Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

PAPAL AUTHORITY

Baptists not Protestant

I must take issue with the statement made by Associate Professor Mark Devine of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the article “Evangelicals stand firm in rejection of papal authority,” who said: “As Protestants and evangelicals, we deny any special authority to the pope or any other religious leader.”

By definition, a “Protestant” is a member of a “Protestant” church. Protestant churches were once part of the “Catholic” church, but during the Reformation, could no longer tolerate the non-biblical teachings being espoused by the Catholic hierarchy. Under the direction of Reformation-era leaders Luther, Calvin, Tyndale, Knox, Zwingli, et. al., groups left the Catholic church, forming what we now know as “Protestant” churches, e.g. Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc.

While it is common for the world to view Christians as either Catholic or Protestant, a study of the history of the theology and doctrines held by Baptists makes it apparent that Baptists were never part of the Catholic church. In being altogether separate, we did not protest Catholic doctrine and leave, becoming Protestants.

A good overview of Baptist history can be found in a booklet The Trail of Blood… Following Christians Down Through the Centuries…or The History of Baptist Churches From the Time of Christ, Their Founder, to the Present Day, by J.M. Carroll and available at www.baptistpillar.com.

Michael D. Clay
Jacksonville

FLORIDA BAPTIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Rennolds info needed

Edwin Hansford Rennolds, Sr. (1839-1912) was one of our early Baptist leaders in the state of Florida. He served as pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Nassau County, acting editor of the Florida Baptist Witness, four-time chaplain of the Florida Senate and early leader of the Florida Baptist Historical Society. It is our desire to contact any descendants of Rennolds for the purpose of sharing information with his family and honoring Rennolds as one of our pioneer leaders. Any information or pictures relating to the life of E.H. Rennolds would be greatly appreciated. Contact Jerry Windsor by phone at 800-328-2660 ext. 428, or by e-mail at jmw@wfeca.net.

Jerry M. Windsor
Florida Baptist Historical Society

SCHIAVO

Reader response

I am responding to the letter from Mrs. Helen Gibson to the editor, titled “Christians Disagree.” Mrs. Gibson seems to put far more weight on prayer in making a decision than on seeking biblical counsel. In fact, she never mentions the Bible. The Bible, full of instructions on life issues and how we are to view life, is the Word of God. If I want to be a follower of Jesus Christ and I am faced with how to respond to a particular moral issue, I MUST see first what God has to say about it. God gave us the Bible to consult and use daily to form a biblical worldview, which is a worldview completely set apart from the secular world.

I would challenge anyone who is a Christian and supported the death by dehydration of Terri Schiavo to give specific verses that support God’s approval. I also challenge Judge George Greer to give his biblical reasoning behind his ruling. I suspect that if Judge Greer is actually a Christian, he hung his Christianity up on a hook and left it behind the door when he entered the courthouse.

God’s answer to prayer and biblical truths will never contradict each other.

Mollie Powell
Plant City

BAPTISM

Baptism not a choice

I believe one of the reasons baptisms are down is because SBC churches teach that it is not necessary. Every time I question this teaching I get another question, “What about the thief on the cross?” (Study your commentaries to find out who the “thief” was and why he was being crucified.) More importantly, the Messianic Dispensation (Great Commission) was not given until after Jesus was crucified, rose from the tomb, met with the eleven disciples and gave his instructions (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-16). These are Jesus’ own words. He doesn’t say baptism is an option, or a personal choice.

There are many verses of Scripture that speak to baptism. Some are Mark 1:4; Acts 2:37-39; Acts 22:16; Matt. 3:13-17; Rom. 6:1-4; Eph. 4:4-5; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21.

I have heard SBC pastors and Bible study teachers say they do not “teach” baptism because they are afraid some will come into the church, just to be baptized, and think that is all they need to do to be “saved.” While I know that baptism alone does not save anyone, I do believe (based on Bible Scripture) it is one of the necessary steps to salvation.

Olon Miller
Frostproof

SBC NASHVILLE

Sunday Services

First Baptist Church of Mount Juliet, Tenn. invites Convention goers to Convention Sunday, June 19, which will feature three speakers with inspiring messages. At 8:30 a.m. Dr. Ken Hemphill speaks, followed by Dr. Richard Ross at 9:45 a.m. and then Dr. Jimmy Draper of LifeWay Christian Resources at 11 a.m. A catered meal will follow services for at the rate of $5 per person and $20 per family maximum. FBC, Mount Juliet, is located a half-mile north of Interstate 40 on North Mount Juliet Road about 20 minutes from downtown Nashville. To register for the meal call the church office at 615-754-2525, or e-mail the church at info@fbcmj.org.

Paul Gunn
Mount Juliet, Tenn.