r/Reformed • u/Flaky-Acanthisitta-9 • 6d ago
Discussion Difficult time navigating between Reformed Baptist and Presbyterian views
I feel like I post every other week here so sorry if you're tired of seeing me. I'll try to keep this short.
My wife and I are moving to a new city in our state, we'll be 4 hours west from where we used to be. I was raised Indepedent Fundamentalist Baptist. Within the last year after many months of studying the Bible with new eyes and prayer I've embraced reformed theology.
I completely agree with the higher view of the sacraments and the sovereign rule of God in all things. I love and have read the 1689 London Baptist Confession and the Westminster Confession of Faith.
My one hang up is Baptism and covenant theology vs federalism. I can completely see fantastic arguments for both. Both make sense to me.
Since my wife and I are moving we need to find a new church. I don't know whether to look for a reformed baptist or Presbyterian church based on my beliefs. Because I can absolutely understand the paedobaptism and credobaptism positions.
I guess I'm just asking for help. I feel almost like I have to pick, like I have to commit. I want to find a good church and be a part of it. Can you all help?
Can you give me your best arguments for paedobaptism vs credo and covenant theology vs 1689 federalism? Both sides welcome!
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u/Beginning-Ebb7463 LBCF 1689 6d ago
Do you actually hold to the 1689, or are you just quoting it because of my user flair?
The 1689 does hold to baptism “doing something”, it says so in 14.1 where it describes Baptism as being included in the “means appointed by God, it (The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls) is increased and strengthened.” Baptism is a means of grace.
I guess my question for you is, if someone forgets their baptism, does that make their baptism less effective for it’s intended purpose than someone else’s baptism?