Baptists H&B Final Exam

Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and many Protestant denominations

What denominations view the historical creeds as binding and authoritative?

Baptists' attitudes towards historical creeds

-at best (can be) good doctrinal summaries of the faith

-they are helpful but not authoritative

-they have some historical value

-conclusion: not legitimate as authorities, in and of themselves

Tradition as authority

-benefits: it is predictable, assuring to people (familiar) and gives stability and repetition

Leadership- cult of personality

-no one person can/should override Scripture (must compare what they believe and teach with the Word)

-humans are susceptible to falling to infallible humans, but no human is authoritative to God's Word

The New Testament

What section of the Bible is most helpful in Baptist authority?

Household baptisms

-presumption of household baptisms (Cornelius, Lydia, Philipian Jailer, Crispus, Stephan's)

-Biblical evidence shows household conversions led to household baptisms

Baptism and Circumcision

Basis: promises in the Abrahamic Covenant

-to bless Abraham

-to make his name great

-to give him & descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession

-to establish a relationship with his seed

-BUT the passage never mentions baptism

Acts 2:39: What is the Promise? the receiving of the Holy Spirit

-the promise is for everybody of all ages (but some see it to mean "children" but that is reading their theology into the verse)

-one those who believed were baptized in Acts 2

-only mentions the Holy Spirit, not circumcision

1 Cor 7:14

-never mentions baptism

-this verse means that he children and unbelieving spouse are sanctified by being influenced by being regularly exposed to the gospel and other godly teachings so that they can come to a saving belief in Christ

Mark 10:13-15

-never mentions baptism

-other views assume that the parents of these children were believers

-Jesus never says to baptize these children

Rom. 4:1-5, 9-12

-never mentions baptism

-Abraham justified by faith

-he believed, and then was circumcised

Col. 2:11-12

-both baptisms and circumcision mentioned

-Covenant view says the analogy is between water baptism and physical circumcision but this passage very clearly states that it's not talking about physical but spiritual circumcision

Spiritual Circumcision

-Lev. 26:41- "if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled..." (the Israelites were already physically circumcised)

-Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4- "circumcise the foreskin of your heart and be no longer stubborn"

-Themes: repentance and dedication to God

-Acts &;51- Stephen's speech "uncircumcised in heart and ears"

-Rom. 2:29- faith is mentioned which ruins the (physical) circumcision view (Theme: dedication to God)

General Conclusions of Baptism

-does not save, but it is a biblical command

-affects many aspects of a church

-affects a believer today. Are you living now what you pledged in your baptism? are you Christ's disciple?

-a person baptized upon profession of faith is clearly attested in the NT

-a person baptized as an infant is nowhere clearly attested in the NT

-the circumcision/infant baptism analogy does not reflect valid interpretation of Co. 2:11-12 or any other text

-permanent

-theological

-infant

In the 5th Century, Augustine established the __________________, __________________ reasons for practicing _______________ baptism

-Augustine's

-unbaptized

-original

In _____________________ view, ____________________ babies did not go to heaven since baptism washed away _________________ sin; this gave urgency for the practice

-justified

-geographical

Before Augustine, others had _______________ infant baptism by various reasons. These were unique to _____________________ regions

-Eastern

-innocent

______________ writers tended to view infants as _______________ of inherited sin

-outstanding

-baptized

Most theologians, pastors, and writers of the 4th Century (East & West) from _________________ Christian families were not ______________ as infants

-commitment

-infant

In the 4th Century, Preachers exhorting their congregations to demonstrate their _________________ to Christ by getting baptized, never mentioned their _____________ sons and daughters

-children

-mention

Outstanding Christian leaders writing on how to raise _________________ never ______________ infant baptism

-Tomb Inscriptions

-death

___________ ____________________ from 3rd and 4th Centuries indicate people were baptized at whatever age in preparation for ___________

-Cyprian

-analogy

_________________ used the circumcision/baptism ____________ first

-apostolic

-justify

Both Origen (3rd Century) and Augustine (5th Century) said that infant baptism was ______________; therefore later religious leaders used this reason to _____________ the practice.

