This Sunday, October 2, is the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.
This week’s sermon is Faithful through Temptation and Humility.
This week’s readings are:
Habakkuk
1:1-4; 2:1-4
(These are two links)
Message: Why We Baptize Babies
1. One of the biggest differences between Christian denominations – pedobaptism.
a.
Some of the controversy roots in the question of
why we baptize.
i. Is
this our action to show our commitment?
ii. Is
this God’s action to make disciples?
b.
Some of the controversy roots in other
questions.
i. Can
infants believe?
ii. If
not, when are they accountable to follow Christ’s command? And, how do they
receive forgiveness before baptism?
iii. Is
there biblical precedent?
2. Historically speaking, it is clear that infant baptism was the accepted practice of the early church.
a.
“For this reason, moreover, the Church received
from the apostles the tradition of baptizing infants, too.” – Origen (185-254
A.D.)
b.
“First you should baptize the little ones. All who can speak for themselves should
speak. But for those who cannot speak,
their parents should speak for them or another who belongs to their family.” –
Hippolytus (170-236 A.D.)
3. Biblically speaking,
a.
Infant baptism is not specifically spoken to.
b.
Matthew 28:19-20 – all nations
c.
Colossians 2:11-13 – connects Baptism to
Circumcision (8 days old).
d.
Acts 16 & 1 Corinthians 1:16 – indicate that
the Apostles baptized whole households.
e.
Romans 3:23 – All have sinned
f.
Psalm 51 – Born sinful
4. Arguments against infant baptism do not stand up.
a.
Jesus speaks of letting infants (brephos
– little ones) coming to him.
b.
As noted above – Children are sinful and need
forgiveness.
c.
Acts 2:38-39 – the gift of forgiveness in
baptism is for “you and for your children.”
d.
Age of accountability is nowhere in Scripture.
5. So, we baptized infants because …
a.
We believe this is God’s Work.
i. This
is not a magic incantation – it is part and parcel of making disciples as Jesus
commanded.
b.
We believe God delivers forgiveness and the gift
of the Holy Spirit (faith!) through baptism as He promises.
c.
We believe children need what God is giving.
d.
We believe that Baptism is a beginning that
carries through our whole lives.
i. Return
to it over and over again.
ii. Live
in it day by day.
iii. Marks
our lives because God name is on us.
Comments