... Baptism: the significance of infant baptism in Christianity with particular reference to the Catholic and Baptist traditions; arguments in favour of and against infant baptism. Baptizing a baby with the notion of making it a child of God reduces baptism to no more than a … For those planning a baptism event, the following baptism invitation wording ideas serve as great samples to the type of verbiage you can use. is his tendency to merely state the assumptions that I want to see him prove. Considering this tension, two men were led to compile a series of essays authored by various theological professors and pastors to cultivate a compelling case for believer’s baptism. “As to what pertains to the case of infants: You [Fidus] said that they ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, that the old law of circumcision must be taken into consideration, and that you did not think that one should be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day after his birth. If there were nothing in infants which required the remission of sins and nothing in them pertinent to forgiveness, the grace of baptism would seem superfluous” (Homilies on Leviticus 8:3 [A.D. 248]). In the early church of the third and fourth centuries there was a remarkable variety of baptismal practices within the 'One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church', including infant baptism, believers' baptism, delayed baptism, emergency baptism and death-bed baptism. . The kingdom of God is not theirs; they cannot be “brought to Christ” in their unbelief. Thus, like circumcision, baptism can be given to children as well as adults. If anyone wonders why children born of the baptized should themselves be baptized, let him attend briefly to this. ... Baptism: the significance of infant baptism in Christianity with particular reference to the Catholic and Baptist traditions; arguments in favour of and against infant baptism. While the disunity of the church in terms of its denominations is — in my mind — one of the most tragic and devastating developments in church history, the fact is that a plethora of denominations now exist in the world in general, and in the U.S. in particular, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. “‘Well enough,’ some will say, ‘for those who ask for baptism, but what do you have to say about those who are still children, and aware neither of loss nor of grace? . NIHIL OBSTAT: I have concluded that the materials He agreed with certain of his fellow bishops that a child is able to be duly baptized as soon as he is born” (Letters 166:8:23 [A.D. 412]). The only explicit baptism accounts in the Bible involve converts from Judaism or paganism. . Better that they be sanctified unaware, than that they depart unsealed and uninitiated” (ibid., 40:28). The frustrating part of Ferguson’s essay for me (as a Baptist, remind you!) For children of believers there is no explicit mention of baptism—either in infancy or later. I was glad to see the strengths and weaknesses of each view presented well. He argues that churches should allow freedom even to their members to decide what they want baptism to mean. This, of course, would be contrary to historical Christian practice. The strengths and weaknesses of these ways of making moral decisions. In a nutshell, he says that the Bible does not specify whether infants can be baptized or only believing adults. These and other questions are explored in this thought-provoking book.Four … Should people be rebaptized if they join a church that teaches a different form of baptism? Even Baptists don’t claim their practice of “dedicating” babies does this. . “Item: It seemed good that whenever there were not found reliable witnesses who could testify that without any doubt they [abandoned children] were baptized and when the children themselves were not, on account of their tender age, able to answer concerning the giving of the sacraments to them, all such children should be baptized without scruple, lest a hesitation should deprive them of the cleansing of the sacraments. Sinclair Ferguson also does an admirable job of making a case for the baptism of infants. Several times, Ferguson uses the phrase “by parity of reasoning” or “through reasoning,” which helps to shine light on how he arrives at seeing baptism within his covenantal framework, one which has much merit to it, but which (on the issue of baptism) seems to me to impose a foreign paradigm on the text. Baptist, the Christian Church/Church of Christ, Lutheran, and Reformed scholars debate both the meaning and practice of one of the church's central and most spiritually significant sacraments. “[W]hoever says that infants fresh from their mothers’ wombs ought not to be baptized, or say that they are indeed baptized unto the remission of sins, but that they draw nothing of the original sin of Adam, which is expiated in the bath of regeneration . . Yet many Christians follow the majority practice of church history and administer the ordinance to adults and their infant … Every recorded baptism in the Bible was with an adult that was old enough to believe. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. Since others respond for children, so that the celebration of the sacrament may be complete for them, it is certainly availing to them for their consecration, because they themselves are not able to respond” (On Baptism, Against the Donatists 4:24:31 [A.D. 400]). “The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants. The premise of Schreiner and Wright’s book is to approach the topic of baptism, while refuting infant baptisms, in a logical fashion starting with addressing what the Bible, theology, church history, and the practical application for churches today. The book is appropriately titled, Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ. Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ edited by Thomas R. Schreiner and Shawn Wright, both professors at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, demonstrates that baptism is the initiation rite into the Christian church since the Scripture regularly connects it with belief and salvation. A couple of weeks ago, I gave a message on the issue of baptism. 2. As to its true character, baptism (infant or adult) is not a public profession of a faith in Christ already acted upon. . The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Trevin Wax is senior vice president of theology and communications at LifeWay Christian Resources and a visiting professor at Wheaton College. . Nowhere in the New Testament, they point out, do we read of infants being baptized. The sacrament of baptism is most assuredly the sacrament of regeneration” (Forgiveness and the Just Deserts of Sin, and the Baptism of Infants 1:9:10; 1:24:34; 2:27:43 [A.D. 412]). it could violate the freedom of religion and thought which are guaranteed. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them” (The Apostolic Tradition 21:16 [A.D. 215]). Should people be rebaptized if they join a church that teaches a different form of baptism? What is the significance of water baptism? Oh, what a pusillanimous mother and of how little faith!” (Oration on Holy Baptism 40:7 [A.D. 388]). . Baptism: Three Views does not discuss baptismal regeneration (thus excluding the Churches of Christ, the Anglicans, and Roman Catholics from the conversation). Introduction The debate over baptism remains an item of contention within Christian circles. Thus Peter declared, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 2. The first explicit evidence of children of believing households being baptized comes from the early Church—where infant baptism was uniformly upheld and regarded as apostolic. In practice it can end up being not too different from the paedobaptist position.” (68). let him be anathema [excommunicated]. No one agreed to the course which you thought should be taken. views of baptism and their strengths and weaknesses, both from a biblical-theological perspective and from an historical perspective. For Wesleyans who practice infant baptism, it is not an assurance of ultimate salvation. Should baptism be required for church membership? In the Middle Ages, some groups developed that rejected infant baptism, e.g., the Waldenses and Catharists. “What the universal Church holds, not as instituted [invented] by councils but as something always held, is most correctly believed to have been handed down by apostolic authority. Emergency baptism Infant baptism Two baptismal practices The triumph of infant baptism The cultural factor 7 BAPTISM AND UNITY 7. In fact, the only reported controversy on the subject was a third-century debate whether or not to delay baptism until the eighth day after birth, like its Old Testament equivalent, circumcision! In a word, baptism has the same symbolic significance in relationship to fellowship with God as did circumcision.” (87). As we will see, there is no doubt that the early Church practiced infant baptism; and no Christian objections to this practice were ever voiced until the Reformation. Do you fear the seal [of baptism] because of the weakness of nature? . 5:12], must not be understood otherwise than the Catholic Church spread everywhere has always understood it. Others see it primarily as an individual's testimony to faith and repentance. 2 Infant Baptism Some Protestant denominations such as the United Methodist and Presbyterian Churches believe in infant baptism. In seeking common ground among various Christian traditions, he looks first at what Scripture has to say and then assesses the strengths and weaknesses of differing views in that light. In our council it seemed to us far otherwise. What is the significance of water baptism? Does this mean unbelieving spouses should be baptized? . Evolutionary creationists.God created life using evolution – much like he creates children using natural processes from egg and sperm to embryo to infant. their understanding and practice of baptism. Bernadeane Carr, STL, Censor Librorum, August 10, 2004, IMPRIMATUR: In accord with 1983 CIC 827 For those who already have an introduction to the debate on baptism a fresh presentation of the views and the addition of the Church of Christ/Restorationist view will be welcome. 4 7.5 Introduction The biblical emphasis on unity Introduction One God, one body Unity and evangelism The scandal of schism and disunity On the other hand, the disadvantage of infant baptism is that. Even one believing parent in a household makes the children and even the unbelieving spouse “holy” (1 Cor. Read more. sense of unity, by sharing the same religion. Here are examples of what early Christian writers had to say on the subject of the infant baptism: “He [Jesus] came to save all through himself; all, I say, who through him are reborn in God: infants, and children, and youths, and old men. But so is rejecting infant baptism. For religious followers, baptism offers the ability to be purified and consecrated. An actual baptism has not occurred. “The custom of Mother Church in baptizing infants is certainly not to be scorned, nor is it to be regarded in any way as superfluous, nor is it to be believed that its tradition is anything except apostolic” (The Literal Interpretation of Genesis 10:23:39 [A.D. 408]). The kingdom is theirs, Jesus says, and they should be brought to him; and this means baptism. . baptism in question, citing strengths and weaknesses along with corresponding reasons for why the