To baptize the infant or to not baptize the infant? The answer to the query of infant baptism could rely on your denominational position, along along with your interpretation of the Bible. Like many other issues that arise within the church, infant baptism is one on which all denominations don’t agree. There are those that consider this practice is appropriate and people who don’t. Let’s get some more perspective on this topic of infant baptism so we will make a Biblically-informed opinion on it.
Why is Infant Baptism a Controversial Topic amongst Christians?
For those that practice infant baptism like Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and another Protestant denominations, they see it as an emblem of God’s covenant and a welcoming into the family of God. On the opposite side are those that reject the thought of infant baptism. They see baptism as a step that happens after an individual has made a conscious decision to follow Christ, where the baptism is an outward sign of the inward transformation. Because an infant doesn’t have the capability at that stage to make a conscious decision to follow Jesus, those that oppose infant baptism argue that baptism cannot save them. Therefore, this position says, there isn’t any reason for infant baptism.
Where Does the Bible Talk about Baptism?
It is significant to notice that the actual act of baptism doesn’t appear within the Old Testament. While there have been foreshadowings we will point to, corresponding to Noah and the flood, or Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, we don’t see anyone being baptized within the Old Testament. Baptism is a New Testament event, and it’s one in all the sacraments that Christ established.
Here are some key New Testament verses about baptism. Let’s consider what they tell us about this sacrament.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them within the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19)
Here, Jesus establishes baptism as a part of the discipleship process. For those that would decide to follow Christ, baptism was a public declaration of their latest faith in Jesus Christ. By selecting to be baptized, they were selecting to be identified as one who’s a follower of Jesus. For many within the New Testament, this baptism occurred immediately after their conversion.
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one in all you, within the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you’ll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38)
This verse shows one other connection between baptism and salvation. Some even argue that this verse shows baptism is needed for salvation. However, what must be highlighted here, is the connection between baptism and salvation.
“Or don’t you realize that every one of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were due to this fact buried with him through baptism into death so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a latest life.” (Rom. 6:3-4)
This verse helps us understand symbolically what happens during baptism. The act of baptism is an emblem of our old sinful nature being buried with Christ and us being raised a latest creation in Christ. Baptism is a physical representation of what happens during salvation and the spiritual transformation that happens inside our heart. One thing we should always notice in all these verses is that there isn’t any mention of infant baptism.
What are the Arguments for Infant Baptism?
Advocates of infant baptism, often found inside traditions corresponding to Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and lots of Protestant denominations, argue that it reflects God’s covenantal relationship with His people and aligns with biblical principles of religion and charm.
Supporters consider that baptism shouldn’t be merely an outward sign of non-public faith but in addition a sacrament of initiation into the family of God, very like circumcision within the Old Testament. They emphasize that the New Testament provides examples of household baptisms, suggesting that infants and kids were included within the early church’s understanding of baptism. Additionally, they point to the writings of early church fathers, who affirmed the practice as a way of welcoming children into the Christian community from the very starting of their lives.
Let’s explore key biblical, theological, and historical arguments that support the practice of infant baptism, shedding light on why many Christian traditions proceed to uphold it today.
Covenant Theology
One argument for infant baptism is Covenant Theology. This teaches that God’s covenant encompasses not only individuals but in addition their families and kids. In this view, the infant baptism acts as an indication and seal of this covenant. This is comparable to circumcision within the Old Testament. Circumcision symbolized the kid’s inclusion within the covenant between God and Israel. If someone was not circumcised, they might be cut off from their people because they might have broken the covenant. For individuals who consider in infant baptism, they may even see baptizing their children as a part of God’s ongoing covenant along with his people.
Household Baptisms
There is not any direct mention of infant baptisms within the Bible. Some would argue the Bible doesn’t say to do it or to not do it. However, what some people point to as a possible reason or possibly evidence of kids being baptized is the mention of household baptisms within the New Testament.
In Acts 16, when Paul was in Phillippi, a lady named Lydia responded to his message and have become a believer in Jesus. The Bible tells us she and the members of her household were baptized. Later in that very same chapter, Paul and Silas were released from prison by a miraculous earthquake, after which the jailer asked them what he must do to be saved. Here is what they said.
“They replied, ‘Believe within the Lord Jesus, and also you will probably be saved—you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all of the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.” (Acts 16:31-33)
Some have used this as potential evidence that children or infants could be included within the household; due to this fact, it’s proper and right to baptize infants. However, to make use of that as an argument would mean reading something into the text that shouldn’t be clearly stated.
Were Infant Baptisms Found within the Early Church Writings?
When we have a look at early church writings, there isn’t any mention of infant baptism until around 200 AD. The ancient church father Tertullian wrote about this, but he didn’t write to support infant baptism, but moderately to query the practice of it. It was not until Augustine, around 400 AD, that the practice of infant baptism became more prevalent within the church.
What are the Arguments against Infant Baptism?
One principal argument against infant baptism is that baptism should follow belief in Jesus. When we return to Acts 16 and have a look at the encounter with the prison guard, the requirement for salvation is believing in Jesus. In Acts 2, Peter mentions repenting, which is a turning away from sin. It is just impossible for an infant to repent or consciously consider in Jesus. For this reason, infant baptism shouldn’t be truly connected to the salvation of the infant.
If there’s a typical theme that’s seen with baptism within the New Testament, it’s that baptism of the person all the time comes after belief in Jesus.
“But once they believed Philip as he proclaimed the excellent news of the dominion of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, each men and girls. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip all over the place, astonished by the good signs and miracles he saw.” (Acts 8:12-13)
“Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed within the Lord; and most of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8)
This was also true of the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul, after his conversion, Cornelius the Centurion, and Lydia and her household. For all these, their baptism got here after a career of their faith in Jesus, and it represented a public identification with Jesus.
Final thoughts on Infant Baptism
As we’ve got seen from a careful examination of scripture, it’s difficult to support the position of infant baptism as a option to salvation. If infant baptism is used as a way of dedication of the kid, just like how Hannah dedicated Samuel, then there could also be a case for it. However, if the baptism is imagined to represent the salvation of the infant, where once they’re baptized, they’ve salvation in Christ, I think that shouldn’t be congruent with the teachings of the Bible.
Some Christians will disagree with this position. I recognize that this has been a controversial topic for a few years, and clearly this one article is not going to conclusively solve it. All I ask is, for those who disagree, then achieve this with love and kindness so we will clearly understand the differing positions on this topic and mutually be encouraged to look at our faith. Hopefully, that’s something on which we will all agree.
Further Reading
Do Christians Have to Believe in Paedobaptism?
What is Baptism? Its Meaning and Importance in Christianity
What Christians Should Know about Paedobaptism
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