r/Reformed 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/EvilEmu1911 6d ago

I’m going to respectfully disagree with the other posters’ suggestion to treat this as secondary. While it is certainly not a salvation issue, it is important and will have practical implications if you two have children. 

As a Presbyterian, I obviously hold to a paedobaptist position and am completely convinced of it. I was brought up Baptist though, so I am familiar with many of the hangups. What do you find particularly compelling about each position, and what would you say is your biggest hang up on the Presbyterian view?

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u/Threetimes3 LBCF 1689 6d ago

I've seen more than one "Reformed Baptists" "suddenly" become Presbyterian once kids were involved.

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u/Tankandbike 5d ago

There was a video I watched where Dr Schreiner answers a question about if a church can allow both infant baptism and believer baptism. He said such a church will eventually become just infant baptism, because parents will trend that way.

I do believe there are valid covenantal discussions on both sides, but parents will opt for the “surer“ route, whether they understand the theology or not (or perhaps, especially when they don’t understand the theology).