Should Babies be Baptized? (Part 1 of 2)

I was recently questioned as to why I believe that believer's baptism is scriptural, as opposed to infant baptism.  Having done some study on the topic roughly 10 years ago, but being quite rusty, I asked the pastor of our church if he had any good resources.  He did.

In the book Should Babies be Baptized? T.E. Watson examines the lines of evidence used for and against infant baptism.  His book is eminently readable, and highly recommended by both myself and Stephanie (we commonly found ourselves trying to read it at the same time!)

Throughout the book, the author exclusively quotes those who support infant baptism in refuting its validity.  It is interesting that many of the following arguments are affirmed by some to support infant baptism, while other staunch paedo-baptists utterly reject many of these same lines of reasoning, requiring other "better" reasons must be used.   

Below is a synopsis of the first half of the book.

(photo credit)

Did the Jews baptize babies? (Chapter 1)

Some affirm that the Jews baptized infants of proselytes, and therefore it is natural that Christians would do the same.

It is sufficient here to say with T.M Lindsay:

“But the subject of the baptism of proselytes is one of the most hopelessly obscure in the whole round of Jewish antiquities, and can never be safely assumed in any argument, and the general results of investigation seem to prove that the baptism was not one of the Jewish ceremonies until long after the coming of Christ, while there is much to suggest that the Jewish rite owes its origin to Christian baptism.” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 9th Edition)

and to affirm with Pierre Marcel that:

"... as good Reformed Christians it is impossible for us to found infant baptism on extra-canonical texts, no matter how compelling their authority may be. In the Christian Reformed Church the baptism of infants must be established and justified biblically." (The Biblical Doctrine of Infant Baptism, p. 21.)

Did John baptize babies? (Chapter 2)

A review of John's ministry shows that he only baptized those who confessed their sins, thus excluding babies.

Thomas Scott writes:

"It does not appear that any but adults were baptized by him." (Commentary on Matthew 3:5,6)

And Francis Turretine writes:

 "John admitted none to baptism but those who confessed their sins; because his business was to baptize adults." (Francis Turretin, Institutes of Thelogy, Section IV, question 22)

Did Christ baptize babies? (Chapter 3)

Given John 4:1,2, this might be better stated, "Did Christ or the disciples baptize babies during Christ's earthly ministry?"

It is important to note that Christ made and then baptized disciples. 

Some affirm that Christ condoned baptizing of infants based on his blessing of the little children in Matthew 19:13-15 and related texts.

However, we agree with Jeremy Taylor:

"From the action of Christ's blessing infants, to infer that they were baptized, proves nothing so much as that there is want of better argument; for the conclusion would with more probability be derived thus: Christ blessed children and so dismissed them, but baptized them not, therefore infants are not to be baptized." (Liberty of Prophesying, p 327, Jeremy Taylor)

And concur with John Murray:

"To conclude: these two assertions: (1) that little children belong to the kingdom of God; (2) that they are to be received in Christ's name do not offer stringent proof of infant baptism and they do not provide us with an express command to baptize infants." (John Murray, Christian Baptism, (Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Company: 1970), pp. 55, 65.)

Did Christ Order the Baptism of Babies? (Chapter 4)

In the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:14-18) Christ commanded baptism.  The proper subjects of this command are considered in this chapter.

John Calvin writes:

“As Christ enjoins them to teach before baptizing, and desires that none but believers be admitted to baptism, it would appear that baptism is not properly administered unless when preceded by faith.” (Harmony of the Evangelist, Vol. 3, page 386)

John Calvin again:

“Baptism is, as it were, an appurtenance of faith, and therefore it is later in order; secondly, if it be given without faith whose seal it is, it is both a wicked and also a too gross a profaning,” (Commentary on Acts, Vol. 1, p. 362.)

And A. Plummer:

"Make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) implies those who are old enough to receive instruction." (Hastings Bible Dictionary)

Finally, Dr. Wall states:

"The commission given by our Saviour to his disciples in the time of his mortal life, to baptize in the country of Judaea, is not at all set down in Scripture; only it is said that they baptized a great many.  And the enlargement of that commission among all the heathen nations, is set down in such brief words, that there is no particular direction given what they were to do in reference to the children of those that received the faith." (History of Infant Baptism, vol. 1, p.5)

Did the apostles Baptize Children? (Chapter 5)

This chapter undertakes to study nine mentions of baptism (Acts 2:38-41, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:36,38, Acts 22:16, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:1-7) in Scripture in apostolic times.

