Infant Baptism When Reformers Remove Lutherans (A Reaction to Ligon Duncan & Thabiti Anyabwile)

FLAME offers a Lutheran response to infant baptism as understood by both Presbyterian and Reformed Baptist Calvinist. Ligon Duncan represents the Presbyterian Calvinist position & Thabiti Anyabwile represents the Reformed Baptist Calvinist position. When the Reformers remove the Lutheran voice, baptism becomes a work rather than a gift. May the Lord bless this generation to see baptism as His gift to us and not a reward we earn. Nor our display of piety so as to prove something to God and others. Amen.

[Sarah-]

I was baptized Lutheran, left for nondenominational as I got married ; now converted back LCMS & learning biblical theology is so refreshing. Thanks for your video!

[stevegroth]

Amen. The Lutheran voice needs to be in the room. I’ve sat between a Calvinist and Arminian and heard them debate, while at times agreeing with both, and disagreeing with both.

[neverdiemedia]

1:31 - I watched the documentary, Calvinist, with a Calvinist friend of mine, and it hit me that they give credit to Luther for starting the Reformation, but don’t include Lutheran doctrine in the documentary. They simply pit Calvinism vs. Arminianism. We would pause and discuss and I’d tell my friend, there’s another perspective on these things that isn’t even being discussed and I would explain the Lutheran view. Mind blowing how Lutheran doctrine is left out…thanks for affirming what I’ve noticed in Reformed spaces. 🙏🏼

[samsonsupaka]

Those baptised in the Lutheran Church gave the world most of the smartest brains in the last century bringing the sciences to where it is now.

[daric_]

20:00 Love that analogy of the hospital. I was Mormon for nearly 30 years, then God saved me. I became Reformed Baptist because I was attracted to Calvinism and the Presbyterian defense of infant baptism didn't make sense: how is one in the covenant but not have what the covenant entails? And why are physical children of believers already "holy, " according to their interpretation of 1 Cor. 7, but also not saved?

But through much prayer and study, I came to a very similar understanding of God working in and through baptism to save as you.

If one just reads the baptism passages (John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38-39, Romans 6:3-6, Galatians 3:26-27, Ephesians 5:26, Titus 3:3-5, etc.), it's clear God saves in and through baptism through the working of the Holy Spirit by faith in the Word in and with the water.

It gave me a new appreciation of God's grace and how He is so good! He does it all for us! We contribute nothing!

[markcallion]

The passage from Matthew 28 shows the order of teach, baptize, teach.

This discussion hold a great perspective that all should consider. Great job highlighting the differences in positioning.

[chancebelk]

God don't need our good works, but our neighbors do 🎤 drop!

[traditionallenses]

Eastern Orthodox viewer here, enjoyed your video and subscribed.

[grettirasmundarson]

Great video, my brother! Infant baptism is the most explicit and clearest expression of salvation by grace alone, it’s puzzling to me how other kinds of Christians don’t see that.

[truelife]

Great video, Flame! I appreciate this conversation as I was baptized at the age of five. I grew up in the Missionary Baptist Church, but my Dad, who was a theologian, introduced me to the diverse perspectives of the various denominations under the Christian umbrella. However, I would consider myself Baptist Lutheran, if that's the thing, since I'm connecting with many of the points of both camps. Thank you for highlighting the vital work of Martin Luther and how we can have these conversations that can bring continuity of Christ's message to the world and find Unity within the body of Christ.

[proteges]

Amen Flame. There is so much from Luther’s teaching on baptism that is truly unavoidably correct. There is just to much emphasis on inspecting and waiting on fruit to determine if one deserves/earned the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit spoken of in Acts, through baptism. It just can’t be denied that Peter is saying this. What a promise!!!

It was interesting both those camps investigated fruit first. That is works base and it’s plainly obvious.

“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts‬ ‭2:38‬.

More can be said but thank you for this video my guy!

[brianwest]

The reason they come to different conclusions is because the error of enthusiasm is so prevalent.

[frednaumann]

This was good. More of this please. I appreciate you brining in the youtube video of the short debate on baptizing. More and more people get their information or hear people's take on things. You are spot on with what the Bible says about baptism.

[Jawond]

As a presbyterian I respect the Lutheran view of baptism and Communion

[meadowgeorge]

I’ve been on a journey to figure this all out, thank I’m a former Lutheran, left it for the past 23 years, now realizing that it’s where I need to get back to. (Obviously not the ELCA though).

[rickchapman]

LCMS at heart SBC by practicality. Reason Lutherans are not heard is 1. It appears Catholic and is they do not have it all wrong. 2 LCMS WE RARELY ENGAGE WITH OTHERS IN A PUBLIC FORMATE.

[WittenbergProject]

great analysis in brotherly love. Love the highlight of the points of differences

[ChericeGraham]

In Acts 2, it seems Peter was (under inspiration) promising the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit to the children of the adults who were cut to the heart *that day*, not having to wait for some time off in the future (that is, for the children they already had; of course, it would continue into the future).

[jonathanrocha]

We do need more unity among all the Protestants

[alanfarhi]

The Lutherans are in their own world. ;-) Largely, that's why they often aren't in the discussions, which is a shame. Luther, the big sole fide guy, yet didn't feel it needed to be set against baptism. FWIW, the Presbyterian view is that Baptism is a means of grace. It conveys all that it represents. Presbyterians are afraid of their own confessions. ;-) Also...to be honest, Baptists don't "purify" the church by waiting for professions of faith to baptize. All the apostates in Acts and in the Epistles were baptized as believers.