UNIFIED RESOLUTION ON BAPTISM

Whereas faithful Christians have historically practiced both believer’s baptism (credobaptism) and child baptism (paedobaptism), we appeal to Scripture alone as the supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined. Yet this debate persists because both perspectives emerge from a sincere examination of the Word of God. It is to be grieved that although the sign of baptism is a gracious gift from God, signifying our union with Christ and fellowship in His body, it has at times in Church history been a source of sharp division, while at other times it has been less contentious. In today’s broader Evangelical or Reformed context, believers on both sides of the issue call each other brothers and sisters, enjoy fellowship, share the pulpit, partake together in the Lord’s Supper, and preach the same glorious gospel of Christ. Within the greater body, there is deep consensus that our unity is not founded or sustained in uniformity, but in Christ, our Head. In light of this, we were prompted to ask: Is God pleased to see His people divided and unable to belong in the same local church over this matter? Furthermore, could such division undermine our unity in Christ and hinder our gospel witness to the world?

Diaspora Church was planted in response to the urgent needs of declining churches and gospel ministry in the Greater Toronto Area, bringing together congregations with diverse theological convictions. Since our inception, we have been guided by this general principle: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” Whether children of believers should be baptized is commonly regarded as a secondary doctrine and not essential to salvation. Nevertheless, we still recognize that this is a very important matter of distinction with theological and practical implications. Though separation may be wise and even justified over certain secondary doctrines, Diaspora Church has chosen to live with the tension of allowing members to either baptize or dedicate their children according to their conscience and understanding of Scripture.

In practice, this means the church will provide clear teaching and guidance on baptism to prepare members to make well-informed decisions. The church ought to heartily celebrate credobaptisms, where individuals are baptized upon making a credible profession of faith. The church also ought to celebrate paedobaptisms, where children of members are baptized, though some may regard these baptisms as valid but irregular because of the timing and mode of their administration. There is a shared understanding that the act of water baptism itself does not guarantee salvation, but, like circumcision in the Old Testament, baptism is a sign that marks one’s entrance into the new covenant family of God, namely the visible church. Though baptized children are given this sign, along with the covenant promises of God which it signifies, they must be exhorted to demonstrate a credible profession of faith as soon as they are able, thus confirming their election and union with Christ. Whereas the sign of baptism is withheld from dedicated children until they demonstrate a credible profession of faith, they are still set apart from children of unbelievers, being raised to believe that the church is their own family and instructed in the Lord so that they should never remember a day when the one true God was not their heavenly Father, to whom they pray and offer worship.

Our approach to baptism is not an attempt to disregard doctrinal precision for the sake of mere coexistence. Rather, it reflects a careful resolution to pursue the peace and unity of our church while advancing the gospel together. In this present age of increasing hostility from the world and formidable threats within the Church, we have discerned that more urgent matters take precedence, requiring our collective focus and effort. We anticipate a time when we will earnestly contend for greater agreement on the timing and mode of baptism, when many churches reform according to the Word of God, many souls are won to Christ, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission draws near. Until then, we are committed to our unified resolution on baptism with all charity and prudence, as we confess with the Apostle: “One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6).