Sudsy wrote:Heirbyadoption wrote:Hats Off wrote:Anabaptist baptism consists of two steps or processes; first the actual baptism "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." The second, separate step is that of welcoming the newly baptized as a member of the congregation. "In the name of the congregation I (the bishop) offer you my hand; arise to a new beginning as a member of the congregation."
Any thoughts (really from anybody, not just HatsOff) on when membership became a hard and fast linkage with water baptism in Anabaptist thought? It doesn't seem quite so tightly linked in the early accounts of various itinerant preachers.
I don't see where anyone has offered any thoughts on this question. In my searching I ran across this MB article as to why Mennonite Brethren, my church, link the two -
http://www.mennonitebrethren.ca/resourc ... embership/
It does note this -
Usually, we have connected membership to formal reception into the fellowship of a local church. But the New Testament actually tells us nothing about becoming “church members.” It only speaks about being “members of Christ” (1 Cor. 6:15) and “members of the body of Christ
Seems the answer I hear most often is that the earliest churches we read of in the NT are in an 'infant' stage and what we don't read in the NT as some of our practises today, are in a more 'mature' stage. I need more convincing to accept that myself.
Sudsy what conclusion might you draw from the very earliest days of the Church in Acts 2 & 4 - as to being 'added to the Church' - after all, Christ is the head of the Church
Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Acts 2:
37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The Fellowship of Believers
(Acts 4:32-37)
42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47Praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
You asked how infant baptism would fit into this- that would be another topic, probably not appreciated here & now.
This is in hopes of showing where Scripture has conveyed in the earliest days of the Church that there was repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit- and as Acts 4 points out- there were those 'added to the Church daily', do you witness a connection there? I realize it seems to have gotten complicated later to become a member- or to get baptized- in Acts, from the previous hard hearted Jews whose eyes were opened, to the jailor, to the Ethiopian Eunich- there was not a delay in their baptism and being added to the Church it seems I wonder too, how it became more complicated & took longer as time went on. Catechisms- teachings- I don't know- it is difficult at times to accept what changed but maybe there were good reasons? We weren't there!