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From the New American Standard
Matthew 28:18-20
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 [a]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [b]always, even to the end of the age.”
Baptism class
TriCity Church states (paraphrased) in the Baptism Class book cited below, that proposed baptized persons (for membership) are asked to discuss their testimony with elders and the church. (22).
In the past, I have been a member of a Presbyterian Church of America (Canada) and am in basic agreement with core doctrines and therefore could be a member. But, in regard to infant baptism, having taken membership class in the PCA years ago, I realize that those in leadership view infants and young children baptized as disciples.
I can grant this premise, in a sense and context, that infants and small children would be disciples in training, or possible future disciples, or like.
The book counters the claim of those that support infant baptism from Colossians 2: 11-12.
That being that Old Testament circumcision is replaced by New Testament baptism. (26). The book states that in contrast Colossians in mentioning that there is circumcision of the heart for those that are baptized in Christ. (26).
Colossians 2:11-12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
The book's interpretation of a circumcision without hands, as spiritual, is more reasonable and straightforward than a speculative theology of infant baptism, also known as paedobaptism, or pedobaptism.
At the recent TriCity Church, Baptism Class, which I was asked to assist with by the overseer, as I am a baptized Mennonite Brethren and of course a Christian theologian; I coined this idea that unlike those that practice infant baptism to bring children into the new covenant (Is this required in light of God's election of persons? Ephesians 1-2), our church is seeking:
Consenting disciples
(I realize that some churches practice infant and believer's baptism.)
These are those that can discuss their testimony with the elders and the church.
This theology fits better with a believer's baptism view.
I have also received infant baptism within the United Church of Canada.
'Baptism Class' (2014), TriCity Church, Port Coquitlam.
Baptism November 2016
