Again, have you ever listened to a Reformed person defend infant baptism? You may find it interesting. R.C. Sproul is a great example. I do not agree with him, but his arguments certainly are Biblical.
ECT Roman Catholic Doctrines
- Thread starter tdhiggins
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Again, have you ever listened to a Reformed person defend infant baptism? You may find it interesting. R.C. Sproul is a great example. I do not agree with him, but his arguments certainly are Biblical.
Hi and if you believe Acts 2:38 , is that WATER and I do not see that Greek word for WATER / HUDOR and why is in verse 38 " will receive " the gift of the Holy Spirit in the FUTURE TENSE ??
dan p
jsanford108
New member
An excellent point, Dan.
The gift of the Holy Spirit comes after baptism, as paralleled in Christ's own baptism. This concurs with the Catholic doctrine of baptism. (Other denominations have this same doctrine; Catholicism is just the oldest)
As for the Greek appearance of water in Acts, it is quite unnecessary; as everyone knew that baptism was done with water, as they would have heard of John the Baptist and Christ's actions.
When I say "baptism," you know that I mean water baptism. Likewise, the authors would have known the same inference would be correctly made.
Excellent points, Dan.
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God's Truth
New member
I was raised Catholic and was one into my twenties. I know the argument for baptism. I know the protestants reasoning for it too. It is not biblical.
You may not agree with them, but I would caution against saying it is unbiblical when taught rightly. I would readily worship with a congregation of Reformed Presbyterians if there were no Reformed Baptist churches available. It is a secondary point of disagreement so long as baptism does not become more than a sign.
Jerry Shugart
Well-known member
The Calvinists fail to realize that today there is but "one baptism" (Eph.4:5) and that baptism is the one performed by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.15:16).
Infant baptism and baptismal regeneration are both a denial of the truth found in the Bible!
jsanford108
New member
Tdhiggins,
Would you posit that baptism is no more than a sign, symbolic in nature alone?
jsanford108
New member
You have failed to demonstrate this, biblically.
Jerry Shugart
Well-known member
No?
Do you actually think that the "one baptism" is water baptism and not the baptism performed by the Holy Spirit of 1 Corinthians 12:13?
Is that what those in the church at Rome told you?
God's Truth
New member
How do you ever get that water baptism on an infant is a sign?
It is a sign that someone is being raised in falseness.
God's Truth
New member
Jesus tells us to get water baptized. You can baptize yourself if you have to. It is a physical and verbal promise to God that you will die to the sins of the world and live to please Jesus.
God's Truth
New member
There is nothing biblical or saving about an infant baptism. In fact, baptizing infants hinders people from getting saved, and in many cases it keeps people from ever getting saved.
Jerry Shugart
Well-known member
So you actually think that the "one baptism" is water baptism and not the baptism performed by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.12:13)?
If you are right then how are people being baptized into the Body of Christ today?
God's Truth
New member
No, the 'one baptism' is not the water baptism. However, we are still to get water baptized, just as we are to abstain from adultery and other sins, and just as we are to forgive those who sins against us.
jsanford108
New member
Notice that the Scripture you provided does not say "one baptism," but "one Spirit?"
Also, why was John the Baptist baptizing?
jsanford108
New member
Where is your biblical evidence of this?
God's Truth
New member
Infant baptism is not biblical
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
An infant cannot repent. Many denominations perform infant baptisms. The way to salvation changes by infant baptism, it is not biblical. Catholics perform infant baptisms; they preach this falseness, which is a damaging blow to those needing the truth, those who want Jesus to save them.
Many Catholics try to use Matthew 19:13-14 to support their false doctrine of infant baptism.
13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
If the disciples were baptizing infants, as the Catholics claim, why do you think the disciples rebuked the people who brought the little children?
And, why did Jesus place his hands on them but not have his disciples baptize them?
The kingdom of heaven belongs to little children such as the ones brought to him.
Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Matthew 18:3 And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
John 9:41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
You see, infant baptism is not biblical. In fact, infant baptism goes against the Word of God.
Jerry Shugart
Well-known member
Here is the verse which says "one baptism":
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph.4:5).
The "one baptism" is the one spoken of at 1 Corinthians 12:13. So if you think that water baptism is the "one baptism" then you must think that the Holy Spirit is no longer baptizing believers into the Body of Christ.
Is that what you believe?
To prepare the people to serve the Lord Jesus:
"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight" (Mt.3:1-3).
It was necessary for the people to have a change of mind in regard to their sinful life style in order "make ready a people prepared for the Lord" so that they "might serve Him...in holiness and righteousness" (Lk.1:17,74-75).
In fact, before anyone could be baptized with water they had to first believe, as witnessed by what is said here:
"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37).
Before the eunuch was baptized with water he was already "born of God" because he believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God:
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God..For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 Jn.5:1,4-5).
There can be no doubt that the eunuch received eternal life and was "born of God" before he was baptized with water so we can know that being baptized with water does not contribute in any way to anyone being saved.
It is obvious that since the rite of water baptism was only for those who believed then infants were not to be water baptism.
Why not just listen to a Biblical argument? I don't agree with infant baptism. But there are many Reformed brothers who do, for good reasons.
Again...yes. That is my belief. Baptism is an outward profession of an inward change wrought by the Holy Spirit.