-Apostolic Tradition

-liturgy

In the early 3rd Century, The _____________ _______________ is the first baptismal ______________ to refer to infants ("those who cannot speak for themselves").

-Tertullian

-against

In the early 3rd Century, ____________ is the first Christian writer to refer to infant baptism, and he argued ____________ its practice.

-documented

-two

There is no _______________ mention of infant baptism in the first ____ centuries of Christianity.

Baptist View on Baptism

-believer baptism (Biblical practice, concerns the Gospel, concerns the Church)

-it is a dedication "to be a disciple of"

-identification with Christ

-obedience to what Christ has commanded

-it is pledging death to sins, just as Christ died for us

-reasons: clearly attested and commanded in Scripture; it demonstrates the meaning of baptism (death, burial, resurrection); it demonstrates dedication to be a follower of Christ

Catholic View of Baptism

View:

-washes away original sin

-places one in the state of grace

Lutheran View of Baptism

View:

-is the act of regeneration

-they take 1 Peter 3 to defend baptismal regeneration

-even if one doubts their salvation, they go back to if they were baptized and then they will know they are okay

Methodist View of Baptism

View:

-sign of distinction from others and regeneration

Presbyterian and Reformed View of Baptism

View:

-sign and seal of the Covenant (Rom. 4:11)

-circumcision=baptism

Catholic View of the bread/juice in Lord's Supper

View:

-transubstantiation: the sacramental act by which the substance of the elements is changed into the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ; this great miracle, which happens in every Mass, cannot be rationally demonstrated, but is accepted by faith

Lutheran View of the bread/juice in Lord's Supper

View:

-consubstantiation: "in, with, and under the elements"

-strong on the real presence

Zwinglian View of the bread/juice in Lord's Supper

View:

-memorial view; no real presence

Calvinst View of the bread/juice in Lord's Supper

View:

-spiritual view: Christ is not physically present; believers are actually taken up to heaven during the supper (since He is sitting at the right hand of the Father)

Sectarian View of the bread/juice in Lord's Supper

View:

-Anabaptists (and some others) took Zwingli's memorial view

Presbyterian View of the bread/juice in Lord's Supper

View:

-spiritual presence

-closer to Luther more than Zwingli

-used the most "realist" language but held to an all spiritual sense

Sacramentalists

-Something "magical" is happening. Christ is at work; He is doing something, imparting grace, coming with special presence, forgiveness of sins, or bringing the faithful to heaven to His presence

-"this is my body"

Sacramentarians

-God has already done the work by sending Christ to die on the cross for our sins. We are remembering what He has already done for us; commemorating it and memorializing it.

-"this do in remembrance of me"

Baptist View of the Purpose of the Lord's Supper

-it is a remembrance of Christ-His sacrifice

-it is a proclamation of His death

-it is an assurance of Christ's second coming

-it is a time of fellowship with Christ and His people

Open Communion

-Anyone can partake; it's the Lord's Table, not ours

-tends to be a liberal church practice

-this is not a good practice since the Lord's Supper should not bet taken lightly; it should only be regenerate members

Closed Communion

-only those who belong to the individual local church can partake (often baptized by that church)

-not very common in many Baptist churches

Close Communion

-those who profess salvation in Christ, have been baptized, and are walking in fellowship with the Lord can partake

-this is self-policing ("so let a man examine himself")

-better not to participate if there is sin in your life

Membership of only regenerate believers is biblical

-no evidence in the NT allowed unsaved people into the church

-no unsaved person can be added to the Body of Christ, 1 Cor. 12:12-13

-an unsaved person ruins the picture of the Church as a body

-the purposes of the church cannot be fulfilled by an unsaved person (ex. evangelism, encouragement/edification, partaking of elements, discerning correct doctrine)

Membership is voluntary

-it is not forced or a decision made for a person

-a state church model allows unsaved people to be members of the church based on their infant baptism

