tam wrote:I am speaking about the organization that
requires a declaration. Two declarations in fact.
QUESTION: Is asking baptism candidates questions unscriptural?
There are those that suggest that the very act of asking baptism candidates questions is something sinful, unscriptural or inappropriate and even go so far as to imply this violates scriptural law or principle. The reality is however that such ones, like the Pharisees are, by attempting to micromanage what, when are where questions are asked, imposing unbibilcal restrictions that are nowhere to be found in the bible.
tam wrote: Did Peter ask these questions of Cornelius and each member of his household?
We don't know for sure, perhaps
Peter did; evidently there was conversation prior to the actual baptism. It seems reasonable to conclude that not everything that was said on the occassion is recorded. In any case what we
do know is Peter asked everyone (which would have
included the baptism candidates) in attendence a public question regarding Cornelius' meeting the requirements for baptism.
Was a question asked of each member of his household as a requirement of baptism? Possibly, we cannot say but what we CAN say is
that there is no scriptural prohibition on asking the candidates questions.
tam wrote: Did Phillip ask these questions of the Ethiopian Eunuch?
As in the case of Peter we do not know. As in the case of Peter there was evidently conversation (which involves both parties speaking, possibly asking and answering question) between the eunuch and
Phillip. prior to the actual baptism. As in the case of Peter the were is a record of at least one question asked prior to the baptism.
Did Phillip ask these questions of the Ethiopian Eunuch as a requirement of baptism? Possibly, we don't know. Does the fact that we don't know prohibit asking the question now? No! As in the case of Peter there is absolutely no biblical principle that is would have been violated by asking the candidate to admit to their position if he did. And the same is true today.
tam wrote: Did Christ direct anyone to ask these questions when He told his disciples to go and make disciples?
Christ instructed his disciples
to teach and make disciples. Teaching involves speaking and gaining information from the student in order to know how to better instruct them. A teacher gains information about his student by asking QUESTIONS.
A Christian disciple is someone that conforms to the teaching on Christ. Since unlike God one cannot read the hearts of potential disciples, questions
must be an implicit part of Jesus' instruction to teach and make disciples. Implicit in Jesus' instruction found at Matthew 28:19, 20 is that they baptise people who were disciples, believers, individuals that accepted Jesus and were willing to dedicate their lives to his Father. The disciples would not know if this were the case unless they asked potential disciple questions.
Jesus put no restrictions on where or when these questions (which are a self evident part of being a teacher) should be asked.
Indeed, Jesus' ministry was FULL of him asking people questions and given the above, it is more than reasonable to conclude that he wante questions to be a feature of both the teaching and disciple making process.
CONCLUSION To imply that asking baptism candidates question is wrong, sinful or unscriptural is going beyond scripture and represents a restriction that reminds us of the Pharisees who believed they needed to ADD their arbitary restrictions to God's word? Those that like the Pharisees like to say "You cannot ask this", "Its wrong to say that" when the bible provides no such restriction are doing so in opposition to the bible principles and pattern regarding teaching, dedication and baptism as outlined in the bible.
