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Question
Hi there!
I would like to know if a baptized and/or confirmed non-Baptist Christian wishes to join the Baptist Church, does he/she require to undergo another baptism or confirmation?
Does the Baptist Church recognize baptism that is performed:
i) by immersion;
ii) by pouring;
iii) by sprinkling;
iv) in the name of the Holy Trinity;
v) in the name of Lord Jesus Christ;
vi) by Roman Catholic Church;
vii) by Orthodox Churches;
viii) by other Protestant denominations?
Thank you for your reply.
God bless,
Derek
Hi Derrek,
Thanks for your question.... Baptist churches have different policies, but the general rule followed by most is that if a person professes Jesus Christ as their Savior receiving salvation solely by faith, part from works, church membership, baptism, etc. and was baptized in a church of "like" faith (meaning Baptistic or following New Testament polity) their baptism is accepted if they wish to unite with a Baptist church.
Baptists do not "confirm" but accept persons on their profession of faith solely in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, apart from an merit or work of the individual. In other words, salvation is received solely by faith through the grace of God and is not merited or earned by our church membership, baptism, any other work or religious ritual. (see Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:5, Titus 3:5, Acts 2:41, 47)
If the person has been sprinkled, because that is not baptism according to the teaching of the New Testament, they would be accepted only if they submitted to believer's baptism which is by immersion.
If the person professes Christ as their Savior as noted above and was baptized in a church that is not of "like faith" then they would be asked to make a public profession of biblical faith and be scripturally baptized by immersion.
Persons coming from RC or Orthodox, and Protestant churches would be asked to make a public profession of biblical faith and be scripturally baptized. The reason is these churches do not follow the teachings of the New Testament in polity or doctrine.
Baptists baptized as Matthew 28:19-20 states...in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit by single immersion.
This is generally what is practiced by biblical Baptists who follow the New Testament teachings. Some Baptists, who use the name but are not baptistic, may differ, such as what we would call "liberal" Baptists who are doctrinally unsound.
Hope this helps...if not please write again and I will try to answer your further questions.
Cooper Abrams
Bible-truth.org
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | I think Mr. Abrams III for his quick and knowledgeable answer to my question. We are discussing the problem of the Devil being able to read the Bible, and hence to finally defeat God by discrediting God's ability to foretell the future by the Devil choosing NOT to do what has been prophesied of him. As long as the Devil has free will, he can defeat God by not doing what a given prophecy says he will do. Mr. Abrams III replied in knowledge and with the point that the Devil is insane, which of course, is hopeful. If so, then we have nothing to fear from this demonic idiot. On the other hand, we have lots to fear (as does God) if the Devil has enough sanity to see how he can finally beat God. Fortunately, we require the Devil to have intelligence than the average human being, because the average human being would easily see how we could finally defeat God by merely NOT doing what a given prophecy says we will do. One does wonder, however, how the Devil gained the reputation he has as being some great arch-enemy of God and man when he cannot see something that even we mere humans can see. Eric. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Cooper P. Abrams III
Expertise
Independent Fundamental Baptist missionary and pastor, ThB, MBS. I began pastoring in 1981, and have taught in churches, a Bible college, and a Bible Institute. I have written numerous articles on various subjects from a biblical perspective and many are posted on my web site Bible Truth ( http://www.bible-truth.org ). Bible Truth receives over sixty thousand visits per month. Since 1998 I have answered Bible related questions via e-mail. My answers are straight forward and biblical. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE -----DO NOT ASK A QUESTION AND THEN NOT READ THE ANSWER! ABOUT FOUR IN TEN QUESTIONS ASKED ARE NEVER READ. I FREELY GIVE MY TIME TO GIVE HELPFUL ANSWERS. OFTEN THE ANSWER WILL REQUIRE AS MUCH AS A HOUR OR MORE TO RESEARCH AND THEN TO FORMULATE THE REPLY. IF YOU SEND A QUESTION PLEASE BE THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. MOST PEOPLE DO...BUT ALL SHOULD. THANKS
Experience
I have been a pastor since 1981 and a Independent Baptist missionary church planter since 1986. I have seen the Lord establish four Bible believing churches in Utah. My web site Bible Truth ( http:\\bible-truth.org ) continues to grow presently over 60,000 visits per month. The materials on the web site are mostly written by myself and contain sermons, Bible commentaries, articles on various biblical subjects.
Publications
- Appeared on Grizzly Adams DVD documentary "End Times: How Close Are We?" (http://www.grizzlyadams.com/Public/ChristianDVDs/index.cfm?productID=49).
- Article "Are Mormons Christians" "O Timothy Magazine" Way of Life Literature (http://www.wayoflife.org/files/9959c77e05b303248173195e72476459-60.html)
Education/Credentials
ThB and MBS from Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC
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