baptism – is this biblical for infants?

8 Responses to “baptism – is this biblical for infants?”

1. Clif Guy says:

   May 30, 2007 at 7:00 pm

   Welcome to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)! We’re part of the “Anabaptist” theological camp. Chuck Russell would love to debate you on this. He follows the UMC party line on it. (He has debated me, but each of us thought we won in the end.)
2. chuck says:

   June 2, 2007 at 11:16 pm

   I think your concept of when people should be baptized is based on a post enlightenment interpretation of the scriptures which basically Ignores the whole of Christian history until the 16th century. Infants were baptized in the earliest church, by the Apostles themselves so the idea that this is in any way improper – is in essence a rejection of Apostolic Authority. Likewise the overwhelming majority of Bishops involved in the cannonization of the new testament scriptures were in fact baptized as infants and were currently baptizing infants. So here is the delima for folks who oppose infant baptism – the very people God used to choose what was and what was not scripture – were baptizing infants. That doesnt seem to square – oh and Paul did it….
3. churchmedic says:

   June 8, 2007 at 5:30 am

   There is not one New Testament record of the baptism of an infant. (please show me where you see this Chuck…)

   Many households do not include babies or even small children. If the Bible does not mention babies, then to claim there were babies in the household would simply be an unproved assumption. The simple fact that households were converted proves nothing by itself.

   Jesus did lay His hands on little children and bless them, but certainly He did not baptize them or the Scripture would somewhere have said so.

   I think those who “decided what scripture is scripture” would have made it a point to show this – if this were the case…

   I have found two cases where households were baptized. The first in Acts 16:14,15

   Reading this text I read
   brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house, And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

   Verse 32 states that Paul and Silas preached the word “to all that were in his house” and verse 34 says that he “rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”

   I believe everybody who was baptized in that household heard the word and believed in Christ.

   No babies are recorded as being baptized in the Bible. The reason is clear, no baby can repent of sin and trust in Jesus to save them!

   An infant cannot even talk yet and I do not think they know anything about the Lord or what He did for them upon the cross.

   Babies are still “innocent” in God’s sight. Acts 2:21 and Acts 2:38 tell us that we must first repent of our sins and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save us. Children can do this, but not babies.

   I guess we must first take a look @ Faith.

   Some people claim that babies can have faith, and therefore they should be baptized. Can a child have the kind of faith the Bible requires before baptism?

   http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+corinthians+14:20

   Romans 10:13-17 – Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.

   Now – the case for baptism itself:

   Since baptism must be done for the purpose of receiving forgiveness of sins, a baby could Scripturally be baptized only if it was guilty of sins and needed forgiveness.

   The argument remains – are not all children sinful?

   How could a baby become guilty of sin?

   We become sinners when we transgress God’s law (1 John 3:4; James 1:13-15; Isa. 59:1,2). But a baby cannot understand God’s law, so how could it be held accountable for violating it?

   Some people believe that babies need baptism because they have inherited guilt from Adam. But consider:

   Ezekiel 18:20 – The child does not bear the iniquity of the father, but the wickedness of the wicked is upon himself. The only person held accountable for Adam’s sin is Adam, not his descendants.

   2 Corinthians 5:10 – Each one will be judged according to what he has done in the body, good or bad. This means no one will be condemned for Adam’s sin, except Adam.

   Romans 6:3,4,11-18 – When people are baptized, they come into Christ and should walk in newness of life. They are made alive to God (newness of life), so they must not let sin reign in their bodies, but must use their members as instruments of righteousness. Obeying the gospel makes us free from sin and slaves to righteousness. But babies cannot make such choices and commitments. They should not be baptized until they are able to accept this responsibility from their own hearts.

   Romans 12:1,2 – This passage is addressed to “brethren” – i.e., children of God, members of God’s family, the church. But people become children of God, born again as brethren in the family, when by faith they are baptized (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Tim. 3:15). Such people should present their bodies as living sacrifices to God, not being conformed to the world. This commitment must be accepted by one who is baptized. Can babies make such a commitment?

   1 Corinthians 15:58 – Brethren (i.e., people who became children of God at the point of baptism) should be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work. One who cannot so abound, ought not to be baptized. Can babies abound in the Lord’s work?

   Matthew 28:19,20 – Baptized people should be taught to obey all Jesus’ commands. This shows that it is not necessary, at the very point of baptism, for people to know all the specific commands they must obey after baptism. But they must be capable of learning and applying those commands. And they must have a heart willing to accept and obey everything Jesus says to do.

   Finally – one last thing.

   Just suppose babies could believe. Logically, then, babies could also DISbelieve.

   The Bible is clear on this matter. Mark 16:16 states whoever believes shall be baptized – but whoever does not believe shall be condemned .
4. Jim Adams says:

   June 10, 2007 at 9:04 am

   I guess if one believes that becoming a part of the family of God requires “believing” first and that baptism is the next step after believing, then it would seem that children are excluded; because they cannot believe. But honestly, how well and how much do adults believe before their baptism?

   Why cannot the process be reversed–baptism first and training in faith following?

   However, if baptism, much like circumcision which it replaces for Christians, is the symbolic act which denotes someone as a member of God’s family, then infant baptism would be acceptable.

   The community of faith, in both circumcision and baptism, is obligated to “teach a child in the way it should go” until the child can profess for himself/herself, the faith that was claimed him/her by sponsors at baptism.

   I think there are issues that need to wrestled with before tackling the baptism question–primarily what does it mean to believe, and if as the book of James says, “Even the devils believe and tremble” how is there “believing” different than a Christian.” If a devil believes are they candidates for baptism? Is believing necessary for salvation? How much or what must one believe?

   It is hard to argue from silence. In fact one could argue that because children are specifically mentioned, then they were not included. However, many Bible and ancient Greek historians have proven that the use of the word “households” or the phrase “all his house” (KJV) in the ancient world includes parents, children, siblings, and servants. the fact that children aren’t specifically mentioned is because it would be redundant.

   As mentioned before, the writings from the mid 2nd-century forward, speak of children being baptized and it has been the common practice since–except churches in the anabaptist tradition the mid 16th century.
5. churchmedic says:

   June 10, 2007 at 8:21 pm

   Jim – thank you for your comments – as you can tell this is something I am struggling with.

   I understand that some can believe – but the point here is not just believe – but profession of faith – as Lord and Savior – not just in the belief that God is God…

   I am struggling with the replacement of circumcision w/ Baptism – as circumcision was only for males -

   while yes the use of household meant “children” and servants – I do not believe this is proof for infants…

   I do not believe baptizing an infant is a sin… however I do not believe it is in anyway an outward sign of ones profession of faith – if they are unable to outwardly profess…

   Today as baptism’s took place many were told to “Remember their Baptism” many giggled and laughed stating – they could not remember theirs —

   Of course I think this was meant symbolically …

   in thought and prayer over the matter…

   One thing is for sure – we are saved by faith – Through Jesus Christ…
   
6. churchmedic says:

   June 10, 2007 at 8:26 pm

   Jim – one last note here -

   God’s Word says to repent and be baptized. Repentance is required before one is baptized

   Belief and Repentance ….
7. Jeff Bills says:

   June 12, 2007 at 4:21 pm

   Hey Glenn,

   Infant baptism is an issue that I have struggled with too. For me the struggle is more practical than it is theological/biblical.

   Biblically, infant baptism is seen in Acts when we read accounts of a man being baptized into the faith “along with his entire household”
   which would include infants and children (e.g. Acts 16:15;18:8; I Cor.
   1:16)

   Theologically, the idea is that baptism is a communal event not merely a personal thing between a person and God. Baptism is a “mark” of discipleship that is the beginning of a journey in our walk with Christ that is going to be lead and influenced by more mature leaders. Baptism is NOT the same a salvation it is important – it is mandated by Jesus – but its not the means of salvation. So, as a mark, as a beginning, why deny our children the privilege of baptism which is a “first step” in faith. The children will be discipled then by more mature Believers until they “shall accept for him/herself the gift of salvation”
   (baptismal service).

   Practically speaking, personally, I like Believer baptism. It is exciting for the community to see someone claim the faith for themselves and then be baptized. Does that mean that everyone who is baptized
   (adult) will be a faithful disciple? No. Churches that only do believer baptisms have their own issues to wrestle with. There are churches that require a new member to be baptized in THEIR church.
   There are folks who get saved and baptized every couple of years – etc.

   I hope this helps.

   Jeff
8. churchmedic says:

   June 12, 2007 at 4:54 pm

   Jeff – I hear ya —

   I’m torn – I don’t see where its un-biblical (even though my previous postings seem to go that route)

   I believe the believers baptism is the real baptism – ….

   The others – no one can remember etc… so its not a decision they are making for sure.