The Baptist Name

[HankD]

What if they don't like "the open door"?

Well that could be symbolic - On which side of the door and to whom is it open?

Jesus is knocking on our door if we lock it to keep Him out well He will respect that action of shutting Him out of our lives. So be it.

OTOH On the other side of the door the scripture indicates that the door has been opened and all who wish may come in.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

...whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

AOBTW, ANY name we name anything will statistically evoke dislike in a certain percentage of folks - so - that's just the way it is.

HankD

 

[rlvaughn]

AOBTW, ANY name we name anything will statistically evoke dislike in a certain percentage of folks - so - that's just the way it is.

Yes, and that is mainly my point about naming churches based on the current currency of what "relevancy" means in many churches. Do what you think is right and move ahead.

 

[HankD]

Yes, and that is mainly my point about naming churches based on the current currency of what "relevancy" means in many churches. Do what you think is right and move ahead.

Thank you for that permissive gesture

Personally I would prefer The Baptist Church of the Open Door.

However that as well might cause a firestorm between calvin followers vs the followers of Arminius as to the nature of the open door and to whom it is open, etc, etc...


HankD

 

[Bro. James]

My opinion is the main sticking point is usually power, control or ownership. A Baptist association can split over anything, but if the association has/owns/are invested in something -- such as a seminary, missionary system -- they will fight to the death over who controls it.

Maybe that's a good way to identify Baptists, regardless of the name on the building!

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Yes Sir. This is a sovereignty issue. An association is not a New Testament Church. Therefore, they have no authority per se which is vested in a Church. The same can be said for a convention.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Thank you for that permissive gesture

Personally I would prefer The Baptist Church of the Open Door.

However that as well might cause a firestorm between calvin followers vs the followers of Arminius as to the nature of the open door and to whom it is open, etc, etc...


HankD

Hank, that's a great name for a church! The door is indeed wide open. The Lord Jesus says, "The one who comes to Me I will in no wise cast out." But when they come through that open door, arrive in heaven and inspect the entries in the Book of Life, they will find that their names have been there from all eternity, along with a short note from God: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you' (Jeremiah 31:3).

 

[Bro. James]

Then there is the door on which Jesus is knocking--trying to get back in. He is admonishing churches in this context not individuals. See Rev. 3:20.

Many so-called churches have gone ecumenical and universal. Has Jesus removed His candlestick? Some have never had a candlestick.

The message has not changed: repent and do the first works or lose your candlestick. See Rev. 2:5.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

[Covenanter]

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I have no problem with names such as the church on Scott Drive. But to better understand your situation there in England, are you saying that using the name "Baptist" would not seem welcoming to Anglicans and Roman Catholics, but that "Independent Evangelical" would be? I'm just thinking that they obviously know they aren't going to an Anglican or Roman Catholic Church. Our church went for a number of years with no signage or name posted whatsoever on the exterior of church house or property, but has had a sign that says "Old Prospect Baptist Church" for 30 or 40 years. I can't say that either way seems to make any difference.

If by "welcoming" you mean wanting them to attend and treating them decently when they do, I think we are welcoming. On the other hand, we do not welcome anyone into church fellowship without a credible statement of faith and baptism by immersion (which is what I assume you meant also).

Martin saved me posting.

I do worship at a church with the name Baptist, but we are not affiliated to Baptist Union or Grace Baptist. We are affiliated to the FIEC.ORG.UK

But now, with so much dubious news from American evangelicals, the E can sound a warning.

 

[tyndale1946]

Hank, that's a great name for a church! The door is indeed wide open. The Lord Jesus says, "The one who comes to Me I will in no wise cast out." But when they come through that open door, arrive in heaven and inspect the entries in the Book of Life, they will find that their names have been there from all eternity, along with a short note from God: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you' (Jeremiah 31:3).

Brother Martin... I like the quote you have in every post... John was a Baptist, so was his Master and so am I.... I am a Baptist now I am a Christian first but by being a Baptist that tells everyone what kind of Christian I am... I am a Christian that believes in immersion... Being immersed in the liquid grave... Being baptized not sprinkled!... My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was immersed over 2,000 years ago by John The Baptist... I'm a Christian and to add to my further identification of that I'm a Baptist... Now there are all kinds of Christian Baptist as I have found on this board... But to further identify me, I am a Christian Baptist of the Primitive brethren... As there are all kinds of Baptist weather Primitive or otherwise I would drop not any the the three designation... This is my identity... I am a Christian Primitive Baptist... Brother Glen

 

[Van]

What we have here is a failure to communicate. On the one side we have those adhering to Paul's example of becoming all things so we might win some, and on the other provincialism.

 

[Bro. James]

There is a lot of biblical chiding of Doctors, Lawyers, Masters and money changers. Admonition might be a better word.

"Christendom" has had a problem with priests/clerics vs. laity since before the MontifexMaximus circa 4th century AD.

Then there was the time when pontificates, bishoprics and cardinal vestments were available--for a price, not necessarily based on academic/philosophical qualifications. (We may still be in that time) One can still get out of purgatory early--for the right price. Some one has a book for sale about that too.

All dubbing considerations aside, it is difficult to find a biblical church which is made of more than called out baptized believers, one or two of whom may lead and one or two who serve tables. A New Testament Church can still function without a pastor or deacon--or a piano. The universal, ecumenical modern church-plants/LLCs are not found in the scripture, some primitive forms have been found in the Congo, complete with a bongo ensemble.

How does one tell the difference between the Pagans and the Christians?

Why are the Masters of Religion so confused about what salvation might be? A little child can understand. Something is getting lost in the Philosophical-soteriology of man, and the "Schools of Itching Ears". The thief on the cross got the message, so did the Philippian jailer.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

[Andyman]

I would drop "Baptist" from our church's name because not all Baptist are alike and it's confusing. What's a Baptist anyway? Westboro Baptist and KJVO Baptist are not at all like me. On the other hand there is a Baptist church in the next town that is extremely liberal - not me either. Baptist are not the only ones who believe in believers baptism by immersion. If I moved, I'd look for a conservative Christian church not necessarily a Baptist church.
My church has been called Bowdoin Center Baptist Church (BCBC) since it's founding over 100 years ago. I would gladly call it Bowdoin Community Bible Church (still - BCBC). Bowdoin - it's location, town name. Community - here for all in town. Bible - because we really believe it to be God's Word and we use it. Church - because that is what we are, a local church.
I am a Baptist today in Maine. In N.H. I was a Plymouth Brethren. In MA. I went to an Evangelical Covenant church. I like to tell people I'm "baptistic" when it comes to the Ordinances and local church polity.

 

[rlvaughn]

I would drop "Baptist" from our church's name because not all Baptist are alike and it's confusing.

Certainly not all Baptists are alike, but neither are all community churches or all Bible churches, so that as well will communicate different things to different people.

On Saturday I passed a building who sign read Coastal City Fellowship. Based on the building that really didn't even communicate to me that it was a Christian fellowship (though I suppose it was). The building looked more like what I might think of as a mosque, with the gold dome and all. Since I don't suppose Muslims would be that generic with a name, I expect it was some kind of Christian body.

In the scriptures the churches don't seem to have a name as we think of it. They were the Lord's churches identified by where they met.