INFANT BAPTISM - A VIEW

Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
This admonition to leave behind the fruitless and divisive discussions on basic doctrines is sound advice, and I hesitate to write this because of it. However, I have noticed a disagreement causing divisions, suspicions, and mutual rejection in the body of Christ because of this topic. This is just a basic presentation of principle without explanation. I don’t pretend that it is a complete argument for the practice, nor is it meant to be. It is merely meant to provide some basic scriptural foundation for acceptance.

Most of the churches I work with and speak or teach in do not agree with infant baptism. I see that there is scriptural foundation for baptism of infants, though the practice is never mentioned in the New Testament. My policy, which I hope you might also adopt, is to allow people their own view and interpretation of the scriptures, and to trust Jesus to correct them if they are wrong. Also I want to share differing views for the purpose of bringing some measure of understanding, thus peace, to the widely varying parts of the body of Christ. So I present here one view of why infant baptism might be accepted according to scriptural principles.

First, we look at baptism itself, and what it means.
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
We are, according to this verse, baptized into Jesus Christ, it is by baptism that we are adopted into the family of God, become children of God ‘officially.’ The Old Testament equivalent of this is circumcision which was done when the child was 8 days old. The child had no means of choosing for himself, but was brought into the same family the parents belong to, that is, the familly of God.

If the parents belong to the family of God, then the offspring are born physically into the same family, but for the spiritual adoption to take place, the child must be offered, and the ceremony done. In the Old Testament, this was circumcision, in the New Testament, it is baptism. If in the Old, 8 days was acceptable to God, why not in the New?

If a child is brought up in the knowledge and fear of the Lord, knowing only Jesus, each day confessing and being cleansed of sin along with the parents, then when the ‘age of accountability’ comes, there is no need for ‘repentance to salvation’ for the person is already walking with the Lord in His ways, according to the Christian ways. Will the child repent that he has followed Jesus all his life, and follow a new course? I don’t think so. Therefore, for such a child, repentance is not needed, and if already baptized into the family of God, already a child of God, then baptism into the family is no longer necessary, but he needs to take the vows for himself those vows that were made for him by family and community when he was baptised at infancy.

1 Cor 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
This verse indicates that the principle we saw above was also accepted by Paul when he wrote (albeit on a different topic altogether) to the Corinthians.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Alive to God in Jesus Christ. Are infants to be excluded?
– HWK –