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Infant Baptism: Looking at Some Critical Texts

April 26, 2011 By 2 Comments

Question: Some verses seem to speak specifically to infant baptism (i.e. Acts 2:39, 1 Cor. 7:14, Col. 2:11-12). What do you make of these scriptures and others which address this issue? What is your view on infant baptism in general?

Nate’s Answer:

1) Acts 2:38-39: Implicit in Peter’s call is that only those who could respond would respond.   In other words, this is not a treatise on “infant baptism,” but a call to salvation in Christ.   The promise of the Holy Spirit was potentially for all people in all places for all time forward - even those people outside an earshot from Peter’s sermon that day - whom God would call.   If babies hear the call of God then they should repent of their sin and turn to Jesus, [but as infants they are unable to do so].

2) 1 Cor. 7:12-14: Neither is this text specifically addressing infant baptism, but marriage issues.   Nevertheless, is Paul actually suggesting that unbelieving spouses and children inherit salvation through a believing partner?   That would be ridiculous, completely anti-Pauline (1 Cor. 1:30, 6:11) in his understanding of the concept of “sanctification.”   But then what does he mean by “sanctified through” and “holy” in v. 14?   It bears longer study and there are many different explanantions of varying complexity.   Personally, I believe the best answers center around God’s regard and the believing spouse’s hope: that God views the unbelieving spouse through the lens of the believing spouse’s sanctified state such that hope is held out for the eventual conversion of the unbelieving spouse.   It is actually an expression of God’s temporarily sustaining grace: while not automatically extending salvation, God is kindly mindful of both the unbelieving spouse and children due to His commitment to the believing spouse.   In fact, the marriage should be maintained upon these grounds of temporary blessing to the family, even though the unbelieving members of the family are unconscious of God’s nonsalvific blessing.  But again, discussion regarding infant baptism doesn’t really fit here.

3) Colossians 2:11-12: Again, this is Paul speaking to the nature of our salvation.   In this third text, unlike the first two, I fail to see how children or infants are especially included.   Yes, Paul mentions circumcision, but in that it is a spiritual circumcision in response to the faith in Christ we express, it does not refer to the physical circumcision of infant boys any longer - and that is his whole point!

Here’s the bottom line for me: I have yet to find any passage in the Bible that clearly advocates for infant baptism.   Meanwhile, its practice can be confusing, suggesting to parents that in it they are conferring salvation to children.   That sort of false hope is dangerous for all concerned – eternal destiny is at stake.

 

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See What a Morning!

April 25, 2011 By 1 Comment

Never too late for this.

 

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It’s Friday, But Sunday is Coming…

April 22, 2011 By 3 Comments
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Behind the music with Matt Maher

April 18, 2011 By 2 Comments

Many of you may be familiar with the music of Matt Maher.  I truly enjoy his music and thought I’d share with you some videos about his powerful song “Christ is Risen” which I love.  What you may not know though is that Matt Maher is Catholic and has a heart for reaching other Catholics.  Below are a few quotes from some articles I found that discuss Matt and his passion for music and the Church as a whole.

“The joy that I really feel, as part of my ministry, is that I’ve been kind of going out more and traveling and working with different people breaking down those stereotypes because people have a lot of Catholic stereotypes. I’m just letting them know that there is a generation, now rising, of Catholics who recognize the gift of Salvation that’s been given to them and that see the need for a daily relationship with Jesus and pursue it. And pursue Him actively in His Word, and also pursue it in the Sacrament….What I’ve realized too is that the harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. The reality is that because of the denominational barriers that exist, there are so few laborers in the Catholic Church. You know, I think it’s a move that God is doing.”

“With an incredible love for Christ, and a heart to reach people with the Gospel, Maher seeks to meet people where they are, not where he wishes they would be. Often referring to himself as a “musical missionary,” Maher, who also serves as part of the worship team at his home church in Mesa, Arizona, St. Timothy Catholic Community, shares, “It’s so important to stay in community when you want to write for the Church. That is where your songs come from; from your relationship with Christ, with your immediate family, and the family of believers.”

The first video is Matt Maher explaining more about the song Christ is Risen and a 3rd century sermon that inspired him to write it.   The second video is the actual song with the lyrics.

 

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The Bible is (Primarily) Not About You

April 17, 2011 By 2 Comments

 

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The Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 10

April 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

27. Question: What do you understand by the providence of God?

Answer: God’s providence is His almighty and ever present power,[1] whereby, as with His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth and all creatures,[2] and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty,[3] indeed, all things, come not by chance[4] but by His fatherly hand.[5]

[1] Jer. 23:23, 24; Acts 17:24-28. [2] Heb. 1:3. [3] Jer. 5:24; Acts 14:15-17; John 9:3; Prov. 22:2. [4] Prov. 16:33. [5] Matt. 10:29.

28. Question: What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by His providence?

Answer: We can be patient in adversity,[1] thankful in prosperity,[2] and with a view to the future we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from His love;[3] for all creatures are so completely in His hand that without His will they cannot so much as move.[4]

[1] Job. 1:21, 22; Ps. 39:10; James 1:3. [2] Deut. 8:10; I Thess. 5:18. [3] Ps. 55:22; Rom. 5:3-5; 8:38, 39. [4] Job 1:12; 2:6; Prov. 21:1; Acts 17:24-28.

