WHAT ABOUT INFANT BAPTISM? (Part One)

By Bob Myhan

oes the custom of applying water to infants as a religious rite have the authority of God? Are babes scriptural subjects of baptism? While the burden of proof rests with those whose practice it is, we will analyze the custom in the light of the scriptures.

criptural baptism is a burial in water (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12). There being no passage that even suggests that any other action will suffice, those who have not been buried in water have not been baptized, at all. Most denominations that teach infant baptism is acceptable to God do not bury the infant in water. They merely sprinkle or pour water on the infant’s head.

criptural baptism is for those who desire to follow Christ. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20).

eaching was the first obligation of the apostles to those of "all nations." Thus, they were to baptize those whom they had already taught. The word for "teach" here means to "make disciples of," which involves creating within the individual a desire to learn of Christ and follow Him. Are infants capable of such a desire? Surely, they are not.

hat were the apostles to do after baptizing those whom they had discipled? They were to teach them to observe all of Jesus' commandments. Can infants be thus instructed? No, we can begin to train them--by word and by our example--to do the right things but it will be years before they will be able to grasp the concept of spiritual responsibility.

criptural baptism is for those who believe the gospel. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).

gain, the first responsibility of the apostles was "preach the gospel to every creature" in "all the world." The desired result of the preaching was, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." In other words, the apostles were to preach in order to make believers and then baptize the believers they had made. The believers who were baptized would be saved. But infants cannot even understand the gospel, much less believe. And if they cannot believer why baptize them?

criptural baptism is for those who need salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21). “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:2,3).

f little children need to be baptized so they can be saved, why did Jesus say that adults must "be converted, and become as little children” in order to "enter into the kingdom of heaven"? This is the new birth Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus (John 3:3-5). Since infants do not need to be saved, there is no need for them either to believe or to be baptized.

criptural baptism is for those who need to repent of sin. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

eter made it clear in the first gospel sermon recorded in the book of Acts that all who need to be baptized need to repent, because both are "for the remission of sins." Thus, only those who need to repent need to be baptized.

n the other hand, those who do not need to repent do not need remission of sins. And those who do not need remission of sins do not need to be baptized. &

THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS

By Glenn Seaton

he ninth command says, "You shall not bear false witness against your neigh­bor" (Deut.5:20). The Hebrew law placed heavy stress upon the necessity of telling truth, especially in criminal cases. In fact, the man who falsely testified in criminal cases would face the same penal­ty as the man on trial would have paid (See Deut.19:16-23).

he ninth command is actually a study of lying, for bearing false witness is a kind of lie. Lying is a sin condemned throughout the word of God.

ost would recognize lying as an ageless sin, affecting generation to generation. It is a common problem in the world today and often a problem with Christians. Why is lying so common? Perhaps if we see what causes people to lay it will help us to understand this sin:

. The lie of malice. A lie of malice is a lie that seeks to do harm. It is closely akin to slander, blasphemy, and backbiting. The purpose of all is the same. Based on deliberate lies, gossip, or half-truth, they seek injury.

. The lie of fear. A lie of fear is usually for one reason, to escape the consequences of one's action. It is probably the first lie a child will tell and often go on telling all his life. This lie will eventually catch up with us as Moses said, "Your sin will find you out" (Num. 32:23).

. The lie of carelessness. How accurate are the statements you make? A man can become a chronic liar by simply telling things that are inaccurate. This lie might not be deliberate, but simply careless. Develop the accuracy and the discipline to tell things exactly as they are.

. The lie of boasting. There is great temptation when telling a persona experience to add a little “color” to what we tell. It reminds me of the old adage, "all liars are not fishermen, but all fishermen are liars." We often make things better or worse than what they actually are for our own advantage.

. The lie of profit. Unscrupulous high-pressure salesmen are adept at this kind of lie. Much of what we see, hear and read in advertising is another illustration of this kind of lie. The aim of such lies is personal gain from those who are duped into believing everything they hear. A Christian can not twist, suppress, or falsify the truth for persona gain.

. The lie of silence. Silence is often a lie. It is the easy way to avoid trouble and ridicule. The silent tongue doesn’t stand for what it believes; it takes the coward's refuge.

. The lie of half-truth. Ananias and Sapphira did not completely lie when they told Peter about the land they had sold. But their half-truths cost them their lives. Often, telling half of the truth is worse than telling an outright lie.

. The lie to self. There is nothing more difficult to face than the truth about ourselves. A long hard look at our thoughts, motives, and actions is indeed a bitter undertaking.  Yet, until we truthfully face ourselves we cannot grow in grace and knowledge.

inally, let all heed the warning: "All liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:  which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). & [Via The Eastside Teacher]