Do Presbyterians believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, a kind of spiritual circumcision?
As the Westminster Confession of Faith regarding baptism states...
V. Although it is a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance,[13] yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it:[14] or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.[15]
I have happily worshiped in Baptist churches and I often read and listen to Baptist sermons on-line. John Piper is terrific. And Charles Spurgeon had few equals.
So, if you’ve worshipped in Baptist Churchs, what about their injunct AGAINST infant baptism. What is the OPC/Machen verdict on that?
“As to the second part of your question, reformed Baptists and reformed Presbyterians such as the OPC and PCA believe in the five points outlined as TULIP...”
I’d have to disagree. At least in theory, the SBC is ‘reformed baptist’. I’ve been attending SBC churches in various locations for most of the last 35 years, and independent baptist churches when I didn’t.
I have never, ever heard a sermon discuss ‘TULIP’, and have only heard a couple of formal discussions involving predestination. Based on the SBC baptists I’ve met, and perhaps 1000 sermons listened to, with more from other baptists, I’d say the reality is:
1. Total depravity - yes, although most Baptists may define it a bit different than Calvin.
2. Unconditional predestination - for believers to be conformed to His son? Yes. For salvation? Very few - perhaps 5% or less. I suspect most agree with Moody: “The elect are the whosoever wills, the non-elect are the whosoever “won’ts”.”
3. Limited atonement - No. I honestly have never met a Baptist in the SBC or elsewhere who believes in limited atonement, although they may exist. I have never heard one discuss or teach it.
4. Irresistible grace - No. I had never even HEARD of it until reading on FR. I have never talked to a Baptist or listened to a sermon where it has mentioned or accepted. The systematic theology text our Sunday School class is working thru claims to believe it, but the writer contradicts it at least a dozen times on the same page.
In all the sermons I’ve heard preached on John 3: “”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God”, no one has even hinted at believing in Irresistible Grace.
5. Final perseverance - Yes, perhaps 80% or more.
On baptism, Baptists believe “Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be to the person baptised a sign of fellowship with Christ in his death and resurrection, of being grafted into him, of remission of sins, and of giving up oneself to God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. Those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects for this ordinance.”