#CommandofChrist
#ConsentofChurch
An
inquiry:
Ok
so Paul was baptized without having any church consenting to his baptism but
only Ananias who is a minister. Church consent is not needed during baptism, it
is between the person and the minister (and God of course). Baptism is
ministerial, not at all congregational.
(a
discussion on baptism and membership..)
---------
A
response:
Church's
consent is not needed whatsoever when a minister of Christ obey Christ's command
to baptize AND add the baptized to the church. If this statement is wrong, show
the Scriptures that say otherwise.
Christ's
command to the minister is simple and plain - Mt 28:19-20. Acts 2 demonstrate how that command was understood by the Apostles - baptize and add the baptized
into the church; the fictional church consent is not in the equation.
This
division/separation between ministerial and congregational in the matter of
baptism and membership of the baptized is a fable invented out of thin air...
by those who want to separate baptism and membership for some practical
reasons. So, practical consideration, i.e. human pragmatism has dethroned
Christ and His plain command. Christ is the head of the church is just a cheap
pious shibboleth.
Perhaps,
it's time both the administrator AND the congregation he shepherds learn to
submit to the plain command of Christ in the matter.
Baptism
is ministerial - that's a true statement. Therefore, in obedience to Christ's
command to him, as the servant of Christ to the church, he baptizes and adds the baptized into the church, with
Christ's consent.
A congregation may choose to overrule Christ's
command and consent.
A
minister of Christ WON'T.
Instead,
the congregation can choose to humbly submit and consent to Christ's command,
gladly receive those added to the church by baptism, and LABOUR to do spiritual
good to the new members.
Therefore,
what Christ has joined together, let not mere man put asunder.
2 Timothy 2:7 KJT
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
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A
question:
If
I understand what you say correctly, this means that the minister of the gospel
can baptise and then automatically add the person baptised to the church
membership even if the members of the church have reservations about the
candidate?
A
reply:
A
minister of the gospel is the pastor of the church; he would inform the church
of someone seeking baptism; the church members have all the liberty to state
their reservations about the candidate; a wise administrator will listen to the
reservations raised and deal with those reservations before administering
baptism. If there are legitimate reasons that prevent him from membership, he
will not be baptized.
Members
may have all kinds of reservations about the candidate; some are valid, others may be frivolous i.e.
he's a wife beater, she is immoral... he
doesn't understand the 5-phases of salvation yet; she is dull-minded and won't
make a good church member, I dislike
black, he won't do much good to the church, etc.
We
need to get the principle right and then deal with the practical implications
that come along with obeying the biblical principle. Wisdom and prudence are needed
in obeying the principle.
