Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/4/2007

Question
Is it scripture-based that we as Baptists believe in
"going forward" to make a public profession to join
in membership of a church ?  We have always attended
Baptist churches and have practiced this tradition.
Now some of our friends, whose churches do not offer
a time in the service to "go forward" to join the
church, say that the practice of doing so is not
scriptural, it is only traditional. I do not believe
anything Baptist practice isn't first and foremost
biblically based.
So, pastor-shepherd, is the practice of "going forward"
to join the church membership, just a tradition or
is it indeed scriptural ?
Thank you so much !
God bless your ministry.
dd

Answer
Hi DD,

Thank you so much for this great question.  I am sorry for this late response.  I have several thoughts that should help you.

1.  The concept of doing something public is a Biblical one.  We are supposed to do things in church in shuch a way as to provoke one another to do good and better things.

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2.  The Bible does not specifically give us an example of going forward to joion the church, but there is nothing against it.  It is a tradition.

3.  Traditions are bad when they contradict scripture.

Matthew 15:3,6
3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

4.  Some traditions, although they are not Biblical, are good to keep.  This one seems to be in line with the intent of Hebrews 10, to provoke each other to love and good works.

2 Thessalonians 3:6
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don