by John Bunyan
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
The controversy in John Bunyan's "Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism" revolves around the issue of whether baptism is necessary for participation in church communion. Specifically, the controversy deals with whether believers who have not undergone water baptism can be admitted to the Lord's Table and participate in communion.
Bunyan argues that differences over the mode or timing of water baptism should not be a barrier to church fellowship or communion. His opponents, primarily certain Baptists, argue that only those who have been baptized by immersion as believers should be allowed to partake in communion. They contend that baptism is a prerequisite for communion and full church membership.
Bunyan, however, takes a more inclusive stance, arguing that communion is for all visible saints—those who have a genuine faith in Christ—regardless of whether they have been baptized by water in a specific way. He asserts that requiring water baptism as a condition for communion elevates a secondary ordinance above the central matters of faith and unity in Christ. For Bunyan, the church should not exclude believers from fellowship simply because they do not agree on the exact nature of baptism.
His position emphasizes the importance of the believer's faith and relationship with Christ as the foundation for communion, rather than external rites like baptism.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TO THE READER
Differences In Judgment About Water-Baptism No Bar To Communion.
First Argument
Second Argument
Third Argument
Fourth Argument
Fifth Argument
Sixth Argument
Seventh Argument
Eighth Argument
Ninth Argument
Tenth Argument
I Come Now To Your Fourteen Arguments
First Argument
Second Argument
Third Argument
Fourth Argument
Fifth Argument
Sixth Argument
Seventh Argument
Eighth Argument
Ninth Argument
Tenth Argument
Eleventh Argument
Twelfth Argument
Thirteenth Argument
Fourteenth Argument
I Come Now To Your Questions
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Question 7
To Conclude.
Henry Jessey’s Judgment