Directly opposite of Morgan Edwards, who lamented that the kind of reasoning used to deny anointing the sick with oil would lead Baptists to discontinue every positive rite, Whitsitt believed the abandoning of things like feet washing and anointing the sick with oil should lead Baptists to abandon immersion and strict communion as well.
"The crowd this evening filled aisles and gallery, and the Baptists must receive a position in the respect of the citizens such as they have never held before. I am half disposed to look with better favor upon them, although I can perceive no good reason why they should retain either immersion or strict communion. Still they do retain them, and it would be destructive to say aught against either of them. The time is coming, far off perhaps, when both will be abolished.
"Both of them are according to the Apostolic model--at any rate immersion is beyond any question the Apostolic mode--but so are foot washing, the holy kiss, the anointing of the sick with oil and numbers of other items that have fallen into disuse in deference to changes in time & season. Why hold to those when these are rejected?" – From Whitsitt's diary (1886), Vol. 2, pages 10-11, as cited in W. H. Whitsitt: the Man and the Controversy by James H. Slatton, Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 2009
2 comments:
We can certainly see a trend in recent times of gradually abandoning doctrinal viewpoints and ordinances which were long held in esteem. It goes even further than this.
There is a trend now for churches to rename themselves and drop the denominational title. I see this inviting confusion if anything, especially for a visitor. It seems this would cause them to do some research before they might attend. The irony in this is the fact most of the churches that drop the title, still hold onto the denominational creed and affiliation.
Sadly, we now live in a world of political correctness, and it has made its way into religion as well. But if Christianity should cease to be offensive, then does it not turn into something else?
Do ya mind, Bro. Vaughn, giving a list of things you think we've dropped? Just curious. Please email it to BrotherSnyder@live.com so I might be able to see it. I look at so many blogs I rarely go back to them all.
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