The Benefits of Studying Baptism

     

    Why should a Christian study baptism?  Isn't the matter rather straight-forward?  A number of passages in the New Testament are clear - one needs to believe and then be baptized.  Isn't infant baptism a left-over of tarnished medieval theology?

    Why is it that a fairly large portion of Christianity baptizes infants?  These include:

    Roman Catholics

    Eastern Orthodox

    Anglicans

    Lutherans

    Presbyterians

    Reformed Churches

    Methodists

     

    Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip

    Do these churches all follow errant, man-made teaching with respect to baptism, or does this practice actually go all the way back to New Testament times?  Is there a biblical basis to this practice?  This, of course is the ultimate aspect of this issue.

    Baptism is one of a very limited number of sacraments in the Christian church.  Are there any Christians who do not believe baptism is important?  Therefore, it is in fact important to know what the Bible teaches on this subject.  It is important to know what we believe and why we believe it. 

    The Scriptures own declaration in this regard is that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."  II Timothy 3:15-17 ESV.  We will do well to study baptism, this portion of Scripture, so that we can be competent and equipped in this regard too.

    There is considerable joy to be had when we are confident we are correctly following the will of God with respect to baptism.  All of life must be dedicated to serving the Lord.  Each step we take to draw closer to Him will bring more of His blessings into our lives. 

    It is hoped that the edification of believers will be realized through this endeavor by helping Reformed Christians gain a clearer understanding of why infants are baptized from a Reformed perspective. Conversely, it is hoped this material will help eliminate wrong reasons for baptizing infants. Infants should not be baptized because it is believed their parents’ faith has saved them. Saving faith must be and always is personal. Infants should not be baptized because they are presumed to be saved. There is nothing to be gained by such a presumption. Infants should not be baptized because of tradition. Tradition can be a tool to aid our understanding of God, it is not an end unto itself. Infants should not be baptized because the waters of baptism wash away their (original) sin. The physical waters of baptism do not save. Infants should not be baptized if neither of the parents is a Christian.

    Infants of believers should be baptized because 1.) God is reaching out to them through His covenant and desires them to be saved and 2.) as Creator and Judge of the universe, God rightfully has a claim on their lives.

    It is hoped that the unity of Christians will be realized with the Baptist readers of this material.  It is hoped that even though it is highly unlikely Baptist readers will come to embrace infant baptism, they will at least see that it is possible to practice the baptism of infants without destroying the essence of personal saving faith. Should the material succeed in this goal, then these Baptist readers will know that Christ has in fact redeemed some of the members of Paedo-Baptist churches - believing Baptists have brothers and sisters in Paedo-Baptist fellowships.

    Ideally as fellow believers we would all either decide to follow the Anabaptists in their theology and practice, or we would all decide to embrace the Abrahamic covenant in our understanding of Scripture.  Every step that can be made toward unity in truth is a step well taken.  After all, either Baptists are right in their understanding of baptism or the practice of baptizing infants is correct.  They can't both be Scriptural!

     

    It has been my experience over the last 30 years that I learn the most when discussing a topic with someone who believes differently than I do.  When discussing something with someone who believes exactly as I do there is a lot of nodding of heads.  However, when I discuss matters with someone who thinks differently, they are not so quick to rubber stamp statements.  They are quicker to critique what I say, to challenge it's accuracy.  They work harder to keep me on target.  That is good.  I trust others have experienced the same thing. 

    Hopefully the paper posted for discussion will contribute to the advancement of this topic.

     

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    How Crucial is the Topic of Baptism?

     

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