[Gamecock]

She wanted to help Baptists see baptism as more than “just a symbol”

Hey Baptists: Is this how y'all see Baptism, as "just a symbol"?

[demshateGod]

America started in the pulpits and will end in her pulpits.

[SaveFerris]

Just another sign where the whole thing is heading.

[Sybeck1]

Was there a baptizing pool in the manger?

[Responsibility2nd]

What a marroon. He’s now contradicted the basic baptism rituals of Catholics AND Baptists.

[chajin]

American Baptist Churches USA congregation.

My impression of the denomination is that in terms of orthodoxy it is equivalent to the United Methodist Church; for example, its stand on homosexual issues can be found here.

When I UMC back in the '80s, the youth director at our church was ABC, and she had no problems with the infant baptisms at the church.

[heylady]

Baptists have a Dedication Ceremony for infants. The parents promise to raise their child according to beliefs of the Baptist church. When the child is mature enough to accept Jesus as his personal savior then they are Baptized.

[Mr Rogers]

Hmmm...a non-Baptist Baptist. Guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see it in the American Baptist Churches USA.

[markomalley]

An interesting post and discussion that really highlights the differences in view whether baptism is a sacrament or an ordinance.

SACRAMENT. A sensible sign, instituted by Jesus Christ, by which invisible grace and inward sanctification are communicated to the soul.

An ordinance is a “prescribed practice.” It is something that has been prescribed and ordered by Jesus Christ and practiced by the Church. An ordinance is something that the Church practices because Jesus Christ has told her to do so.

I don’t claim any particular expertise in the type of Protestantism that believes in baptism as an ordinance, but my understanding is that those who practice that do not believe that any grace is communicated through baptism, rather that it is a public affirmation following a conversion experience. (If I’m wrong, I’m wrong out of ignorance, not out of maliciousness, so please correct me)

My question is for those Protestants who believe baptism to be a sacrament (vice an ordinance): do you accept the validity of a baptism performed by a group that believe it’s an ordinance (and not a sacrament)?

[imardmd1]

From the article:

Kennedy said he is not trying to change that approach but to open a new chapter.

“I want to move closer to the ecumenical fellowship of the Christian church and by accepting infant baptism, and then practicing it, we are not set off from Presbyterians and Methodists and Catholics,” Kennedy said. (my emphases bold & underline)

This aim here of this guy is to eradicate a well-founded and long-standing mark of separation of Biblical Christians from the error-riddled denominationalism of those who think they are validated believers. The chasm arises from living out the command of God to "Come out, be separate, and touch not the unclean thing."

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,
I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they
shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 6:14 - 7:1 AV).

Paedobaptism compounded with baptismal regeneration and ecumenism is such a massive rejection of the counsel of The God and His Christ as not to pass without sharp rebuke by any believer who lives and walks in the Spirit.

This Beth Newman cited in the article claiming to be Baptist (proper noun) and theologian is an oxymoron. She can be neither, by Biblical definition.

So, have at it, folks.

[avenir]

“And the congregation burst into applause,” Kennedy told Baptist News Global. “And they don’t applaud much.”

Well, that settles it. Lol, the litmus test of truth for our times! Infant baptism aside, this barometer of truth is unstable. One minute the crowd loves Jesus, the next Barrabas.

Fickle bunch.

[ravenwolf]

Probably nothing wrong with it but is just a feel good thing for the parents.

[Iscool]

“I would say you cannot be baptized apart from the community,” Newman said. “We are baptized into the community — not just into a congregation — but into the whole church.”

Reprobate...You can be baptized a thousand times into a church but it won't make you a Christian...

So sad..First the Catholics steal the name Christian, now they are calling themselves Baptist...