

That being said, there are a lot of good PCUSA churches out there and I don't want to throw another denomination under the bus. On the whole though, we are more conservative -- both socially and theologically -- though we are far from being homogenous.

Hope this helps.

 

[drfuss]

drfuss: Years ago, I atended a Presbyterian church service that had both sprinkling and immersion baptisms. One near the beginning of the service, and one near the end of the service. The different types of baptisms were not mentioned. I think that church went the PCA route.

 

[Jerome]

Since the typical person presented for baptism at Presbyterian churches has not assented to it and in fact has no clue what is even going on, they are in no place to quibble with a member who has, as a believer, submitted to the historic Christian mode of baptism.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Since the typical person presented for baptism at Presbyterian churches has not assented to it and in fact has no clue what is even going on, they are in no place to quibble with a member who has, as a believer, submitted to the historic Christian mode of baptism.

While it is true that infants of believing parents are baptized in Reformed & Presbyterian churches, new Christians who are adults, teens, etc. are baptized as well. If the adults are also parents, then the whole household is baptized.

 

[TCGreek]

The short answer is yes. I was immersed in a Baptist church and am now a member of Presbyterian church. No re-baptism required.

The mode of baptism is much less of an issue in Presbyterian church than in a Baptist church. While pouring and sprinkling are more common, I know of situations where someone requested to be immersed and the Presbyterian pastor agreed.

BTW, we would view your baptism as a Christian baptism -- not a Baptist baptism.

Hope this helps.

FOS

Ok, good stuff.

I know Dr. Piper has mentioned that though he invites pedobaptists/Presbyterians to speak on his Pastor's Conference, they can never be members at his church without adult baptism.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Ok, good stuff.

I know Dr. Piper has mentioned that though he invites pedobaptists/Presbyterians to speak on his Pastor's Conference, they can never be members at his church without adult baptism.

I realize that it doesn't work the other way around. If we joined a Baptist church, my wife & kids would need to be baptized again.

Question: would Dr. Piper require another baptism if the adult was not immersed the first time around?

 

[TCGreek]

I realize that it doesn't work the other way around. If we joined a Baptist church, my wife & kids would need to be baptized again.

Question: would Dr. Piper require another baptism if the adult was not immersed the first time around?

From what I've read and heard of him, I will confidently say yes, because of what he believes about baptism but not in a regenerational sense, but portrayal sense.

 

[saturneptune]

I realize that it doesn't work the other way around. If we joined a Baptist church, my wife & kids would need to be baptized again.

Question: would Dr. Piper require another baptism if the adult was not immersed the first time around?

Several have mentioned that in some settings, Presbyterians baptize adults by immersion. If this were the case, do you think a Baptist church would accept that baptism?

 

[TCGreek]

Several have mentioned that in some settings, Presbyterians baptize adults by immersion. If this were the case, do you think a Baptist church would accept that baptism?

I never thought they baptized by immersion. On what grounds?

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Typically, adults, children and infants are baptized either by pouring or sprinkling. Each church is a little different & if you sit in the back, you probably can't see the difference.

However, I've known of a few instances where an adult was immersed. This is a rare occurence, but it has happened.

 

[Jerome]

Question: would Dr. Piper require another baptism if the adult was not immersed the first time around?

Nope. Piper proposed that his church should amend their constitution and "welcome into membership candidates who, after a time of study, discussion, and prayer, prescribed by the Elders, retain a conviction that it would be a violation of their conscience to be baptized by immersion as believers."

This is Piper's personal viewpoint; he has submitted to the church's rejection of his constitutional amendment (due to what he termed as "flak") for now, but has vowed to bring it up again once he can built enough support.

 

[Tom Butler]

Several have mentioned that in some settings, Presbyterians baptize adults by immersion. If this were the case, do you think a Baptist church would accept that baptism?

Well, saturneptune, since we are members of the same Baptist church, a couple of questions:
1. What do you think our church would do?
2. What do you think our church should do?

You already know my position.
No to both questions.

 

[BobRyan]

A question crossed my mind the other day with all the talk of immersion in Baptist churches. If a Baptist who has been immersed joined a Presbyterian (or any other mainstream Protestant denomination), would they accept a Baptist baptism?

Presbyterian infant baptism is little more than "baby dedication". It has no other meaning at all.

The "Believer" that chooses to be baptized whether Presbyterian or Baptist is taking a very different step than the infant.

As far as I know Presbyterians accept full baptism in other Christian churches... but Baptists and SDAs and all those who practice believers baptism by immersion would have someone baptized by immersion even if they were already "sprinkled" as a believer at some other church.

(Not sure what "community churches" do that are really baptist churches)

 

[saturneptune]

Well, saturneptune, since we are members of the same Baptist church, a couple of questions:
1. What do you think our church would do?
2. What do you think our church should do?

You already know my position.
No to both questions.

Since in our particular case, the Constitution says from a Baptist church of like faith and order, your answers are correct. This is not true in all Baptist churches. It is also no longer true if a local congregation votes for something different.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Presbyterian infant baptism is little more than "baby dedication". It has no other meaning at all. quote]

Sorry Bob. You're wrong. It has a lot more meaning than a baby dedication.

 

[trustitl]

Baptisms

There is definitely more to it than a baby dedication; I wish there wasn't.

You will have to do a little study on Covenant Theology. See you in a few years when you get it figured out.:laugh: I was raised in it and still don't quite see where they found it in scripture.