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To: Alex Murphy
1) There is no example of infant baptism in the New Testament.

Converts and sometimes their households were baptized. It is not stated either that the entire household was converted, or that there were or were not infants in the household.

I maintain that the NT is not nearly as clear as Baptists would like to believe.

2) There is no command to baptize babies in the New Testament.

Because, "of course" it's appropriate. Do you need a command to breathe? :-)

3) Many people who have been baptized as infants believe they are going to heaven because a priest or a pastor sprinkled some water on their forehead when they were a few weeks old.

That they are misinformed in not an arguement one way or the other about the validity of the practice.

I remain convinced that believers' baptism is scriptural,
Of course it's scriptural. Noone would deny baptism to a convert who had not previously been baptised. I've seen adult baptisms in Reformed churches. The question is whether it's appropriate to apply the sign of the new covenant to the infant children of believers.
Christians differ in our understanding of baptism, and it is not likely that we will agree on this until we get to heaven. For a good recent summary of various views, see the brand-new Understanding Four Views on Baptism, edited by John Armstrong and featuring presentations (and rebuttals) by representatives of the Baptist, Reformed, Lutheran and Christian Church/Church of Christ positions.

Not even getting into the RC conception of baptism....

12 posted on 03/08/2007 2:31:27 PM PST by Lee N. Field
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To: Lee N. Field
Not even getting into the RC conception of baptism

It's not too far from the Lutheran view, which shouldn't come as a surprise. From Luther's small catechism:

What is baptism?

Baptism is not merely water, but it is water used according to God's command and connected with God's Word.

What is this Word of God?

As recorded in Matthew 28:19, our Lord Christ said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

What gifts or benefits does Baptism bestow?

It effects forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and grants eternal salvation to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God declare.

What is this Word and promise of God?

As recorded in Mark 16:16, our Lord Christ said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned."

How can water produce such great effects?

It is not the water that produces these effects, but the Word of God connected with the water, and our faith which relies on the Word of God connected with the water. For without the Word of God the water is merely water and no Baptism. But when connected with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul wrote to Titus (3:5-8): "He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. This saying is sure."

---- [end quotation] ----

As a Catholic, I don't find too much objectionable there.

17 posted on 03/08/2007 3:02:44 PM PST by Campion ("I am so tired of you, liberal church in America" -- Mother Angelica, 1993)
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