Paedobaptism and a difficult situation within my church

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Dikaioo

Dikaioo

Puritan Board Freshman
My wife and I are members of an EFCA church. Being paedobaptist and
now having a baby, we are wanting to have him baptized in the church.
The EFCA pretty much leaves it up to each congregation to decide on
the credo/paedo baptism issue. Our pastor is a baptist, and the church
itself has had a long baptist history (was a baptist church before
becoming EFCA in the 70's)

However, my pastor has offered to speak with the elders on this
matter, to see if they would be willing to baptize my son.

Two questions up front:
1. If there are no elders who are actually paedobaptist themselves,
who would perform the baptism, then it would not be appropriate,
correct?

2. If the vast majority of the congregation does not agree with the
baptism, would it be wrong to go ahead with the baptism? (the issue of
baptism and memberhip caused a church split before this new pastor
arrived in 2005) I am very nervous to possibly cause undue strife in
the congregation.
 
Would your child be considered a covenant member of your church? Just wondering. That is something you might want to ask.
 
Dikaioo said:
My wife and I are members of an EFCA church. Being paedobaptist and
now having a baby, we are wanting to have him baptized in the church.
The EFCA pretty much leaves it up to each congregation to decide on
the credo/paedo baptism issue. Our pastor is a baptist, and the church
itself has had a long baptist history (was a baptist church before
becoming EFCA in the 70's)

However, my pastor has offered to speak with the elders on this
matter, to see if they would be willing to baptize my son.

Two questions up front:
1. If there are no elders who are actually paedobaptist themselves,
who would perform the baptism, then it would not be appropriate,
correct?

2. If the vast majority of the congregation does not agree with the
baptism, would it be wrong to go ahead with the baptism? (the issue of
baptism and memberhip caused a church split before this new pastor
arrived in 2005) I am very nervous to possibly cause undue strife in
the congregation.
Click to expand...

1. I think it could be appropriate if your church will allow it. If your pastor is ok with it taking place but not willing to perform it, you might be able to find another minister who could perform the baptism who would be acceptable to your church.

2. It could be inappropriate if only for the reason you mentioned. I wouldn't pursue it if it would split the church.

This would be an issue that would be important enough for you to (peaceably and in submission to your elders) seek another local body of Christ which believes in paedobaptism, if there is an acceptable one near you. If not, I would even move if necessary.
 
Just curious but are you the only paedo believing members of your family? If not would it be possible to baptize your baby at their church? We have this happen some times. For example our associate pastor baptized two of his granddaughters awhile back, but only one of them became a member of the church.
 
Perhaps these are good reasons why a paedobaptist should not be a member of a baptist church? And just so as to show my love from my baptist brethren, i would say the same thing to a credo who was a member of a presbyterian church.
 
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