Dear Jeff,

Why do baptist churches refuse membership to those who have not been immersed? Is it because they do not regard them as Christians, as members of the universal church? Or is it because they require a particular practice of baptism to qualify for membership of them?

I would be surprised if any reformed baptist church (SBC or otherwise) would refuse to accept a paedobaptist with a credible profession of faith as a fellow Christian, even though they might refuse them church membership.

We might want to argue against their inconsistencies here. We might even want to argue they are effectively pronouncing that those who don't share their baptismal policy are non-Christians, but that is not what they think they are saying. For better or worse many Christians hold inconsistent positions without drawing the conclusions we might think they would.

It is interesting that Bethlehem Baptist Church has recently revised their position so that they do not require rebaptism for membership (thus putting them on a par with paedobaptist churches accepting baptist members). This has been discussed over at the Reformation 21 web site.

I recognise that you have faced this situation with regard to church membership and have come to different conclusions than myself. This is one of those areas where our consciences accept of different outcomes. I haven't yet faced the situation. If I do I'll let you know what happens!

Yours in Christ,

James.