This sounds like getting the cart before the horse. If people are being savingly converted, they will want to obey Christ’s command to be baptized. But if people are induced into being baptized for any other reason than a heart-felt expression of the inward reality of the new birth, adding unconverted, baptized members to the church roll will be the sad result. Perhaps designating a Sunday of prayer for Holy Spirit wrought conversions would be a better plan. (On second thought, making every Sunday a day of earnest prayer for spiritual renewal would be a great plan. In fact, if we could lead church members to make that a part of their daily prayers, I wonder what God might do?)
The implication of this proposal seems to be that there are many people in Southern Baptist churches who are believers but who are not baptized, or have chosen not to be baptized because they thought it was not for them. Where does this assumption come from? Seems doubtful to me.
….the thing that strikes me is what I’ve had to say many, many times regarding my beloved Cubbies; “Wait til next year.” That is, the presence of “baptism Sunday” would seem to imply that’s the day you get baptized, and if you miss that….”wait til next year.”
Or what Tyler says, and what GN notes. If you have to gin up enthusiasm to do a basic act of obedience, one that really ought to be joyful, maybe you’re doing things wrong.
Discussion
NewHmmm...
This sounds like getting the cart before the horse. If people are being savingly converted, they will want to obey Christ’s command to be baptized. But if people are induced into being baptized for any other reason than a heart-felt expression of the inward reality of the new birth, adding unconverted, baptized members to the church roll will be the sad result. Perhaps designating a Sunday of prayer for Holy Spirit wrought conversions would be a better plan. (On second thought, making every Sunday a day of earnest prayer for spiritual renewal would be a great plan. In fact, if we could lead church members to make that a part of their daily prayers, I wonder what God might do?)
G. N. Barkman
NewHeh
Whatever.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
NewImplication?
The implication of this proposal seems to be that there are many people in Southern Baptist churches who are believers but who are not baptized, or have chosen not to be baptized because they thought it was not for them. Where does this assumption come from? Seems doubtful to me.
NewAs a Cubs fan....
….the thing that strikes me is what I’ve had to say many, many times regarding my beloved Cubbies; “Wait til next year.” That is, the presence of “baptism Sunday” would seem to imply that’s the day you get baptized, and if you miss that….”wait til next year.”
Or what Tyler says, and what GN notes. If you have to gin up enthusiasm to do a basic act of obedience, one that really ought to be joyful, maybe you’re doing things wrong.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.