“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