|
First see studies on baptism:
BAPTISMS
Baptismal Regeneration
DISCUSSION
BM> I encourage people to baptize their babies--infant baptism BM> takes
away original sin.
BM>I'm quoting from Luther's Small Catechism with Scripture verses. BM>
Article 249. Who is to be baptized? BM>ALL NATIONS, that is, all human
beings, YOUNG and old, are to be baptized. BM> Article 250. What distinction
is to be made in baptizing? A. Those who can receive instruction are to be
baptized after they have been instructed in the principal BM> doctrines of
the Christian religion. BM> (Those who accepted what he said were baptized.
Acts 2:41.)<
COMMENT
So far - it is in line with scripture. RECOGNIZING the volitional
responsibility from each person individually.
BM> B. Little children should be baptized when they are BM>brought to
Baptism by those who have authority over them. BM>(And you fathers, don't
make your children BM>angry, but raise them by letting the Lord train BM>and
correct them. Eph. 6:4.)<
COMMENT
1. The verse has nothing to do with getting the babies baptized.
2. It is terribly mistranslated from the Greek. NASB - Eph. 6:4, And,
fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the
discipline and instruction of the Lord. This translation represents
accurately the Greek, except with the word, "bring them up" - ektrephō =
nourish. Therefore, "but nourish them in the discipline . . ."
BM> Article 251.How do you prove that infants, too, are to be baptized?
BM>Infants, too, are to be baptized-- BM>A. Because they are included in the
words "all people"; BM>(Go make disciples of ALL PEOPLE; Baptize them in the
name of the BM>Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Matt. 28:19.)<
COMMENT
But they aren't included in the phrase "make disciples". Cant make disciples
of infants.
BM>(Peter answered them, Repent and be baptized, BM>EVERYONE of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ, Acts 2:38, 39.)<
COMMENT
Infants cant REPENT.
BM>B. Because Holy Baptism is the ONLY MEANS whereby BM>infants, who, too,
MUST be born again, can BM>ordinarily be regenerated and brought to faith.<
COMMENT
This of course fails to recognize that it is FAITH that brings us to the
place of receiving ALL the saving benefits of God's provision - including
regeneration. Faith comes first - then born again.
See topic: baptismal regeneration
RE: the children of Mark 10:13-15 - BM>God's kingdom BELONGS TO SUCH AS
THESE. I tell you the truth, IF YOU BM>DON'T RECEIVE GOD'S KINGDOM LIKE A
LITTLE CHILD, YOU WILL NOT BM>GET INTO IT. Mark 10:13-15.<
COMMENT
Here- many people miss the the intent of the language. The word "like"
introduces an analogy - not a model. In the same way that the child
expresses genuine humility ie, a dependence on others and a life that
functions within that context of dependence - - So must man express his
dependence on God through faith in the Messiah.
See commentary:
Matthew 18:1-10
BM>C. Because infants, too, can believe. BM>If anyone leads into sin of
these little ones who believe in Me, it BM>would be better for him to have a
big millstone hung around his neck BM>and be drowned in the lake where it's
deep. Matt. 18:6.<
COMMENT
The phrase - "one of these little ones who believe in Me" picks up from the
analogy and refers to the one who has trusted in Christ - not to the child.
BM>Since babies are born into this world with the sin of Adam--Original
BM>Sin--then must be cleansed. Baptism is the only means provided.<
COMMENT
1. This of course, has been a subject of much debate. Water does not cleanse
from sin. Faith in Christ's work on the cross is the only thing that can
cleanse from sin. If someone *depends* on water to save them - they are
depending on works and just go deeper and deeper into the debt of owing God
what they cannot repay (Rom. 4:1-5). The result will be - judgment in the
lake, because God will not accept any human works as that which saves. "all
our righteousness (works) are as filthy rags," Is. 64:6.
2. Point of doctrine concerning "Adam's sin."
See the THEORY of imputed sin.
An important question
is -
why baptize the child? Such a practice should be based on the Bible. It is
our ONLY rule for doctrine AND policy. There is no mention anywhere in the
Bible that teaches the practice of baptizing children. It should be
practiced based on what the Bible teaches and not on what a church or
religion or tradition or man teaches. What is the purpose of baptism? See
the studies linked above for the DETAILS.
Baptism is a ritual that symbolizes a person's salvation. It is a CHOSEN
action in the same way that trusting in Christ is a CHOSEN expression.
Baptism should only be done to those who have believed in Christ. It is a
symbol of salvation, NOT a token or promise or pledge. If it becomes a
religious ritual without the REALITY of salvation, then it has no spiritual
value. Only those who SAVED and UNDERSTAND what it is all about should be
baptized. Mark 1:4 "John the baptizer came into the wilderness proclaiming a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." Repent means to change
your mind. You hear about the gospel of God and you change your mind about
God and trust in Him. This results in forgiveness of sins. Thus, "repentance
FOR the forgiveness of sins." But it is AFTER the repentance that the
baptism occurs. Infants cannot repent. Small children can be saved by truly
believing in Jesus as their savior. Baptism for them would come later after
they truly UNDERSTAND what it means. But never would it occur BEFORE
salvation. How can the ACT symbolize what does not exist? Would someone be
wrong in baptizing their children? Not in the sense of SINFUL. But it is not
a biblically authorized practice and it did absolutely no good, spiritually.
It MIGHT have been used later kind of like a catalyst for learning more and
even believing in Christ, but just because it MAY have had a positive
affect, that does not make it right. Baptism is a choice made by the person
going under the water, not by someone else.
| 
