INFANT BAPTISM By Robert Fenner
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Lets consider the question "What about infant
baptism?" It’s
practiced by several denominations (Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran,
Methodist), and denied by others. Should our children be
"baptized" as babies? If we neglect it, and they die, will
they be lost? Is this practice the position of God, or of men
(Matt. 15:8, 9; 2 Thess. 2:15)? What does the Word of God teach
regarding them? Let us turn to Him who has "the words of eternal
life" (Jn. 6:68; 14:6), and see whether the Scriptures will support
the supposition of infant baptism. First: Most
of those who practice “infant baptism,” actually do not baptize
their infants. No, they usually sprinkle, pour, or dab small amounts of
water on the infant. It’s important to understand
what the word “baptism” means. Our word "baptism" comes
from the Greek words "BAPTIZO" AND "BAPTISMA" which
mean immersion, not sprinkling or pouring as some have come to think of
it. Note that the words "baptize" and "baptism" are
not actually translations of the Greek words but are transliterations
(where Greek letters in a word are simply given their English
equivalents). When
translated into English, they can only mean “to immerse” and
immersion.” In fact, the
words “sprinkle” and “pour” come from completely different words
in Greek. The biblical examples of water baptism suggest the same as
they went down into the water and then came up out of it. (Ac. 8:38-39;
Mt. 3:16). Why did they both need to go down into the water if Philip
was only going to sprinkle or pour? The very mode (immersion) makes
infant baptism illogical and impractical. To “sprinkle” or
“pour” renders the commandment of God to be immersed (baptized) of
no effect! Second: The teaching surrounding baptism
automatically prohibits it. According to Rom 3-5 and Col 2:12 baptism is
a “burial, a “likeness of His death,” and the baptismal candidate
is to arise and “walk in newness of life.”
Paul's use of such figures of speech would make no sense if
baptism were either pouring or sprinkling. Those buried and raised in
baptism were expected to "walk in newness of life" in contrast
with their former manner of life. How does a baby's lifestyle change
after his baptism? He lives and acts the same as he did before he was
baptized, but this is not true of those who received New Testament
baptism. The doctrine of infant baptism cannot be found in the New
Testament without adding to it. Third: Bible baptism requires FAITH - Ac
8:35-38. Notice the eunuch's question, and Philip's response. "See,
here is water. What hinders
me from being baptized?" "If you believe with all your heart,
you may." If one believes, they may be baptized - cf. Mk 16:16.
Thus, belief must precede baptism. The gospel is designed to save
"everyone that believeth" (Ro. 1:16). Infants, however, are
incapable of belief! If infants can’t believe, then they are not among
the number of those who were baptized. Forth: Bible baptism requires REPENTANCE -
Ac 2:38. If one is a penitent believer, they may be baptized, but
infants are incapable of repentance! Thus, belief must precede baptism.
The gospel is designed to save "everyone that believeth" (Ro.
1:16). Infants can neither believe nor repent, and the Bible records no
examples of infant baptism. Fifth: In David
Bernard's book “The New Birth” he
wrote, “Some people point to household conversions as
evidence for infant baptism. For example, Lydia's household and the
Philippian jailer's household were baptized (Acts 16:15; 31-33).
However, Cornelius' household received the Holy Ghost and spoke in
tongues (Acts 10:24, 44-46; 11:14-17), yet it is evident that infants
did not speak in tongues. The household literally included domestic
animals, but no one contends that animals were baptized. The Bible
explicitly records that the jailer's whole house believed and that
Crispus' whole house believed (Acts 16:34; 18:8), but any infants
present did not have conscious faith. We must understand household
baptism to include only those scripturally qualified for baptism - those
old enough to repent, have faith, and be saved.”
Sixth: In “The New Birth”
David Bernard also stated, “Some persons teach infant
baptism on the grounds that infants were circumcised in the Old
Testament. However, baptism is a spiritual and not physical circumcision
and it involves a spiritual and not physical cleansing. Past sins and
the old lifestyle are cut away, which necessitates conscious faith and
repentance. Colossians 2:11-12, the passage that describes baptism as a
spiritual circumcision, teaches that this spiritual work takes place
through our faith in the working of God. Furthermore, circumcision
typifies both water and Spirit baptism; the candidate for water baptism
should be ready to receive the Spirit. In the Old Testament God dealt in a special way
with a nation that was physically identified and separated from the
world. Today God deals on an individual basis rather than on a national
basis; His chosen people are those who have been born again and
spiritually separated from the world. “ Seventh: Authorities:
Eight:
Conclusion: Should infants be baptized?
The answer is "No" The Biblical facts are (1) There is
not one example of “infant
baptism” in the N.T.! (2) Infants do not meet the prerequisites of
faith and repentance required of all those baptized in the N.T. (3)
Babies cannot know the Lord somehow before they enter into the
relationship baptism places them, and so do not need to be taught to
know the Lord. What if you were "baptized" as an infant?
Most likely you were not actually baptized (immersed), simply
"sprinkled." Even if immersed, it was not "Bible
baptism", which requires faith and repentance
-- Thus you are still in need of obeying the Word of the Lord!
Though sincere, one is not necessarily right; we are right only when we
do the Father's will! (Mt 7:21-23). Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep
my commandments” (Jn 14:15; 15:10,14). Infant baptism was not instituted by Christ, nor
practiced by His apostles, nor known in the New Testament churches, and
has neither sanction nor recognition in the word of God. Don't
place your faith in the traditions of men, or in the doctrines of some
church; place your faith in God's Word, and obey it accordingly! Please examine the above comments by the Scriptures. If you have further questions I will do my best to answer. |