From earliest times Christians have differed among themselves concerning
their understanding and practice of baptism. In the early church of the
third and fourth centuries there was a remarkable variety of baptismal
practices within the 'One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church', including
infant baptism, believers' baptism, delayed baptism, emergency baptism and
death-bed baptism.
In subsequent centuriest diversity of baptismal views and practices was
greatly restricted by ecclesiastical and civil repression. In more recent
times increasing religious freedom and the growing fragmentation of
'Christendom' have resulted in various baptismal practices developing,
usually associated with certain traditions and denominations. Today, three
major baptismal traditions can be identified: Catholic, Reformed and
Baptistt each with their own particular insights, strengths and
weaknesses. Something of a theological stalemate has been arrived at today
in the arena of polemical debate for one particular baptismal position.
The visible unity of Christians with one another in the world is
intimately linked to their divine calling to be a witness to the saving,
healing and reconciling work of God in Christ. The ability of Churches to
incorporate legitimate diversity within an authentic unity is vital to
their ministry in and to a broken and alienated world. Many differences of
baptismal understanding and practice constitute just such a legitimate
diversity. In any Christian hierarchy of truths the imperatives of lovet
reconciliation and unity must rank higher than matters of baptismal rites
and doctrines. To allow baptismal differences, therefore, to divide
Christians from one another constitutes a failure of Christian love.
Empirical research has revealed a widespread and strong desire for a unity
that could transcend baptismal differences. The ideal has already been
implemented within a number of individual congregations and in a few
denominations and found to be workable. The challenge remains to the wider
Christian community to allow genuine freedom of conscience in baptismal
matters within one united Christian fellowship. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Systematic Theology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/17645 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Roy, Kevin Barry |
| Contributors | Konig, Adrio |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (302 leaves) |
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