The Christian
religious rite of sprinkling water on to a person's forehead or of
immersing them in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and
admission to the Christian Church. In many denominations, baptism is
performed on young children and is accompanied by name-giving.
"the sacrament of baptism"
It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's
faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to
sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in
newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to the believer's
faith in the final resurrection of the dead.
Book Title:
Our Goodly Heritage: Distinctive Baptist Beliefs And Practices
Author:
Israel O. Olaniyan, PhD
This book is
call to Baptist distinctive beliefs, the teachings that distinguish Baptist.
This work thus appears to be the core aspect of the book that responds to the
historical, theological and practical ministry concerns of the people. The
Baptist community and the larger Christian body should better understanding of these
areas of the book. The following paragraphs from the chapters.
In summary of Chapter 3, Salvation,
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are Baptists’ doctrinal believe. Baptist don’t
just Baptist any candidate, except the one who has had salvation experience.
Salvation experience is the bedrock of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and all
Baptist distinctive beliefs. The centrality of the trio of salvation, baptism
and the Lord’s Supper to the Baptist faith is reflected in the architectural
designs of Baptist church sanctuaries. Salvation is God’s act of delivering man
from sin and serving him from presence, power and penalty of sin and evil. The
Bible uses eight word pictures to explain salvation, they are, Regeneration
(roman 1:18, 8:1), Sanctification (acts 26:18), Redemption (Ephesians 1:7, 1 peter
1:18), Justification (Romans 3:28, 5:1), Adoption (1 John 3:10), Eternal Life
(John 3:14-16, 10:28). As Baptists, we believe that salvation is in
three stages; Past, Present and Future. Baptism literally means to dip, submerge or
immerse in water. Baptism is a symbolic demonstration of one’s
religious conviction and the publicity of one’s personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was baptized by immersion (Mark 1:9-10). Baptism is a once-for-all
event, which marks the entrance into a new life in Christ. It is obligatory and
an ordinance because Christ did it and ordered it (Matthew 3:11-17, 28:19).
Baptism has great significance they are: Believer’s baptism is central of the
New Testament practice (Mark 16:16, Acts 8:35-38, Col 2:12, Matt 28:12); believer’s
baptism helps to protect the generate character of the church life (Acts 2:47);
it is baptism by immersion alone that dramatize the death, burial and
resurrection of Jesus Christ (Roman 6:3-5, Eph 4:5, Col 2:12) etc. The Lord’s
Supper is a fellowship meal to commemorate the sacrificial death of the Lord
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who took away the sins of humankind. The lord’s
supper was instituted to remind believers of God’s saving work, the cost and resurrection,
and thereby arouse deep appreciation for the same (1 Corin 11:24-25). The
elements of the Lord’s suppers are unleavened bread and wine. It significance
are; the once-for-all deliverance of mankind from sin and shame, it give
opportunity to preach the gospel, it is a symbol of the unity of the church; it
is a reminder of the second coming of Jesus Christ; it affords opportunity to
stray believers; it is a reminder of the new covenant. The Lord’s Supper should
be observed in the context of total worship. It should not be an addendum.
In summary of chapter 4, priesthood of
all Believers is one of the age distinctive heritages of the Baptists. The
doctrine of priesthood of all believers is the teaching or beliefs that all
believers are priests. This teaching is bible based, Christ centered and life
applied. Our priestly role is to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
(1 peter 2:56). It also implies that every believer is a representative of
Christ wherever they are located and that they have a ministry to carry out
there. It demands priestly lifestyles from all members, life of holiness and
total devotion. It requires that every member ministers/serve Christ wherever
he/she finds him/herself. Thus, the dichotomy of the sacred and the secular is
broken. It involves having a rethink and exchange of role. Instead of expecting
a professionally trained person (pastor) to do the ministry on behalf of
members; members do ministry having been equipped by the professional trained
person. When the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers is rightly
understood and practiced, it enhances holistic church growth (numerical,
spiritual, evangelical, etc.).
In summary of chapter 8, autonomy of
the local church is a distinctive Baptist Heritage that is clearly based on the
authoritative word of God, the Bible. Autonomy of the local church is one of
the legacies handed down from past generations of the Baptist faith. Autonomy
of a local church therefore is the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a
group of baptized believers in a contiguous location to govern themselves and
direct their affairs in-house under Christ without any outside human
interference. Local church autonomy without cooperation is an aberration. The
biblical truth of the autonomy of the local church will work only as each
member and pastor of the local church respond positively to the leadership of
the Head, Jesus Christ. Local church autonomy will certainly be abused in a
congregation with unregenerate members or with members who are not growing on
the Lord.
In summary chapter 10, decision-making
is church council and church business meetings. We are responsible to God for
every decision we make both individually and corporately. As the body of
Christ, church decisions must be made in godly ways. God has sent standard for
this in the Scriptures. Therefore, church decision-making process must follow
biblical patterns.
In summary of chapter 12, this is an
appraisal of the “call system” in the Nigeria Baptist Convention, it genesis,
merits, demerits and contemporary challenges have been discussed. A number of
recommendations have been proffered. In spite of the challenges, the “call
system” is one of our goodly heritages, which we must not throw into the dustbin.
We only need to restudy and rebrand it. Central location and transfer of
pastors is alien to Baptist heritage and it is a violation of Baptist cherished
doctrine of the autonomy of the local church. The pastor serves and acts as
representative of the church. Since no one has the right to represent other
people without their approval, a congregation mist approve the officer who is
to act for it. This is the principle that informs Baptist practice of a church
choosing and transferring pastors to local churches violates this principle and
must not be allowed again in our midst.
In summary, pastoral leadership is
biblical, historical and sociological. The office of the pastor is a sacred
office. Whoever holds the office does not represent himself. He represents God.
He should be given the honour due the one represent. They should carry out the
assignment given them faithfully. They should match up their charisma with
godly character. The church and the pastor members have to make major
adjustments to do this. Nothing short of this will glorify God.
In summary, the venture into Multi-staff
ministry is a worthwhile venture. Pastors should consider working ion a
multi-staff ministry set up. Few instances of personality clashes should not
discourage ministers from working together as men and women of God. Multi-staff
ministry is a blessing to the church, Association, Conference and the convention;
all should embrace it.
In summary, Deacon’s ministry is a
required ministry in New Testament Church. It is a ministry that arose out of a
circumstantial need of the early church. Such needs are multiplying today, thus
the imperative of deacon’s ministry today. Deacon’s ministry is not just for
anybody. There are set prerequisites to be met. Selection of deacons is
procedurally congregational. Their ordination is the prerogative of the pastor.
The service of a deacon is not for life. New Testament evidence indicates a
limited time. The primary duty of deacons is caring for the welfare of church
members and the pastor(s). the goal of deacon’s ministry is church’s holistic
growth.
Deacons are spiritual servant-leaders
elected by churches primarily for the caring (social) ministry of the church.
Their selection, election and ordination are local church affair.
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