Baptism and Children

How young is too young for children to be baptized? Link to article here: (http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/11/how-young-is-too-young-children-and-baptism/).

-

Note: Following the remembrance of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus (Good Friday and Easter), we can't help but think of the institution and meaning of Christian water baptism. Which is that: "Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19), to be to the person baptized a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, and burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:3; Col. 2:12), of his being ingrafted into him (Gal. 3:27), of remission of sins (Mk. 1:4; Acts 22:16), and of his giving up himself to God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4-5)." (source: A Puritan Catechism by C.H. Spurgeon) On this most Christians would agree.

-

After infant baptizing three of our four children, we moved from the position that believer's (those who have repented of their sins and placed their faith in Christ alone for salvation) and the children of believer's (or infants), should be baptized, to the position that only professing believer's should be the subjects of baptism. We found that if we practiced sola Scriptura (or, "Scripture alone" as our only authority), believer's baptism by immersion was the only form of Christian water baptism found in the Bible.

-
Some have likened the practice of infant baptism to the doctrine of the Trinity (there is only one God, and this one God exists as one essence in three Persons, which Persons are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three in One.). Proponents of infant baptism say, "it is true that the practice of infant baptism is not found in Scripture, but neither is the term, 'the Trinity'." But, unlike the doctrine of the Trinity, which is a theological term used to sum-up a definition found in Scripture (i.e.: Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6; Eph. 4:6; John 1:1-5, 14; John 10:30-33; John 20:28; Heb. 1:6-8; Phil. 2:9-11; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:16,17; Exo. 34:34; Matt. 28:19) , infant baptism is a practice which is not explicitly performed, or (we believe) inferred to be performed (implicit), in Scripture.
-

We realize that there is much involved in this debate. (i.e.: The covenants and to whom God made certain promises, the purpose and meaning of the church, the purpose and meaning of the nation Israel, and the national church system that was developed during the time of Constantine and continued through the reformation and is still influential to this day.) All of this can be very complex.

-

So, without getting into covenants and dispensations, we'll simply refer you to a critique of infant baptism by (dispensational) John MacArthur (http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/INFBAP.HTM) and to a critique by (covenantal) John Piper (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/1993/1500_Infant_Baptism_and_the_New_Covenant_Community). In addition, here is a Reformed (i.e.: not Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, or Catholic) defense of the practice by Michael Horton (http://www.scionofzion.com/infantbap.htm).

-

Being fully aware of the controversy that surrounds the ordinance of baptism among sincere and faithful Christians, we believe that baptism is extremely important to individual believer's, the church, and (far more critically) to God. After all, this ordinance was instituted by our Lord (John 4:1-2) and its practice was commanded by Him (Matt. 28:19).

-

Both the Baptist position (professing believer's only, or credobaptism), and the Reformed position (professing believer's and their infant children, or pedobaptism), hold firmly that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Rather, baptism is an important act of obedience to Christ. For more on this please follow this link to an article at Pulpit Magazine(http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/12/is-baptism-necessary-for-salvation/).

-

However, a question arises in the area of repentance of sin, faith of the individual being baptized, and identifying oneself with Christ and His church. As well, as submission to the authority, and discipline of the church. For more on church membership follow this link to Mark Dever's 9marks ministry (http://marks.9marks.org/Mark6/LessonE/Slide1of2).

-

To sum up, for the Reformed, the practice of infant baptism is more of a promise from the parents, and the church, to God for how a child is going to be raised (i.e. a replacement for circumcision, or sign and seal). Repentance of sin and a public profession of faith from that individual may (or may not) be confirmed years later (i.e. confirmation), entering them into full membership in the church at that time.

-

On the other hand, for the Baptist, baptism is performed as the way one publicly professes faith in Christ. This profession means that one is: repenting of sins, uniting with Jesus (in His righteousness, death, burial and resurrection), dying to self, walking in a newness of life, and becoming a member of the church.

-

Finally, Baptists would agree that it is the duty of Christian parents, and the church, to raise their children to know the Lord. However, for the Baptist, the ordinance of baptism, as it is found in Scripture, is not used for that. The sign of baptism is not given to one based on physical descent, but is spiritual and based on repentance and faith. The question is, which view does the Bible support?

-

In essentials unity,

In non-essentials liberty,

In all things charity.

-
"Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." (Col. 3:14)

-

*Please also note: That C.H. Spurgeon, John MacArthur, John Piper, Michael Horton, Mark Dever and R.C. Sproul (Sproul debated MacArthur on this subject and audio copies can be purchased here: https://store.ligonier.org/product.asp?idDept=A&idCategory=TH&idProduct=SPR03AC) all hold to a high view of the sovereignty of God and that salvation is by faith in Christ (and His work) alone. Additionally, the Holy Spirit's work in all of their ministries is evident and all but Spurpeon, have been highly educated by revered institutions. Yet, they all differ as to how they came to their theological position on this ordinance (or sacrament).

-

Dr. John MacArthur: Serves as Senior Pastor-Teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, the President of The Master's College and The Master's Seminary, and is the president and featured teacher of Grace to You. Education: B.A., Los Angeles Pacific College; M.Div., Talbot Theological Seminary; Litt.D., Grace Graduate School; D.D., Talbot Theological Seminary.

-

Dr. John Piper: Serves as Senior Pastor-Teacher of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is the founder and featured teacher of Desiring God Ministries. Education: B.A., Wheaton College; B.D., Fuller Theological Seminary; Dr. theol. University of Munich.

-

Dr. Michael Horton: Serves as Professor of apologetics and theology at Westminster Seminary California in Escondido, California, a minister in the United Reformed Churches of North America, and is a host and president of the White Horse Inn. Education: B.A., Biola University; M.A., Westminster Seminary California; Ph.D., University of Coventry and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

-

Dr. Mark Dever: Serves as Senior Pastor-Teacher of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. and is the Executive Director of the 9marks, a church ministry. Education: B.A., magna cum laude, Duke University; M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; M. theol., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Ph.D., Cambridge University.

-

Dr. R.C. Sproul: Professor, Senior Minister of preaching-teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel (PCA) in Sanford, Florida and chairman and featured teacher of Ligonier Ministries' Renewing Your Mind. Education: B.A. Westminster College; B.D. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; Drs. Free University of Amsterdam; Litt D. Geneva College; LHD Grove City College; Ph.D. Whitefield Theological Seminary.