To Be a Baptist (or not)...

Thank you all for a great discussion this morning! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts and opinions on the whole denomination thing. I really like that we have some diversity of denominational backgrounds in the class...and thanks for not being timid about it.

Please go check out the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message:

Its not too terribly long and gives a great overview of Southern Baptist theology, though again, Southern Baptist churches are not required to adhere to it, necessarily.

Here are a few additional details that we didn't get to related to Baptist beliefs. In addition to the things we discussed about Baptism, I forgot to mention (though most of you probably know) two things: Baptism is strictly by immersion (meaning a dunk vs. a sprinkle) and is required for local church membership (of which voting is a key privelage). Regarding "immersion", that is quite the literal meaning of the Greek word we translate "baptize"; see "βαπτίζω". It is documented, I think, that sprinkling became an alternative way to baptize for those who were not near an adequate water source to dunk in...and so for many it eventually became the standard.

Also, Baptists, being out of the Separatists tradition, also agree very much with the separation of church and state for two reasons: 1) they do not want a state endorsed denomination where government would influence the church, and 2) they do not want law overriding man's conscience on spiritual matters, in which they believe he should be free from compulsion. That has the potential to be in conflict with the portion of the Baptist Faith and Message that says something to the effect that encourages Christians to influence law to reflect Christian morality...but that is another subject.

I know there are other things too but just reading the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message should fill in the gaps.

Also, I have a new blog I'm just starting to discuss the strange things I wrestle with in my head and my first real post is about this whole Baptist thing. Check it out and comment if you'd like: theought.wordpress.com.

see you soon...

casey

May 17th Class Lunch

Reminder that we are meeting at Phil's Icehouse and Amy's Ice cream after church on Sunday, May 17th. There is a wonderful playground outside (with shade).

Here is a recap and one point we never got too.

Central question: While Barnabas is named for his speaking encouragement to other people... ponder the physical real tangible encouragement he gives... he doesn't just encourage with words, he gives money, he trusts and stands up for people, he attends and participates, and mKeep this also in mind, we're looking at Barnabas as he gives us an example of a early church member, not a 'leader'.

Ch2:41-47 Early church characterized by generosity, benevolence, fellowship miracles and learning from the apostles. (interestingly the first meetings seem to be held in the temple...)

Ch4:36-37 Enter Barnabas(Joseph). Joseph was a Jewish christian born in Cyprus and comes to the church leaders with money from the sale of land. He is called Barnabas which means "Son of Encouragement"
- His first recorded "encouragement" was to give cold hard cash

Ch7:54 - Ch9:28 Enter Saul. Saul is not welcomed by the apostles ... not shocking as he is connected with the first martyr of a Christian in Jerusalem! (Stephen). It is Barnabas who speaks up for him and welcomes him!
- He 'encourages' the inclusion of a very unlikely convert by bringing him to the apostles. Barnabas is not a first hand witness to Saul's conversion nevertheless he trusts and vouches for Saul...

Ch.11: 19-30 Enter the Gentiles! Up to this point Christianity was Jewish. As Gentiles became believers the leadership in Jerusalem wanted to check it out... they send Barnabas. Barnabas then does something unlikely, before he goes back to Jerusalem with any news he goes to get Saul!!!
- Saul's first mission trip was initiated by Barnabas... Saul was "encouraged" to be a missionary by being taken by the hand and physically brought!

(We didn't talk about this one) Ch.15:1-35 Gentiles included! Barnabas and Paul go to the "Jerusalem Council" to decide what should be required of Gentile Christians. I'd speculate that Barnabas's words where probably more reliable still than Paul's... I mean he has a bad history in Jerusalem...

Ch.15:36-41 Barnabas raises a new missionary/Barnabas and Paul split. In a past mission trip John Mark had left them in the middle of the trip. Now Barnabas wanted to bring him back in on another trip, but Paul didn't. Paul didn't want a "quitter" on his team. So Barnabas and John Mark go to on a different mission trip.
- Here Barnabas stays in his role of "encouraging" new members
- Here Barnabas doesn't judge John Marks past 'failure' if indeed it was , but 'encourages' him by taking him on another trip... he doesn't give up on John Mark.
- Paul, now sufficient, still mimics his former leader and brings on other men (Silas and Timothy)

While I will never be compared to Paul... I might hope to be compared to Barnabas someday.

Taking Your Questions...

On May 31st we will have a combined Sunday School class with the Door in which the five teachers between the two classes (me, Caleb, Josh, Russ, and Dave Taylor) will form a panel to do our best to answer any questions you may have.

So think about what questions you may have that really puzzle you or cause you some consternation. You can either email those to homebuilders.hpbc@gmail.com or add a comment to this blog post with your question (which you can do anonymously if you want).

I'm looking forward to your questions!!!

-casey

Pray for Africa Group

For those of you who were inspired by Josh's trip to Sudan, just wanted to let you know that there is a HP group who regularly prays for Africa and God's work there. They have a quarterly brunch. Anyone can attend and the next one is:
Sat June 27th 10am
Friendship Hall
African nationals, people who have been to Africa and anyone who wants to see God's work there is invited. I (Elizabeth) went to the last one and it was awesome-African American gospel singing, powerful prayer by a Nigeria woman and a short lesson by a man from Ghana. Robert shared about the Sudan trip. Caleb played with the girls at a park while I went so if others want to go I am sure we could work out childcare sharing. They also meet weekly on Sunday nights to pray.