Biblical Truth About Infant Baptism

Other questions on water baptism are answered in this previous podcast Questions About Baptism, and for more information regarding water baptism, the believer and whatever is not of faith, you can listen to or watch the following expositional sermons preached by Dr. Richard Caldwell:

This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host, Dr. Josh Philpot discuss the question: Is infant baptism a sin? A listener has written in asking the question. It appears the listener adheres to believer’s baptism as what they find Scriptures to teach. They understand that they can fellowship with other believers from other denominations that practice and administer infant baptism. But they want to know, are those fellow believers sinning if they baptize their babies?

Dr. Caldwell says these are issues that matter and we should never treat them as though they don’t. Our teaching on this and other certain issues are consequential and we need to acknowledge this, to ourselves and to those we teach it. He gives us an example of his particular teaching on marriage and divorce. He explains that even though good brothers disagree on this issue, it also is not without consequence. He explains that if he is wrong on the issue, then he is restricting people in an area where God has set them free.

On the other hand, if he is right on the issue then he has some brothers that are participating in an act of sin. Whichever way they go on the issue, they can agree and acknowledge that neither of them purposely wants to violate scripture, but both cannot be right. So it cannot be said that it does not matter, because it does. The issue with baptism is the same.

In the issue of baptism, we can have fellowship with other brothers (and sisters) who believe and teach differently about it. But our friendships must first be based on what’s most important; that is Christ. Christ, the gospel and the Word of God are things that must be agreed upon. Dr. Caldwell gives us an example of the friendship between John MacArthur and the late R.C. Sproul. He reminds us that they both agreed on these things. Even when it came to the issue of baptism they both agreed that the only and final standard that mattered is Scripture. Both men looked to the Word of God to get their answer, they just didn’t agree with what they found there.

Dr. Caldwell says the mistake he sees that is being made regarding infant baptism, is that an argument is being made from silence. Those who practice infant baptism say, the Scriptures seem to imply this, and the Scriptures do not forbid it. But what they cannot do is point to a single New Testament text that clearly indicates that infants were or are to be baptized. However, there are clear New Testament texts that indicate the baptism of believers. Dr. Caldwell explains that what baptism signifies and what it pictures has everything to do with regeneration, new birth, new life in Christ. This then is just not something that makes sense when practiced or administered to infants.

He makes the point that you can’t take one of the ordinances that Christ has given His church and misrepresent it and misapply it without on some level being sinful. If we take anything God has given and we misunderstand it, misappropriate it, misuse it and hold people accountable for something that isn’t His word, there’s a sinful element to that. However, would we say that those denominations that practice and administer infant baptism are doing it intentionally? No, he says, not at all and this would not be a matter over which we should break fellowship with someone. Unless of course, they are someone who is saying that water baptism saves (either of infant or adult). This is not the gospel, this would result in a break, a real break!

Dr. Philpot jumps in and reminds us that baptism is essential because it’s a command of Jesus, so we have to do it. He also reminds us that the book of James even teaches that for those who teach the Word of God there is higher accountability for what they teach. They have a responsibility and duty to teach it accurately. So it’s not without consequence, it’s very serious and could be sinful. He then says there may even be other areas where we are blind from time to time, where we are leading people in the wrong direction.

Dr. Caldwell agrees and also reminds us that there needs to be humility when it comes to these things. We need to be constantly open before the Lord to see the truth even if it means that we have to change our positions. We need to be willing to look honestly into the Scriptures and say, what does the Bible expressly teach. He says that in all our areas of worship we need to be very careful of saying, “well the Bible doesn’t forbid it, therefore, I’m free to do it”. That’s not a safe way to approach it; God’s Word tells us that “whatever is not of faith, is sin”.

[calico]

As one having a “sprinkle” baptism, I do not believe that infant baptism is a sin. As a Lutheran, I was not baptized to be saved but to include me in the community of believers who will all help along with our parents, to raise us as baby Christians into believers by the time we reach our teen years. We go through a very serious Confirmation Study and at the end we confirm our faith in Jesus as our Savior. This does not save us either but it part of the training of becoming a Christian. I don’t feel that because I was not part of a total immersion baptism, that I need to have to show my confessed faith by being re-baptized. I just find this argument as to whether it is sin or not is just abhorrent and accusatory. I have listened to several Christian YouTube presentations along with scripture to show that it is NOT a sin to baptize infants. I don’t recall Jesus saying you’re commanded to baptize but not the tiny babies. Don’t baptize them. That is a sin.

[sergiomadrigal]

Amen baptism is for believers you are so correct

[MissingTrails]

If you look into the Scriptures to see what the Bible expressly teaches about baptism, you will be unable to believe that baptism is about your profession of faith. You have to argue from silence to do so.

[RohanNavgire]

What about Acts 2:39? It says that the promise is for you and your CHILDREN. I don't think children here means their children when they grow up.
Were there infants among those who were baptised that day when Peter preached?

[joshcardone]

Baptisms are for those who are already Christians. A baptism is something sacred between a believer and Jesus. The believer is identifying with his life, death and resurrection. It is something personal and intimate. And when one a infant they are taking away something that's supposed to be very personal between the believer and Jesus Christ. Yes, that person could always get baptized when they get older when they really come to their faith. But overall it is not biblical

[ByGracethroughFaithEph..]

