Baptism question #2

[Freedom&Light]

I was reading on the internet, and stumbled on this site:

Early Church Fathers and Infant Baptism (http://www.catholic.com/library/Early_Teachings_of_Infant_Baptism.asp)

What are your thoughts about this? It's interesting reading. :angel:

[annie1speed]

It is probably interesting reading, but it is important that we not overlook what the Bible says. No matter how interesting something is we should always make sure we know what is right and wrong.

The Bible says we are to 'work out our own salvation in fear and trembling'. Not my parents, or my friends or my preacher can make sure I go to Heaven. Only I can.

Now as far as infant baptism goes, we must ask the question how many babies have the ability to 'work out their own salvation'?

At least that what I believe concerning this.

Annie

[UNCHURCHED]

THERE IS NO EXAMPLE OF INFANT BAPTISM IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. The bottom line with this issue is that it is not a practice that is found in the Bible. To find evidence for it, one must attempt to read something into the Scriptures.

“For some, infant baptism is a doctrine by implication. It is implied that in five households in the N.T. that were visited by salvation, there must surely have been young children. These were the households of Cornelius in Acts 10, Lydia in Acts 16, the Philippian jailer in Acts 16, Crispus in Acts 18, and Stephanas in 1 Cor. 1:16” (The Church of God: A Symposium).
We will take consider of these five examples, one by one:
The Case of Cornelius. “It is stated in v. 24 of Acts 10, that those gathered with him in the house were his kinsmen and near friends. He sends word that they are ‘all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee [Peter] of God.’ In v. 44 the Holy Spirit fell upon all them which heard the Word. We know from other Scriptures that, in the N.T., the Holy Spirit acts thus only upon those who have believed. Those gathered were capable of hearing the commands of God with a view to believing and obeying” (The Church of God: A Symposium). It is specifically stated in Acts 11:17 that those who were saved and baptized with Cornelius were those “who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Obviously these were not tiny infants.
Lydia and Her Household (Acts 16:14-15). Nothing is said about infants in this passage, and it is highly unlikely that this busy merchant woman would have had tiny babies. There is no evidence here whatsoever for the practice of infant baptism.
The Philippian jailer and his household (Acts 16:30-34). This passage clearly says that Paul spoke the Word of God to the entire household (v. 32) and that the entire household believed (vv. 32-33). This could not be said of infants.
The household of Crispus (Acts 18:8). Those who were saved and baptized in this family were all believers, for we are told, “Crispus ... believed on the Lord with all his house...” We are not told how old the members of Crispus’ family were, but we are told that each one of them believed on the Lord. Obviously they were not infants.
The household of Stephanas (1 Cor. 1:16). Again nothing is actually said about infants being present or baptized. In 1 Cor. 16:15 we are told that this household addicted themselves to the ministry. This could not be said of infants.

What do we do for our Children then?

1. Christians can rejoice that their children are sanctified by the parents’ relationship with Christ (1 Cor. 7:14). Though we might not know everything this involves, we do know that (a) the passage is not speaking of sanctification by a baptismal ritual. Nothing is said here or in any other N.T. passage regarding the necessity of baptizing infants before they can partake of this family sanctification. (b) Children are eternally safe if they die in early childhood. The case of the death of David’s son illustrates this. After the child’s death, David said he would one day go to be with him (2 Sam. 12:22-23). This shows David’s assurance that the baby was safe with God. If this were true for the children of O.T. saints, surely it is true for the N.T. believer. (c) At a certain point in the child’s life he becomes personally responsible before God for his relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible does not say at what age or point this occurs, but Jesus encouraged children to come to Him (Lk. 18:16), and Timothy was taught the Scriptures as a child with the goal that he come to salvation (2 Tim. 3:15).
2. The parents must dedicate themselves to train the child in the way of Christ. It is not really the dedication of infants that is essential; it is the dedication of parents. Parents are wasting their time if they go through a public ceremony of dedicating their child to God, but fail thereafter to discipline and instruct him in the right way. Let us do both! Let us offer our newborn children to God and plead His best blessing upon their lives, and let us carefully train them for His holy service.

[annie1speed]

That's a good post. Thanks for reminding me about David saying that the child could not return to him, but someday David would go to him. For anyone who questions the state of a young child's soul, those verses are very clear.

Annie

[Rich48]

Right. There is no evidence of infant baptism in the NT. Acts 2:38 is quite plain--repent, and THEN be baptised.

[Loveaboveall]

You can dedicate your child to God as an infant, but you cannot make a salvation choice for them as has been very well said in previous posts.

[hopeinGod]

I read an article within the past couple of months that stated Billy Graham believed in infant baptism, perhaps because his wife, Ruth, was of a different Christian persuasion -- Presbyterian, I believe -- up to her death.

There may not be anything definitive in Scripture regarding this practice, but to establish a rite that is performed publicly that officially sets one's child apart to the Lord -- call it what you will -- I support.

David