If You Won't Baptize Babies, Then Stop Having Church

Not too long ago, I heard a Bible teacher basically say that one of the arguments against baptizing babies (and thus, why the church where he serves does not teach or practice it as Biblical faithfulness) is that people have relied upon that one act as their ticket to Heaven; those same people, otherwise, are unfaithful to Christ and His Bride. – Granted: such a perspective of infant baptism is unacceptable within the church of God. But please, let’s be consistent!

What if a 50-year-old woman began relying upon that single act alone for her salvation? What if she trusted in the sign and not in the thing signified? What if some think that simple church attendance will save them? Will that teacher then discourage people from coming? … because “we don’t want you to mistake your attendance for an automatic transfer through the pearly gates.” What if some rely upon their financial giving? Should we then preach against any further giving and receiving of offerings? What if some weirdo thought that drinking water would get him into Heaven? Would all Christians be condemned for drinking water then? Of course, you can begin to see that this sort of thinking could not only put the preacher out of a job, but it could also become quite fatal, literally.

The problem is not with the baptism, just as it is not with the church attendance, the offering, or the drinking water. The problem is with the perspective. Does God only require you to be baptized as an infant but then expects nothing further by way of faithfulness to the covenant into which you’ve been baptized? Of course, this is not the case. But let’s not “throw the baby out with the [baptismal] water.” Perhaps we should not even throw out the baptismal water. – What is the right perspective on all this? Well, I’m glad I asked. Let’s discuss this further …. (to be continued ... maybe)