Bible Study Is infant baptism from the Bible?

[reddogs]

Some may say, what is wrong with baptizing an infant? Well we need to go to the word of God and to the requirements for baptism.

Baptism is for those that hear the Gospel message, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins. This must be done before a person can be baptized.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21.

Why do we need to repent to God?

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.

Only those that receive the Word of God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are fit for baptism.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15, 16.

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12.

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:36, 37.

The question must now be asked, ‘Can an infant understand the Gospel, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and repent of their sins?’ Of course they cannot, so therefore according to the Bible they cannot be baptized and any church that condones infant baptism is not following the Word of God.

 

[Randy]

Somehow I have difficulty perceiving the head of the body of Christ, Jesus, rebuking parents who believe in Him for baptizing their infants in His name. I was baptized as a infant. Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day. So dedicating your child to the Lord is a ancient practice. I wasn't left alone I was steered to Jesus and to this day I call Him Lord. There did come a day when I myself in prayer invited Jesus into my heart. And even adult baptism is usually preceded by prayer.

So I would state if a parent brings their infant to be baptized in Jesus name let them be baptized. In other words I think its lawful.

 

[Knotical]

I find it frustrating when Acts 2:41 is taken out of context. That verse is within an account where a group of people were listening to a sermon and the people that were there that heard it were baptized. This does not mean that we are not to baptize infants. It merely means that people who were there were baptized, period. There are other accounts in the new testament that describe how not only the person who was converted was baptized, but their entire household. This does not mean that the entire household received salvation, however, it does mean that now that the head of that household received salvation and was baptized the rest are now set apart by God.

We have to understand that, unlike what the catholic church teaches, baptism does not facilitate salvation, it is merely a response and an outward sign that an individual, or group of individuals, is now set apart. It is only necessary to be done once.

Just like under the original mosaic law when Hebrew males were required to be circumsized, under the covenant of grace all believers and their households (including female members of the household) should be baptized as a sign they are under the covenant.

 

[JohnDB]

Ummm,
I really don't want to speak for someone else...
But from what I have been lead to believe from those who practice this...

It's a christening... AKA baby dedication with water and naming the baby and those who will be important adults in the child's life.

Baptism happen only after Confirmation.
But so few Actually know what is what...they talk about it like it was efficacious.

 

[for_his_glory]

I don't believe scripture says anything about infant baptism. JohnDB made a very good point in his post #4.

Christenings are a babies dedication to God made by the parents that they will train their child in the ways of God to be obedient to His commands. When a child grows to maturity then they have to make their own decision to come to Christ hearing the calling of God drawing them to Him.

Age of accountability is nowhere found in the Bible and is a preconception that only leads to speculation. Infant baptism is also unscriptural as a baby can not know faith and regeneration as this takes place at the same point in time. A baby can not be covered by the blood of Jesus until they come into the knowledge of good and evil and accept Him as Lord and Savior. Many use Ephesians 1:4, 5 to support this, but that is not what these verses are saying. These two verses are very similar to that of 2 Peter 3:9 that through Gods love he breathed his breath (spirit) into us when we first came from the womb making us a living soul and that he would want us to be holy and without blame. Staying holy without blame is through repentance and acceptance that brings us to that adoption that is in Christ Jesus thus we were made for Gods good pleasure.

A baby can not inherit the sin of the parents, but are born with a sin nature. Adams sin was imputed to every one of us as there is none that are righteous, babies included, Romans 5:12-18. Psalms 58:3 says, The wicked are estranged (turn from God) from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Who taught a child to lie or be rebellious against their parents? It's that sin nature that causes a child to do this. Psalms 51:5 says, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. The only thing God gave us at birth was His very breath (spirit) that made us a living soul and it's that breath that goes back to God when we die as he preserves it in judgment until the coming of the Lord, Ecclesiastes 12:7.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 

[Randy]

I don't believe scripture says anything about infant baptism. JohnDB made a very good point in his post #4.

Christenings are a babies dedication to God made by the parents that they will train their child in the ways of God to be obedient to His commands. When a child grows to maturity then they have to make their own decision to come to Christ hearing the calling of God drawing them to Him.

