What Should or Could Baptists Do During Lent?

In preparation for serious reflection upon the Lord’s cross and his victorious resurrection from the dead many Christian faith traditions practice Lent. Historically, Baptists are usually not the first ones in line to observe Lent (as we proudly have built in traditionometers that keep us from too much Roman Catholic structure). Historically, Lent is a period set aside by worshipers to reflect upon the significance and magnitude of Christ’s work on the cross in light of their desperate need for grace, mercy, and forgiveness. The observance of Lent is usually accompanied by fasting, prayer, mourning, self-denial and repenting over sin. Traditionally, Baptists would argue that EVERY day is a good time for these things. And of course…..they would be right!

“but when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:16-18

As Christians practicing our faith in the sphere of Baptist tradition, we ought to submit that while reflection upon our sin, Christ’s cross, fervent prayer and a holy lifestyle of self-denial shouldn’t be practiced solely within the limited confines of the 40 days of Lent; there is wisdom in setting aside times of special observance and dedication to our personal and corporate growth. We as Christians should keep these sacred truths close to our hearts at all times; especially when we gather at the Lord’s Table. And reflecting on them for the forty days leading up to Easter gives us an opportunity to be reminded by the daily calendar of their extreme import.

Baptists generally rally behind the notion of “no creed but the Bible,” building off the Reformation concept of the Regulative Principle. Since the command to prepare, fast, and observe the 40 days before Easter is not explicitly commanded in the Bible, Baptists typically believe we should avoid doing it. Perhaps this takes things a bit too far. If we followed this argument consistently, then we would also stop observing Christmas, since any kind of ecclesiastical worship and observation of the birth of Jesus is never explicitly commanded in Scripture and we are probably not ready to adopt THAT concept.

As brothers and sisters in Christ here at Franklin Park Baptist Church we ought to consider encouraging one another in some of these rich traditions; not because they make us holy in and of themselves, but because through humble and earnest prayer we might be driven to our knees before the cross and learn to submit ourselves more fully to Christ, His Word, and His people. Let us take the time to pray for each other’s specific needs as we approach Easter. This requires relationship and relationship requires time. Let us take that time to encourage and pray for each other openly since Christ calls us to:

“walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:2

In Christ’s love and service,
Pastor George Augustine Palombo

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