INFANT BAPTISM
Most Christian denominations practice infant baptism.
Infant Baptism.
Infant baptism also referred to as pedobaptism is the practice of baptizing infants or young children. It is also called christening by some faith traditions.
Most Christians belong to denominations that practice infant baptism including Catholocism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodox and many of the Protestant denominations.
Among Protestants, denominations that practice infant baptism including Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Methodists, Nazarenes, Moravians and United Protestants.
Certain denominations of Methodism - the Free Methodist and Evangelical Wesleyan Church - practice infant baptism or child dedication for families that prefer believer’s baptism.
Believer’s baptism (referred to as credobaptism from the Latin word credo meaning I believe) is the practice of baptizing those who are able to make a conscious profession of faith.
History of Infant Baptism.
The earliest reference to infant baptism was by Irenaeus in his work “Against Heresies”, dated 180 A.D. Irenaeus speaks of children being “born again to God” for forgiveness of original sin. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve all humans are born in sin.
Passages by Origin (185-254 A.D.) mention infant baptism as traditional and customary. He refers to baptism as baptismal regeneration meaning that baptism has the power to save.
From the 3rd century onward majority of Christian denominations practiced infant baptism.
Theology of Infant Baptism.
Based on understanding of Colossians 2:11-12. Christians who baptise infants believe that infant baptism is the New Testament counterpart of of the Old Testament circumcision.
Canon law in the Western churches after 1054 A.D. denied unbaptised infants a Christian burial in sacred ground. Canon law is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) governing the Catholic, Orthodox & Anglican communities.
During the Reformation eras, infant baptism was seen as a way to bring infants to the Christian faith.
Teaching of Christian denominations practicing infant baptism.
Roman Catholic Church: parents are obligated to have infants baptised within the first few weeks, and urgently if there is danger of death.
Lutheran Churches believed that God mandated infant baptism because Jesus said “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 28:18-20. Also Mark 10:13-16 and Acts 2:38-39.
Methodist Churches-Baptism is a sacrament of initiation into the visible church. Wesleyan covenent theology teaches that baptism is a sign and seal of the covenent of grace.
Presbyterian, Congregational and Reformed Churches also believed that baptism of infants or adults is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace.
Arguments against infant baptism.
Baptism in Scripture has the prerequisite of repentance, faith and forgiveness which are not possible for an infant. Acts 2:38-41.
There are no explicit instances of infant baptism in the scripture.
Infant baptism was initiated by ecclesiastical authority to empower church leadership.
Denominations and religious groups that do not practice infant baptism.
Trinitarian Christian denominations including Baptist, Anabaptist, Bible Churches, Bible Chapels, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God and more. Trinitarians believe in the Triune God-Father, Son & Holy Spirit that are co-eternal, co-equal and indivisible.
Non-trinitarian religeous groups including Jehovah’s Witnesses, United Church of God and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Non-trinitarians do not believe in the Triune God. They believe that God the Father is the only eternal God. That Jesus the Son of God and the Holy Spirit were God’s first creation.
Below is the message audio
Below is the underlined link to the typed notes pdf