Hi Will, I didn't expect that reply! Am I to understand it that iyour sticking point is that we cannot know for sure that another individual is saved? I can concede that in a heartbeat.
But what I won't concede is that the ordinance is for "mere" professors. I have to say "mere" because you ignored my earlier comment about the plain use of the word professor. Someone can't walk up to us and say "I believe Christ died for my sins, baptise me" -well, they can, but since that isn't a credible profession of faith we shouldn't do it. So no, it isn't just "professor's baptism". Profession alone is not enough.
The Biblical madate is for believers to be baptised. Part of the onus here is on the believer and the other part is on the baptiser. The other Person in the equation is the Holy Spirit. When the believer and the baptiser are convinced of regeneration (not infallibly, I'll grant you that) then the believer should be baptised at his request. Bear in mind that in the Apostolic examples in Acts we have Apostolic discernment in operation and the heightened manifestations of the Holy Spirit, but nevertheless, belief was professed.
There is all the difference in the world between a profession and a credible profession of faith.
On a related issue (and as further illustration of my point here)...is the Lord's Supper an ordinance for believers? I think yes (as only they can participate worthily). Do unbelievers sometimes participate? Yes (through poor church practice and teaching and diffrent theological stance). But...and this is my point..the fact that error does occur in no way takes away from the true application and use of the ordinance which is for believers only.
