Infant Baptism

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JBotwinick:
The what are you saying when you say that "baptism is a means of receiving God's grace"? Joseph<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Whether Sir ED says it or not, Baptism to most theologies is a means of grace. The question is what is the nature of the grace conferred?

Roman, E.O., Lutheran, Anglican teach in one form or another that water baptism causes regeneration, thus making the infant capable of receiving and/or exercising saving faith.

Presbyterian & [Dutch] Reformed believe it is a sanctifying grace of some sort, a sign and seal of the covenant promise, thus is appropriate for infants, as was circumcision.

Many Baptists(and near-Baptists) believe that it is a public testimony of what the Holy Spirit hath wrought, thus similar to the memorial view regarding communion.

Additionally, some Baptists(myself included) have a view that is a little closer to the Presbyterian view meaning that Baptism is what the other Baptists say... plus... a sanctifying grace that brings a spiritual blessing, to the one who is already born again.

cordially,

CNM

 

CNM, I was being sarcastic in response to JB's question. We all know Jesus is the only way to God the Father. BTW: The Lutheran view would actually encompass both of the first two "views" you listed.

The last view seems incompatible with Protestant doctrine in that Baptism is just a human work in that regard.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Sir Ed:
The last view seems incompatible with Protestant doctrine in that Baptism is just a human work in that regard.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Baptism like: praise, prayer, communion, Bible reading, witnessing, taking care of widows & orphans is an obedience to the command of Christ and thusly is an act of Holy worship unto the Lord. Like all those other things, it is of no benefit to the natural man.

cordially,

CNM

 

Hello everyone,

I would like to thank everyone for their contributions on this thread. However, it is getting rather long and I think has pretty well run its course. Therefore, I am closing it tonight. If you would like to start a new thread in which you discuss some of the specific points made here in this thread, please feel free to do so. I will probably move this to the Best Threads forum because I am proud to say that this has been a great discussion.

Thank You,

Joseph
Moderator

[ July 12, 2001: Message edited by: JBotwinick ]