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| Immaculate Conception Parish, Delta, BC |
Infant Baptism August 2007
Saturday Part One
It was a busy weekend for me. I officially signed as a member of Northview Community Church on Sunday.
On Saturday, I attended the wedding of a Mennonite friend that also attends my former Presbyterian church.
An interesting discussion arose with myself and two leaders from my former Reformed Presbyterian church which is paedobaptist (infant baptism) in theology, in regard to my new Anabaptist church, which takes the believer's baptism stance.
Therefore, not to reinvent the wheel, I will rework my excerpts from my 2007 article and as usual in these contexts, add new material.
On a personal note, I was baptized/christened as an infant in the United Church of Canada, and as an adult in the Mennonite Brethren Church with full immersion. I view the United Church as very liberal and my initial experience as questionable, although I admit I was taught the gospel as a child at the United Church. Particularly in Sunday school. This is credit where credit is due.
While I was a member at the Presbyterian church, I had friendly discussions with leaders, and I accept their claim appears true that at least two of the Church Fathers, 'disciples of disciples' to quote a lead Pastor, practiced infant baptism.
Bromiley
G.W. Bromiley, who as of 1996 was Senior Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, explains that in early church history those such as Irenaeus and Origen, who were close to the apostles, were involved in baptizing children of professing believers. Bromiley (1996: 116). Infant Baptism was performed somewhat on Scriptural grounds, although there is no direct Biblical command to baptize infants. Bromiley (1996: 116).
Bromiley reasons that although in Acts there were household baptisms, there are no clear-cut instances of child baptism. Bromiley (1996: 116). He thinks Biblically and theologically that there is evidence that infant baptism should be the normal practice in families where the gospel has taken hold, although there is no guarantee that children shall be believers. Bromiley (1996: 116).
He writes that many view believer’s baptism as the only legitimate New Testament form of baptism, although not necessarily immersion. Bromiley (1996: 114). Many tie in Christ’s call to baptize with the idea of making disciples, and nothing was said about infants. Bromiley (1996: 114). The question arises if infants are disciples, and I would think not, although they certainly can be disciples in waiting, again quoting one of my former lead Presbyterian pastors.
Bromiley notes that from Paul’s writings that tie belief and repentance with baptism it does not make sense to baptize infants that cannot hear the gospel or make a response of belief. Christ’s love for children is evident, but there is no direct Biblical command to include them in the baptism process, and there is no Biblical warrant to suppose that baptism should definitely precede belief and repentance. Bromiley (1996: 115).
Bromiley admits that the households in Acts may have included infants, but even if there were, there is no indication that they were baptized and states that it would be hazardous inference to use these verses to support infant baptism. Bromiley (1996: 115). He writes that the need for faith is correctly found in infant baptism, but that the personal confession found in Believer’s baptism is stronger. Bromiley (1996: 115). Reading Bromiley, it seems he reasons that it is good for infants within a Christian family to receive baptism, but that it would be even better for them to have believer’s baptism at a later date.
A Reasonable Position That Will Not Please Everyone
My reasoning is that believer's baptism appears the standard biblical theology. One believes and confesses as an adult, or at least a young person with adult responsibility granted and is baptized.
However, I cannot, because of lack of conclusive evidence, deny that entire households baptized in the New Testament, may have included infants.
Church Fathers, Irenaeus and Origen were reported to baptize infants. It is therefore at least theologically possible that the Apostles, with divine permission from Jesus Christ and the triune, God, allowed infant baptism. This may have been done while the Church accepted the standard biblical mandate for believer's baptism. The Baptist and Anabaptist can argue that the Church Fathers were in biblical error where infant baptism was practiced. The practices and theology of Church Fathers, not equal to documented inerrant, inspired, biblical doctrine of New Testament authors.
It is possible that more that one mode of baptism serves as a sign of being within the new covenant of Jesus Christ. Pastor Jon Courson has stated in his online sermons (paraphrased) that in the New Testament when there is theological conflicts with two different views, that they in a sense may both be correct.
From my academic theological perspective, this could be the case with the baptism issue. I am not dogmatic. This is not an attempt at wishy-washy theology, whatsoever. Anyone reading my work will realize I take dogmatic stances when there are greater cumulative evidence. Especially, with my PhD-MPhil studies. My work is a theological and philosophical attempt at balance.
For me, I therefore, was re-baptized years ago in a Mennonite Brethren church in what I believe is the stronger biblical model. But I have Presbyterian and mainline denomination friends that as adults are walking in the faith hoped for them in the new covenant through the infant baptism they received via parents. If these baptized children as adults stay within that tradition, I personally reason that this paedobaptism is sufficient as a sign of their personal obedient gospel walk. If they wished to join many Baptist or Mennonite churches, they would be required to take full immersion baptism.
As I pointed out in the discussion at the wedding reception, which was accepted; God chooses those in Christ (Ephesians 1, Romans 8), not based on infant baptism, or any baptism for that matter. Baptism is a sign of obedience in the gospel.
BROMILEY, G.W. (1996) ‘Baptism, Infant', in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
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Saturday Part Two
The Dean Mennonite Birthday
Paraphrased:
Sophia his daughter, eight years old: Play hide and go seek with my friend and I!
Me: I am way too big and 'monstery' to hide. We will not fit under things!
Chuck: Yea, we are way too big!
Sophia's eight year old friend: (Pondering) Yea, I guess so, I did not think of that...
Me: But we can play Hide and go freak! Where we chase you!
Little girls: Yay!
