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The Free Methodist Understanding of Baptism

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The Free Methodist Understanding of Baptism This material has been provided by Asbury Theological Seminary in good faith of following ethical procedures in its production and end use. The Copyright law of the united States (title 17, United States code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyright material. Under certain condition specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to finish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. By using this material, you are consenting to abide by this copyright policy. Any duplication, reproduction, or modification of this material without express written consent from Asbury Theological Seminary and/or the original publisher is prohibited. Contact B.L. Fisher Library Asbury Theological Seminary 204 N. Lexington Ave. Wilmore, KY 40390 B.L. Fisher Library’s Digital Content place.asburyseminary.edu Asbury Theological Seminary 205 North Lexington Avenue 800.2ASBURY Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 asburyseminary.edu THE FREE METHODIST UNDERSTANDINGS OF BAPTISM IN THE LIGHT OF JOHN WESLEY'S TEACHINGS AND THE AMERICAN METHODIST TRADITION by REAL GAGNE A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 1991 Approved by S^^^^djJK^ Department fl^r^^t-^iflfuP Date duu^^l^ fR9\ ABSTRACT The Free Methodist Understandings of Baptism in the Light of John Wesley's Teachings and the American Methodist Tradition by Real Gagne Free Methodists lack unity on the subject of baptism. This paper examines the Free Methodist understandings of baptism and analyzes them in the light of John Wesley's teachings and the American Methodist tradition. The study begins by tracing the evolution of the doctrine and practice of baptism from the beginnings of Free Methodism through the present day. Then, in the next two chapters, the doctrine and practice of baptism in John Wesley's teachings and their development in American Methodist history are examined, showing the major theological trends of the sacra ment of baptism since Wesley. A final analysis of the Free Methodist understandings of baptism follows. Its various aspects of doctrine and practice are compared and contrasted with Wesley's teachings and American Methodist views. The different elements involved in the Free Methodist baptismal theology are also noted. First, this study finds that Free Methodism has very little in common with Wesley's theology and practice of baptism. The author's conclusion is that Free Methodism, from the beginning, has departed from its Wesleyan heritage, rejecting a sacramental ist understanding of baptism. Second, most of the initial Free Methodist views on baptism originated from theological developments in American Methodism. The tendency to rid the liturgy of sacramental i st views, the greater stress put on covenant theology, and the concept which defines infant baptism as a mere dedication of one's child to God, were already present in the American Methodist baptismal theology. Finally, Free Methodism has also moved away from the theological developments of the main American Methodist body. Today, theological syncretism between the Anglo-Cathol ic and Anabaptist views of baptism characterizes the official position of the Free Methodist Church. This conclusion is based on the definite non-sacramental ist theology of the Free Methodist Church, its greater emphasis on believer's baptism, and the alternative between infant baptism and infant dedication. Based on this study the author concludes that the Free Methodist Church has no choice but to keep its tolerant and pluralistic stand on baptism. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER Page 1. Introduction ...... i Statement of the Problem 1 Review of the Related Literature ..... 3 The Literature Related to Baptism in Free Methodism 4 The Literature Related to John Wesley's Views on Baptism 5 The Literature Related to Baptism in American Methodism ..... 8 Importance for the Study 11 Delimitations of the Study 12 Abbreviations and Definition of Terms ... 14 The Method of Procedure 15 2. Baptism in Free Methodism 17 Major Periods of the Free Methodist History on Baptism 17 Baptism, a Secondary but Important Issue: 1860-1881 18 Reasons baptism was a secondary issue . 19 B. T. Roberts' influence 21 The changes in the rituals of baptism . 24 The Doctrinal Affirmation of Baptism: 1882-1912 28 Factors leading to this emphasis on baptism 29 The revisions in the rituals of baptism 31 The Preservation of the Status Quo on Baptism: 1913-1949 36 ii CHAPTER Page The Baptisti-fi cation of the Free Methodist Church: 1950 to the Present Day ... 37 Reaction to the Baptist influence . 