Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: xzins
Nor is there anything in scripture that requires the baptizing of infants, nor is there anything that really even mentions the baptizing of infants.

Conversely, there is certainly nothing in scripture that says that Baptism is for adults only, and that children should not be baptized. However, in several places in the New Testament whole families or households were baptized, which most certainly included children, because later writers such as Origen, Cyprian and Augustine confirm it as the historical practice of the Church.

Paul says that baptism is the "circumcision of Christ."

and in Him (you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Colossians 2:11-12

Cordially,

120 posted on 08/15/2006 12:18:55 PM PDT by Diamond
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 92 | View Replies ]


To: Diamond
which most certainly included children,

That is an unfounded assumption on your part. The passages in question do not mention children. Therefore, you have a pure argument from silence in this regard, and it is not helpful.

Worse, there is mentioned in some manner in each household baptism story a note about those baptized coming to faith. This would not be reportable if those households included infants.

A better approach to justifying infant baptism is to recognize it as a probationary sign developed as a tradition to demonstrate a child's place within the household of God, for the certainly are set apart (sanctified) in the eyes of the Lord. "Otherwise your children would be unholy, but as it is they are holy."

This all holds until they "accept for themselves the gift of faith."

Just my 2 cents worth.

122 posted on 08/15/2006 2:27:40 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Supporting the troops means praying for them to WIN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 120 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson