WHAT ABOUT INFANT BAPTISM?
by: Ivie Powell
Since we are exhorted to "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (I Thess. 5:21), and to "…be read always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (I Pet. 3:15) Where is the authority from God’s word for the practice of infant baptism? A careful study of the scriptures will reveal there is no command, example or inference for such a practice. When then did infant baptism originate? Iraneus (125-190) made the first reference to infant baptism. In 253 a council of 66 bishops decided infants must be baptized. This practice did not become general until after the time of Augustine (354-430). One thing is for certain; infant baptism is not with dive authority.
Pause and consider, dear reader, only those who hear the word of God (Rom. 10:17), believe in Christ (John 8:24), repent of their sins (Luke 13:3), confess Christ to be the Son of God (Matt. 10:32-33) are proper candidates for scriptural baptism (Acts 2:37-38). Since infants cannot do the aforementioned, they are not proper candidates!
Furthermore, Jesus said, "…except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt.18:3) and "…Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:14) since they have no sins until they reach the age of accountability! If they die before reaching maturity, or an age of accountability, they will be safe.
The dedication of a child to God should be made in the hearts of the parents, and not by some religious ceremony! There is no authority in the scriptures, which teaches infant baptism. Those who were "baptized" in infancy have yet to be scripturally baptized!