Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology

by John S. Hammett

Publisher:

Kregel

, 2005

Overview

Developments like seeker churches, mega-churches, and emerging churches have brought ecclesiology to the forefront of evangelical debate. But too often important questions are answered solely on the basis of pragmatism or cultural relevance. What does it really mean to be the church?

In this practical book, former pastor and missionary John Hammett helps church leaders think through the foundational questions about the nature of the church. Blending biblical teaching and practical ministry experience, Hammett presents a comprehensive ecclesiology from a historic Baptist perspective, examining crucial contemporary issues such as meaningful church membership, church discipline, elders in Baptist churches, different worship styles, and various models like seeker churches, mega-churches, and emerging churches.

Contents

Top Highlights

“To put it simply, regenerate church membership is meaningful church membership, involving only those with a genuine commitment to Christ and the congregation of Christ’s people. This ideal of regenerate membership has been central to Baptist ecclesiology.” (Page 82)

“The church shares ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all’ (Eph. 4:5–6). It is difficult to see how the church could be described as the body of Christ or the temple of the Spirit if some of the members of the body or some of the living stones in the temple had no connection with Christ or the Spirit. The very distinction in the New Testament between the church and the world indicates that the church differs from the world, and does so because the church is composed of those who believe in Christ, belong to God, and are bound together by the Spirit. The church is obviously composed of believers.” (Page 83)

“Third, the descriptions of local churches in the New Testament assume that these local, visible congregations are composed of believers only.” (Page 84)

“The third major image of the church in the New Testament is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (Page 43)

“The single most influential statement concerning the church from history comes in the line from the Nicene Creed¹ giving the four classical notae of the church: unity or oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity. These four marks are the starting point for many discussions of the church, and are widely accepted by both Protestants and Catholics.” (Page 51)

Product Details

• Title: Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology
• Author: John S. Hammett
• Publisher: Kregel
• Print Publication Date: 2005
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Church; Baptist › Doctrines
• ISBNs: 9780825427695, 082542769X
• Resource ID: LLS:WS_5631372116BB4D26BB2A6DE0EE6544F6
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T04:09:59Z

About John S. Hammett

Professor of Systematic Theology Associate Dean of Theological Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.