Transcript Infant Baptism - Christadelphians

Infant Baptism
• Catholic Beliefs as Listed on their
Internet Web Site
• What the Bible Teaches
Catholic Beliefs
• Infant Baptism is a Sacrament
• Infant Baptism accomplishes remission of
original sin
• Peter in Acts 2:39 teaches baptism of infants
• Matthew 19:14, Luke 18:15 teaches that children
should come to Jesus to - to be baptized
• Colossians 2:11-12 states that baptism replaces
circumcision; infants were circumcised, so
infants should be baptized.
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References that Catholics Use
• Acts 16:15 - “Lydia was baptized,
with her household”
• Acts 16:33 - “The Philippian jailor
was baptized, with all his family”
• 1 Cor.1:16 - “Paul did baptize also the
household of Stephanas”
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Early Believers
• “No one, apparently, was claiming
that the practice was contrary to
Scripture or tradition. It was as
though they were saying, ‘We all
agree infants can be baptized and
that infant baptism was practiced
from the first”
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Infant Baptism is a Sacrament (1)
• Sacrament \Sac"ra*ment\, n. [L. sacramentum an
oath, a sacred thing, a mystery, a sacrament, fr.
sacrare to declare as sacred, sacer sacred: cf. F.
sacrement. See Sacred.] 1. The oath of allegiance
taken by Roman soldiers; hence, a sacred ceremony
used to impress an obligation; a solemn oath-taking;
an oath. [Obs.]
• Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
• http:\\www.dictionary.com\
Infant Baptism is a Sacrament (2)
• Baptism is a promise / an oath
• Can an infant make a promise, when
it cannot speak?
• Can an infant of 8 days old reason?
• Can an infant make a life long
commitment?
• Can an infant “Repent” Acts 2:38
Infant Baptism accomplishes remission
of original sin(1)
• “The Church received from the apostles
the tradition of giving baptism even to
infants. The apostles, to whom were
committed the secrets of divine
sacraments, knew there is in everyone
innate strains of [original] sin, which must
be washed away through water and the
Spirit” (Origen Commentaries on Romans 5:8 [A.D.248])
Infant Baptism accomplishes remission
of original sin(2)
• Roman 5:8 “But God commendeth
his love toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
• This verse is understood to mean
that Christ paid Adam’s debt by
dying instead of the sinner.
Therefore, salvation is offered by
grace alone.
Infant Baptism accomplishes remission
of original sin(3)
• The statement “Christ died for us” does not mean “instead
of”. See its usage 1 Cor.15:3; Gal.1:4; Heb.10:12; Heb.7:25
• If Jesus died as a substitute for me, paying my penalty, then
why should I die?
• If the sacrifice of Christ were a substitute, how can there be
real forgiveness with God. Christ has paid, there is no debt.
• If Christ’s death were a substitution, instead of the sinner,
then the redeeming power lay in his death not in his
resurrection but see Rom.4:25; 1 Cor.15:17
• The Scriptural language is that Christ died that he “should
taste death for every man.” Heb 2:9 This is the language of
representation, not substitution.
Peter in Acts 2:39 teaches baptism of
infants
• “For the promise is to you and to your
children”
• The promise here is thought to mean the
sacrament of baptism.
• The promise here refers to the promises to
Abraham “If you are of Christ, then are
you a seed of Abraham, even heirs
according to promise.” - Gal 3:29
Matthew 19:14, Luke 18:15 teaches that children
should come to Jesus to - to be baptized
• “But Jesus said, Allow the little
children, and do not prevent them to
come to Me; for of such is the
kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)
• “They brought infants to Him also, that He
might touch them.” (Luke 18:15)
• These verses DO NOT mention baptism of
infants.
Colossians 2:11-12 states that baptism replaces
circumcision; infants were circumcised, so infants should be
baptized(1).
• “In him you have been circumcised, with a
circumcision performed, not by human
hand, but by the complete stripping off
your natural self. This circumcision is
according to Christ.You have been buried
with him by your baptism; by which, too,
you have been raised up with him through
your belief in the power of God who raised
him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:11-12)
Colossians 2:11-12 states that baptism replaces
circumcision; infants were circumcised, so infants should be
baptized(2).
• “Put away… your former manner of life, the old
man… and be renewed in the spirit of your
mind… Put on the new man” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
• Baptism is the sign that we have understood the
Gospel.
• Circumcision a reminder of the Covenant made
with Abraham
• Whilst Baptism did replace circumcision, baptism
and circumcision symbolize different things, and
baptism demands an individual to understand.
Whole Households Baptized(1)
• “For I know him, that he will command his
children and his household after him, and
they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do
justice and judgment; that the LORD may
bring upon Abraham that which he hath
spoken of him.” (Genesis 18:19)
• “Household” Heb.1004 Y.g. 
“Congregation”(Ges.) To be in the household
you had to be at least 30 years old.
Whole Households Baptized(2)
• 1 Cor1:16, Acts 16:33, Acts 16:15 all
use same Greek Word (oikoj)
Young.3624
• “The House where God was regarded
as present… the tabernacle” - Thayer
Early Believers
• Dr.L.Lange, (German theologian) “It must be granted by
every unprejudiced reader of Holy Scripture and Christian
antiquity that the baptism of new-born children was
altogether unknown to primitive Christianity”
(History of Protestantism, p. 221).
• Dean Stanley “The practice of immersion, apostolic and
primitive as it was… was peculiarly unsuitable to the taste,
and convenience and the feelings of the North and West…
Not by an decree of Council… but by the general sentiment
of Christian liberty, this great change (to infant sprinkling)
was effected… It is a striking example of the triumph of
common sense over the bondage of form and custom”
(The Nineteenth Centuary Review, Oct. 1879).