38 Improvements in the baptismal practice 40 The culminant decades 41 The changes in the rituals of baptism . 46 The Free Methodist Doctrine of Baptism . 53 The Meaning of Baptism 53 A means of grace 53 The rejection of baptismal regeneration 56 A sign of divine grace 57 A sign more than a seal of the covenant of grace . 58 Baptism as dedication 60 The benefits of baptism 61 The Practice of Baptism ........ 63 The subjects of baptism 63 Rebaptism 66 The mode of baptism 68 Summary 71 3. John Wesley on Baptism 75 Historical Background of Wesley's Doctrine of Baptism 76 Wesley's Early Views 76 His religious environment 76 Wesley at Oxford ..... 79 Wesley in Georgia 80 iii CHAPTER Page Wesley's Later Views 82 The influence of the Moravians on Wesley 82 Wesley's synthesis 84 Wesley's Teaching on Baptism ....... 85 The Meaning of Baptism ......... 85 An effective means of grace 85 The sign and the thing signified ... 88 The benefits of baptism 90 The problem of baptismal regeneration . 95 The problem of baptismal regeneration and conversion ........... 102 The Practice of Baptism 105 The subjects of baptism 105 The mode of baptism 109 Summary 112 4. Baptism in American Methodism 115 Major Periods of the American Methodist History on Baptism ...... 116 The Beginnings and the Sacramental Controversy: 1760-1783 116 The Birth and Development of the New Church: 1784-1839 120 The new liturgy 120 The changes in the liturgy 122 The Theological Unfolding: 1840-1899 . 125 Factors leading to this new phase . 125 The theological concerns 126 iv CHAPTER The Modernist Periods 1900 to the Present 129 A theological transition toward liberalism 130 Revisions in the rituals a-f-fected by liberalism 131 Further changes in the rituals due to a new theological motivation .... 133 The Methodist Doctrine of Baptism in North America 136 The Meaning of Baptism 136 A means of grace 136 A sign and seal of the covenant of grace 138 The benefits of baptism 141 Baptism and the washing away of sin . 145 The question of baptismal regeneration 148 Baptism as dedication 150 The Practice of Baptism 152 The subjects of baptism 152 Rebaptism 158 The mode of baptism 160 .... 163 Summary ..... 5. Analysis of the Free Methodist Understandings of Baptism l^'^ An Analysis of the Baptismal Theology of the Free Methodist Church 167 168 Baptism as a Means of Grace The Denial of Baptismal Regeneration . 170 V CHAPTER Page Baptism as a Sign of the Covenant of Grace 173 The Benefits of Baptism 178 Baptism as Dedication 179 An Analysis of the Baptismal Practice of the Free Methodist Church 182 The Subjects of Baptism 182 The Question of Rebaptism 185 The Mode of Baptism 186 Other factors Involved in the Baptismal views of the Free Methodist Church 187 The Ecclesiology of the Free Methodist Church 188 The Baptist Influence 188 The Re-examination of Baptism in Scripture 189 6. Summary, Conclusions, and Suggestions for Further Study 191 191 Summary ........ Conclusions ..... 193 Suggestions for Further Study ...... 195 BIBLIOGRAPHY 197 vi 1 CHAPTER 1 Introduction It is a -Fact that the Methodist beliefs on the subject of baptism lack unity. The British Methodist, J. Ernest Rattenbury, in 1928 illustrated this reality when he remarked, "The Methodist beliefs about baptism have always been varied. They certainly are today." He illustrates this: "I once heard baptism discussed at a gathering of eight or nine Mesleyan ministers, and there were eight or nine different doctrines pronounced at that meeting!"^ Free Methodism has not been exempt from this lack of unity, and, as for Methodists in general, the issue of baptism is a confused and confusing one. Statement of the Problem The situation, in fact, is even more problematic in the Free Methodist Church. At least two factors demand special consideration. First, what has characterized Free Methodism throughout its entire history is the emphasis laid on the Christian life rather than on doctrine. The major trend has always been a unique concern with the realities of evangeli cal experience, rather than with the problems of theological reflection. The consequence is that many Free Methodist lay people, and even pastors, have little theological under standing of the meaning of baptism. Dr. Donald E. Demaray, * J. Ernest Rattenbury, Wesley's Leaacv to the World (Nashvilles Cokesbury Press, 1928), 193. 2 a Free Methodist theologian, illustrates this reality when he remarked! "Baptism is poorly understood by the typical church members indeed, few clergymen understand its deeper meanings. The second factor baptism is problematic in the Free Methodist Church today is that its members and pastors are more influenced by the popular evangelical movement in America�which is largely Anabaptist in its thinking�than by its own Anglo-Catholic and Methodist roots.
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