“Baptism is always an important question for a denomination that values baptism so much that the word ‘Baptist’ is included in their name,” said Ed Stetzer director of LifeWay Research. “The results here are interesting. First, there is a small percentage of SBC churches that do not accept the baptism from other SBC (or like-belief) churches. Second, more than one-fourth of SBC pastors indicate they would receive into membership someone baptized in a church that does not believe in eternal security, possibly including such churches as a Free Will Baptist or an Assemblies of God church.
“Finally, and I am guessing most surprising, one-eighth indicate their church would accept a baptism from churches that believe baptism is required for salvation, possibly including such churches as a Church of Christ,” he said.*
I’ll admit it, I was a bit surprised to read this. (I found it by following a bread crumb trail from John Mark Hicks’ blog) Those of us growing up in the churches of Christ are used to being accused of sectarianism. I’ve been known to use the S-word at times myself.
Apparently, we’re not alone in such things. Only 13% of Baptist pastors surveyed would accept as valid a baptism performed in a church of Christ. I think the numbers would be higher in the church of Christ regarding someone who was baptized in a Baptist church. Either way, it’s obvious that “tribalism” is common throughout Christianity, although almost everyone would deny it.
Doesn’t make it right. Just makes it common.
* Source: Lifeway research survey
WOW! Great post Sir! Thanks for the research!
The parable of the blind men and the elephant seems particularly appropriate here.
Am I alone in thinking that it is not the location of the water, nor the hands of the one assisting one in baptism, but the efficacy of the blood of Christ along with the heart of the believer who is being immersed for the remission of sins that is of vast importance?
Scott,
You are not alone. We’ve got to get over the where and who, lest we turn a spiritual act into a human activity.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
I have had several friends who have left Churches of Christ for Southern Baptist Churches, but they have not been re-baptized. Their baptism was accepted as an expression of their faith in Christ and turning to God for forgiveness. I’m not sure whether those Baptist Churches are in the minority, but they certainly exist. Also, I know members of Churches of Christ who were baptized in Southern Baptist Churches. Their baptisms were accepted because of their faith in Christ by Churches of Christ, too.
Terry,
I haven’t looked at the LifeWay Research study enough to know the margin of error. To be honest, I was shocked at what I saw there.
Here’s a pretty interesting reaction to the study:
http://allthingsbaptist.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/southern-baptists-and-alien-immersion/
Thanks for the link. I’m a little confused about some of what I read on it, but I appreciate the information. It doesn’t seem to go along with what I have seen, but of course, my experience could certainly be unusual (or even regional).
I would love to find out that these views are extremist, just as some in churches of Christ hold to extremist views (on both ends). Unfortunately, this study suggests these views are widespread.
Grace and peace,
Tim
Just thinking out loud here: is baptism sort of the opposite of a “spiritual act”? It is the moment in our spiritual life when we finally choose to STOP doing, to STOP acting, to STOP flailing around trying to save ourselves. We choose to let someone else take our life in their hands and plunge us underwater, while we are (finally) passive, at peace, submissive.
Faith is deeply collaborative with God, it seems, and confession seems like more of a spiritual act, but act doesn’t seem like an accurate description of the role of the one being baptized.
You do realize, Nick, that I wasn’t talking about the role of the one being baptized. It’s a spiritual act because it is the Spirit that is acting, not man.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
No, actually! (oops)
… but I wasn’t arguing with you — I was just thinking out loud because I worship with many people who think that “spiritual act” is all about the role of the one being baptized. I’m working on a way to try and reshape their thinking on the idea.