White Horse Inn Ecclesiology: Reformed, Baptist, Anglican, Lutheran
96 snips
Mar 22, 2026 
Bob Hiller, a Lutheran pastor explaining Lutheran practice and ordination. Walter Strickland, a Baptist pastor highlighting congregational distinctives and polity. Michael Horton, a Reformed theologian offering Presbyterian/Reformed perspectives. They compare congregational, presbyterian, and episcopal structures. Short takes on creeds, baptism, membership, and how different traditions order ministry and maintain unity.
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Use Confessions To Clarify Not Control
- Avoid treating a confession as creating authority; instead use confessions as faithful summaries that churches may adopt for clarity.
- Walter Strickland and Michael Horton note Southern Baptist resistance stems from fears of extra-authoritative statements.
Regenerate Membership Versus Covenant Inclusion
- Congregational polity emphasizes a gathered, regenerate membership: only those with credible professions join the visible church.
- Horton contrasts this with a covenantal view where children of believers are included by baptism as church members.
Presbyterian Representation Mirrors Acts 15
- Presbyterian/Reformed polity treats episcopos and presbyteros as interchangeable and uses representative assemblies (session, presbytery, general assembly) following Acts 15.
- Mike Horton points to federal representation: decisions are made with delegated representation and returned to local churches for observance.