It is noteworthy that Thomas Boston affirms:

"There is no example of baptism recorded in the Scriptures, where any were baptized, but such as appeared to have a saving interest in Christ.' (Works, p. 384)

And Richard Baxter states boldly:

“I conclude, that all examples of baptism in Scripture do mention only the administration of it to the professors of saving faith; and the precepts give us no other direction. And I provoke Mr. Blake, as far as is seemly for me to do, to name one precept or example for baptizing any other, and make it good if he can.” (Disput. of Right to Sacrem. Paed. Exam. Vol. II, p. 29.)

Indirect evidence in the New Testament (Chapter 6)

A study of the texts that are sometimes said to infer the existence of baptism in the apostolic church are undertaken in chapter six.

The first verse commonly used is 1 Corinthians 7:14

"For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy."

While there is much that could be said about the use of this passage, it is sufficient here to agree with the second of Albert Barnes' assertions here quoted, while not agreeing with the first:

"I believe infant baptism to be proper and right, and an inestimable privilege to parents and to children. But a good cause should not be made to rest on feeble supports, nor on forced and unnatural interpretations of the Scriptures. And such I regard the usual interpretation
placed on this passage." (Notes, explanatory and practical, on the First epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, p.134, Albert Barnes)

Colossians 2:11,12 is the second passage discussed in this chapter, and is commonly used to link physical infant circumcision in the OT to infant baptism in the NT.  These verses run:

"In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."

As Watson points out (p.47), the reference to circumcision is to a spiritual circumcision, made without hands, and baptism is a sign of this spiritual circumcision; it is not mentioned as a replacement to physical circumcision.

We can conclude with A. Plummer that:

"Not only is there no mention of the baptism of infants, but there is no text from which such baptism can be securely inferred" (Hastings Dictionary of the Bible)

Baptism of babies unauthorized by the New Testament (Chapter 7)

This chapter discusses the conclusion drawn out of the first six chapters, that there is neither precept nor precedent (example) in the New Testament for infant baptism.  This conclusion is well stated by B.B. Warfield:

“It is true that there is no express command to baptize infants in the New Testament, no express record of the baptism of infants and no passages so stringently implying it that we must infer from them that infants were baptized. ...The warrant for infant baptism is not to be sought in the New Testament , but in the Old Testament.” (Studies in Theology, p. 399)

But, as Watson says:

"...it is the custom of Reformed Paedobaptists to demand either a precept or a precedent to prove a matter Scriptural." (p. 52)

And Mathew Poole is of this mind when arguing against indiscriminate baptism of adults:

"I cannot be of their mind who think that persons may be baptized before they be taught: we want precedents of any such baptisms in Scripture." (Annotations. on Matthew 28:19)

Watson addresses the common challenge from paedo-baptists that female communion lacks precept or precedent as well on pp. 54,55.

Infant baptism inconsistent with New Testament teaching (Chapter 8)

In this chapter Watson endeavours to show that infant baptism is inconsistent with NT teaching in 5 specific texts:

Romans 6:2-4

1 Cor 1:13

Galatians 3:27

Colossions 2:12

1 Peter 3:20,21

The plain understanding of "walking in newness of life" after baptism, "putting on Christ" in baptism, "buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith", and baptism as "an appeal to God for a good conscience" is confounded when applied to baby baptism.

Watson spends some time on each passage and comes to the conclusion that these texts teach either believer's baptism or baptismal regeneration.  The answer seems clear.  

It is sufficient for us to here affirm with J. V. Bartlett and A.C. McGiffert:

"Infant baptism is not an Apostolic usage. It is not only that there is no trace of it in the first century: but the very idea of baptism then universal, namely as a rite of faith's self-consecration (often outwardly ratified by manifestations of the Spirit) is inconsistent therewith. (The Apostolic Age, p. 472, J.V. Bartlett)

"Where the original idea of baptism as a baptism of repentance, or where Paul's profound conception of it as a symbol of the death and resurrection of the believer with Christ prevailed, the practice would not be likely to arise. But where the rite was regarded as a mere sign of one's reception into the Christian circle, it would be possible for the custom to grow up under the influence of the ancient idea of the family as a unit in religion as well as in all other matters." (A History of Christianity in the Apostolic Age, p. 543, A.C. McGiffert)

The Who Can Stand summary of the first eight chapters

It has been shown that there is neither precept nor precedent (example) in the New Testament for infant baptism.  It has also been shown that the teaching of infant baptism is inconsistent with the doctrine of baptism as expounded in several New Testament texts.  

