The Omaha guide., 1941-03-01

open and endeavor to reach that
unehurched multitude. Now COM
ing directly to the subject: An
Impossible Union. Candor com
pels us to say that there cannot be
o true, real or logical union meet
ings, between Baptist Churches
and Methodist organizations. This
is evident from the following Scrip
tutai, reasonable and honest facts:
First. because Baptist Churches
and Methodist organizations are
not agreed in the doctrine of what
is a visible Christian Church.
1t is implied in the origin of
Methodism; and they nov believe
and teach that the Christian church
is n big ecclesiastical body con-
sisting of a confederation of relig.
ious societies under n head or
general government. Their church
definition is always treated as a
singular and never in the sense of
q plural. Therefore, their local Or
CARNATIONS are only units of their
Supreme body, and are regarded
by their doctrines as Societies
t this national ecclesiastical body
and not as individuals, independent
II local churches. But we Bapt-
SIS believe and teach according TO
the Scriptures, that a visible
church of Jesus Christ is a eongre.
cation of baptized believers ,ae-
cepting Christ as their Head, His
laws and their rule of government.
His life as their model-the spread
If the gospel into all the world, as
thsir mission and the New Testa-
.nent as their Greed. We accept
and teach that all such are Church
IS of Jesus Christ, independent
and subject to Christ only, as
churches and mol as one universal
church. Hence it is impossible
tor Baptist churches to hold unen
meetings with Methodist societies
without the aspect of hypocrisy.
Second, because Baptist Church.
es and Methodist Organizations
are not agreed concerning church
membership.
Methodists hold that persons
may be received as members of
their organizations on probation
for at least six months or longer.
% study the doctrines and the dis
cipline of the organization, and
that infants may be s%prinkled and
added as a member. This is not In
accordance with Mark 1916, John
3:1-8 and Acts 2:4l-47 or In other
words to repentance, faith, regen-
Grafton and baptism. Baptists
believe and teach that none but
persons that have been regener-
ated oil born again and baptized
according to the Scriptures should
be received as members of the
churches. How can there be a
union meeting between Baptist
Churches and Methodist societies
when there is no agreement in
faith and practice? Who r The
hypocrites in these meetings?
Third, because Baptist Churches
and Methodist organizations are
not agreed In the doctrine of Chris.
tan Baptism.
Methodists believe, teach and
practice several beliefs and modes
hey style as Christian Baptism.
That is they will sprinkle you,
pour you, or dip you. But the
Bible says: Zone Lord, one faith,
one baptism. CEphesians ABB The
Greek word for Sprinkle is Rant
ize, the Greek word for pour is
Keo and the Greek word for Bap-
tie is Baptizo. Note the differ
ence Jesus Christ said; "Baptize
them" not rantize, nor keo them.
In view of such there can be no
true Union Meetings between Bap-
fist Churches and Methodist organ.
izations as long as they do not a
gree on the doctrine of Christian
Baptism. And the Baptist church
IS that engage in the worship are
not true to their faith, and bid the
Methodist Gods speed in teaching
erroneous doctrines.
Fourth. because Baptist church
es and Methodist Organizations are
not agreed concerning the doctrine
Of the Lords Supper.
Methodists believe, teach anc
practice "Open Communion. Thal
Is in their administration of thu
supper, they invite and permit per.
sons of any other denomination Il
partake or eat the supper without
restrictions. But Baptists believe
teach and practice what is called
CLOSED Communion. 1t is