This is a response to the Sept. 25 article “How can we judge?,” which was a response to a Sept. 4 article, “On Joining a Church.” The earlier article offered two stories where people wanted to join a local church in membership for impure reasons, and Bob Terry basically said that membership should mean something. The more recent article says that attempting to withhold membership passes undue judgment on those coming for church membership.
The problem with the second article — while it may represent the feelings of other Baptists besides Ms. Weldon — is that it overlooks the Scriptures and what it has historically meant to be a Baptist. Of the many varieties of being Baptist, all have stood for a regenerate church. Indeed congregationalism and believer’s baptism mean nothing without a regenerate church. Church discipline is impossible without a regenerate church. Put simply, Baptists have always — until recent years — stood for a church composed of believers only, and without that foundation, Baptist churches will collapse on themselves.
Ms. Weldon is correct in her statement that the “church should welcome every one of God’s children.” In fact, the church should welcome all, but only God’s children should be members. And this may be where the confusion comes. I don’t think anyone is saying that nonbelievers should be barred from coming to church. Of course, all should be welcomed in the church. What is being said is that only believers should be members, thereby taking on the privileges and responsibilities of membership.
Alan Reynolds
Franklinton, N.C.
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