To my Baptist brethren and friends:I have just received an copy of a fascinating survey done by an Illinois brother, Kenneth Marshall, in 1948. He asked state convention leaders in the Northern and Southern Baptist fellowships a set of questions about the reception of "alien" baptism (done by those not of like faith and order). Here I will only summarize the information; if you would like a copy of the full article, taken from our Western Recorder of Aug. 12, 1948, just ask and I'll be glad to send it.
For NBC churches, which at that time were almost all north of the Mason-Dixon line and the Ohio River, and had been about as strong as Southern Baptists, the survey showed about 90-95% of the churches in each state did accept non-Baptist baptism. That was a significant change from their policy as reflected in their publications from about 1900; many also had "Associate" or "Open" membership for believers with no form of baptism (usually non-voting).
For the SBC, of the 20 state conventions, most in the "old South" but including California, New Mexico, and Missouri, 10 stated that no congregation would receive what it considered "alien" immersion; 2 states (Alabama and Florida) said that about 2% of churches there would; Illinois answered "A few will receive baptism of apostate Baptist Churches," and Kentucky said there were "not more than 6" churches that would practice open communion or receive non-Baptist baptism. States having a more "open" approach were Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and Missouri and the District of Columbia where many churches were dually alighted NBC and SBC.
While history is not our final guide, it is fascinating to see what has been and what has happened as a result. NBC (now American Baptists) churches have steadily declined in numbers, which was the original stated reason for receiving such baptisms. From about 1948, or most of my lifetime, SBC churches have "exploded" into all 50 states, with the largest mission program of any group of congregations, and the first thrust of that expansion came about because of the old "Trail of Blood" view which I was taught as a child in a Southern Baptist church in southern Illinois. It was on that specific basis that our SBC churches felt an obligation to plant new churches in areas where there were already some Baptists, but in the view of our leadership and most of our people, "weak" Baptists. I recall hearing from the pulpit as a young Christian about our debt to the lost world, not merely to present salvation, but also church truth as people received Christ.
Are there saved people in other groups? I am sure there are. But did Jesus command "Go therefore and make disciples in all the nations, immersing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe some of the things that I have commanded you"? (The translation is mine; the underlined words are not from the Greek!)
Discussion would be welcomed, in a friendly and open spirit. Wishing all of you all His best, Bro. R. Charles Blair - Romans 8:28.
email - pr.eprayer@integrity.com
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