particular view is right or wrong from biblical-theological and ... Paul K. Jewett, Infant Baptism and the Covenant of Grace (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978). Some Christians stress baptism as a gateway into the church. “If, in the case of the worst sinners and those who formerly sinned much against God, when afterwards they believe, the remission of their sins is granted and no one is held back from baptism and grace, how much more, then, should an infant not be held back, who, having but recently been born, has done no sin, except that, born of the flesh according to Adam, he has contracted the contagion of that old death from his first being born. 1 7.2 7. “Every soul that is born into flesh is soiled by the filth of wickedness and sin. While these texts do not specifically mention—nor exclude—infants, the very use of the term “households” indicates an understanding of the family as a unit. (See quotation from Cyprian, below; compare Leviticus 12:2–3.). . And of course infant baptism is not a Roman Catholic thing. Baptism: The confusion never seems to go away. Which is the proper baptismal mode: sprinkling, pouring, or immersion? Baptism is the Christian equivalent of circumcision, or “the circumcision of Christ”: “In him you were also circumcised with . Featuring the classic and thought-provoking Counterpoints forum of presentation, critique, and response, this insightful discussion explores the four prominent viewpoints on Protestant baptism. . For example, take this statement: “Baptism functions in relationship to the new covenant in Christ in a manner analogous to the function of circumcision in the Abrahamic covenant. I cannot imagine that Paul would not desire uniformity among the churches when it comes to this issue. Zondervan began with the “Counterpoint” series; Broadman & Holman now has a “Perspectives” series. The difference is that circumcision was powerless to save (Gal. (Furthermore, Lane’s contribution is significant enough in its own right to be taken as a distinctly third view, not merely as a hybrid.). Consider, too, that Fathers raised in Christian homes (such as Irenaeus) would hardly have upheld infant baptism as apostolic if their own baptisms had been deferred until the age of reason. The interactive and fair-minded nature of the Counterpoints format allows the reader to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions. It is no wonder that this symbolism has resonated in cultures that are more group-oriented. This view of baptism is readily drawn from a mistaken examination of Acts 2, which is then imposed on other texts having to do with baptism. No matter which position you hold, if you are interested in finding out something about the other views, you will find this book to be a good resource. . . Very true. The weakness, from a Lutheran perspective, is that the recipient remains uncertain if baptism and the Lord's Supper actually accomplish anything at all. The apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of the divine sacraments, knew there are in everyone innate strains of [original] sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit” (Commentaries on Romans 5:9 [A.D. 248]). Who should be baptized? . This was one of the easiest FOUR VIEWS book to read, though I was a little disappointed that Pratt and Kolb did not argue more vigorously for infant baptism. Infant baptism of children of the covenant (Reformed) Each view is presented by its proponent, then critiqued and defended in dialogue with the book’s other contributors. “For where two or three, are gathered together, in my name, there am I in the midst of them” Matthew 18:20 A kaleidoscope of misconceptions, issues, threats and challenges surround the practice of Baptist autonomy. . How Bad Is This Moment in American History? permission to publish this work is hereby granted. In the Church, baptism is given for the remission of sins, and, according to the usage of the Church, baptism is given even to infants. Should people be rebaptized if they join a church that teaches a different form of baptism? Of course not. ... infant baptism … I was glad to see the strengths and weaknesses of each view presented well. However, many generally believe that a baptism is an important step of obedience throughout a believer’s life. 2 Infant Baptism Some Protestant denominations such as the United Methodist and Presbyterian Churches believe in infant baptism. That sounds like a perfect solution for an individualistic society where people construct their own meaning, but woefully inadequate for those of us trying to be faithful to the Scriptures on these very important matters. Which is the proper baptismal mode: sprinkling, pouring, or immersion? Tony Lane’s chapter is unique. Since he was born in a Christian home in Smyrna around the year 140, this means he was probably baptized around 140. for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”. But the narrow focus on adult versus infant baptism actually enhances the book by keeping the discussion pinpointed on the question of who should be baptized, not what is happening in the baptismal font. For example, infant baptism is assumed in Irenaeus’ writings below (since he affirms both that regeneration happens in baptism, and also that Jesus came so even infants could be regenerated). Should baptism be required for church membership? For this reason we baptize even infants, though they are not defiled by [personal] sins, so that there may be given to them holiness, righteousness, adoption, inheritance, brotherhood with Christ, and that they may be his [Christ’s] members” (Baptismal Catecheses in Augustine, Against Julian 1:6:21 [A.D. 388]). 7:14). 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