Infants Do Not Meet the Scriptural Demands for Baptism

• Before being Scripturally baptized, conditions must be met:– One must be taught the gospel (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:16-16)– One must gladly receive the gospel (Acts 2:41)– One must believe the gospel (Mk. 16:16; Ac. 8:36-37; 16:31-33)– One must be convicted of sins (Acts 2:37)– One must repent of sins (change mindchange life) (Acts 2:38)– One must knowingly acknowledge his faith (Acts 8:36-38)

• After one is Scripturally baptized:– One must continue steadfastly (Acts 2:42; 8:39)

Infants Do Not Need the Scriptural Design of Baptism

• The purpose/design of baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; 22:16)• Babies do NOT have sin that needs to be washed away!

– Sin is a personal act/choice, not inherited (James 1:14-15)– Sin is the breaking of God’s law, not inherited (1 John 3:4)– Sins are accounted to the sinner himself, not inherited (Ezek.

28:15; 18:20)– Babies are born sinless, pure & holy (Matt. 18:3; Luke 18:16-17)

Infants Do Not Make the Scriptural Decision of Baptism

• In the N.T., baptism was a personal act (cf. Acts 8:36)– A command to be obeyed, a personal decision to be made

• Infant baptism (unlike N.T. baptism) involves forced compliance• EVERY person baptized in the N.T. did so of their own

volition (cf. Acts 22:16)

Infants Do Not Match the Scriptural Definition of Baptism• Water is sprinkled on infants, but that is not N.T. baptism• Baptism is a burial in water (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12)• Subjects are immersed into water (Mark 1:9; Acts 8:38)

Answering Some Common Arguments• “Israel baptized in the Red Sea is a type of our salvation

(cf. 1 Cor. 10:1-12), which would have included infants.”– Also included flocks, herds, livestock, dough, kneading bowels,

silver, gold (Ex. 12:32, 34, 35, 38)– Also included the bones of Joseph (Ex. 13:19)

• “The Great Commission instructs to baptize ‘all nations’ and ‘every creature’ (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16), which would include infants.”– Those baptized must first be taught– Those taught must be “teachable,” with ability to learn– Those taught are then the ones who choose their response– Those taught choose to “believe” and choose to “be baptized”

Answering Some Common Arguments• “Baptism of the N.T. is equivalent/likened to circumcision

of the O.T. (cf. Col. 2:11-13), so just as infants were circumcised then infants are to be baptized.”– If so, then why were Jews (like in Acts 2) baptized?– Circumcision was a parental responsibility, but baptism is a

personal responsibility – Males only were circumcised, but baptism is for both males

and females (Gal. 3:27-28)

Answering Some Common Arguments• “Households were baptized in the N.T., which must have included

infants.”– In the very passages that record every household being baptized, God

placed evidence that infants were NOT included in the baptism.– Cornelius & his household were baptized (Acts 10:47-48; 11:14)

• Cornelius’ household ALSO “feared God” (10:2) and heard (22)– Lydia & her household were baptized (Acts 16:15)

• Lydia’s household must have ALSO “heard” and “heeded” (16:14)• Lydia’s household were “the brethren” who Paul “encouraged” (40)

– Jailer & his household were baptized (Acts 16:33)• Jailer’s household ALSO “believed in God” (16:34)

– Crispus & his household were baptized (1 Cor. 1:14; Acts 18:8)• Crispus’ household ALSO “believed on the Lord” (Acts 18:8)

– Stephanas & his household were baptized (1 Cor. 1:16)• Stephanas’ household ALSO “addicted themselves to ministry” (16:15)

Infant Baptism Originated As and Is Perpetuated As a Man-Made Doctrine

• There is not a single piece of evidence in the New Testament to support infant baptism– There is no Scriptural authority for infant baptism– There is no Scriptural purpose for infant baptism– There is no Scriptural example of infant baptism– There is no Scriptural basis for infant baptism

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17).