The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Muslim becomes Christian and so does his wives...

Paul S,

Thanks for the ever so kind words.

As I understand your church’s methodology is sounds fine. I enjoy this methodology: use 12 lessons (1.5 hours each) on the Gospel essentials (God, Christ, Holy Spirit, the 5 points, Scripture, Prayer, Church/Discipline, and Sanctification). The baptizing elder (normally not the pastor) will interview the candidates both before and after they attend the lessons (there would be more in the case of this Muslim and his wives to biblically assist in cleaning up the polygamy mess, etc.). There are 3 elder and 3 deacon families assigned to the class. Each husband/wife team gives their salvation testimony during the first 6 lessons. Moreover, each candidate – from lesson 7 forward, will also give their salvation testimony once during this time. Candidates hear the Gospel repeatedly (as with Simon who repeated heard the teaching not only Philip, but of John and Peter also – Acts 8, note that out of all that were baptized Peter, not Philip, discerned the faulty profession of one, Simon, who was already baptized. Thus, our use of multiple elders, etc.). Elder and deacon couples are also assigned no more than 2 new converts (the class has no more than 12 new converts in it, normally less). They do social functions together, eat out, visit at each other’s homes, etc. (note: they are assigned just prior to their baptism to spiritual mentors, which continue to assist them with their growth in Christ after baptism). During the course of the entire 12 weeks if a person’s profession is found to be defective – either in word or by deed – their baptism is not considered until the matter(s) are resolved – So, it works as far as it goes. But, nothing here is perfect.

However, we can never, no matter how much examination we do, guarantee that some Simon (Acts 8) won’t slip through. Even if we could, the matter that paedos baptize infants and they are part of the covenant community prior to any profession does not allow us to "fully" guard the community. Indeed, a non-professing baptized child, though part of the covenant community, should be treated differently than a new convert who is professing Christ as his LORD and Savior.