In traditional Christian circles, there is a huge debate going on concerning not only the mode of baptism but also who should participate in baptism. Presbyterians say that while an adult who converts to Christianity should be baptized, children born in Christian households should also be baptized. Baptists deny infant baptism by saying that only those who are old enough to profess faith in Christ should be baptized and since babies cannot profess faith in Christ they should not be baptized. Only one side is correct while the other is in serious error. But, which side is the biblical one? As a devout Presbyterian, I believe that infants who belong to the covenant community should be baptized and in this blog, I shall give a biblical defense for why that is the case. However, this blog shall be different than most defenses for infant baptism because I shall also tell you how infant baptism has a positive impact on one's mental health. My prayer for this blog will open your eyes to the beauty of infant baptism while I fully acknowledge that this is a very controversial issue. I also pray that this blog will open your mind to looking more deeper into this topic as this will not be a comprehensive defense. I intend this to just be an introduction to the topic. For a more detailed defense of infant baptism, I recommend you check out a book titled "The Case For Covenantal Infant Baptism" which was edited by Dr. Gregg Strawbridge. I would like to first say that I am not advocating for baptismal regeneration because I do not believe that baptism is what saves anyone. Only faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will save people. That is an important point to make because many Christians accuse us Presbyterians of believing in baptismal regeneration, even though we fundamentally reject that. Also, I would like to say that there are no explicit commands in Scripture to forbid infant baptism nor are there any explicit Scriptures that demand infant baptism. This means that both sides must draw their conclusions based off of inferences from key texts of the Bible. I have found that the Presbyterian interpretation of baptism makes the most sense when you take the whole counsel of God together along with a proper understanding of the biblical covenants found in the Old Testament and the New Testament. So, what exactly is this biblical defense for infant baptism?
Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 27
Q. Are infants also to be baptized?
A. Yes, for since they, as well as the adult, are included in the covenant and church of God; and since redemption from sin by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the author of faith, is promised to them no less than to the adult; they must therefore by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, be also admitted into the Christian church, and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers as was done in the old covenant or testament by circumcision, instead of which baptism is instituted in the new covenant."
As you can see, infant baptism has a historical precedent in the Reformed Christian tradition. One could say that infant baptism is a defining characteristic of the Reformed faith and to deny infant baptism is to deny a fundamental tenant of Reformed theology. According to this text, we base our belief in infant baptism on a proper and full understanding of how the Old Covenant translates into the New Covenant. But, what is the Scripture text that supports this claim? If we turn to Colossians 2:11-12 we read the following,
"In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead"
As you can clearly see here, the Apostle Paul so closely identifies circumcision with baptism that it is undeniable that they are related. But, wait, does not Paul speak out against circumcision elsewhere in the New Testament? Yes, he does, but why is that? It is because Paul knew that just as circumcision was the sign of the Old Covenant baptism is the sign of the New Covenant. Our Baptist brothers and sisters need to seriously jump through exegetical loops just to explain this text away because the correlation is not difficult to comprehend. So, I know that some of you may be wondering if there are any examples in Scripture of infant baptisms taking place. After all, we do have many examples of adults being baptized so what about babies? Before I answer that question, I would like to direct your attention to Peter's sermon in Acts chapter 2 that he gave on the day of Pentecost. After he gave this riveting sermon, the people asked him what they must do to be saved and Peter gave a very profound answer. In verses 38-39 we read the following,
"And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself"
What is this promise that Peter is referring to? Obviously, he is referring to the promise of salvation and he is saying that it is for us AND our children. This would mean that our children are part of the Covenant community. If that text were not clear enough for you, let's turn to 1 Corinthians 7:14 which says,
"For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy"
This is the clear covenantal language because to be "unclean", according to the Old Covenant meant to be outside of the Covenant. So, Paul was saying that children born to at least one believing parent are inside the Covenant. This is why Paul can say that these children are holy, which means they are set apart for God. You may ask me in what way are the unbelieving spouses considered holy according to this text, but that is just about the fact that the whole household has come under the influence of God's work because of the believing spouse.
Now, you are probably still wondering about those examples of infant baptisms in Scripture right? In Acts 18:8 we read the following,
"Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household..."
Also, in Acts 16:31 and 33 we read about the Philippian jailer,
"And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household... And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family."
Furthermore, Paul mentions baptizing the household of Stephanas in 1 Corinthians 1:16 when he says,
"I did also baptize the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else."
The bottom line is there many examples of household baptisms where entire families were baptized. My question for you is this: If we know that children were involved in the Covenant for literally thousands of years prior and then all of a sudden were no longer part of the New Covenant, then why isn't there any explanation as to why that is? That would be such a radical change that an explanation would be warranted, but instead, we see these examples where entire families were baptized. This should give us good reason to conclude that babies were baptized since they were considered part of the New Covenant community.
