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Larry Ray Hafley
Infant baptism is preached and practiced by a number of denominations
(Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic). It is denounced and denied by
other churches of men (Baptist, Pentecostal). Confusion reigns. Should our
children be "baptized" as babies? If we neglect it, and they die, will they be
lost? If infants are lost who are not sprinkled upon, are their parents
condemned for their woeful neglect? If unbaptized babies will not be lost, what
is the purpose of the ordinance? "Lord, to whom shall we go" to find the answers
to these perplexities? To this preacher, or to that Pastor? To this church's
creed, or to another's catechism? To me, or to thee?
Let us turn to him who is the truth and who has "the words of eternal life"
(Jn. 6:68; 14:6). To his word, to the law and to the testimony, let us see
whether the Scriptures will support the supposition of infant baptism. Is infant
baptism the position of the Bible, or is it the imposition of men? Is it the
tradition of God, or the tradition of men (Matt. 15:8, 9; 2 Thess. 2:15)?
Presumption Against Baby Baptism
The Scriptures do not assume infant baptism. Rather, the presumption of the
Bible is against it.
1) Romans 6: From beginning to end, this chapter fails to assume the practice
of infant baptism. First, those addressed could choose whether or not to
"continue in sin (vv. 1, 2)." Infants have no such choice. Second, "know ye not"
assumes that those baptized were conscious of the effect of their baptism (v.
3). This is not true of gurgling babies. Third, those buried and raised in
baptism were expected to "walk in newness of life" in contrast with their former
manner of life (vv. 4-6, 11-13, 21, 22). How does a week-old baby's lifestyle
change after his baptism? He lives and acts the same as he did before he was
baptized by the priest, but this is not true of those who received New Testament
baptism. Fourth, one is a servant of the one whom he obeys. If he yields and
obeys sin, he is the servant of sin; if he submits and obeys the will of God, he
is a servant of righteousness (vv. 16-18). Do little babies do this? Fifth,
those who obeyed that form of doctrine obeyed "from the heart" (Rom. 6:17, 18).
That is, they understood what they were doing (Matt. 13:15b.). Do infants
understand the process and purpose of their baptism? Sixth, a form, a mold, a
pattern, of doctrine was "delivered" to those who were baptized; they "learned"
it (Rom. 6:17, 18; 16:17). Have infants "learned" of the ceremony, the ritual,
the form of infant baptism? If not, the baptism of Romans 6 cannot include
them.
2) 1Corinthians 12: Those who were "baptized into one body," the church,
could not have been infants (v. 13). Here is why. First, those baptized had
formerly been "led" by speechless idols in idolatry (v. 2). This excludes
infants. Second, they were not to be "ignorant," but were "know" and "to
understand" certain facts (vv. 1-3). Since this cannot be true of infants, those
who were baptized were not babies. Third, certain of these baptized individuals
received spiritual gifts which they were to "covet earnestly" and exercise
properly (vv. 4-31). This bans babies. Fourth, these "members (were to have) the
same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer
with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it" (vv. 25,
26). Infants cannot do this; therefore, infants were not included in the number
of those who were baptized.
3) Galatians 3: No infants were included among those who were "baptized into
Christ" (v. 27). First, some of the baptized ones had been "bewitched," duped,
deluded, deceived, and had become disobedient (v.1; Cf. Gal. 1:6; 5:7). If an
infant cannot be obedient and then become disobedient to the word of God, babies
are not referred to in this chapter. Second, they received the Spirit "by the
hearing of faith;" that is, by hearing the word of faith (v. 2; Rom. 10:8; Acts
2:38, 41). Third, those baptized had "begun in the Spirit," but now presumed to
be made perfect "by the flesh," by the fleshly ordinances of the Old Testament
(v. 3). May infants so presume? Fourth, the baptized ones were believers (vv.
11, 22, 26). Do infants believe? If not, they are not among the number of those
who were baptized (vv. 26, 27).
4) Colossians 2: Infants were not among those who were "buried with (Christ)
in baptism" (v. 12). First, since they could be deceived "by enticing words,"
they were to "beware" (v. 4, 8, 18). This does not apply to infants. Second,
they were old enough to have "received Christ" and to "walk...in him" (v. 6). Do
little babies do so? Third, those baptized did so "through faith in the working
of God" (v. 12). How many infants, when they are baptized, have faith in the
working or operation of God? Fourth, these baptized ones could be judged or
condemned for their lack of participation in certain feasts and rituals (v. 16,
20, 21). Would little babies be condemned for not observing the sabbath? If not,
they are not included in the number of those who were baptized. Fifth, the
baptized ones were expected to be "holding fast" to Christ (vv. 19, 20). Do we
expect this of a month-old baby?
The presumption of these passages is against the assumption that infant
baptism was practiced in the days of the apostles. If we will learn not to think
of men above that which is written, we will have "neither part nor lot" in the
observance of it (1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 9).
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