We will discuss the final six chapters later in the week.  In the meantime, we highly recommend you buy the book (there are a number of used copies for less than $2 on Amazon).

If this synopsis has piqued your interest, you can also read a good review of the book by Fred Malone here.

What about you?  Do you have a favourite argument or book regarding infant baptism?

The Danger in Reading Good Biographies

Heroes inspire us.  Stories and experiences are captivating.  The Old and New Testaments are chock full of inspiring stories, and they are there for us to learn from.  While our family loves reading biographies, and have recently been reading some good ones, here are some things to keep in mind while reading a good biography.

photo credit

Danger #1 - Using the historical account as the measuring line for truth or practice

We should not formulate our theology or philosophy based on stories or experiences of famous or godly people.  Some in the modern Christian church have based new methods and new theology on experience or expedience; possibly best illustrated by the "New Methods" of C.G. Finney (1) that have almost universally influenced the western church today.  We, however, must always turn to the principles and precepts in Scripture to measure the truth in what we have read.  Relying on our own (or others') interpretation of the experiences of famous people in order to determine what is right vs. wrong and how we should live will almost always lead to error.  We are fallible, and we cannot even rely on our interpretation of our own experience.

Danger #2 - Comparing ourselves with the subject 

Secondly, if biographies or records of experience become our measuring line, we are in danger of despondency.  Henry Venn warns against using others as models:

'Again: in reading the life of a Christian, when his spirit and manner of life are highly to be admired, we are often tempted to despond. We compare ourselves with his shining attainments; and feeling at so great a distance, we grow dissatisfied, and can scarcely think that what God has done for us deserves any consideration, or believe that we are in a state of grace and salvation. Our pride (though we do not perceive it) is hurt, and self love is mortified, to see we are so outdone. The good hope we were willing to entertain of our faith in Christ, and union with Him, is ready to fail, because we are no better. The spiritual riches, in which the saint seems so to abound, makes our own poverty apparent and undeniable. Consequently, we feel much uneasiness and vexation; and are apt to conclude we are unfit to die, and ought not even to be called Christians, till we are exactly or nearly, such as the blessed saint whose history is before us.  ... Yet why should this disquiet our souls? We are not accepted or beloved for our own excellencies, but for Christ's sake, from the goodness of God; and two no less than ten talents may be used, and will be most amply and gloriously rewarded. We ought to be comforted and animated from the consideration, that whatever the most eminent saints possess, it is received from the same inexhaustible Fountain, of which all the Children of God partake; and that there is in reality, though in miniature, every feature in the least and lowest Child of God, which is so prominent and beautiful in the fairest of the saints.' (2)

Danger #3 - Forgetting reality

How we discharge our daily duties is more important than being fixated on a great hero.  This principle is stated well in the introduction to the book Great Achievements of Military Men, Statesmen, and Others:

'It is probably allotted to few to achieve great things in an average lifetime; the common duties of every day bounding and filling up the horizon, and giving no opportunity for the performance of any great deeds, or any displays of talent or heroism, which might challenge the admiration of the world. Perhaps the best kind of heroism is that which displays itself in the cheerful and right performance of daily duty, of which the world shall hear little or nothing.  Doing right and guiding one's own life wisely and prudently may be considered as no mean performance, and a task in which some of those blessed with great talent and genius have not always succeeded. ... It is nonetheless interesting and important, however, to keep great examples and the heroic deeds of of the world's greatest ones before the mind.  These examples have a stimulating and invigorating effect on character.' (3)

In conclusion...

We love a good biography and are so thankful for the Christians and other men and women who have set an example before us, and the care others have taken in chronicling their lives, complete with achievements and struggles.  However, it is important to remember when reading biographies on your own, or with your children, that the subjects of these books were sinners too, who should serve as encouragements to live our days with fortitude and joy, always looking to God's Word as the measure for how we should live.





