Subject: If He came today would He turn away fro |
Bible Note: Explanation of infant baptism [LONG] Hi, Bob. You said "The closest thing that can be compared to baptism in my understanding is the circumsision of the Old Testament. It is an outward sign of an inward covenant. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ plus nothing". This is the view of the Presbyterian church - baptism does not save, faith does. Baptism is the sign of a covenetal relationship between God and his chosen people. The Sacrament of Baptism is practiced according to the theology that guides the Presbyterian church. Therefore, Presbyterians only baptize members' children and only during a worship service. When presenting an infant or child for baptism, the parents make a public profession of faith in Christ. As part of the sacrament, the congregation affirms its intention to welcome the child and help grow the child in the faith. As good Calvinists, Presbyterians focus on God's sovereign act of choosing. 'Just as Jesus had said to his disciples, "You did not choose me but I chose you . . . .", one can see in the Sacrament of Baptism God's act of choosing. Whatever the age of the person being baptized, it's God's choosing that is the crucial action. Adults, as well as infants, will have to decide many times after their baptism whether or not to choose God back!'* 'When the parents make a profession of faith, they do so not on behalf of their child, but as a statement of their identity as members of the covenanted community, and their intention to form the child's faith as best they can within that community. Under those circumstances, there is at least a reasonable prospect that a baptized person will grow into her baptism in due time, making a profession of faith and choosing back the God who first chose her.' 'Infant baptism [is] about the status of the children of believers - members of the covenant community - and not about children in general! Baptism [is] meant neither to save the child from some peril in this world or the next, nor as a sentimental blessing upon newborns, nor as a way for the parents to profess the child's supposed "implicit" faith by proxy. It [is] an act which incorporate[s] into the body of Christ the children of persons who [are] already a part of that body.' This is consistent with 1 Corinthians 7. There is no assumption that the act of baptizing with prevent the child from later deciding to leave the covenant community by choosing not to accept Christ for herself. *All quotes are from an article in the Office of Theology and Worship section of the Presbyterian Church (USA) web site. I don't intend to start a dispute over baptism, infant or otherwise; I'm posting this purely as information. Peace and grace, Steve "Indy" Jones |