Why do "sound people" Baptise babies: the case in a glance
Just the other day we posted this video by Andy (the photo above is him in action… the bigger one) helpful little intro as to why traditionally Reformed people have Baptised babies. Take a look. Below, is an outline of some of the key reasons and texts. Before diving in, let’s be clear what we are not saying. We are not saying: all babies (just those within Christian households), no adults (those not baptised converted should be baptised), nor that personal faith is not required.
For Bible believing Christians just referring to texts about Baptism just confirms what you already think. We need to look at some broader principles.
Covenant Continuity and Headship: Although New Testament Church worship looks very different to that of the Old Testament, there are strong lines of continuity. This is especially seen in terms of covenant. God makes a covenant with people, but through one representative or head (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Christ etc.) Genesis 17 circumcision is commanded of Abraham… AND his children and servants… AND future generations. This does not replace personal faith, as we see some take the sign, but not the faith. Come to the NT, we see the headship idea between Adam/Christ, but also families. Throughout the Bible God deals with us as individuals AND as groups (nations, churches, families).
Covenant Expansion: God’s people is always in one sense exclusive, but also ever expanding. Under the New Covenant we have greater inclusion of gentiles and a sign that can now be placed on covenant girls. It would be strange if the covenant contracted at one point, that the old covenant sign of membership was offered to all boys, now just grown up (ish) men and women.
Children in the family of faith: Ponder God’s purpose for the family by looking at Malachi 2:15 and Deuteronomy 7:9. The family nurtures faith. But, our children aren’t viewed as neutral, whilst you’re chewing on Malachi and Deuteronomy flick over to 1 Corinthians 7:14.
Household Baptisms: A few times in the NT someone comes to faith, is baptised… and their household: Acts 16:15; 16:33; 18:8, 1 Corinthians 1:14-17. Baptists have some push back here, but based on prior assumptions not on anything in the text. Besides, this isn’t the paedobaptist killer punch, rather a significant part of a bigger picture.
Baptism and Circumcision: The relationship between the two can be argued about, but what’s striking is everything that the OT says circumcision represents, the NT applies to Baptism. See the below table (from Robert R Booth “Children of the Promise: The Biblical Case for Infant Baptism”, P&R 1996, p181)
Children are invited: For e.g. Mark 10:13-16 and Acts 2:38-41. In the latter, near/far is a reference to Jew/Gentile and the invitation includes “and your children” without qualification. NB not any children, but the children of those who believe.
Baptism parallels OT salvation: I’ve explained the above to Baptists before who have said, “that’s quite persuasive, if only there was a NT text that explicitly commanded it”… I think there are two. First 1 Peter 3:21, brings the above ideas together, Noah trusts God and is put in the Ark… with his family (some turn out to be faithful, others not), Peter draws a parallel with Baptism. Second, 1 Corinthians 10:2, where Israel passes through the Red Sea and Paul calls this their Baptism… who passes? Of course, those over 16 who the elders approved… no, parents carrying their babies and 8 year olds dragging their toddler siblings.
More to be said: We didn’t expect to solve the past couple of hundred years of debate between brothers in a 7 minute video followed by a short blog. But, we offer it as something constructive to chew on.