1. The "New Methods" of C.G. Finny will be discussed in a future post.
2. The Life and a Selection of Letters of Henry Venn (1835, repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1993), p. 581. Iain H. Murray also quotes material from the same section in Pentacost Today? The Biblical Basis for Understanding Revival (The Banner of Truth Trust, 1998), pp 126-7.  Murray's book is an exceptional read.
3. Great Achievements of Military Men, Statesmen, and Others, Edinburgh, W.P. Nimmo, Hay, and Mitchell.  No date. We picked our copy up at an antique shop.

German Family's Children Seized - What You (and your kids!) Can Do!

You may have already heard about the recent violent seizure of the children of a German family purely on the basis that they had chosen to homeschool their children.  You can find details about the event in this article by the HSLDA.

It is easy to take for granted the freedoms we have here in North America, to select the educational methods we feel are best for our children.  As parents who exercise your legal right to homeschool, I hope that you desire to do what you can to help this family as well. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to talk to your children about the blessings we have here, and share with them the lack of freedoms in other areas of the world.  You can share with them what happened to the Wunderlich children, and have them consider how they would feel if that happened today in your home.   This can also be a time to show them that they don't just have to sit back in the face of these (and other) injustices, but can be active even at their young age.

And so we'd like to encourage you to write to one of the organizations provided in the HSLDA article, and have your children do the same.  They have made it very simple, even providing points on what you could say, which you can include in your letter.

For Canadians, you can also find a form to contact the German Embassy in Toronto here.

The Wunderlich family with HSLDA Founder Mike Farris in 2012.
(Photo from HSLDA article)

Please feel free to forward this message on to others who you believe may be interested in helping.

"This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place." (Jeremiah 22:3)

(If you don't homeschool, but you still care about working towards justice in general, your help would most certainly be appreciated.)

The Bontrager Family Singers - a 2 CD giveaway!

On THURSDAY night I took Stephanie on a date to see the Bontrager Family Singers, a family of 12 that travels part of each year putting on performances at jails, churches, street missions, etc.  The evening was full of musical talent and encouragement.

Photo from www.bontragerfamilysingers.com

5 Reasons We Enjoyed our Date Listening to the Bontrager Family Singers

1. We were encouraged through the songs and the skits.  These included classic hymns and 20th century praise songs.  A skit representing the cost of discipleship and martyrdom was included that I (Andrew) first heard on a Ray Boltz CD as a little boy.
   
2. The Talent.  The children (and the parents) in this family have multiple musical talents.  Between them, we enjoyed excellent banjo, classical guitar, bass guitar, violin, piano, Dobro, harmonica, and mandolin.  Some songs in particular showcased this talent, and we were particularly impressed with "Double Sibling Cooperation" a song in which each sibling strums or bows with one hand on one instrument, and controls the fingerboard or chords on another instrument.  You can watch the video below:
   
   
   
3. Each of the 12 members of the Bontrager family were obviously happy to be part of the performance. From the youngest (at 4 years old) with her own solo act, to each of the siblings and parents. There were loving smiles amongst the family members and towards the audience during and between the numbers.  Some of our favourite acts were those where the parents expressed love to, or gave direction to one of their children in word or song.
   
4. The whole family works well as a team.  From set-up to tear down at each stop, sound expertise, CD production, managing music practices, driving the bus between stops, web site design, and everything in between.  This family models good economics (the word economics comes from the Greek words for "household" and "management".)
   
5. By profession, the family are dairy farmers, and I love the down-to-earth good-common-sense of farmers, having worked on a farm myself in the past.

You can see their schedule to find out if and when they are in your area.  I am looking forward to seeing them back in Ontario and will recommend this event to many family and friends.  Please see their website at www.bontragerfamilysingers.com

We purchased two CDs for ourselves, and decided we would give two more away here!  We will be giving away a copy of "In God We Still Trust" and "We Have This Moment". (You can see the track lists here)  That means two people will be selected each to win one CD.  Simply enter the rafflecopter draw below!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh! The Desires of my Heart!

