Comments on 'Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season': The Importance of Prayer

Scott, You said: "I could not have him in my pulp...

2007-03-21T13:20:00.000-04:00

Scott,

You said: "I could not have him in my pulpit or even Sproul who I love to read."

I whole-heartedly respect your position and conviction about this matter, and have no problem with you believing in it; but at the same time, I cannot agree with it.

Would you not agree that this issue is one of those doubtful "grey issues" in Romans 14? If it is, then certainly we ought not to judge anybody who does otherwise in these matters(I'm not suggesting or implying that you are judging).

Also, the same would apply to closed communion.

Scott,Hey, was that just a ploy to get me to visit...

2007-03-20T23:09:00.000-04:00

Scott,

Hey, was that just a ploy to get me to visit your church :) Just kidding, brother. I look forward to worshipping you one day soon, though the drive would make it difficult for us to join.

Let me just say, I agree with you on the Presby thing. Pedo-baptism is no small matter in my book. But, I understand why people go there considering the soundness of other reformed theology. As I said in my email to you, I'm not sure I agree with you on closed communion; I would think that an issue like this would be detailed in scripture, but I'll have to look into it more before I say one way or another.

I love Boyce and even Gill; those guys are some of the greatest theologians. I definitely need to read more of them, and so do others!

I'm also with you on the LBC 1689. What a great confession! Sadly, many today aren't even familiar with the doctrines contained within that confession. But as for me, I am looking for a 1689 church, no doubt.

Thanks for the kind words, Scott. We'll catch up soon.

SDG,
Nathan

Nathan, One of my great concerns in Baptistic Cal...

2007-03-20T16:13:00.000-04:00

Nathan,

One of my great concerns in Baptistic Calvinists looking for a church home is that I'm hearing more and more are heading to the Presbyterian rout. Even reading on the Founders blog you hardly hear men talk about John Gill, Booth, Keach, Brine, and Philpot. These were great Particular Baptists. These men recognized that since we reject Pedobaptism then we can't serve the Lord's Supper to them either. Our church is purely closed communion and we only serve it to church members who are not under discipline.
Yes, we hear about Dagg and Boyce on the different Baptist blogs but I'm growing more and more concerned about the failure to see some of these things. Let me give you an example: If you will notice on the Together For the Gospel blog you will see the close friendship of Dr. Mohler and Lig Duncan who is a PCA guy. I would recognize that Lig is a Christian but because his baptism is not right then I could not have him in my pulpit or even Sproul who I love to read. This will sound strange to many but I'm being consistent rather than not. Also, I would not have Jerry Vines or Johnny Hunt(Southern Baptist) in my Pulpit because their doctrine is closer to Methodist. How can we continue to say we can put certain Padeobaptist in our pulpits who we would not even let them join our churches unless they were baptized properly and repented of their view of Padeobaptism. Please don't misundestand me: I have all the Banner of Truth Books( Presbyterian) and many reformed men but you will find the old Calvinistic Baptist through out my library.
I have great respect for you. You stand strong for things and will speak up. We need more of that today. My prayer for you as you look for a church will be that you will consider just some of the things I mentioned. I'm not writing to scold anyone but as I talked to Dr. Nettles yesterday I shared this very same thing with him. Calvinistic Baptist seem to be so afraid of others knowing that they read Gill. I don't agree with Gill on all things but I think it's something that the Philadelphia Association minutes say that every church and pastor should have the works of Gill. He was the most repected Baptist theologian at one time. Even Jesse Mercer( The great GA Baptist Calvinist ) said the he lines up with Gill more than any Baptist: Jesse even called himself an " Old School Baptist" meaning he lined up with Gill ove Andrew Fuller( New School). I told someone the other day that you will make a fine pastor one day. You are student of the word and so bold.Take my words with love and please know I'm open to any correction that I may need. Love you brother!