We already know Jesus said to make disciples of all nations (all ethnic groups). So, actually, you're the one attempting to form a pool of exclusion where none is.
So, having arrived at that basic understanding, when we look at the multiple "whole household" passages, both sides "presume": It's NOT that one side presumes & the other doesn't, both presume.
Secondly, NO age of anybody -- adult, teen, pre-teen, primary, Kind., pre-school, toddler, infant -- is EVER given in Scripture.
If we take your counsel -- and other credobaptists, then for all we know, nobody under 25 was ever baptized because the Bible is silent on age -- and therefore nobody under 25 should ever be baptized.
At the very least, the "Bible-is-silent "age-based" argument infants applies equally across the board to teens & pre-teens. IoW, those age groups then shouldn't be baptized IF that's an argument to be stuck with.
Finally, most credobaptist groups have created "baby dedications." The Bible is silent on ANY age kid-dedications, let alone baby ones...
We would thereby expect credobaptists to show some consistency and staunchly come out against that...but they don't.
Water Baptism marked a change in life, involving repentance and a commitment to a new way of living.
Repentance is an ONGOING part of life for EVERY Christian.
No Christian repents only once -- as if it's a baptism-related checklist thing.
IoW, it's EXPECTED of EVERY Christian to repent as often as necessary in their life.
Nobody is claiming that this expectation will be any different for anybody. Every person baptized as an infant, a toddler, etc...will have this expectation in their life.
People wield the "repentance" argument as if those baptized will never be expected to repent. (Nothing could be further from the truth)
An adult being baptized doesn't repent once-and-for-all time; and neither anybody younger than that.
“If we take your counsel — and other credobaptists, then for all we know, nobody under 25 was ever baptized because the Bible is silent on age — and therefore nobody under 25 should ever be baptized.”
“Tell us where the “belief” verses are about the rest of his household? (Go ahead, list them for us)”
While the Bible is silent about exact ages, it is not silent about belief. Believing IS a requirement. That is why we are often referred to as “believers”. There are roughly 500 verses in the New Testament alone that cover the requirement to believe.
It is not open to debate. It is EXCRUCIATINGLY CLEAR that faith and believing are requirements to become ‘believers’!
If someone has not believed, they cannot be “in Christ”. They are not part of the body of Christ.
So why would ANYONE want to baptize an infant? What do they think it is going to do? Is it a magical ritual, per Simon Magus?
Your post 119 is telling. You deny belief is required for salvation. You deny the entire New Testament to justify your belief.
“Finally, most credobaptist groups have created “baby dedications.” The Bible is silent on ANY age kid-dedications, let alone baby ones... “
Having sat thru many, the point of the dedication is for the ADULTS to pledge themselves to teaching the child about God. It does not, in any way, mean the child is blessed or changed or promised anything by God.
We already know Jesus said to make disciples of all nations (all ethnic groups). So, actually, you're the one attempting to form a pool of exclusion where none is.
Mat_28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Jesus DID NOT say to teach every breathing human in every nation...He said teach all NATIONS...If one person in each Nation was taught, the command is fulfilled...
So, having arrived at that basic understanding, when we look at the multiple "whole household" passages, both sides "presume": It's NOT that one side presumes & the other doesn't, both presume.
Nope...ALL in all housholds believed before baptism EXCEPT in the case of Lydia...And yet there is language there that makes one lean that way...
Doesn't matter...There is not a single case in the scripture where an individual of any age is baptized without first believing...It's cut and dried...No argument...
Secondly, NO age of anybody -- adult, teen, pre-teen, primary, Kind., pre-school, toddler, infant -- is EVER given in Scripture.
If we take your counsel -- and other credobaptists, then for all we know, nobody under 25 was ever baptized because the Bible is silent on age -- and therefore nobody under 25 should ever be baptized.
It's already been pointed out that until a person understands what sin is, there is no sin committed...Therefore no penalty for sin...God determines when that age hits a person...
Repentance is an ONGOING part of life for EVERY Christian.
In my and many others' definition of repent, repent means to change one's mind, to turn to Jesus...
But regardless of the correct definition, all are commanded to repent (those who are under sin)...No repentance, no baptism...And repentance under that definition is required only once...