Mark Taylor Interviews John Mark Hicks
In this video, Mark Taylor, who is the editor of the Christian Standard, interviews John Mark Hicks about his impressions of the North American Christian Convention of Christian Churches/Churches of Christ (particularly church planting) as well as new developments among Baptists regarding “Baptist Sacramentalism.”
July 8th, 2015 at 8:52 am
I just watched the video of your interview at the NCAA. Having been raised in a CofC and a member of this group most of my life – but not presently – I am always interested in what is said about baptism. I’ve read your writings long enough to have a great appreciation of what you have to say as well as the tone in which you say it. It seems that when you say baptism is both an ordinance and a sacrament you explain that “God does something in baptism.” If I understood correctly (and please correct me if I don’t say this exactly right) you said one becomes a child of God and is anointed with the Holy Spirit in baptism. However, it seems you don’t “draw a line in the sand” nor limit what/when God may do for us. That is, He isn’t bound to do it the way we say He does nor when we think He does it. So I presume that if one is rather confused in their thinking about baptism and neglects the ordinance/sacrament God may still adopt the person, anoint them with the Spirit etc. Is this understanding correct, and if not, would you explain it better for me? As I understand what you said – in my own words – it is normative for one to become a child of God and be anointed by the Spirit while in the water, but God may do it differently if He chooses to do so. I appreciate you very much and hope you can takes the rough edges off my way of expressing my thoughts and bring a little more clarity to my thinking. Of course, you know me well enough to be aware I think regeneration logically precedes baptism if only by a minute or two but I would never argue that baptism is not a special means of grace.
Hesed,
Randall
July 8th, 2015 at 9:24 am
Randall, aside for thinking about regeneration as a theological concept, I think you expressed my intention well. I articulate this more fully in the chapter “Transformed Unimmersed?” in the book “Down in the River to Pray”. I tend to think in terms of normative/ordinary where baptism is part of the process but God is not bound to the normative/ordinary as God desires mercy more than sacrifice. Blessings, my friend. JMH
July 13th, 2015 at 8:39 am
That’s really nice, new line what’s really sad is there so many bad hermeneutics out there. That rarely do I find anything normative about the word baptism. Which i think is truly unfortunate John Mark. Yes it’s just part of the process except for all the knee-jerk reactions to that word.
Although it doesn’t change God’s Word . and God’s Word says be not many teachers Because you come under a more stricter judgement
July 14th, 2015 at 9:47 am
I’m very thankful for being taught in such a way and studied in such a way when I was a very Yong Man, I remember the exact time in the date that I was baptized and that would be 1968 the 21st or 22nd around 1145 in the morning, I could look it up of December I was 20 years old.
What I find interesting is what the Word says about baptism especially around 1st Corinthians the 15th chapter it was so normal that everyone that read that letter knew what I was talking about.
It was so normal to me then I knew what the 6 chapter of Romans meant to me.
It was so normal that I knew what first Peter chapter 3 verse 21 and on meant to me.
It was so normal I knew what it meant from Galatians the third chapter.
It was show normal that preacher not only preach the gospel by the Great Commission but also followed up with baptism.
God’s Word shows me exactly what is happening to me, and for me to have faith that it is.
This is the spirit speaking through His apostles and prophets with the words of the Spirit explaining exactly what is happening to me through baptism.and for me to have faith that it is. this is the Holy Spirit speaking through his apostles and profits this is jesus and what he wants you to do. pretty much I’d die in baptism and raise up to walk in a new life with Christ. I’m confirmed in the church and my conscience is clean that’s according to the word.
What I find interesting is is that when I tell people that asked me if I havd been saved and I say well yes I have I was baptized, and I say well yes I have , & I can show them what baptism accomplishes for me because of what the Spirit said. I also baptized my boys they also know these reasons.
so baptism becomes my confirmation not for any other reason other than I can see all of It written down in the words of the Spirit so I have that to hold on to. most other people don’t. most other people think that baptism is just an outward sign of an inward condition. To me that’s a very shameful thing not to be taught what the Word of God says about such an important issue
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:59 am
John,
I viewed your interview at the 2015 NACC and read your article “baptism revisited”. I have not read your book “Down to the river to pray.” I come from a traditional COC background and also ICOC. Can you provide some clarity on the view communicated (if I understood it correctly) that if a person comes to faith with a repentant heart and is baptized with an understanding, such as the purpose of their baptism is an outward sign of an inward act of grace and not for forgiveness of sin, that their baptism is a redemptive union with Jesus (because of what God does)? I agree with your statement in ‘revisited” that the gospel is not “baptism for the forgiveness of sins” but is the message that Jesus died for us. However, my understanding of scripture is baptism is the point of God’s redemption in where one is forgiven of sin and reconciled to God through Jesus.
Love in Christ,
Lee
August 27th, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Lee, it may be the point, but it is not necessary to understand it is the point for God to do the work God promised in response to obedient faith. I think you can find lots of material on this topic by searching my blog for “rebaptism.” This has a long history in the movement. Thanks for asking and reading.
October 13th, 2015 at 11:29 am
Was their any specific mention of scripture in the interview ? If so I missed it. From this and similar discussions from various other academic resources it sometimes appears that the recent position of our wise men no longer feel that the bible is the absolute specification for faith and practice (e.g 2Timothy 3:16-17)
October 19th, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Larry, an interview is only a few, brief moments. If you want to know my understanding of, say, baptism, then read my most recent book, Enter the Water, Come to the Table. You will find it immersed in Scripture. Blessings.