The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Jeremiah 31.......KNOWING

Is this REALLY that hard to grasp? William has consistently addressed and contended that some (most?) Baptists argue that only BELIEVERS are legitimate subjects for baptism. The LBCF states that only PROFESSORS are legitimate subjects. The matter revolves around the popularly held view among some (many?) Baptists that in the New Covenant, only true Believers, aka: the elect, are members; baptism being the initiatory rite for them and them alone. The fact that the realization of a "pure church" is an impossibility on earth and that these same Baptists will admit that it cannot be achieved but that they nonetheless must strive toward that goal doesn't nullify their view's inherent contradiction.

Unless "I" have totally missed William's point, all he's saying is that it would behoove those who insist that only BELIEVER'S are to be baptized should adopt the LBCF's wording, i.e., PROFESSORS should be baptized, as this at least allows for the possibility and reality that non-believers are in fact baptized and accepted as members of the Church.

Personally, I think that this ongoing bickering over this matter should come to a rest.

In His Grace,