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Featured The Baptist Identity, How Accurate?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by TCGreek, Jun 30, 2012.

  1. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Subtitle: "Four Fragile Freedoms"

    I just finished reading it. Let me sum up the "Four Fragile Freedoms":

    What say ye?
     
  2. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    I affirm it. I believe it is purely Baptist.
     
  3. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Are you a Southern Baptist?
     
  4. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    IMO, Michael is not even a Baptist.
    He is the Archbishop of the Celtic Anabaptist Church, which doesn't have Baptistic beliefs.

    Search his website here:
    http://www.celtic-anabaptist-ministries.com/
     
  5. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    I don't know of Michael agrees with that assessment. We'll see.
     
  6. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    Sounds kinda baptistic to me. BTW, I'm just a lowly independent Baptist. The only SBC friends I know of are the ones here on BB.
     
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Kinda Baptist? Thats like a woman saying she is kinda pregnant.
     
  8. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I don't mind 1, 3, and 4 but I don't think 2 is historical. As I recall Walter's book (which is the one you're reading) limited the time period to basically last century. Baptists have been around a long time before that span of time. Also that time period would have to deal with EY Mullins, a major proponent of soul competency. I don't think soul competency is a historic Baptist distinctive.

    I'm more of a priesthood of all believers kinda guy.
     
  9. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    I agree!:thumbs:
     
  10. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    Does not this very definition of Church freedom interfere somewhat with the prior stated definition of Soul Freedom? If a Church is free to "order their worship and work" and to "determine their membership", then how is an individual in that church free to deal with God without the "imposition of creed" or "interference from clergy"?
     
  11. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    So should all baptists follow and abide by these 4 Distinctives??? You know, sort like a baptist creed? :laugh:

    Also...Am I free as a Baptist to exercise my Soul Freedom to disagree with one or more of these Descriptions, or to alter their meanings if I think they could be defined more biblically?
     
  12. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    Now Sarge, you DO know that there's a world of difference between the word "baptistIC"(the word that I used in my post) and merely "baptist" don't you??

    "BaptistIC" is properly used as thus:

    "Spltting the church over the color of the rugs is just being BaptistIC!!!"

    Compare that with:

    "WOW!! What kind of Baptist church could FBC be?? They switched the organ and piano around and they didn't even have a church split!!"

    :laugh::laugh::laugh:
     
  13. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    I do not.

    In my profile, I describe myself as being: "Baptist/Anabaptist with Celtic influence". I put that in my profile many years ago; I still hold to it. Since I affirm Baptist principles, I wonder why some think I should be excluded from the ranks of Baptists.

    But let's not turn this into a thread about me, please. I simply wanted to answer your question, the way I saw it. Maybe I shouldn't have. I'll bow out of your thread if you think my being here is going to stir up strife.

    Anyway, I've answered the OP; that's probably enough.
     
    #13 Michael Wrenn, Jul 1, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2012
  14. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    I am still a member of a small rural SB church. I would say that the General Baptists are closer to what I believe.
     
  15. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    After some additional thought, I am going to voluntarily withdraw from participation in the "Baptist" section of this forum -- not because I think my views automatically exclude me, but for two reasons: (1) My presence here is obviously causing consternation to some, and (2) Far be it from me to stay where I am not wanted.

    Godspeed!
     
  16. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    I think it is very accurate for a Baptist, however I don't think I could sign on to those things you mentioned. They sound too rebellious making being a Baptist above being a Christian and anything that has such pride attached to it means that our attachment to the Lord loses. I am a Christian who happens to be a member of a baptist church, not a Baptist who is a Christian. I think I prefer Pauls words;
    Phl 1:20
    According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.
     
    #16 freeatlast, Jul 1, 2012
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  17. michael-acts17:11

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    Soul freedom, Bible freedom & "Religious" freedom are at the core of the New Covenant. The defining difference between the Covenant & the Old Law is the ability of the individual to approach & worship God apart from any other person, organization, law, or any man-made hurdles. One cannot deny soul freedom without a fundamental misunderstanding of the New Covenant. Church freedom, the freedom of a group of individuals, to voluntarily meet to fulfill Ephesians 4:1-13 & to worship together is a result of our individual freedom in Christ. That is the truth which our national forefathers understood. They based our Constitution on the God-given, inalienable rights of the individual. The concept of individual liberty is unique to Christianity. It's amazing that so many Baptists chose to exchange our spiritual birthright of spiritual liberty for the pottage of enslavement to religious rules, laws, & "holy men".

    Whether or not they are "Baptist", however one chooses to define baptist, is irrelevant to whether or not they are Biblical. Scripture, not human tradition, should be our final authority.
     
    #17 michael-acts17:11, Jul 1, 2012
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  18. Benjamin

    Benjamin Well-Known Member
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    Eh, don’t feel that way. Just so you know, I for one, don’t mind if you stick around; ...even if you are a little confused about the beliefs of Arminians and under the illusion that I would give Calvinist one point. ;) :)
     
  19. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    Well, I appreciate it, but others don't feel that way. I'd rather not be the cause of strife.
     
  20. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Actually, Shurden begins with Smyth and the others. His big thing is what is dubbed the Gainsborough Principle.

    It's "Soul Freedom," and it's quite comprehensive, encompassing "believer priesthood" as well.
     
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