Why I Don’t Believe in Infant Baptism

Baptism is one of the most misunderstood acts Christianity today. Some say, that they are dedicating their children to God by having them baptized as a baby. I would guess that the logic of this would be, that the Jews circumcised their male babies on the 8th day as was prescribed under the law of Moses (Leviticus 12:3) to put them in a covenant relationship with God; then at 12 Jewish boys had a barmitzvah. But, what about female babies and were they dedicated to the Lord as children; No, I haven't read of any place in the Bible where that took place. In the Catholic Church and other Denominations its the something. Babies male and female are baptized and then at about 12 they are confirmed in thier faith. But, is that what the Bible teaches ???

I would like to carry you through a look at baptism; what is it; what does it mean; and how the first century Church viewed it.

If I were to say to you," do you believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ"? You would probably say "yes". But, if I were to ask you ,"what is the gospel"? You might say," the good news, or Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,,". And, you would be right of coarse. But, what does the Bible say the gospel is? 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. (NIV) Vs 1. Paul reminds the Church at Corinth of the simple gospel message he preached. Paul in vs. 2 reminded them that this message saved them unless you don't believe it. The Gospel which Paul preached is so simple that it can be stated in one sentence. Vs. 3-6 Christ died for our sins, he was buried and raised again on the third day, and there were witnesses to these events.

So your answers above would have been correct. The Gospel is the Good News; and, the Death, Burial, Resurrection, and witnessing of all 3 events is recorded in the 4 gospels.

So what does that have to do with Baptism? Baptism and the Gospel, mirror one another. Look below Romans 6:3-6 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin -- (NIV)

Vs 3 when you are baptized you are baptized into the Death of Jesus, Vs 4 you are Buried through baptism, Raised from your dead past, to a new life. Vs 5 you can't be in his (Christ) resurrection if you haven't been united with him in his death to have that new life. Which, only happens though baptism. So here in baptism we have the Death, Burial, and Resurrection; just, as in the Gospel.

So could we not say; that Baptism is an affirming you believe the gospel by action and not only a confession that you believe. There's and old saying, "actions speak louder than words".

Peter says it clears our conscience. 1 Peter 3:20-21 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also -- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (NIV)

Look back at Romans 6:4 it says that you are baptized INTO Christ. Galatians 3:27 for all of you who were baptized INTO Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (NIV) What does this INTO mean? That means you are baptized INTO his body; your baptized INTO his Church and become a member of his Church. Romans 6:4 also says that because of this we have a new begining. Some call it a new birth, but verse 4 just tells us its a new life.

Who can do this baptism? Both verses below says you must first believe or have faith. Mark 16:15-16 the one who believes and is baptized. You must believe or baptism is no good. Acts 18 :8 the entire house hold believed and were baptized. So if their were children their they had to be able to believe in Gospel. Remember the Gospel was the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Can a baby understand what death is? Can a baby understand what a burial is? Can a baby understand what a resurrection is? Can a baby believe in or have faith that Jesus Christ is the son of God? If a baby can't understand even what the terms are how can they believe. Mark 16:15-16 15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (NIV) Acts 18:8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. (NIV) Now many will say that belief is all you need to be saved, because baptism is a work. We are saved by grace of God and not by works. Ephesians 2:1-10 1. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God --9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

Many will say Just call on the name of the Lord and except Jesus as your personal savior a you will be saved. Pray this simple prayer for Jesus to come into you heart and confess his name that's all it takes. The prayer of coarse is no were in the bible. The same people will say you must confess Jesus and I agree with you must confess. I also agree if you do not believe or have faith in Christ all the confessing, repenting, and baptising in the world will not save you. I believe thats what Mark 16:15-16 is saying.

But one must ask is belief, faith, confession, or repentance not a work? Is confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God not a work? Is Repenting which means changing your whole life around from a sinful one, to a Godly one; which, may cause you to lose friends or family not a work? Requiring some one to confess Jesus as the Son of God is that not requiring some one to do something, is that not work? Baptism is no different than these. Can a Baby do any of what I mentioned above? The scripture below talks about those who confess are saved Romans 10:9-17 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile -- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (NIV).

But when you read of people confessing it was followed with them being baptized. See the chart at the bottom. The question must be asked can a infant do those things in the chart below?

The innocence of a child is spoken of in the Bible,. Jesus tell us if we are not like them we can't enter the Kingdom of heaven. Baptizing Babies started late in history by the Catholic Church and is a Tradition and not a commandment. We believe 2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (NIV) Do you see what the scripture says it is all encompassing; teaching each other; rebuking someone who doesn't follow or speaks something wrong; training someone up in the ways of the Lord. The Bible is complete and if we believe that then; we must believe that he would tell us what to do. If it not necessary then why he even mention it. Matthew 18:2-6 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (NIV) Matthew 19:13-15 13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. (NIV)

In Just a short time we have discussed that baptizing babies is a traditional action not in the Bible. We saw that one must hear the word of God and babies although the can hear they can't understand; that one must believe (faith) and that an baby can't do that; that one must repent or change our sinful direction and turn to a Godly direction and babies have to sinful life to change from; that one must confess Jesus Christ is the Son of God and babies can't even speak. Then after that one is Baptized.

When we are baptized into Christ we have many blessings . Blessings of being IN CHRIST are as follows: Romans 3:22-24 No distinction Romans 6: 23 Eternal life Romans 8:1 no condemnation . Romans 12:5 one body in Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:2 Sanctified 1 Corinthians 1:4 Grace 1 Corinthians 15:19 Hope 2 Corinthians 5:17 New Creation Gal 2:16 Justified by faith Eph 1:3 spiritual blessings Eph 1:4 choosen Eph 1:11 inheritance Eph 2:6-7 Grace Philippians 3:9 righteousness 2 Timothy 2:10 Salvation Rev 14:13 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord

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