Luther (who was still too Catholic) is plainly in error here, for once again, the command of Christ is to baptize believers, and which is the only thing exampled where there is any description of the cognitive ability of the subject. Instead, baptism is for those who can fulfill the stated requirement of wholehearted belief: "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." All and all, Luther's cannot justify paedobaptism despite his verbosity.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19)
The subjects are the ones taught the gospel, that they are damned sinners in need of salvation, that that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47) which requires moral cognizance by the subject, which infants do not have, which ability awaits such.
Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. (Isaiah 7:15)
Then Peter said unto them, Repent , and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
Infants cannot comprehend the gospel, and choose repent, and have nothing to repent from, and are not damned due to what Adam did, though they suffer effects of his sin.
Thus,
The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin. (Deuteronomy 24:16; cf. 2Ki 14:5,6; 2Ch 25:4; Jer 31:29,30; Eze 18:20)
And baptism is never shown as being for the likes of infants, but is only shown to be for believers where anything more than a cursory mention of it is given:
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized , both men and women. (Acts 8:12)
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Acts 8:36-37)
Likewise,
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do . (Acts 9:6)
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. (Acts 9:18)
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we ? (Acts 10:47)
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul . And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. (Acts 16:14-15)
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house . And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. (Acts 16:30-32)
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. ( (Acts 16:32-34)
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:4-5)
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house ; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (Acts 18:8)
The few mentions of whole household baptisms do not mention infants,and all but one indicate the ability of the subjects to hear/comprehend and believe. And in some cases I would postulate that one as young as 3 or 4 may be able to comprehend the gospel and choose the Lord Jesus over sin.
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1 Corinthians 1:16-17)
The end.
Why NOT; Paul?
WHAT???
Am I to believe that LUTHER is actually being used to try to back up a Catholic teaching?
HMMMmmm...
Excellent post at 212. Thanks.
LOL.
It has been a long time since I've heard/read a Romophobe accusing Luther of being "too Catholic".