Sunday I will begin a 3-4 week preaching series on the subject of
baptism. We will be surveying the doctrine and practice of baptism in the Bible
as well as examining the question of infant or household baptisms. Since our congregation
began baptizing the children of believers this year, the elders and I feel it is
important to spend time explaining and demonstrating from Scripture why we
regard this to be biblical. Before we begin this study, however, there are
three preliminary issues I wanted to address.
First, we
need to be clear on definitions. Paedo refers to infants, and credo
refers to belief. So paedobaptism is
the baptism of infants, and credobaptism
is the baptism of believers only. Covenant
baptism refers to the baptism of a
believer’s children based on the fact those children are set apart to God in
the visible covenant (1Cor. 7:14). This latter definition is what separates
infant baptisms at RBC from those administered by the Roman Catholic Church,
for example, the latter practicing infant baptism based on their belief it
remits original sin.
Second,
we need to address the question of modes, i.e. how baptism is to be
administered. Contrary to the insistence of many credobaptists, immersion is not the only mode of baptism taught in
the New Testament or likely exemplified in it. This is an important but
separate issue. I have previously written on this subject (here and here), and questions
regarding the mode of baptism are welcome during Wednesday night’s Q&A.
Third, we
need to emphasize the scope of Scripture. Credobaptists who insist
on sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
sometimes neglect tota Scriptura (all
of Scripture) on this topic. But the Bible is one book, with one God, one
covenant people, and one covenant of grace running throughout. Unless something
in Scripture is explicitly limited or set aside (e.g. civil and ceremonial
regulations in the Mosaic Law), it still counts. We must form our understanding
of baptism, and all other doctrines, based on the total teaching of Scripture,
not just one part of it.
I am excited and thankful for the opportunity to deliver this teaching
series, and I encourage you to be praying about it. Our aim is to glorify God
and to faithfully follow His word. There is no agenda other than that. I never
expected two years ago how my view of baptism would change, but I don’t regret
it either. Soli Deo Gloria! –JME
