To which I would add that most Baptists reject paedobaptism, not only because it is not exampled in Scripture, but also because they do not have a sacramental view of baptism, but as with the Lord’s Supper, understand that the outward act expresses a grace already inwardly received.
Sacramentalism is a correlate of sacerdotalism; the two stand or fall together, though in varying degree. If one must have priests, they must earn their keep as intermediaries between men and God and do SOMEthing only a priest can do, such as administer the sacraments. But if the Scriptures do not teach a continuation of the OT priesthood (and how could they, given Christ has met all the real obligations for which the OT priests were mere foreshadowing), then sacramental ritual as a means of grace is a superfluity, a redundancy to the grace already recieved.
Grace is not a fluid, like a fuel we can run out of, or something periodically doled out to us like prescription pills. Rather it is written into everything our Heavenly Father does for us, his undeserved favor, which lights up every dark corner of our life with undeserved joy, and which is not conditional on whether our skin is washed in water or our mouth occupied with bread and wine, but on His unconditional, unlimited, unending love for us.
Peace,
SR
The reasoning is sound, except that the Scriptures do teach a continuation of the OT priesthood, that of the "royal priesthood," in the sense that are called to offer sacrifices and make intercession. But no class has a unique sacerdotal function. Though the pastors are to be the primary leaders and instruments of such, yet they may not be.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1Pe 2:9)
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev 1:6)
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev 5:10)
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Rev 20:6)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb 13:15)
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)
For it is not ecclesiastical rank that makes a man a Christian. The centurion Cornelius was still a heathen when he was cleansed by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Daniel was but a child when he judged the elders.( Dan. 13:55-63, or Susanna 55-63) Amos was stripping mulberry bushes when, in a moment, he was made a prophet (Amos 7:14) David was only a shepherd when he was chosen to be king.(2 Sam. 16:11-13) And the least of His disciples was the one whom Jesus loved the most. My brother, sit down in the lower room, that when one less honorable comes you may be bidden to go up higher (Luke 14:10). Jerome, to Heliodorus, Letter 14:9, NPNF2, VI:17.