Lack of believer’s baptism leaves church on its own

Boulevard Baptist Church, Anderson, S.C., was dismissed from membership in Saluda Baptist Association during the association’s annual session Oct. 19 at Varennes Heights Church, Anderson.

Boulevard’s dismissal follows a June Decision by the congregation to accept candidates for church membership who have not been immersed from churches of other faiths, Fewer than 15 messengers voted in opposition to Boulevard’s dismissal.

While requiring a statement of previous Christian experience and “meaningful baptism,” Boulevard’s new policy recognizes “the diversity of Baptismal practices among Christian churches.”

It further states, “The church shall make clear that our primary concern is for the reality of the candidate’s experience of salvation and commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If the candidate affirms he or she has already made a faith response and has been baptized to symbolize his or her identification with the Christian faith and the whole church as the Body of Christ, no other baptism by immersion shall be required.”

Boulevard is the third South Carolina Baptist church to be dismissed by an association after deciding to accept members who have not been baptized by immersion. (BP)