Bible Question:
Brother reread what you have said here, do you really mean it this way. While I do not hold with Orthodoxy’s view of baptism, most everything he said was right. From around 150 AD and possibly much earlier the prevailing method of baptism was infant baptism. This continued until the Anabaptist questioned the practice in the mid 1500's. The anabaptist were persecuted for their belief by nearly every one, catholic and reformer alike. I further submit that the anabaptist beliefs did influence the beliefs of those today that are against infant baptism. There is nothing new under the Sun The idea of infant baptism is not without some merit. Infant baptism has an analogy with circumcision. The Jews circumcised a baby in his 8 day to bring him into the old covenant. Likewise the early church baptized an infant to bring them into the new covenant. Since this practice was established so early in the church it may have come into being, through the unwritten teachings of the Apostles or early disciples. Melanchthon quoted the testimonies of Origen, Cyprian, Chrysostom, and Augustin, for the apostolic origin of infant-baptism. Luther said, “The burden of proof lies on the Anabaptists to show that infant-baptism is forbidden in the Bible, before they abolish such an old and venerable institution of the whole Christian Church.” Orthodoxy further said that we came out of a Catholic bent, that raise the ire of just about everyone. However anyone that celebrates Christmas and Easter is celebrating Catholic (read early church) holidays (that is not to say there is anything wrong with giving glory to Jesus on those days). The influence of Catholicism in Protestantism is undeniable and serves no purpose argue. Brother I contend that while you may not agree with Orthodoxy he to should thanked for his input into this discussion. If for no other reason than his input stimulated others to respond and from those answers you were able to reach your conclusion. I thank him because he caused me to go out and reread early history to get an understanding of the issues. Thank you Orthodoxy! |
Bible Answer: I want to apologize to Nolan for asking this question. It wasn’t my place, though I did it for what I feel was the right motive, to stick my nose in where it did not belong. My motive was to try to keep an open dialogue in this Bible study. However after Hank added what a I consider to be a rebuke and my perception of the temperature of this debate on infant baptism I wish to withdraw my question. Obviously the sides are being chosen and I prefer to stay out of it. Again I apologize to all for my butting in. |