Many thanks to my dear Brother in Christ, the Rev Jim Tuckett of the Westminster Fellowship for this piece. My pastor in Pennsylvania preached on this very topic yesterday!!!
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Col. 2: 11-12
Two and two continues to make four, in spite of the whine of the amateur for three, or the cry of the critic for five.
James Whistler
Should we baptize our children? Since the days of the Reformation, Reformed theologians have differed on this question. Reformed Baptists hold that baptism should be reserved for those who have come to repentance and made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Reformed Paedobaptists believe that the children of believers should also be baptized. It is a fact that groups that subscribe to Reformed theology differ on the answer to this question.
The Reformed Baptist Position
Reformed Baptists base their position on two principles. First, all commands and virtually all examples of baptism in the New Testament are preceded by repentance and faith.
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2: 38
Jesus connected teaching and baptism.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matt. 28: 19-20
Second, Reformed Baptists argue that as Biblical history moved from the Old Testament to the New Covenant in Christ, a purification of the covenant community took place. Unlike the Old Testament community which included believers, unbelieving neighbors, children and servants, the New Covenant community is restricted to believers only.
No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Jer. 31: 34
While admitting that the Church is not pure, Reformed Baptists feel that one way to encourage this ideal is make sure baptized members have made a credible profession of faith in Christ.
The Reformed Paedobaptists Position
Paedobaptists admit that the majority of examples of baptism in the New Testament are believer/adult baptisms. But that is to be expected; Christianity was just being introduced. These were first generation saints.
Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Acts 16: 32-33
It is a fair assumption to think that household baptisms included children.
1. Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church; but also, to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life. Which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world.
2. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel, lawfully called thereunto.
3. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.
4. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one, or both, believing parents, are to be baptized.
Westminster Confession
Paedobaptists argue that children should be baptized for two other reasons. First, they do not believe that the Church can really be pure until Christ returns.
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
Matt. 13: 24-30
It is indisputable that under the covenants of the Old Testament, children were included; and while it is true, we are now under the New Covenant in Christ, the full promise of that covenant has yet to be realized. The parable of the wheat and tares reveals the danger of humanly attempting to purify the Church. Until the Lord returns, many of the patterns of the Old Testament covenant community continue to be valid.
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2: 39
Peter made it clear on Pentecost that, like the promises of previous covenants, the New Covenant promise was for the children of saints, too. The order and priority is the same: first to believers; second, to their children; and third, to those who are far off.
Secondly, Paedobaptists argue from the Biblical parallels between circumcision and baptism.
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Col. 2: 11-12
If circumcision has been replaced with baptism, then the children of believers should be baptized.
Conclusion
So, who is right? Can Baptists be truly Reformed while withholding baptism from children? Are Paedobaptists guilty of reading something into Scripture that isn't there?
Whether the Church baptizes children, or withholds baptism until a person makes a profession of faith in Christ, one thing is indisputable: The Church has a responsibility to bring up children in the care and nurture of the Lord. Here is a congregational affirmation for all Christian churches:
We acknowledge the high call of God on our lives to teach our children to love the Lord with all their hearts, with all their souls and with all their strength.
We affirm that it is our duty to encourage our children to cherish the Word of God.
We will read and study the Bible regularly within our families and also within the Church.
We confess that we are too weak to nurture our children in our own strength.
We look to You, O Father, the true builder of families, to empower us with the grace to fulfill this sacred stewardship to children.
Amen
Reformed theology clearly teaches that baptism does not save anyone; rather it signifies the introduction of a person into a special covenant relationship with God. This is different from other Protestant denominations. Recently, I attended a Lutheran service where a young lady was baptized and then assured by the pastor that she was now saved. This is perfectly consistent with Lutheran doctrine. The sacraments are not signs of God's grace; they impart God's grace.
[The Sacraments. Most Presbyterian churches (to a greater or lesser degree) view the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper merely as "signs" or "symbols" of God's grace. Lutherans believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper (which is the true body and blood of Christ in, with, and under bread and wine) are actual means of God's grace through which the Holy Spirit works to convey and/or strengthen faith. (Lutheran Church - MO Synod web site http://www.lcms.org/Document.
The Bible clearly teaches that it is God alone, not the sacrament, who confirms this special relationship with His effective call.
Those who hold to baptizing children and those who believe baptism must wait until the person makes his confession of faith both believe that the Church has a responsibility to nurture children in the Christian faith.
*Baptists dedicate their children;
*Paedobaptistsbaptize their children.
The goal of both groups is to assist children in every way to reach a point in their lives where they recognize Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, professing the faith claimed by their parents for them in dedication or baptism.
Almighty and everlasting God,
Thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, hath ordained this sacrament.
Mercifully look upon us, Thy Church,
And ratify in Heaven that which we do, by His appointment, on earth.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Calvinists won't be the ones in Heaven. . .
Just the only ones who understand why we are there!
Just the only ones who understand why we are there!
The Old Gray Dog
Jim Tuckett
The Westminster Fellowship
Clearly and Unequivocally Proclaiming What It Means To Be Reformed Christians http://www.
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