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Extensions of Grace: A Reflection of Life-Giving Saturday

April 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, many of us made our way into the surrounding communities—Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg, and Dillsburg—to serve those in the church as well as those who do not yet know Jesus, in hopes that all may “see [our] good works and give glory to the Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). This day is an annual occurrence, one in which all are encouraged to match our creeds (what we say) with our deeds (what we do). James, in fact, reminds us that true faith is accompanied with such deeds and that without them, our intuitive faith is just a mirage of the real thing. Jesus’ teaching aligns with James’ in the same way – if we aren’t bearing fruit, there is reason to question the legitimacy of our salvation.

So to encourage this type of service is good and honorable in the sight of the Lord. I think all would agree with that. However, do we think it changes anything? Do we believe that our impact is serving the kingdom of God in real, tangible ways? In our Western culture, measure of success is often determined by, or directly correlated with, measure of change. In relation to the church, if we don’t give up everything and serve in Africa or Indonesia, we may think that our service “doesn’t count” or isn’t worth as much to God in the grand scheme of things.

I’d like to reject this myth, giving some reasons why the local church can “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15) among a generation that needs Jesus.

1. God is sovereign over times and places. Paul, in Acts 17:26, confirms this: “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God.” There is a reason that believers were born in central Pennsylvania. God has chosen from before the foundation of the world for individuals to live and work here and not somewhere else. God has called us to this place to minister to those whom we daily interact. Sometimes, it’s a temptation to automatically feel like we’re needed elsewhere, when God has been putting people in front of us here. Family members, co-workers, teammates, friends – all have been set in our proverbial path in order that God may be winning people to himself through ordinary means.

2. The second is much like the first: We were created to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” In his good and gracious plan, God has made his children for works of service which will be beneficial to the church and to his kingdom. One of the beauties of a regenerate Christian, is his desire for good works. As sinners, we do not naturally desire to please God through acts of service; however, the Christian is different. The Christian, as an outpouring of thankfulness, aims to please God by helping his brother. These good works have been set in front of us – here in the local community. Acts of service are done in this community, because God has planned them, for the edification of his church, and for the spread of his Name.

3. The gospel is needed for all peoples, at all times in history, in every place of the world. The great thing about the new covenant is that grace is not only offered to those who are covenant people by natural descent (i.e. the Israelites) but to the Gentiles as well. The wealthy, unbelieving CEO needs Christ just as much as the orphan in Zimbabwe. My neighbor is in need of salvation just as much as the widow in Calcutta. God’s grace in Jesus shows no partiality. That means there’s a harvest in our backyard. A mission field of sowers can be found, not only across seas, but in south central Pennsylvania.

Please, do not take this as a hit against missionaries in other countries. We’ve commissioned certain individuals to carry the gospel to all reaches of humanity. This is an imperative which Jesus and the apostles fully endorsed. We cannot stop this mission, for the gospel depends on it.

My aim is to encourage us, those who wake up everyday and go to the same jobs, fellowship with the same families, and hang out with the same friends. We may begin to grow cold and skeptical, maybe even taking this attitude into Life Giving Saturday. My hope is that we look at the deposit of which God has entrusted us, and serve him in the places that he has designated. Service in the local church is what the apostles intended. It is through this ordinary service that God will continue to grow his eternal, glorious kingdom.

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Victory in My Disgrace

April 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

From The Resurgence:

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Chinese Church Risks Open Air Worship

April 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Contributed by Kim Winters, from the Voice of the Martyrs Blog:

“One of the largest unregistered Protestant churches in Beijing plans to risk arrest by worshipping in the open air this Sunday (April 10) after eviction from the restaurant where they have met for the past year.

The owner of the Old Story Club restaurant issued repeated requests for the Shouwang Church to find another worship venue, and authorities have pressured other prospective landlords to close their facilities to the 1,000-member congregation, sources said. Unwilling to subject themselves to the controls and restrictions of the official Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), the congregation has held three services each Sunday in the restaurant for more than a year.

Church members have said they are not opposed to the government and are not politically active, but they fear authorities could find their open-air worship threatening.”

Read the whole article here.

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A Glimpse into the Beauty of Heaven

April 6, 2011 By 2 Comments

 

“There, even in heaven, dwells the God from whom every stream of holy love, yea, every drop that is, or ever was, proceeds. There dwells God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, united as one, in infinitely dear, and incomprehensible, and mutual, and eternal love. There dwells God the Father, who is the father of mercies, and so the father of love, who so loved the world as to give his only-begotten Son to die for it.

There dwells Christ, the Lamb of God, the prince of peace and of love, who so loved the world that he shed his blood, and poured out his soul unto death for men. There dwells the great Mediator, through whom all the divine love is expressed toward men, and by whom the fruits of that love have been purchased, and through whom they are communicated, and through whom love is imparted to the hearts of all God’s people. There dwells Christ in both his natures, the human and the divine, sitting on the same throne with the Father.

And there dwells the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of divine love, in whom the very essence of God, as it were, flows out, and is breathed forth in love, and by whose immediate influence all holy love is shed abroad in the hearts of all the saints on earth and in heaven. There, in heaven, this infinite fountain of love — this eternal Three in One — is set open without any obstacle to hinder access to it, as it flows forever. There this glorious God is manifested, and shines forth, in full glory, in beams of love.

And there this glorious fountain forever flows forth in streams, yea, in rivers of love and delight, and these rivers swell, as it were, to an ocean of love, in which the souls of the ransomed may bathe with the sweetest enjoyment, and their hearts, as it were, be deluged with love!”

~Jonathan Edwards, Heaven: A World of Love

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