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Update 42 pages 14-16.
In Update 42:
New name
Why infants?
Baptism in CW
Baptism & Fathers
Does history compel?
Is history so clear?
Baptists' integrity
Table fellowship
If God gave
Reborn again
In the last issue we printed an extract from Kevin Roy’s book “Baptism, Reconciliation and Unity”, in which he suggested that churches could take the heat out of disputes on adult vs infant baptism. Credobaptists could permit the infant baptism of church members’ children, and paedobaptists could allow adults to be baptised as believers notwithstanding their earlier infant baptisms. Kevin did not suggest that churches should abandon their beliefs, but that while expressing their beliefs they should not disfellowship those who in conscience opted for other practices which were still within the breadth of the whole Christian Church. Following this article we would be grateful for thoughts on how to respond to enquirers on ‘rebaptisms’. To start the discussion, here is the second of two experiences...
I've been reborn again
John Hartley recalls a member of his previous congregation.
Rose (all names are changed) had been baptised as a baby, confirmed as a teenager, a lifelong stalwart of the local church, and had raised money for the church roof for longer than I (the new vicar) had been having hot dinners. By the time I arrived she was already in her late sixties, suffering diabetes and other complaints, recently bereaved, and like many others very discouraged about the church roof. She was no longer a regular, and I remember visiting her in hospital after a bad episode with the diabetes. ‘I’m not that bad yet!’ she proclaimed to the whole ward, and maybe the shock of the vicar’s visit was a factor in her rapid recovery?
At all events, Rose was befriended by Ivy, a very lively widow from the local Pentecostal church, who had a real ministry to others in similar circumstances. Through Ivy’s care and her many ways of dropping Jesus into conversations. Rose came to a personal faith which completely transformed her life: becoming regular at church, cheerful and prayerful in her daily life, keen on reading her bible, forgiving others in her street (don’t get me on the subject of her neighbours!), and even believing that God could reroof the church (which he did, but that’s another story). I must admit I was delighted at the change - it warms the clergy’s heart!
Rose had a strange way of speaking about her experience: she would use the words “reborn again”. Her childhood faith and her teenage confirmation were obviously real to her, and her experience in retirement was God’s fulfillment of her journey so far, not its denial.
Anyhow, one day after the morning service, she dropped the bomb. “John, I’ve decided I want to be baptised,” she announced. I drew a deep breath and mentally rehearsed all my reasons for believing that baptism is once for all. At the same time, I could see that she would want some opportunity to nail her colours to Jesus’ mast, and I would want to support her in this. The spectre of Colin Buchanan’s ‘immersion with renewal of baptismal vows’ raised itself in my mind.
Rose, meanwhile, was explaining to me how baptism by ‘going down into the waters’ was in the bible, and it was a witness of her being reborn again - all good Pentecostal Theology. And then came the punch-line: ‘...And they’re having baptisms at Ivy’s church on (whatever date it was) in the evening, so I’ve asked Pastor Nigel if he will baptise me then.’
‘Right-o, Rose,’ I made an instant decision, ‘but I’m coming to support you.’ (We had no evening service, so no conflict of time was involved.)
Before the service I had a quiet word with the Pastor, who agreed I could say a few words (very brave of him, under the circumstances). All four candidates gave testimonies, and I wished I had given Rose a bit of help with hers, as I knew she could give genuine examples of the ways Jesus had helped her in the last few months. After her tongue- tied public-speaking debut, Pastor Nigel invited me up, and I spoke something along these lines:
‘You will all know that the Church of England believes baptism is once for all, and maybe we aren’t united in doctrine tonight. You could say Rose has been a Christian for many years, and you could say she has come into a new relationship with Jesus just recently. Either way, this service is about witnessing that Rose is going on with Jesus, and I support her in saying that. And although she might not be very good with words, I want to say that I can see the difference that Jesus has made in Rose’s life, and that’s why I’m here to support her tonight.’
I had a round of applause for my short speech, and I think it helped build ecumenical bridges. My support for Rose meant there was no chance of defection or sheep-stealing from her local church. It also took the wind out of the sails of some of the local residents, unregenerate but Anglican, who felt Rose’s faith as a threat and who wanted the chance to avoid taking her seriously. I still think baptism is once for all, but in this circumstance I would do the same again - far better to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
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