Oh that I would feel what I know! as I have in some times past:

1. The awfulness of my sins, and the wonder that Christ would die to save me!
2. The intense contentment of rejoicing in my trials, knowing that all things work out for my good. (Rom. 8:28)
3. The love for, and life-or-death urgency for souls on track for punishment.
4. The sweet communion with other saints.
5. Not only the urgent desire, but the satisfying pleasure of communing with the Father, Son, and Holy spirit in reading the Word and in prayer. And that I might not hear the Word only, and so deceive myself, but do what it says!

Oh! That my son would feel the love that I have for him more! That I would more truly love him as our Heavenly Father loves his children!  Oh that my wife would feel the tender love, compassion and understanding that Christ has for the church! Through me, a picture of Christ in this representation of Christ and the church that is our marriage! 

Oh! That Christ would show me my sin, and that through his strength I may give it the cut! That I would be ruthless with any sins that so easily ensnare and hold back!

Oh! That I might always seek the strength of the Holy Spirit to love Christ more! To live for him more fully!

Oh! that when I share the gospel, it might not be in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit!

photo credit

Trim Healthy Mama "Guest Post"

Instead of bringing you a guest post for this week's healthy eating series, I'm just going to point you to some great posts which have already been written about the Trim Healthy Mama diet by my good friend Jacinda, who blogs at Growing Home. 

So without further ado:

5 Favourite Trim Healthy Mama Recipes
Here you'll get a taste (ha ha), along with great photos, of some of the unbelievably delicious looking dishes you get to eat while on the Trim Healthy Mama plan.


How I Lost 40 lbs in 2 months post-partume (and how you can too)
Jacinda gives really great, practical tips on how one can lose weight in a healthy and reasonable way after you've have a baby.

Trim Healthy Mama Review
Here you can learn a bit more about the plan specifically, and Jacinda's take on the whole thing.


Tomorrow or Saturday we'll let you know what WE thought of Trim Healthy Mama! :)

Week 4 - Trim Healthy Mama Diet

This is probably the diet you are least likely to have heard of out of the ones we've tried over the course of the last month.  It is based on a pretty recent book called Trim Healthy Mama, written by two sisters. It's really aimed at mothers who are trying to lose their baby weight - but also provides alterations to carry on as a lifestyle once you have reached your desired weight.  I've read many reviews and two good friends have been doing, and loving it.  Many people are saying it gives them more energy - which is really what I want!

That said, today I'm going to explain it really briefly and give you our meal plan.  On Thursday I'll share some other posts from a friend who has written about it and posted a number of recipes, and on Friday (or maybe Saturday) we will tell you our experience with the diet!

This is going to be a REALLY basic breakdown of the plan.  Basically the idea is that you eat one fuel source at a time (fat or carbs) so that your body is burning one type of fuel source and not storing a bunch of the other one.  That means meals are broken into two major categories - "Satisfying", which are high in fat and protein and low in carbohydrates and "Energizing", which are high in carbohydrates and protein, and low in fat.

There are a few other subcategories, and once you're just trying to maintain your weight you can eat more "Crossovers", which are a more balanced meal of fat, protein and carbs.

Pretty simple eh!?  They also focus on low glycemic foods like berries and sweeteners other than refined sugar, as well as staying away from white (and even whole wheat) flours.

Here's what we ate for our Trim Healthy Mama week:

Monday
B: Fried Eggs
L: A - thin crust pizza with meat, cheese, veggies, baked brie (out for lunch)
D: A - Cajun Shrimp with bok choy and jasmine rice, S - Meatloaf with mashed potatoes (out for dinner)

Tuesday
B: Blueberry porridge
L: Macaroni salad (at parent's)
D: Cheeseburger Pie

Wednesday
B: Cottage cheese, almond butter, raspberries
L: Chicken wings, shepherd's pie, ceasar salad
D: Cheesy Cauliflower Soup with Bacon

Thursday
B: Fried Eggs with Lettuce and Sauteed Mushrooms
L: Grilled Cheese, leftover soup, salad
D: S: Naked Steak Burrito, A - Rye Bread with Laughing Cow Cheese, lettuce and almonds

Friday
B: Oats and Berries with 0% Greek Yoghurt, apples and almond butter
L: S - pork and beans with a few nachos, A -
D: Cabbage Rolls

Saturday
B: Oats, Berries, Yogurt
L&D: A - tuna and salami sandwiches, S - off plan for day!