Membership is based on a credible confession of faith

-the Bible shows what a public profession of faith looks like (baptism)

-it's done by believers

-a state church model does not require this of infants who are joined to the church at their baptism

-it's based on the person being able to explain what their salvation is based on, what it accomplished, and what the results are

Membership requires accountability (church discipline)

-one of the marks of a true church is the ability to purge itself

-when churches were connected to the state, the ability to practice church discipline was forfeited by the church members

-state churches often punished others for their beliefs, but not their behaviors

Membership requires a confessor-baptism

-no NT example of an unbaptized Christian

-confirmation is disallowed here

-a state church model grants provisional membership to infants as they are joined to the church but they are not allowed to partake of the Lord's Supper until they can understand what they are doing

-there is no such thing as provisional membership

The importance of secessionism in a priesthood structure

-there has to be a recognition of transferal of power

-ex. The Catholic Church and ordination (there are some "special powers" involved to make the elements into the body and blood)

-ex. some have thought that it is needed for baptism to happen from the apostles

Importance of Hebrews 7 for Christ's priesthood for the believer (what it's based on)

Christ's greater priesthood for us!

-not based on ancestry

-not temporary (the problem was death, so priests could never continue in office due to their finite humanity, but Jesus is eternal)

-not based on limited access to God (don't need to go through sacrificial systems anymore)

-not based on a limited covenant

-not based on exclusivity

-not based on imperfection

Importance of Hebrews 7 for Christ's priesthood for the believer (benefits/results)

-access to God (prayer; we can come boldly to the throne of God)

-our sacrifice to God: ourselves (we can help minister, evangelize, help others, give praise to God)

Soul Liberty

How it's understood and practiced and how believers should respond to false doctrine:

-each person has a right to believe what they want and obey God as they understand

-heresy is to be fought with refutation, not with persecution

-this belief stems from the view of the NT as the authority

-Baptists have always sought, not for toleration, but for freedom for through the state (not forcing beliefs on others legally)

-defend our faith with Scriptural principles, not with force

-the most significant practice we can do to unrepentant heretics is to drop their name from our membership list as a result of church discipline

Biblical implications related to a regenerate church membership

Based on a Free Church Model

-is solely believers

-is voluntary

-is based on a credible confession of faith

-requires a confessor-baptism

-requires accountability-church discipline

pastor, elder, overseer

What 3 words/titles describe the same office in the church?

Passages of Scripture that demonstrate that the three titles (pastor/elder/overseer) all describe the same office

-Acts 20:17, 28: feed or shepherd/pastor the flock; overseers mentioned as the same role

-Titus 1:5-7: elders named and are the same persons described as "bishop"

-1 Peter 5:1-4: all three mentioned in the same passage; elders are to shepherd/feed the flock taking the oversight (same word for "bishop")

Pastor

the one who feeds and nourishes; he is the preacher of the Word; "Shepherd"

Elder

describes the wisdom and maturity of the office; counselor and dignitary of the local church

Overseer/ bishop

the one who administrates or oversees; oversees the affairs of the church

Qualifications for a pastor

1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9

-moral and spiritual: blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, one who rules his house well, has submissive children, not a novice, humble, good testimony among those who are outside, needs to be a good follower as well as a leader, Lover of what is good, self-controlled, just, holy, faithful

-attitude: humble, concerned for others

-training: holding fast to the Word as he has been taught (all Scripture is given by inspiration of God--makes the man of God thoroughly equipped for every good work)

-ordination: do not neglect eh gift that is in you; recognize those who are pastors

Responsibilities of a Pastor

-preach

-teach

-rule

-work

-pray

-train

-evangelize

Qualifications for a deacon

Acts 6:2-7; 1 Tim. 3:7-13

-good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, full of wisdom, full of faith, reverent, not given to much wine, not greedy, has a pure conscience, must be tested, blameless their wives must be reverent and not gossipers, be the husband of one wife, good rulers of their children

