Whats in a name.

While there are many who do this, I for one will always be part of a Baptist church. I do know of many who have Baptist in their hearts but cannot attend a baptist church. They usually opt for a Bible church or some other fundamentalist church.

- a friend

 

Tougher to answer than I thought it would be. If Baptist is a label, then only a person who calls themselves Baptist is a Baptist. If Baptist is a belief system, then a person can be a baptist and not know it.

Jason

 

There is a commonly perceived negative persona identified by the title "Baptist" by many outside of it. I can see why someone would want to sideline that to reach people.

[ January 12, 2003, 05:44 PM: Message edited by: WisdomSeeker ]

 

There's a perceived negative persona identified by the title "Catholic," "Mormon," or even "Pentecostal."

My personal be-it-ever-so-humble opinion (heavy sarcasm, folks--don't take me seriously) is, I'd much rather have folks driven away by the name than worry about what people think. If you're shallow enough that you're going to make presumptions about me because I call myself "Baptist," well, you're just shallow.

Be the bigger man or woman; come in and see if I fit the stereotype. Who knows? I might surprise ya....

 

The first church that I was in, and was saved in was a community church. After our Pastor left, and the new one came in, the question came up about the name of our church. Some people had a problem changing over to a Baptist name. When it was changed, some left because they didn't want to be associated with the Baptist name, but they knew they were Baptistic in practice.

Why would you not want to be called by what you believe? My mother (who is a Catholic) was overjoyed to see the Baptist name because, as she later revealed, she was glad to see it wasn't a cult I was a part of

[ January 10, 2003, 05:44 PM: Message edited by: TheOliveBranch ]

 

Don, if your comment was directed at me (and it may not have been)...I just want to reiterate...I can see why someone would consider doing that to not have to deal with all the bad impressions that people have. I didn't mean to imply that I would do it...but then to me being a Baptist isn't the end all be all of my faith. So shoot me. I'm not gung ho like my Pastor who says "I'm Baptist born, and Baptist bread, and when I did, I'll be Baptist dead...I'm a Baptist" Maybe it's because I've been saved for 27 years, while I've only been Baptist for 8.

[ January 10, 2003, 06:09 PM: Message edited by: Laurenda ]

 

Not meant at you, Wisdom (it was WisdomSeeker, wasn't it?).

Just an in-general rant.

 

Okey Dokey, just checking...

[ January 12, 2003, 05:43 PM: Message edited by: WisdomSeeker ]

 

In a strange, amusing way, John, just two verses prior to that reference (Matthew 10:16) we find verse 14: "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."

Don't know if it's applicable or not....

 

I believe you can be a baptist without the name.Some were called Montanists, Donatists, Novations, Paulicians,
Waldenses, Anabaptists. As long as you aren't doing it because your ashamed of the docturine, or to decieve people. I personally wear the name proudly because of the wonderful faith that are forebears went to the cross for. Anyone who has read the Trail of Blood I think would agree Baptist is a name to be proud of.
Jeanne