Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Infant “Baptism”?
Why do we at the Winston-Salem church not “baptize” babies? One answer would be found by asking another question: Why do we not find any babies being “baptized” in the Bible? So, why? It’s more than just practical, because who wants to immerse a baby! If the baby is not screaming before, the baby will be after! It’s deeper than “we just don’t have an example”. Here is a quick thought for you to consider:
Male babies needed to be circumcised as part of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenant to show they were part of the “family” and “inheritance” and not foreigners. In fact, female babies were not circumcised because males generally inherited. Babies don’t need to be baptized because they are already part of God’s family having never sinned. They are already the image of God in purity. But those who sin need to rejoin the family because of sin and be re-born by being remade in the image of God (Col.3:10). That is part of the discussion concerning both baptism and circumcision (Col.2:12ff). That’s why we are to become like children (Mt.18). Baptism is our covenant sign we belong once again to the family of God. Baptism is more than a sign, but it is one. It is when God accepts us back into the family as “children of God.” Baptism is when our sins are washed away by being born again. Those just born don’t need to be born again!
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