Infant Baptism

Infant Baptism

Rev 9-Jul-09

Legend:My words are in bold blue, [my entries], Christ' words are in red, Words in black are text lifted from reference material. Caps, boldfaced type and/or underlining are my personal added emphasis. Numbers preceded with the letters "H" or "G" represent the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance reference numbers.

One of the most important rituals or ceremonies of the Christian Church is the initiation of an individual into the Church of God. This message "To repent” and then to be baptized, was preached by John as well as Jesus. This is the first of the sacraments. The ceremonial part today, is performed by immersing the individual in water or by pouring or sprinkling water on the individual, as a symbol of washing away sin and at the same time, symbolizing the death and resurrection of that individual as a new "Heaven bound" person. This death and resurrection also allows all persons who want to be Christians, but for some reason are obligated to other laws, to enter in; the Jews for example. This New life is under a new Priesthood and involves a change in the "Law" also. This means that a Christian is obliged to follow the teachings and interpretation of God’s law as the Apostle and High Priest Jesus Christ handed down to us. We are no longer bound to the strict concepts as practiced by the Jews under the Mosaic priesthood. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [To receive him is to believe in him.] Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. [This "being buried" is indicative of being submerged in water baptism.] Gal 3:27-28 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. [To be one into Jesus Christ indicates that repentance has to come before baptism, not after. Note also that one is to be baptized unto Christ, as read here and not as Matt 28:19 reads in most translations made after the Nicene Council of 325AD. Someone changed the baptism “name(singular)” from “in my name” to include The Father, The Son, & The Holy Spirit, to agree with the doctrine of the Trinity.] Rom 6:4-6 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. [This "being raised from the dead" is

indicative of coming up out of the water. This verse also indicates that there is an awareness and understanding by the one being baptized. Also note the "Knowing this", as indicating a certain maturity of the subject. In other words, "believers baptism" for babies are incapable of this level of understanding.] This baptizing by immersion into the water, in the name of Jesus, is therefore a little more than just a symbolic death and burial of the old self. It is a conscience division between the different concepts of living between Earthly of Spiritual. This is followed by the emerging out of the water as a rebirth to a “New” life with Christ as Lord and saviour. The coming up out of the water is a symbolic second birth or spiritual birth to live a new life with Christ, a changing from the old carnal way of living to the new spiritual lifestyle. This ritual signifies a being "Born again" or being “born from above”. After Christ's resurrection, there is also the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that is a complete submersion into the Spiritual waters by the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit. This however, seems to have almost been lost over time and it appears that only a few Christians have experienced this gift in today's Church; mostly within the Protestant groups. This Baptism of the Holy Spirit should be a required prerequisite for all Priest/Preachers. Mat 3:11 I (John) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. But Baptism unto repentance, in my opinion, should be celebrated on mature adults primarily. Infants are not mature enough to even understand anything about what is going on. About the only thing that happens to a baby at Baptism is that they get wet or in some cases, scared.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [Those persons who are still under the custody of their parents, children for example, are under Grace through the believing parent who is baptized and need not to be baptized until they are mature enough to choose baptism for themselves. One of the arguments for infant baptism is this reference. Jesus says of children: Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. But this verse has nothing to do with Baptism.]

Luke 8:11-12 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [No mention of children, nor is it necessary for little children to be baptized at that early time of their development.] (Acts 16:31 KJV) "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 19:3-6 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: Children of a Christian household are under grace of a believing parent. In fact, the children are considered as being Holy. Ref: 1 Corinthians 7:12 - 14 (KJV) 12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the (believing) wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the (believing) husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. Therefore, as long as the children are under this household, they are sanctified by the believing parent. But children grow up and frequently fall into sin. For this reason, believing, repentance and Baptism is a requirement with maturity. It is highly recommended that one undergoes baptism before they leave their parents household.]

Jesus himself also felt the need to be baptized: (Mat 3:15 KJV) And Jesus answering said unto him (John the Baptist), Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he (John the Baptist) suffered him (Jesus) (to be baptized).

Why should Jesus need or want to be baptized? Because Jesus taught that all persons must be baptized; John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Even after those that had received the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit", it was still considered necessary for them to be baptized with water unto repentance and the washing away of original sin. Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Baptism by immersion should be the standard as it was in the beginning.

John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Acts 8:36,37 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [Then he was baptized. This apparent need for much water indicates that a sprinkling isn't sufficient.] Baptism by sprinkling I'm sure is acceptable to God in those circumstances when it is not practical otherwise. However, the necessity for children to be baptized when one of the parents is a believer is unnecessary because they are under Grace through the believing parent. The fact that children grow and start to imitate others and therefore baptism for these is necessary also. The rebellious nature of man in general make it necessary for all adults to undergo baptism because of the requirement for repentance first. When a person believes that they are baptized because of his infant baptismal ceremony, they are robbed of the opportunity to experience repentance and conversion, thus eliminating the need for making the commitment to Christ. With this public witness, it also helps to keep the converts honest. In my opinion, if there is no conversion, most people will continue to live in their corrupt earthly ways, as the opportunity arises, and therefore will not make the grade and consequently, may die in their sins. For all those people in this category, we could believe in a purgatory or reincarnation or something beyond physical death to purify their souls, or they will simply die away. Repentance and baptism are spiritual law. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [These are the words of Jesus.]

As for the choices for purification after physical death, I opt for reincarnation. The flood during Noah's time was a type of baptism when the whole world was submerged under water to remove that which was corrupted. 1 Pet 3:20-21 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Likewise, Paul sees in this act a spiritual cleansing. Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, I believe that this is the root of Christian baptism. It is then asked, "What about all those people who were baptized simply by sprinkling and never made the conversion, are they all simply lost?" Of course not, they are simply "watered down" Christians, but the point is that by bending the rules, the structure is weakened and we see the results in the Christian church of today. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. It appears that for those who truly accept this Baptism by water and walk the walk, have an added promise as stated below: (Acts 2:38 KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [This means that you must be baptized for the remission of sins. But repentance is necessary.] Hopefully this will happen in this Earthly life cycle. Amen