The ordinance of Baptism points to Christ and his promises. Baptism is a sign of Gods Holy covenant people and his promises and eternal life is circumcision of the heart.

[michaelharrington]

Baptizing Households

Acts 16:15 After she [Lydia] and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Acts 16:31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had come to believe in God with his entire household.

1 Corinthians 1:14 I [Paul] thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say you were baptized in my name. 16 I did, in fact, baptize the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t recall if I baptized anyone else. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

He [Jesus] came to save all through himself; all, I say, who through him are reborn in God: infants, and children, and youths, and old men. Therefore he passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age . . . [so that] he might be the perfect teacher in all things, perfect not only in respect to the setting forth of truth, perfect also in respect to relative age.
Irenaeus
Against Heresies 2:22:4, A.D. 189

Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them.
Hippolytus
The Apostolic Tradition 21:16, A.D. 215

The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants. The apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of the divine sacraments, knew there are in everyone innate strains of [original] sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit.
Origen
Commentaries on Romans 5:9, A.D. 248

If, in the case of the worst sinners and those who formerly sinned much against God, when afterwards they believe, the remission of their sins is granted and no one is held back from baptism and grace, how much more, then, should an infant not be held back, who, having but recently been born, has done no sin, except that, born of the flesh according to Adam, he has contracted the contagion of that old death from his first being born. For this very reason does he [an infant] approach more easily to receive the remission of sins: because the sins forgiven him are not his own but those of another.
Cyprian of Carthage
ibid., 58:5

Entrance Into A Covenant

Colossians 2:11 You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.

Genesis 17:26 On that very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. 27 And all the men of his household—whether born in his household or purchased from a foreigner—were circumcised with him.

As to what pertains to the case of infants: You [Fidus] said that they ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, that the old law of circumcision must be taken into consideration, and that you did not think that one should be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day after his birth. In our council it seemed to us far otherwise. No one agreed to the course which you thought should be taken. Rather, we all judge that the mercy and grace of God ought to be denied to no man born.
Cyprian of Carthage
Letters 58:2, A.D. 253

When Believers are Baptized

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

[colepriceguitar]

Do you believe that fetuses are just as alive as babies? If so you would believe that infants must be baptized in the womb or we are not being obedient.

[playzonetime]

christians dont argue please.. people here in the comment section. we are not to judge others about there opinion only jesus can judge us at the end please focus on your desire to what jesus really wants to your life. love one another. may the Lord have mercy on us.

[kelvinmwongera]

Age of accountability is there but you won't find the exact words. Just the same way you will find nowhere in the Bible mentioned trinity but we believe in the trinity. On verses about age of accountability check- James 4:17, Proverbs 20:11, Ezekiel 18:20, Luke 2:41-46. I believe part of the definition of who a Christian is, is to emulate Christ & Christ Himself made the decision by Himself to get baptised. The book of Acts is mostly about the Holy Spirit & baptism & it teaches about believing 1st then getting baptised, not the other way round, being baptised & then believing later.

[firstangry]

Baptism of infants started when the infant mortality rates were extremely high so people wanted to allow the Lord to grant them salvation as early as possible. However, with recent technological advancements, we are not only relying on God Himself to grant these infants salvation. Therefore, we should follow the actions of Christ by choosing to baptize ourselves. If you wait to be baptized, God does not consider that a sin. I would actually argue that it is much more meaningful to choose your own baptism because you are accepting the Lord as a believer. Infants are not born with original sin, and you can only be baptized once, so why would we baptize an infant who is a nonbeliever (since they can’t even understand words, let alone Christianity) and take away their one chance at a true baptism and the acceptance of the Lord into their life for salvation.

[jzak]

There's not one single verse of Scripture that says infants and young children cannot be baptized. If it was that important to not baptize infants and children, then Scripture would have said so. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus also said, "Unless you are born again of water and spirit, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Do you see any exceptions being made?

[gsp]

I mean, if you hold to the new doctrine of dispensationalism that says God has delt with humanity in a disjointed, back and forth, whiplash inducing, manner, and that Jesus basically came to make a new religion and not simply as the ultimate fulfillment of Gods already established belief system, then yeah infant baptism doesn't have a leg to stand

[ByGracethroughFaithEph..]

I like to know when eight-day-old babies were excluded from God's covenant and God's promises.
In the Bible God's covenant promises included Believers and their children in Gen17:7 by the sign of physical Circumcision or by the sign of Baptism Acts2:38-39.
When there is continuity in the Bible the ordinances made by God of Baptism and Lord supper point to God's promises, covenants and adoption(Rom9:4)which included 8 day old babies, or believes and their Children and I would also agree
that all God's Holy Covenant people also needed circumcision of the heart throughout the Bible, Being adopted as God's Holy Covenant people by Baptism was not eternal life according to 1Cor10:1-7.

[morneterblanche]

When not trusting God in knowing the intensions of the thoughts and hearts of all living, and do things without the consent of a child's own free will .
Doing something, I case is good, but not necessary.

You only get baptized when you are ready and know why it is necessary before you die..

The meaning of baptism is I portent to teach

[RitchButch]

where was the scriptura before 4th century

[evangellyfishlife]

Unfortunately Baptist hold to a heresy called Marcionism which teaches that Jesus came to start a new religion, this of course is false, which is why Baptist don’t understand the biblical doctrine of infant baptism