Page 50 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

BAPTISM-INFANT

“No one has the right to interject what is omitted sprinkling. He declares a falsehood when he says, “This
from Scripture just to bolster subjectively a supposed child is regenerated and grafted into the body of Christ’s
doctrine and ignore the clear teaching of many other church” (Anglican Book of Common Prayer). Infants are
portions of the Word of God” (Ibid.). neither born again nor true church members. He
2. Infant baptism is contrary to the New Testament declares a falsehood by saying, “It has pleased God to
teaching about baptism. Infant baptism uses the wrong regenerate this infant with His Holy Spirit; to receive
mode—sprinkling rather than immersion. Infant him for His own child by adoption, and to incorporate
baptism uses the wrong subject—infants unable to him into His holy church.” None of these things can be
believe and be born again. Infant baptism has the wrong true for an infant and none of these things are imparted
purpose—to impart salvation or spiritual blessings. by baptism (Hiscox, Practices for Baptist Churches).
3. Infant baptism either states or implies that salvation 8. There is no partial salvation taught in Scripture.
or spiritual blessing can be imparted through ritual, or Infant baptism either truly saves, or it does not save at
through the faith of another. Contrast Ps. 49:7-8. The all. Yet most denominations practicing infant baptism
Bible says all blessings of salvation are received through believe it results in partial salvation for the infant and
personal faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 15:8-11; 16:30-31; that it must later add works such as the catechism,
Ep. 2:8-10; 2 Ti. 3:15). We receive eternal life by mass, and confession to be fully saved. The following
personal faith (Jn. 3:16). We become children of God by Bible passages show that when a person is saved, he is
personal faith (Jn. 1:12). We receive justification and fully, eternally saved. The same passages reveal that this
peace with God through personal faith (Ro. 5:1). We salvation is not through an infant baptism, but a
receive the Holy Spirit by personal faith (Ep. 1:12-14). personal, repentant faith in Jesus Christ (2 Co. 5:17; Tit.
4. Infant baptism implies that the church can impart 3:5-7; Ep. 1:3-7; Ro. 5:1-2; Col. 1:12-14; 1 Jn. 5:12-13).
salvation and blessing to whomsoever it pleases, regardless WHAT ARE WE TO DO FOR OUR CHILDREN?
of the individual’s will or faith. Contrast Acts 8:36-37. 1. Christians can rejoice that their children are
5. Infant baptism results in false security. Multitudes sanctified by the parents’ relationship with Christ (1 Co.
of people baptized as infants grow up thinking they are 7:14). Though we might not know everything this
ready for heaven even though they have never been involves, we do know that (a) the passage is not
born again through personal faith in Christ. They are speaking of sanctification by a baptismal ritual. Nothing
trusting in their infant baptism and in their church is said here or in any other N.T. passage regarding the
membership. Such are deceived by the teaching of their necessity of baptizing infants before they can partake of
own churches. “This false sacramental gospel kept my this family sanctification. (b) Children are eternally safe
parents from ever telling me that I was a sinner and if they die in early childhood. The case of the death of
needed a Saviour. They thought that I had received David’s son illustrates this. After the child’s death, David
eternal life in baptism. I am positive that there are said he would one day go to be with him (2 Sa.
millions of Lutherans believing the same thing my 12:22-23). This shows David’s assurance that the baby
parents did and which I was taught and believed for was safe with God. If this were true for the children of
many years. I was saved at age 45 when I finally heard O.T. saints, surely it is true for the N.T. believer. (c) At a
the true gospel and believed it. We believe that millions certain point in the child’s life he becomes personally
of souls are at stake because of this false teaching” (The responsible before God for his relationship with Jesus
Berean Call, August 2001). Christ. The Bible does not say at what age or point this
6. Infant baptism results in churches being peopled by occurs, but Jesus encouraged children to come to Him
unregenerate members. In some churches the infant (Lk. 18:16), and Timothy was taught the Scriptures as a
becomes a member immediately at the time of the child with the goal that he come to salvation (2 Ti.
baptismal ceremony. In others, the infant is not yet 3:15).
considered a full member, but is admitted as a member 2. The parents must dedicate themselves to train the
in later years without having to show evidence of child in the way of Christ. It is not really the dedication
regeneration. Either way, infant baptism results in those of infants that is essential; it is the dedication of
churches being filled with members who are not truly parents. Parents are wasting their time if they go
saved. This, of course, destroys the church, and is a through a public ceremony of dedicating their child to
chief cause for the spiritual deadness of most Protestant God, but fail thereafter to discipline and instruct him in
denominations. the right way. Let us do both! Let us offer our newborn
7. Infant baptism causes the officiating minister to children to God and plead His best blessing upon their
declare falsehoods. He declares a falsehood when he lives, and let us carefully train them for His holy service.
says, “I baptize you,” because he is not baptizing but [See Anglican Church, Baptism - Immersion, Church,
Gospel, Grace, Lord’s Supper, Roman Catholic Church.]

50 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity