LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY Recovering the Historical Practice of Delayed Baptism and Pre-Baptismal Instruction for the Purpose of Restoring the Standard of a Regenerate Church Membership in Southern Baptist Churches A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Liberty University School of Divinity in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Alan C. McCullough Lynchburg, Virginia March 6, 2020 Copyright © 2020 Alan C. McCullough All Rights Reserved ii Approval Sheet Recovering the Historical Practice of Delayed Baptism and Pre-Baptismal Instruction for the Purpose of Restoring the Standard of a Regenerate Church Membership in Southern Baptist Churches Alan C. McCullough Read and Approved by: Chairperson: EDWARD L. SMITHER Dr. Edward L. Smither Reader: STEVEN A. MCKINION Dr. Steven A. McKinion Reader: DAVID A. WHEELER Dr. David A. Wheeler Approval: March 6, 2020 iii Acknowledgements Though the name on a dissertation and diploma represents the author’s determination and hard work, there a many people who have stood beside and behind this effort. First, I want to acknowledge my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who called me by His grace into salvation through faith. He called me into ministry to the church and then further into pursuing my Ph.D. I pray the completion of this degree and disseration honors Him. He is worthy. Secondly, I could not have accomplished this calling without the sacrifices of my precious wife, Roben, who gave up countless time and activities to support my research over the years. Thank you for your love, believing in me and encouragement to fulfill God’s call on my life academeically. Along with her, my children, Garrett and Taylor sacrificed much time and attention from their father over many years to support this pursuit. Still further, my father, Rufus, and mother, Barbara, sacrificed much time with me to encourage me in this quest. Third, I want to acknowledge two of my mentors who instilled confidence and influenced me more than they know. Rev. Roger Leggett encouraged me to let God use my mind in ministry, though his words resulted in my leaving his church to pursue God’s call. Dr. Bill Bennett encouraged me to complete my Ph.D. as it would open new doors for me. I am grateful. Fourth, I want to express my appreciation to the churches who’ve allowed me to pursue this degree while serving as their pastor. Thanks to First Baptist Church, Canton, MS; Immanuel Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS; and Bethlehem Baptist Church, Dillwyn, VA. Finally, I could not have completed this dissertation without the clear and confident guidance of Dr. Leo Percer, Ph.D. program director, my dissertation chair, Dr. Ed Smither, and my readers Dr. Steven McKinion and Dr. David Wheeler. I owe a debt of gratitude for your high expectations and insights. iv Contents INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................1 Rationale and Need ............................................................................................................4 Research Question…...………………………………………………………………….. 6 Definition of Terms and Phrases ......................................................................................10 Literature Review .............................................................................................................14 Statement of Methodology ................................................................................................35 Chapter Summaries ...........................................................................................................35 CHAPTER ONE: A BIBLICAL CASE FOR DELAYED BAPTISM ....................................39 The Command to Baptize .................................................................................................40 Matthew 28:18-20……………………………………………………………..40 The Command to Baptize Only Believers Implied ............................................................43 Matthew 28:18-20……………………………………………………………..43 1 Peter 3:21……………………………………………………………………44 Titus 3:5…….…………………………………………………………………44 The Timing of Baptism ......................................................................................................45 Baptism in Acts ..........................................................................................................47 The 3,000 Coverts at Pentecost (Acts 2:41)…………………………………...50 Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9, 16, 22)……………………………………………53 The Ethiopian’s Conversion (Acts 8:26-38)…………………………………..54 Apollos’ Conversion (Acts 18:24-28)…………………………………………56 The Twelve Disciples of John’s Conversions (Acts 19:1-7)………………….58 The Genre and Author’s Intention in Acts…………………………………….59 v What Baptism Declares......................................................................................................61 Repentance .................................................................................................................62 Acts 2:38………………………………………………………………………62 Faith ...........................................................................................................................63 Ephesians 2:8...………………………………………………………………..63 Regeneration ..............................................................................................................65 Titus 3:5……………………………………………………………………….66 John 3:3……………………………………………………………………….67 Receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit .........................................................................67 John 16:8-9…………………………………………………………………….67 John 3:3-6……………………………………………………………………...67 John 14:16-17………………………………………………………………….69 Immersed into the Body of Christ, the Church ..........................................................69 1 Corinthians 12:13…………………………………………………………...70 Dead, Buried, and Raised with Christ ........................................................................72 Romans 6:1-4………………………………………………………………….72 The Command to Instruct Believers…………………………………………………….75 Matthew 28:18-20……………………………………………………………..76 CHAPTER TWO: A HISTORICAL CASE FOR DELAYED BAPTISM AND PRE-BAPTISMAL INSTRUCTION IN THE SECOND THROUGH FIFTH CENTURIES ...................................................................................................................80 Second Century .................................................................................................................80 Didache .............................................................................................................80 vi Shepherd of Hermas ............................................................................................85 1 Clement and 2 Clement ....................................................................................88 Ignatius ................................................................................................................90 Epistle of Barnabas .............................................................................................91 Justin Martyr .......................................................................................................92 Irenaeus ...............................................................................................................94 Clement of Alexandria ........................................................................................96 Third Century .....................................................................................................................99 Tertullian ...........................................................................................................100 Hippolytus .........................................................................................................103 Cyprian ..............................................................................................................107 Origen ...............................................................................................................109 Fourth Century .................................................................................................................112 Athanasius .........................................................................................................113 Canons of Hippolytus ........................................................................................114 Cyril of Jerusalem .............................................................................................115 John Chrysostom ...............................................................................................119 The Cappadocian Fathers ..................................................................................122 Basil the Great.........................................................................................122 Gregory of Nazianzus .............................................................................123 Gregory of Nyssa ....................................................................................125 Ambrose ............................................................................................................127 Fifth Century ....................................................................................................................132 vii Augustine ..........................................................................................................133 CHAPTER THREE: A HISTORICAL CASE FOR THE USE OF CATECHISMS IN THE REFORMATION .......................................................................................................................140