Honest Conflicts in the Body

There's an interesting discussion taking place with John Piper's church in regard to a Moody Bible Institute ministry student seeking membership. The discussion is about the church's policy on Believer's Baptism in regard to the mode of baptism (their's is immersion only) that is required for membership. The young man, Jeremy sought believer's baptism several years ago by "pouring" instead of immersion in a different church.

Recent blogs posted on Piper's Desiring God website and Jeremy's blog describe the situation in loving detail. Regardless of my personal opinion on the matter, the level of maturity and love shown by both even in disagreement is refreshing. We can have honest differences in the body of Christ without tearing each other apart. You can read both perspectives on their respective links below.

The blogs can be found at:
http://www.glorytogodalone.com/blog/?p=7 and http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/ (See "Rejection Actually Hurts")

On one side it's refreshing to see such a candid discussion taking place in love, but on the other it is almost sad that such a peripheral matter (baptism is not essential for salvation) would bog the church (small "c") and Christ-follower's down when the culture is already looking at us with suspect eyes and having cynical conversations. Hear me, I am a huge believer and supporter of the autonomy of the local church. I totally affirm Dr. Piper and Bethlehem's biblical right to govern their own affairs. It is a matter for their elders, leadership and members to decide, not me. However, given the national exposure and scope of their ministry it does impact the greater body of Christ, which affects all of us to some degree.

It seems no matter how far we come as the body of Christ, we continue to get hung up on Believer's baptism and communion (Lord's Supper). These two, ancient and precious, biblically-rooted church ordinances or acts (you may prefer "sacraments") not only declare the glory of God but His salvific passion and pursuit of humanity. Unfortunately what should be unifying, symbolic acts of obedience become portraits of division to non-Christian's. How long will it be before we (the church) truly agree with the Apostle Paul and practice a theology of "one Lord, one faith and one baptism"? It would seem the culture, the church, a non-baptized thief in Paradise and God almighty are waiting for our answer to be put into practice.