Age of accountability is nowhere found in the Bible and is a preconception that only leads to speculation. Infant baptism is also unscriptural as a baby can not know faith and regeneration as this takes place at the same point in time. A baby can not be covered by the blood of Jesus until they come into the knowledge of good and evil and accept Him as Lord and Savior. Many use Ephesians 1:4, 5 to support this, but that is not what these verses are saying. These two verses are very similar to that of 2 Peter 3:9 that through Gods love he breathed his breath (spirit) into us when we first came from the womb making us a living soul and that he would want us to be holy and without blame. Staying holy without blame is through repentance and acceptance that brings us to that adoption that is in Christ Jesus thus we were made for Gods good pleasure.

A baby can not inherit the sin of the parents, but are born with a sin nature. Adams sin was imputed to every one of us as there is none that are righteous, babies included, Romans 5:12-18. Psalms 58:3 says, The wicked are estranged (turn from God) from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Who taught a child to lie or be rebellious against their parents? It's that sin nature that causes a child to do this. Psalms 51:5 says, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. The only thing God gave us at birth was His very breath (spirit) that made us a living soul and it's that breath that goes back to God when we die as he preserves it in judgment until the coming of the Lord, Ecclesiastes 12:7.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Not necessary what I believe but....
The churches that practice infant baptism call it baptism and would believe that God would instill by grace faith into the hearts of the infant. And put great importance in it as Jesus is the only way to the Father. In case the child dies as if my Lord would send "any" infant that dies to Hell.

HMM..
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

An infant would not know Jesus or the gospel.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

 

[Knotical]

Dedications are taken from the account where Hannah promised God that if He blessed her with a child she would dedicate that child back to God and serve Him the rest of his life. That is quite different from what is actually being done when parents dedicate their children today. In contrast, when a child is baptized, prior to the age of majority/maturity it is being used as it is intended, that being as a sign that the child is set apart, that the child is under the covenant of grace because the child's parent(s) believe, are Christian. To me, a baptism is a much more powerful statement that a dedication.

Point of fact, a Christening is the catholic ceremony where a child is baptized, so using that term is not synonymous with dedications.

 

[JLB]

So dedicating your child to the Lord is a ancient practice.

Yes, dedicating your child to the Lord, is an ancient practice.

Also circumcision is also an ancient practice, as many also do it today for various reasons.

However, baptism in the name of Jesus is for believers.

• “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:36-37


If the Spirit has not baptized a person into Christ, then any other baptism is moot.




JLB

 

[WIP]

Some may say, what is wrong with baptizing an infant? Well we need to go to the word of God and to the requirements for baptism.

Baptism is for those that hear the Gospel message, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins. This must be done before a person can be baptized.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21.

Why do we need to repent to God?

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.

Only those that receive the Word of God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are fit for baptism.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15, 16.

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12.

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:36, 37.

The question must now be asked, ‘Can an infant understand the Gospel, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and repent of their sins?’ Of course they cannot, so therefore according to the Bible they cannot be baptized and any church that condones infant baptism is not following the Word of God.

Verses like Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:15-16 are often understood by many to indicate an order of events but I do not believe this is true. The word "and" is a conjunction, joining two or more events or things but it does not specify the order of events. To do that, the word "and" would have to be replaced with "then."

If my wife calls me at work and asks me to stop on the way home and pick up a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk, does that mean that I must acquire those items in that order? No, all she is asking is that I bring home both items.

By this same logic, Matthew 28:19-20 would require baptism before teaching.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; (NKJV)


As stated elsewhere, I believe baptisms could very well have included infants.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 NKJV
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink.

I suppose one could argue that this text is referring to all fathers only but that leaves out young and adult men whose fathers were still alive at the time and the young and adult women as well.

Mark 1:4-5 NKJV
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

Is it not reasonable to suspect or assume that "all the land of Judea" included boys, women, and girls as well as any infants among them?

In Acts 16:25-34 when Paul and Silas' jailer was baptized, they included his entire household. Scripture does not say the entire household above a certain age.

Acts 2:38-39 NKJV
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

The promise is to you and your children. Peter does not specify children above a particular age.

Romans 6:1-18 talks about how through baptism we are baptized into Jesus' death so that, united with Him, we may no longer be slaves to sin and just as He was raised we too may live a new life.

 

[Randy]

Yes, dedicating your child to the Lord, is an ancient practice.

Also circumcision is also an ancient practice, as many also do it today for various reasons.

However, baptism in the name of Jesus is for believers.

• “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:36-37


If the Spirit has not baptized a person into Christ, then any other baptism is moot.




JLB

Hence confirmation at a later date.

 

[Randy]

The disciples objected. Jesus did not. Obviously the people were their parents. Can you image Jesus telling any parent your child is too young to be blessed? Its called Grace. I find infant baptism lawful. Jesus is the one asked to bless not us.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

 

[for_his_glory]

Not necessary what I believe but....
The churches that practice infant baptism call it baptism and would believe that God would instill by grace faith into the hearts of the infant. And put great importance in it as Jesus is the only way to the Father. In case the child dies as if my Lord would send "any" infant that dies to Hell.

HMM..
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

An infant would not know Jesus or the gospel.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

I see nothing wrong with infant baptism as being a baby dedicated to God in its upbringing by the parents, but its not for repentance.

 

[dianegcook]

I see nothing wrong with it also.
Even in the time of Moses.
1Cor.10:1-11

I would not that ye be ignorant, how that all our father's were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
And did all eat the same spiritual meat,
And did all drink the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

Now these things were our examples.....

 

[JLB]

John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

Key Phrase -

confessing their sins.

JLB

 

[JLB]

Hence confirmation at a later date.

What does confirmation refer to?

Im not familiar with this term?

Is this a biblical term or something from a denomination?



JLB

 

[Edward]

Some may say, what is wrong with baptizing an infant? Well we need to go to the word of God and to the requirements for baptism.

Baptism is for those that hear the Gospel message, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins. This must be done before a person can be baptized.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21.

Why do we need to repent to God?

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.

Only those that receive the Word of God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are fit for baptism.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15, 16.

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12.

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:36, 37.

The question must now be asked, ‘Can an infant understand the Gospel, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and repent of their sins?’ Of course they cannot, so therefore according to the Bible they cannot be baptized and any church that condones infant baptism is not following the Word of God.

I thought about this and I agree with you. I've never read to baptize an infant, and I think that people who do it are in error. However, it is better too err on the side of faith than...anything else. So ultimately I think it's harmless. I've always viewed it as a dedication of the child to the Lord and I think that is a good.

But when you dedicate your child to God, then you can't leave him with a babysitter and go to a sinful party or whatever. That might not be, dedication with the child.

 

[JLB]

However, it is better too err on the side of faith than...anything else. So ultimately I think it's harmless.

If people baptize their child out of sincere devotion to the Lord, then great.

If the child grows up and “thinks” he is “saved” because his parents told him his whole life he was already baptized as a child, then this is not good.

Some denominations teach that a person is “born again” when baptized in water.



JLB

 

[JohnDB]

What does confirmation refer to?

Im not familiar with this term?

Is this a biblical term or something from a denomination?



JLB

It is a thing.
When a child has been raised in a Christian home by Christian Parents and grows up and knows enough to accurately explain and receive Salvation from Jesus...
That's called confirmation.

Sanctification isn't in scripture either..."sanctify" is in some translations but sanctification is not.

 

[Edward]

If people baptize their child out of sincere devotion to the Lord, then great.

If the child grows up and “thinks” he is “saved” because his parents told him his whole life he was already baptized as a child, then this is not good.

Some denominations teach that a person is “born again” when baptized in water.



JLB

I agree. The child will still have to repent to the Lord when he gets to the age of understanding. Can you imagine if the child was taught from toddler age consistently about the Lord and our authority in Jesus name?! That boy would be unstoppable in his faith.

You know how some kids say there's a monster under the bed? I wonder if some of those could be real sometimes. Evil spirits messing with the kids? But actually if he was taught that we have authority over them, they have to obey an be gone when he commands them in Jesus's name! He sure would make short work of the situation! Little kids can totally speak loud and would jump all over it in a powerful childlike faith, lol!!

 

[Randy]

If people baptize their child out of sincere devotion to the Lord, then great.

If the child grows up and “thinks” he is “saved” because his parents told him his whole life he was already baptized as a child, then this is not good.

Some denominations teach that a person is “born again” when baptized in water.



JLB

Confirmation in the Lutheran Church is a public profession of faith prepared for by long and careful instruction. In English, it is called "affirmation of baptism", and is a mature and public reaffirmation of the faith which "marks the completion of the congregation's program of confirmation ministry".

Catholics believe the Sacrament of Confirmation is the supernatural equivalent of the growth process on the natural level. It builds on what was begun in Baptism and what was nourished in Holy Eucharist. It completes the process of initiation into the Christian community, and it matures the soul for the work ahead.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.