Bob said
we have the words of Christ ABOUT that not-baptized infant "OF such is the Kingdom of heaven"
Carson replies
So you're saying that people enter the kingdom of God when they come into existence, exit the kingdom of God when the Age of Reason comes about (which is a process, mind you), and then re-enter the kingdom of God through accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour?
Christ's Words when speaking of those infants NOT baptized - "Of SUCH IS the Kingdom of Heaven".
He did not say when addressing THEM specifically "infants NEED to be Baptized to BE OF the kingdom of heaven".
Perhaps you are arguing that He "should have said that INSTEAD of arguing that they already were accepted".
The act of the will in CHOOSING life is always recognized in scripture as "The event" where one becomes saved. But scripture does not say "infants are lost until baptized or until they choose life". God covers them with His blood "overlooking the times of ignorance" as we see in Acts regarding the history of man - so "To Him who Knows to do Right and Does it NOT - to Him it is sin" James 4 - applies here.
It is not so much a deliberate JOINING of the Kingdom of God by an infant - as much as grace covering the infant by default at birth.
That has been explained a few times - but you are looking for "something else"?
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Bob said
When the child is old enough to comprehend the concept of saved/lost and Savior and sin. They are subject to God's own work "Convicting the world of Sin and Rightouesness and Judgment"... DRAWING ALL mankind unto Him...
Carson
I don't see your response to my questions as sufficient. If infants are covered by the blood of Jesus, does this covering become undone by either the process of coming to reason or by personal sin? If so, is one re-covered by the blood of Jesus through accepting Him through an act of faith?
The first covering is by default, that covering can be lost if the child at some point begins to "reject the Drawing of All mankind" to Christ John 12:32. The Holy Spirit WILL come to that child "Convicting them of sin and righteousness and judgment" John 16 when they are old enough to comprehend it. They can turn from God at any time.
They are enable (supernaturally) with "Free will" by the "Drawing of All mankind" by God - otherwise the Romans 3:9-20 principle would leave them in total depravity.
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Carson
I understand from your response that when one obtains the use of the faculty of reason, they are then subject to conviction of sin.
But, this doesn't address the "Jesus' blood covers us" issue.
it is a born again requirement (in both the OT and NT ages) that applies only to those that have the ability to "accept faith
Yes - the POWER of baptism (spiritually speaking) to SAVE - according to the Apostolic teaching of Peter is "NOT the magic ritual, or montra, or holy water touching the flesh, but the APPEAL to God for a clean conscience" 1 PEter 3:21.
Not possible for an infant.
Not my solution - Peter's
Carson
I see part of your solution to rejecting infant baptism. It is the limiting of the necessity for spiritual rebirth to those past the Age of Reason. That's interesting, and, of course, I don't agree with you.
Yes - clearly you don't agree.
I am simply pointing out that we have no other mechanism in scripture that is available and the specifics given by the apostolic teaching regarding Baptism make it clearly not-applicable ot infants.
Acts 2 The Apostolic teaching of Peter is "Repent and BE Baptized EVERY ONE of you" - there is no exception made and there is no mention of "Be Baptized and then years later Repent" as the RCC hopes to find it.
1 Peter 3:21 The Apostolic teaching of Peter is "Baptism now SAVES you - NOT the sacramental water touching flesh - but the APPEAL to GOD for a CLEAN conscience" - done BY the one being baptized. There is substitutionary atonement in scripture - but not substitutionary receiving Christ. Each one must go to God and receive Christ for Himself. The Mormon model does not work - not even for the RCC.
In Christ,
Bob