Can you address infant baptism?
Introduction. Our answers are not influenced by creedal loyalty or political correctness. Our only desire is to allow the Bible to answer the questions we receive. The purpose and legitimate recipients of baptism is no exception.
Infant baptism presupposes the arbitrary imputation of original sin. The reason most who "baptize" infants do so is because they believe babies are born sinners because of Adam's sin. However, the scriptures show babies are conceived and born in a state of innocence. Jesus would not have used "little children" as positive examples and said "Except ye...become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" if they were lost in sin (Matt. 18: 3-4; 19: 14). Since babies have no sin, they have no need of baptism for the remission of sin (Acts 2: 38).
Infant baptism is not taught in the New Testament. The scriptures basically teach by express command, approved example, and necessary inference. Without exception, we do not find a command, example, or necessary inference for baptizing infants. We do find: "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women" (Acts 5: 14).
Candidates for baptism must believe, repent, and confess Christ. Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mk. 16: 16). The apostle Peter commands, "...Repent, and be baptized..." (Acts 2: 38). When the eunuch asked, " what doth hinder me to be baptized," he was told to believe (Acts 8: 36-37). He then confessed, "...I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God:" (vs. 37, KJV). The scriptures require such a confession prior to baptism (see Rom. 10: 9-10). A baby cannot believe, repent, and confess Christ. Hence, babies are not candidates for baptism, according to the scriptures.
Conclusion. As you can see, infant baptism is another doctrine of man, lacking Bible authority!
Infant baptism presupposes the arbitrary imputation of original sin. The reason most who "baptize" infants do so is because they believe babies are born sinners because of Adam's sin. However, the scriptures show babies are conceived and born in a state of innocence. Jesus would not have used "little children" as positive examples and said "Except ye...become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" if they were lost in sin (Matt. 18: 3-4; 19: 14). Since babies have no sin, they have no need of baptism for the remission of sin (Acts 2: 38).
Infant baptism is not taught in the New Testament. The scriptures basically teach by express command, approved example, and necessary inference. Without exception, we do not find a command, example, or necessary inference for baptizing infants. We do find: "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women" (Acts 5: 14).
Candidates for baptism must believe, repent, and confess Christ. Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mk. 16: 16). The apostle Peter commands, "...Repent, and be baptized..." (Acts 2: 38). When the eunuch asked, " what doth hinder me to be baptized," he was told to believe (Acts 8: 36-37). He then confessed, "...I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God:" (vs. 37, KJV). The scriptures require such a confession prior to baptism (see Rom. 10: 9-10). A baby cannot believe, repent, and confess Christ. Hence, babies are not candidates for baptism, according to the scriptures.
Conclusion. As you can see, infant baptism is another doctrine of man, lacking Bible authority!