The Arguments Against Baptizing Babies

Should Christians baptize infants or only believers? This age-old debate divides denominations and families. In this episode of Marked by Grace, Heath Lambert respectfully tackles the arguments against infant baptism from a Baptist perspective. Despite having two Presbyterian mentors who deeply influenced his ministry, Heath examines three key areas: biblical teaching, biblical examples, and biblical covenants. Discover why there's no New Testament command to baptize babies, what household baptisms really teach, and how covenant signs relate to the nature of God's covenants.

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction: Arguments against baptizing babies

3:07 - Personal story: Two Presbyterian mentors who shaped Heath's ministry

5:53 - Why church history can't be our ultimate authority

7:12 - Biblical teaching: No New Testament text commands infant baptism

8:07 - Colossians 2:11-12 doesn't teach infant baptism

10:54 - 1 Peter 3:21 doesn't mention infant baptism

12:35 - Romans 6:3-5: Baptism requires faith and understanding

14:22 - Biblical examples: Household baptisms and arguments from silence

16:24 - Biblical covenants: Signs must match the nature of the covenant

Key Points

- No Clear Biblical Command: There is no text in the New Testament that explicitly commands or describes the baptism of infants - this is a significant issue when establishing Christian practice.

- Church History vs. Scripture: While church historians can be quoted on both sides of the infant baptism debate, Scripture must be our ultimate authority, not historical precedent.

- Colossians 2:11-12 Misunderstood: This passage speaks of spiritual circumcision "made without hands" and assumes the baptized person has faith - it cannot refer to infant baptism.

- Household Baptisms Are Arguments from Silence: When Acts describes household baptisms, there's no explicit mention of infants. The text indicates those baptized "heard the word" and believed.

- Baptism Requires Understanding: Romans 6:3-5 shows baptism as a picture of death, burial, and resurrection with Christ - meaningful only for those who understand and trust in Jesus.

- Covenant Signs Match Covenant Nature: Throughout Scripture, covenant signs directly relate to the covenant's nature. New Testament baptism signifies personal faith, not biological or familial membership.

- New Covenant, New Requirements: Unlike Old Testament circumcision based on biological descent, New Covenant membership is based on personal faith, requiring different covenant signs.

- Respectful Disagreement: It's possible to disagree with infant baptism while maintaining deep respect for those who practice it, including mentors and fellow believers.

Scripture References

Colossians 2:11-12 - "In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead." - Spiritual circumcision, not infant baptism

1 Peter 3:21 - "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." - Baptism as an appeal of faith, not infant cleansing

Romans 6:3-5 - "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." - Baptism requires understanding of Christ's death and resurrection

Acts 10:44 - "While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word." - Those baptized in household baptisms were those who heard and believed

Romans 2:28-29 - "For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter." - True circumcision is spiritual, not physical

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com