Providence Presbyterian

A Simple Study of Infant Baptism

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Lessson 9

As the Holy Scriptures say, children are an inheritance from God Himself. What a joy they are, & what a heavy responsibility. One of the first responsibilities as parents is to have our children Baptized. So, let's look into this subject a bit to prepare you for that day.

Pledges

When we baptize our babies, or young children, we have the parents affirm these three pledges/vows:

1. Do you acknowledge your child's need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, & the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit?

2. Do you claim God's covenant promises in his/her behalf, & do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for his/her salvation, as you do your own?

3. Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, & promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before him/her a godly example, that you will pray with & for him/her, that you will teach him/her the doctrines of our holy religion, & that you will strive, by all the means of God's appointment, to bring him/her up in the nurture & admonition of the Lord?

You will notice that we are affirming our belief in Christ, His death, His primary place in our salvation & that of our children, & we acknowledge that the crucial role of religious training lies with us, the parents. Observe also, that in these pledges, you are not placing your faith in any water, nor in the baptism to save your children. It is only because of Christ alone, by God's graciousness alone, received by faith alone that they are saved.

Sacrament

One of the next things you'll notice, is that when we talk about Baptism, we often call it a Sacrament. What is a Sacrament? The word Sacrament is a religious rite or ritual instituted by Christ. The word sacrament comes from the Latin & means - 'a thing set apart as sacred' & 'a military oath of obedience.'

The sacraments have been called 'visible signs of invisible grace' by many. Much of what God does for us is invisible, it takes place in our hearts - but has visible connections. The sacraments represent by things we can see, touch, feel, taste, smell (water, bread, wine) what God does in our hearts. Look for example at the connection between sign & reality in these passages: Matt. 3:16-17; Numbers 21:4-9; 1 Cor. 10:1-5. Thus, in the sacrament, what God promises accompanies the outward action, is made effective by Christ through the Holy Spirit, & is received in faith.

We are to see the signs, but then we are to lift our eyes above the sign & to see the heavenly work that Christ is doing in those receiving the sacrament in faith. To understand it this way takes the pressure off of the administration of the sacrament (it's not a magical formula or action, nor is the minister some super-saint who has supernatural powers) & places the emphasis where it belongs, at the heavenly throne of Christ, by gift from the Father, through the work of the Holy Spirit.

There are two Sacraments which Christ inaugurated, Baptism & the Lord's Supper. What I've said above applies to both sacraments. But for the time being, I am only focusing on Baptism.

Baptism

What, then, does baptism signify? Baptism represents our (1) being cleansed from sin, (2) union with Christ, & (3) our adoption into God's family - all of which are works and acts originating with God. Baptism might be compared to a brand on cattle; it marks us as belonging to another. It is a sign of ownership - see Matthew 28:19-20. It also might be compared to the wedding ring. Couples who get married exchange rings. Why? Because their rings become signs & seals of their marriage, their fidelity to one another. & every time they look at that ring it reminds them they are married & helps them to be faithful to each other. Baptism is like that to a Christian, it is a means of grace to them in that having been baptized we belong to Jesus Christ & therefore must follow Him.

Who is to be baptized? Believers & their children. Babies of believers are baptized on the basis of God's promise to be the God of their children - Gen. 17:7-14 & Acts 2:39. Notice the connection in language. The Promise of God is always to the adult believer & to his/her children. That is why whole households were baptized - Acts 16.15, 31-34, 1 Cor. 1.16. Paul & Peter use the same Old Testament language, because God is the same God, who brings life in the same way. But remember, Baptism is not a magical formula that 'works' automatically. Christ must be received in faith for the reality to be fully enjoyed. This is why you will affirm in your vows that you will do all you can possible do to bring the Good News of Christ to your children as long as you still have them.

It is probably pretty obvious, but it still needs to be stated, that adults who have never been baptized & come to believe in Jesus Christ are baptized based upon their profession of faith - but in either case - children or adults - Baptism is not a sign of faith but of God's Grace! That's why you never see anyone baptizing themselves. It is always received, in just the same way you receive God's gracious gift of life in Christ!

How is baptism to be done? Baptism is properly done by sprinkling, pouring or immersion, with water - Isa. 52:13-15, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Acts 1:5 & 2:17. The word 'Baptism' has no reference to the amount of water, or way of baptizing, but means: merge or unite. One proof is found in Acts 1.5 & 2.17, 18 & 33. The baptism (that's the key word) of the Holy Spirit is done by pouring out onto the apostles.

Based, then, on these Scriptural truths & the vows you will be making, it is imperative that you rest in God's promises for your children (you can't drag them into salvation), but that also you must work, you must do your part, in bringing them to Church, instructing them at every baptism they'll get to see, instructing them every time you take the Lord's Supper, talking over the sermons with them weekly, leading them in worship every evening (or morning - which ever is best), working them through the Catechism. & also pressing home the claims of the Gospel often.

"And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you." (Genesis 17.7)

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)

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