THE RELATIONSHIP OF BAPTISM TO CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. By Joseph Belcastro, The Bethany’ Press, 224 pages. $4.50

The author of this book is pastor of the East Columbus Christian Church, Columbus, Ohio. He has done graduate work in some leading universities and seminaries, earning five academic degrees. This is a book with which many will strongly disagree. Yet it should prove interesting for all if only for its breadth of research into the various historical practices of baptism. It may come as a surprise to some that during the formative period of the Restoration Movement “there was not just one, but five, baptismal views with four attitudes towards the unimmersed believers, expressing themselves through three major baptismal positions, namely, open membership, ecumenical membership, and closed membership.” One shortcoming is that the author doesn’t relate the baptismal controversy which occurred in the noninstrumental music wing of the movement. Some will not appreciate such pioneers as Smith, Lard, and McGarvey referred to as legalists, dogmatists, ere. Also, it is doubtful that McGarvey taught baptism as “indispensable to salvation,” since he believed in variable accountability (see Com. on Acts, p.262).

The most controversial section of the book will prove to be the author’s interpretation of New Testament baptismal passages. ( Some, as Dr. J. Daniel Joyce of Phillips University will accuse Dr. Belcastro of “exegetical mayhem.”) For example, John 3:5 is said not to refer to baptism, even though Christendom in general has so interpreted it from at least the days of Justin Martyr (A.D. 150). In fact, baptism is not for the repentant sinner in order to the forgiveness of sins and into a covenant relationship with Christ, in the eyes of the author. Eis in Acts 2:38 is to be understood in a referential sense. However, the latest, standard, New Testament Greek-English Lexicon by Arndt and Gingrich defines eis in Acts 2:38, “so that sins might be forgiven.” Further confirmation of this is given in Kittel’s newly translated Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (see article on baptism). But whether you agree with this chapter or not, it will challenge you to reexamine your thinking. Based on the conclusions of this chapter, a chapter is given over to explaining ecumenical membership, the author’s position, which rejects both open and closed membership. It emphasizes faith in Christ as the prerequisite of salvation and church membership. Baptism has spiritual value in the same manner as the Holy Communion. The author may fail to convince you but he deserves an “A” for effort. --- Bob Haddow

Daily Bible Study by William Barclay. These are really commentaries on the entire New Testament, 17 volumes in all. All are paperbacks and the price is amazingly low, coming directly from Scotland as they do. We can supply these volumes at $1.35 each, or $22.50 for the entire set of 17 volumes. These are the richest, most inspiring studies on the scriptures that we know about. They are published in this country at a much higher price.

 

Seminar on Fellowship at Wynnewood Christian Chapel, 2303 S. Tyler, Dallas, Texas, June 1518. Brethren from all groups of Christian Churches - Churches of Christ will be invited, with representative leaders sharing in the seminar. The sessions will be open to all interested Christians. Further information will be published later. Correspond with L. M. Roberts, 4450 Preston Circle, Dallas, about the gathering.

 

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