In reply to:
[color:"blue"]Tom, there is no way on Gods earth that I would even consider seeking membership to a baptist congregation ! Baptism is a big deal IMHO .

Howard this is indeed a bold statement. Thus, you consider Baptism more important then the proper preaching of God's Word? Do you consider Baptism more important that a correct view of Calvinistic Soteriology ? If there were two churches in your homes town that were available for you to have fellowship it:

1. Presbyterian that had the right view of Baptism, but who had left Calvinistic Soteriology and joined it with Arminianism, or

2. A Baptist Church that had, let us say, Charles Spurgeon as their pastor (not that he was right on everything either)

Where would you choose to attend?

Howard,

You have made BAPTISM the center of your theology instead of the ENTIRE COUNSEL OF GOD. This is sin. While Baptism is an important issue and I have vigorously argued it here and elsewhere I have learned that it is not the central issue of the Gospel. I have also learned (ing) that individuals need time to understand some things, but banging them over the head with a book on I am right and you are wrong will not help them learn the truth. Many individuals need to get their eschatology correct before ever beginning to understand Baptism. Others have never heard of Covenant Theology, even the term is foreign to them. Many here have probably never read people like Berkhof, Murray, Ridderbos, Kline, Clowney, etc. to understand more fully what the Scriptures teach. People need to be allowed to grow in grace and truth. It does not come over night.


Reformed and Always Reforming,