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Book Review - Going Under
- 09/03/06
- 10
As Baptists go, I consider myself quite charitable when it comes to beliefs on baptism. I suppose this is due to my Presbyterian background and my ongoing struggles with fully committing myself to either infant or believer’s baptism. I have studied the arguments made by both camps and see beauty and biblical support in both. Unfortunately, though, they cannot both be true which means that one must be wrong. I have aligned myself with the Baptist camp, a move that was initially as much out of necessity as conviction. I guess at this point I wish I felt conviction that paedo-baptism was biblical, but at this point it is not quite there.
Jim Elliff feels no such confusion. His small book Going Under presents five discussions on baptism. He gives biblical insight into five issues:
- Recipient: baby or believer?
- Method: sprinkle or immerse?
- Purpose: symbolize or save?
- Origin: refashioned or new?
- Authority: anyone or a church?
His answers to these questions reveal, as we would expect, his firm belief in the Baptist position. Drawing from Scripture and from the history of the church, he defends believer’s baptism, full immersion, the symbolism of baptism, the newness of baptism (as opposed to the refashioning of the Old Testament rite of circumcision) and the authority of the church in administering this ordinance. It is clear that he has sought to understand the various understandings of baptism and does not speak rashly or falsely of any. Having said that, I thought he was perhaps a tad simplistic in his explanations of paedo-baptism in a covenantalist context. Still, there is only so much ground that can be covered in sixty pages.
Going Under is a brief but biblical examination of baptism and is one worth distributing within Baptist churches, for it will serve to educate those who may be considering making their faith public in this way. It is available at Christian Communicators Worldwide.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (10)
Tim,
We have been searching for a church for over a year. We are baptist and would like to find a baptist church that believes and practices the 5 solas and reformed doctrine. The problem we are finding is that while they look reformed on paper, they are not reformed in practice—lots of man-centered preaching, “you can do it” philosophy, preaching from popular books rather than scripture, purpose-driven philosophies, etc.
There is a PCA church in the neighborhood that has an excellent reputation; I know several families that attend and are showing the fruit of good teaching in their lives. There are other positives, but I’ll spare you.
While I think the covenantal doctrines used by presbyterians to advocate paedobaptism are beautiful, I am not persuaded that it is the best way to practice baptism. My question is this: does it make sense to forego my preference for believer’s baptism in favor of sound reformed teaching and preaching? Is it that big of a deal, or is it mere preference?
I would be interested in your opinion and the opinions of the challies’ fandom.
“My question is this: does it make sense to forego my preference for believer’s baptism in favor of sound reformed teaching and preaching? Is it that big of a deal, or is it mere preference?”
I think it makes sense to go where the gospel is present. I think it’s far better to be in a church where the preaching is sound and the focus is on God than a place with poor preaching and a focus on man. Baptism is a secondary issue. As a Baptist you have the advantage in that you can go to a Presbyterian church and not have to compromise your beliefs on baptism as it pertains to your family…
Leslie,For me, the consideration would be is ” paedo-baptism” part of the “sound reformed teaching and preaching?” And is baptism not a doctrine? I would agree with you that there are some things worth switching for and that is what you must decide. I would switch any day for what I call “non-essential” but never for what is “essential.” Is baptism by immersiion essential for you? Then remain a Baptist, if not, “switch!”
Tim,I think you have given some very good advice to Leslie. I am Baptist, and my wife and I were seriously considering searching for a PCA church when we left our church of 9 years and were having trouble finding a healthy body of ‘Baptist’ believers. Praise God, we found a solid church that was credo-baptist, but I would not have had a problem going to a PCA church if we had not found this one.
I have also heard Ligon Duncan and Mark Dever discuss this very issue but in the reverse. Ligon was talking about how they had quite a few Baptists attending First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS., and Mark had no problem with those Baptists who were going there instead of sticking with a Baptist church where the gospel might not be exposited.
Good counsel…
I would never, under any circumstances, attend an Arminian Baptist church. I also would never compromise my credobaptist convictions. I would, however, be happy to attend a Presbyterian church if they would allow me to maintain my credobaptist distinction. Honestly, outside of baptism, I think Presbyterians have a better view of worship than most Baptists. You’ll never hear them sing such rot as “Shall We Gather at the River.”
“Is baptism by immersiion (sic) essential for you?”
Ron, With all due respect, I don’t think we can discern which doctrines are non-essential by just picking the ones we “think” or “feel” that are essential. For example, what about escathological positions? The C&MA church I attended -and was a member of- two years ago in Columbia, SC did not ask prospective members adherence to pre-millenialism even though this is stated in the denomination’s doctrinal statement. Could that be an example of a body of believers discerning what is essential and what is not?
Just my 2cents ;) I am a baptist, and the answer for me was in an Indep.Fundamental Baptist church. I am thankful for the straightforward teaching and traditional worship service. I have never been closer to the Lord in my walk, and that is all that really matters after all. In these times ahead, as more and more confusion and arguing goes around about what church and why…my answer is simple. Go where the Word of God is preached…KJV is my preference, but I am not legalistic about it. Go to a church where CHRIST is the center, not compromising with the world to make PEOPLE happy. Worship should be pleasing to our LORD! Until that day when we are all made perfect may our words to one another be seasoned with grace. -God Bless!
“making their faith public”
their faith? their faith?tsk tsk… I think this idea of a believer aquiring or accruing faith is the underlying and hasty assumption allowing for “believers” baptism (which, by the way, baptizes non-believers all the time) to be so prevalent today.
I’m one of the people who were baptized as a baby, in faith (my parent’s faith), then bought into the idea that it somehow became “my faith” and that I should make that known (a.k.a. put on display), and so I was re-baptized. Now all I have is regret for mocking my parent’s faith and having the pride that I should declare myself owning any faith that wasn’t given to me. This is what I thought and was taught as I went under that day when I was 18: “I am making my faith public” :(
“Me, mine and no others.” This seems to be the Sola of the American Christian. Church visiting has become a matter of “what can you offer me”, “are my kids going to be entertained?”, “are you as perfect as I am?” Judging from the sidelines (or back pew) is certainly easier than rolling up your sleeves and getting involved to patiently affect change.
Forgive me for being so naive, but I thought belonging to a local body of believers was not about “what can you do for me”, but rather “how can I serve you.”
Leslie, I greatly sympathize with you in your search for a sound church. There are imperfect churches out there that need your service to help them mature and grow in the faith. Try checking with your state Baptist Convention and ask for a list of new church plants in your area. I can assure you they will welcome you with open arms, and the opportunities for growth (both yours and theirs) is almost endless. God bless!
In Christ,John
that is wisdom, john! that is wisdom! what a great and excellent attitude to have. seems like the arminian/fluffy theology/seeker-friendly churches are the ones who need reformed believers more than any.the one reservation that I would like to see what your response would be. what about pastoral/elder authority?? how can you place yourself under the discipline of the kind of church we are talking about that is not the most Biblical?I’d love to hear any answer to that reservation