tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970683153008645393.post7274787877174872288..comments2008-10-04T19:06:04.670-05:00Adam Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05826908205996140341noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970683153008645393.post-2013330215240173462008-10-04T19:06:00.000-05:002008-10-04T19:06:00.000-05:00It was clearly wrong for me to assume that because our church is not paedobaptist that it believes in doing dedication ceremonies. My whole experience has always been that either one or the other is practiced. Again, it's nice to know that our church doesn't practice the double standard I referred to in my comments. And I'm sure we'll talk more about it tomorrow morning.Adam Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05826908205996140341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970683153008645393.post-37096346860506077652008-10-04T09:06:00.000-05:002008-10-04T09:06:00.000-05:00Adam,<BR/><BR/>You said,<BR/><BR/>"Here is a serious question for everyone: I am a paedobaptist attending a reformed baptist church. Should we pursue a baptism through some other church, or simply give in and dedicate since that is our church's way?" <BR/><BR/>I am wondering where you got the idea that infant dedication is your church's way. Coram Deo Fellowship has yet to officate an infant dedication even though five precious souls have been born into the fellowship since it was established. I don't believe this was out of negligence, but it was intentional because the Scripture does not command it. I do hope and believe that the parents of these newborns have dedicated them to the Lord within each family as you described in your post. We need to talk more of this off line. May God alone be glorified as we wrestle with these tough and important issues. <BR/>God bless you and yours.Hopeful Agrarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02054928319608255961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970683153008645393.post-1109396551538908182008-09-17T14:52:00.000-05:002008-09-17T14:52:00.000-05:00Yeah, that's a pretty broad brush.<BR/><BR/>I'm currently just wading into the waters of covenant theology, so I was wondering if you might be able to answer a couple questions for me:<BR/><BR/>1) Why do you believe baptism is the New Covenant equivalent of circumcision?<BR/><BR/>2) What was the purpose of circumcision in the Old Covenant? To me it seems that it was done in large part because the promise was to Abraham's seed, thus it was a sign of who Abraham's seed was, in part assuring it would be clear that Christ descended from Abraham when He came, thus fulfilling the promise.Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15693380017090778540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970683153008645393.post-70609322040393258672008-09-12T19:46:00.000-05:002008-09-12T19:46:00.000-05:00A few more thoughts (since you asked):<BR/><BR/>Baptists are so adamant that our practices in the church must be <I>explicitly</I> taught/commanded in Scripture. They especially apply this standard to the issue or paedo-baptism. However, we <I>never</I> have an explicit command to ceremoniously dedicate our children, either! I believe this is a pretty blatant double standard.<BR/><BR/>The truth is, in my heart of hearts, I believe that the reason churches dedicate their children is because they deep down know that they must do something to show that their children <I>do</I> belong to the Christian community. Ultimately, infant baptism is true, and undeniable, even by its detractors who still include their children in covenental benefits without practicing baptism. This is painting with a broad brush, no doubt, since there are surely some Baptist churches which probably don't have infant baptism <I>or</I> baby dedication.Adam Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05826908205996140341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970683153008645393.post-88444033176475288402008-09-12T10:20:00.000-05:002008-09-12T10:20:00.000-05:00Adam,<BR/><BR/>This is a tough issue. And I by no means have the final answer on this point. I am open to hear a view that is not what I am about to say. <BR/><BR/>However, I am leaning to the side that says you do neither. I would not have the dedicate since this goes against yours (and the biblical) view, however, I would not ask a Baptist to baptize my infant. So, I would do neither. What are your thoughts on the issue after some time to think more about it?Josh Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11640837095855180429noreply@blogger.com