Spurgeon's Church and Strict Communion In the summer of 1857, the American Baptist historian Thomas Armitage visited London and stayed in the home of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. The two discussed church polity, including open communion and open baptism. When Armitage returned home, he wrote this about Spurgeon's position:
"Considerable inquiry has been made among the Baptists of America, as to whether or not, 'Mr. Spurgeon is latitudinarianism in his views of Church order and discipline?'
"....The fact is, Mr. Spurgeon is a decided open communionist as are many of the English Baptist Pastors and Churches: but he positively denies such latitudinarianism as this. (i.e. open baptism) He thinks that strictness of discipline should be maintained in each Church, and that the Church and pastor cannot Scripturally receive any person into its membership but immersed believers who are obedient both to gospel doctrine and precept. He steadily maintains these views in the reception of members into the Church which he served, that Church being strict communion in its sentiments, although its pastor takes the other side of this controversy. But their harmony seems to be undisturbed by their differences of opinion. Indeed it is very common for churches and their pastors to differ on this subject in England.
"....There is much to hope from Mr. Spurgeon yet. We are convinced that his views of Church Communion have never been settled, and when he comes to study the subject he may yet go with his Church. The venerable (G.H.) Orchard in addressing him upon the subject, urging it upon his attention. Let every Baptist in America pray to God to guide our young brother into all truth, and feel encouraged to hear that the Park Street Church is strict on her Communion. This enables us to explain a sentence we found in his Park Street Pulpit Sermon, No. 2d - I give a free invitation to every lover of Jesus, to come to this table - but he invited them to the preceding duty, i.e. to unite with the Church. His creed determines this." -- Thomas Armitage
(It is very interesting to note that the New Park Street Baptist Church, pastored by Charles Spurgeon, was still a strict communion Baptist Church in 1857. Spurgeon's sermons were immensely popular in the United States, but his views on open communion troubled many Baptists, particularly in Kentucky. While he never publically changed his position, shortly before his death, Spurgeon told several visiting American Baptist preachers that strict communion was the biblical position. Armitage's quote is from the Tennessee Baptist newspaper on October 31, 1857.)
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