Responsibilities of a deacon

-note the word and office means "to serve"

-"to assist the pastor to relieve him of the many details and advise him on problems and policies of the church program"

Episcopal (Hierarchy) Church Governmental Structure

Description: rule by the bishop

-ruling over many churches

-(top) consuls; (middle) Senate; (bottom) assembly

Historical precedent:

-came out of the Roman government sort of system

-one area is controlled by one bishop

Adherents

-Roman Catholic Church: pope, bishops, cardinals

-Anglican Church

-Eastern Orthodox

Presbyterian (Synods and Presbyteries) Church Governmental Structure

Description:

-rule by elders- local church level is called a session or consistory

-representative presbyteries (groups of elders)

-synods (groupings of presbyteries

-a general assembly (national collection of synods)

Historical precedent:

-system developed in Scotland under Know and Calvin

Adherents:

-Presbyterians

-Reformed

Congregational Church Governmental Structure

Description:

-the local church makes the decisions in the church, collectively and together

Historical precedent:

-this view has strong biblical support (epistles addressed to saints, while often acknowledging church leaders; church discipline was advised to the whole congregation)

Adherents:

-Baptist churches

-many non-denominational churches

Distinction:

-this form recognizes no differences between pastors, elders, bishops

-pastor-led but congregational-ruled

Acts 15 (the church made decisions)

What Biblical passage is used to support for the Congregational structure of church government (the most supported biblical view)?

Priority of the Local Church

-no denominational control

-final authority in disputes

-elects its own officers

-sends out missionaries

-final authority in discipline

Congregational Polity

What this does NOT mean:

-any member can speak out whenever they wish, without regard to others (there should be an attempt to preserve the unity created by the Holy Spirit)

-every minor matter must be brought directly to the congregation

What this DOES mean:

-a recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ over His local church

-the responsibility of the congregation to collectively seek the mind of Christ

-the congregation is the ultimate human authority in the local church

Reasons for believing in this form:

-the Priesthood of every believer

-specific NT support

Free Church

-separation of church and state

-church membership is a voluntary association

-believer's baptism is a voluntary act

-sacramentarianism (salvation comes by a believing response to the preached word; the believer is active)

-autonomous congregations

-no special priesthood; all believers are priests

-dissenters expelled from membership but not persecuted

State Church

-union of church and state

-citizenship with the State is membership in the church

-infant baptism is the means of membership

-sacramentalism (God is active; He's doing something to or for the person)

-national church with a hierarchical structure

-a priestly class (does not rule out the priesthood of every believer but does have a special priesthood)

-dissenters from state church are persecuted

Biblical "support" for the union of church and state

-OT Kings (theocracy)

-Constantine (was the "ideal leader"; got rid of all idolatry and are a "Christian nation")

-Jesus told the disciples to orally take over the government

-Augustine defended this thought as well

Duties of a Christian to the government

-support it

-submit to it

-honor it

-pray for it

17th century and on (in the necessity of an intolerant society)

When has separatism been a characteristic of Baptist churches and where did this idea originate?

-Is separation prescribed in the Scriptures?

What is the primary concern for believers as regards the practice of separatism?

A Christian's attitude toward separatism

-devotion to God and His word, not trying to be right all the time

-humility, not superiority

-compassion towards brothers who do not understand this teaching, rather than getting haughty and contemptuous

-sternness and rebuke to false teacher; Jesus is the example

Why the "Baptist" label would be helpful

-identifies with a set of beliefs: NT authority, soul liberty, believer church membership, baptized believers by immersion, priesthood of the believer, congregational church government, separation of church and state

-"these are doctrines that define what the church is and how it functions"

-they teach what Baptist hold to, should be engaged and capitalized upon

-it connects us with people who stood for religious liberty who were even persecuted for their stances

Why distinctives (of any denomination) are important

-they help you know what is in that denomination (if you should or shouldn't choose them)

-names carry meaning, identity, and history