Morning meditation

28 Feb., 2020

On Our Stay Among “Believer Baptizers”

We have enjoyed our fellowship and our membership in achurch here in Ohiowhich baptizes only those who “believe” (confessing their faith) and excludesthe children of those believers from baptism until such time as they“feel” saved and affirm the faith in which they were trained.  It is the way of Baptists, Pentecostals, andmany other “evangelical” churches which historically  reject the practice of baptizing children(infants in the normal course of child-rearing).  And it is strange to think of the meaning ofBaptism – new life , new world, new associates, transformation from sin-riddento imbuement with the Spirit of God – and think of it as a realm denied thechildren of those living in this New Life. They must come to an awareness before they may participate fully in theblessings – the mysteries, the sacramentswhich God has provided for His people, the Church.

The idea of a Covenant, per “this promise is for youand your children,” is rejected in favor of an individualistic rather thanfamily/covenant view of discipleship and the means of rearing children ofchurch members as true fellow members of the Church. 

The “covenant view,” briefly by contrast, assumesthe promise that God gives believers – i.e. that they rear their children notin vain, not with out hope and confidence that He keeps them and savesthem.  A promise of old to “you andyour children.”  (One might supposeif such were not the case that it might be better to avoid the risk of hell fora child in the offing and  remainchildless – off him! lest he risk bad choices and  the everlasting terrors of hell.  Yes, abortion makes some  – mildly warped – sense from that angle.)

The occasion for our joining a church where children are notbaptized was simple.  There was no otherchurch in town that would accept us as members.   True, indeed.   But that is another sad travesty among themany manifestations of our apostate, anti-Christ society.  A curiosity indeed, but not surprising incontext.  A society which tolerates thebutchering of children for four decades might reasonably grow cold to those“radicals” who would blow the damned death camps up.

It has been a good stay. The fellowship of God’s people is always refreshing, nourishing, joyful andessential.  The Spirit among us giving usthe joy of salvation and the company with whom we share that hope in time andspace is “clutch” – as the latest popular expression has it.

But to “maturity” – as Pastor Dale regular invokesour attention and to which he exhorts us. How, then?  What is it? 

It is the development of true familial bonds among churchmembers.  Love among “thebrethren.”

But how? 

How else but intentional time spent with “one another”?  But how with 200 people does one spendpersonal time? 

One doesn’t with all 200 (or 300 or 400 or 500) people!  One spends time with a SMALL GROUP (from amongthe larger local church which may gather for its Sunday worship) and developsthose essential, authentic bonds with those “twelve” – as per acertain Biblical model.  Quite ahint.   Get small to get real.  Get small to get strong.  Get into homes.  That is where hospitality is learned andexperienced.

Get in order.  Put leadersin place of small, disciplined groups and let those leaders consult with oneanother under the elders.  (Indeed, it iselders who must be among the primary leaders of such groups.)