So, how does all this relate to mental health? As it turns out, there are quite a few benefits this should have on mental health. As Bryan Chapell perfectly explains in the book "The Case For Covenantal Infant Baptism",
"...a child is surrounded and embraced by the testimony of Christ at every turn in life. Thus, the church becomes God's instrument for presenting the reality of Himself to the heart and mind of the child. A child with such an experience, fostered at his baptism and nourished throughout his life by a mature body of believers, breathes the truths of grace as naturally and consciously as he breathes air"
As a result of this, if possible, the children of Christian parents may never know a day when they will not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because their baptism has sealed them for belief. The child's baptism will always serve as a salient reminder of God's grace in their lives and that the Lord will never leave nor forsake them. Also, when the child is brought into the Covenant community they are brought into a family who loves and cares for them and who will pray for, support, and nourish them as they grow into adulthood. Numerous studies have shown the positive benefits that being part of a community will have on mental health. Current research has also shown that young childhood is a pivotal moment in a child's development into the people they will grow to become. It is almost as if God knew what He was doing by involving His people in the Covenant community from such a young age.
I hope that this sparks your interest for you to do some further study into this fascinating subject. I appreciate you taking the time to read this blog and I pray you found it edifying to you and glorifying to God. May the grace of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless you all!
Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
Check out the other Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 27
Q. Are infants also to be baptized?
A. Yes, for since they, as well as the adult, are included in the covenant and church of God; and since redemption from sin by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the author of faith, is promised to them no less than to the adult; they must therefore by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, be also admitted into the Christian church, and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers as was done in the old covenant or testament by circumcision, instead of which baptism is instituted in the new covenant."
As you can see, infant baptism has a historical precedent in the Reformed Christian tradition. One could say that infant baptism is a defining characteristic of the Reformed faith and to deny infant baptism is to deny a fundamental tenant of Reformed theology. According to this text, we base our belief in infant baptism on a proper and full understanding of how the Old Covenant translates into the New Covenant. But, what is the Scripture text that supports this claim? If we turn to Colossians 2:11-12 we read the following,
"In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead"
As you can clearly see here, the Apostle Paul so closely identifies circumcision with baptism that it is undeniable that they are related. But, wait, does not Paul speak out against circumcision elsewhere in the New Testament? Yes, he does, but why is that? It is because Paul knew that just as circumcision was the sign of the Old Covenant baptism is the sign of the New Covenant. Our Baptist brothers and sisters need to seriously jump through exegetical loops just to explain this text away because the correlation is not difficult to comprehend. So, I know that some of you may be wondering if there are any examples in Scripture of infant baptisms taking place. After all, we do have many examples of adults being baptized so what about babies? Before I answer that question, I would like to direct your attention to Peter's sermon in Acts chapter 2 that he gave on the day of Pentecost. After he gave this riveting sermon, the people asked him what they must do to be saved and Peter gave a very profound answer. In verses 38-39 we read the following,
"And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself"
What is this promise that Peter is referring to? Obviously, he is referring to the promise of salvation and he is saying that it is for us AND our children. This would mean that our children are part of the Covenant community. If that text were not clear enough for you, let's turn to 1 Corinthians 7:14 which says,
"For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy"
This is the clear covenantal language because to be "unclean", according to the Old Covenant meant to be outside of the Covenant. So, Paul was saying that children born to at least one believing parent are inside the Covenant. This is why Paul can say that these children are holy, which means they are set apart for God. You may ask me in what way are the unbelieving spouses considered holy according to this text, but that is just about the fact that the whole household has come under the influence of God's work because of the believing spouse.
Now, you are probably still wondering about those examples of infant baptisms in Scripture right? In Acts 18:8 we read the following,
"Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household..."
Also, in Acts 16:31 and 33 we read about the Philippian jailer,
"And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household... And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family."
Furthermore, Paul mentions baptizing the household of Stephanas in 1 Corinthians 1:16 when he says,
"I did also baptize the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else."
The bottom line is there many examples of household baptisms where entire families were baptized. My question for you is this: If we know that children were involved in the Covenant for literally thousands of years prior and then all of a sudden were no longer part of the New Covenant, then why isn't there any explanation as to why that is? That would be such a radical change that an explanation would be warranted, but instead, we see these examples where entire families were baptized. This should give us good reason to conclude that babies were baptized since they were considered part of the New Covenant community.
So, how does all this relate to mental health? As it turns out, there are quite a few benefits this should have on mental health. As Bryan Chapell perfectly explains in the book "The Case For Covenantal Infant Baptism",
"...a child is surrounded and embraced by the testimony of Christ at every turn in life. Thus, the church becomes God's instrument for presenting the reality of Himself to the heart and mind of the child. A child with such an experience, fostered at his baptism and nourished throughout his life by a mature body of believers, breathes the truths of grace as naturally and consciously as he breathes air"
As a result of this, if possible, the children of Christian parents may never know a day when they will not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because their baptism has sealed them for belief. The child's baptism will always serve as a salient reminder of God's grace in their lives and that the Lord will never leave nor forsake them. Also, when the child is brought into the Covenant community they are brought into a family who loves and cares for them and who will pray for, support, and nourish them as they grow into adulthood. Numerous studies have shown the positive benefits that being part of a community will have on mental health. Current research has also shown that young childhood is a pivotal moment in a child's development into the people they will grow to become. It is almost as if God knew what He was doing by involving His people in the Covenant community from such a young age.
I hope that this sparks your interest for you to do some further study into this fascinating subject. I appreciate you taking the time to read this blog and I pray you found it edifying to you and glorifying to God. May the grace of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless you all!
Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
Check out the other Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
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