A Biblical Study in Infant Baptism-Part1

Infant Baptism: Baptism is a sign of new birth with Christ. Baptism symbolically enacts how a person's life is transformed by Christ: they are cleansed of their sins, they die and rise again, there is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).

Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:13

In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. Romans 9:8
1. Baptism includes children:
Salvation is not given for parents only, but for the parents and also for their whole household.Where does it say in the Bible not to baptize infants? The children in a family are part of the father and mother. When people are saved, it is God's desire to save their family.

But Jesus has commanded infant baptism. In Matthew 28:19 He says, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 25:31-32 also uses the phrase "all nations" in this way. All nations are to be baptized, regardless of race, color, sex, age, class, or education. Jesus makes no exceptions. He doesn't say, "Baptize all nations except . . .."

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."Acts 2:38-39

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. John 8:31

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:5

2.Baptism is the new circumcision of Christ: Did the babies circumcised under Abraham and Moses understand what was happening to them? Of course not. How were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob saved? By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

"In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." Col 2:11-12

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him. And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. 1 John 2:27-29

Every time Christians come to the Lord's table, they renew the covenant, receive the promise of the Gospel again, take up their oath of obedience to God and renew their baptism.

3.Baptism is the beginning of the faith: We including children's are born again
as members of Christ's body and citizens of his Kingdom. Baptism is the beginning and not the end of the journey to salvation. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Baptism is not an end in itself. Rather, it is only the beginning of a life of faith and faithful discipleship in Jesus. Baptism is a sign of God's grace which includes adult converts or infant children of believers.

The Word of God says, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22) and "not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven but only those who do the will of God who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Jesus said, "Unless you are born again of water and Spirit you cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). No one by no fault of their own that is not baptized is condemned to hell.

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." Mark 9:37

4.Make disciples by "baptizing and teaching: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28: 19-20

5.All were baptized" through Moses' leadership in crossing over the Red Sea:
Moses did not leave the infants or children on the shores of Egypt to become prey to the angry armies of Pharaoh because they were not old enough to believe in the promise of the Old Covenant. Rather, entrusted to the arms of their parents' faith, they were carried through the "baptism of Moses."

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food 4and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4

6.Lord is with children:
Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 1:6-8

The saving of Noah's entire family by the ark can also be seen as a prefigurement of a baptism which includes infants. Why should we leave infants out of the ark of baptism?

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.1 Peter 2:2

Source:http://scriptureknowledgebase.blogspot.com