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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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Jesus as Teacher

June 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

From Pastor Nate Winters:

Jesus taught.   However, when we examine those passages highlighting Him as Teacher, let’s not only examine what He taught, but how He taught, and how He shared Himself with those He taught.   It tells us something about Jesus that, on the afternoon of His resurrection, He chose to walk -without first revealing His identity- with just two men, on a road out of town.   Take a few minutes and read Luke 24:13-35…  

It is approximately 7 miles from Jerusalem northwest to Emmaus.   Three men, walking side by side, at a good pace, would take an hour and a half to walk it.   When did Jesus join them, how crowded was the route, how low in the sky was the sun?   And why this meeting at all?   This is what I find so fascinating: what kind of a person suffers so incomprehensibly, then experiences such eternally unprecedented deliverance, and then takes a hike with two depressed and bewildered men?!   This narrative teaches us some things about the Teacher, His character and the ways in which He moves forward in ministry:

  1. Jesus is pleased to “catch up” with those who are talking about Him.   Even when we are saddened or confused by something to do with Jesus, Jesus shows up.   We need to keep our honest, daily impressions of Jesus and His work on our lips and in our conversations; and by faith, in a growing relationship with Him, we will welcome His arrival and rejoice when we “see” Him!
  2. Jesus does not have to be recognized in order to make Himself heard.   These two men were kept from knowing Jesus’ identity at the beginning of their talk, but that didn’t keep their hearts from being effected while they talked.   Jesus preached to them, an audience of two, all afternoon and into the evening…and their hearts burned from His presentation of Scripture to them!
  3. Jesus may lead with questions that discourage (v17).   Jesus already knew what they were discussing and how they were feeling about it.   Nevertheless, He addresses them head on, straight up, clearly and forthrightly.   He did not avoid their feelings, the expression of their feelings, or them having to experience again their feelings.   Jesus loves us enough to push us past our sensitivities!
  4. Jesus, undaunted by incredulity, may press for details (v18-19a).   In accord with the third point, Jesus can be a relentless friend.   And as a mark of the maturity He brings into the relationship, He will remain undeterred by honest amazement.   In our assessment of a situation and its effect upon us we may marvel, or be overwhelmed by aspects of it –but He is never overwhelmed!
  5. Jesus, receiving an honest, accurate answer, may still rebuke for lack of faith (v25-26).   Honesty is always necessary but it is not “everything”!   These men knew Jesus and His ministry intimately; even if they hadn’t they still knew God’s Word.   But did they believe it?   It spoke and speaks of Jesus.   We have the Word of God…and we should know better!

For time’s sake, let me draw more immediate application from the second 5 points:

  1. Jesus (a) started at the beginning and (b) shared everything, (c) from just one Source (v27).   To start where God starts, to say all that God says, and to speak only what God says: we could serve others so well by following this same course through the Bible!
  2. Jesus may act as though He is moving on…but responds to “Please stay.” (v28-29).   When you know Jesus should stay with you for a little while longer, do you insist upon it?
  3. Jesus cures blindness amidst the mundane (v30-31).   When your eyes are opened to something spiritually extraordinary in the middle of your daily routine, do you stop and take note?
  4. Jesus explained in ways that left fire (v32).  Do we know the Scriptures well enough, and are we “in” the Holy Spirit deep enough, to pass along God’s Word in permanently scorching ways?
  5. Jesus compelled extraordinary lengths… (33a).   How soon would we leave to confirm good news?
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Ask Nate: Does God still speak to us personally and audibly?

April 28, 2010 By 2 Comments

Here’s Pastor Nate Winters reponse to the question above:

It’s a good question, but a tough one for a number of reasons: (1) God has spoken through His Word, the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21), and God has spoken through The Word, His Son (John 1:1ff, Hebrews 1:1-3), and yet does God “still” speak somehow?   (2) If and when God speaks does He communicate to individuals: in other words, does God grant “private revelation” in addition to ongoing General Revelation (Romans 1:20) and the enduring testimony of Special Revelation, the Bible (Isaiah 40:8)?   (3) If God communicates to individuals, does He communicate such that they “hear” Him clearly enough to understand exactly what He has said (and can/should such a message from God be recorded as additionally and equally authoritative with what God has already said in the Bible)?

Frankly, a gazillion volumes have been written on this question and all sorts of Christian, even Evangelical, traditions, have come with varied and conflicting understandings.   This is not an answer, but here are a few texts I find helpful:

  1. 1 Corinthians 2: we have been given the Holy Spirit who communicates to our spirit what God intends for us.   The Holy Spirit knows God’s thoughts and communicates to us such that we comprehend “what God has freely given us (v12)”.   The implication is that this message –the thoughts and intentions of God for us- is spiritually “discerned” (v14) by an individual soul such that the soul understands.
  2. 1 Corinthians 13: some have claimed that particular “spiritual gifts” (or “sign gifts”) have ceased –these gifts can no longer be utilized within the Body of Believers and that any expression of them is somehow a counterfeit.   Personally, I cannot accept this claim only because I haven’t read anywhere in Scripture where any spiritual gift is said to have ceased.   1 Corinthians 13:8 says that “prophecies will cease” but the implication is that they have not yet ceased and that they will not cease until “perfection comes (v10)”.    I equate this Perfection with Jesus Christ: all will be made perfect upon His return, or (second) coming.   Still, if I believe that God has spoken to me personally and audibly, I must bring that message before the scrutiny of Scripture.   Private revelation must square with Special Revelation to be valid; we know God has spoken to us in the Bible and God will never contradict Himself to any individual because God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19).
  3. Psalm 119: I have no business attempting to interpret God’s personal, audible words to me if I have not already submitted myself to the authority of His Word as He presents it to me in the Bible.   What is my attitude regarding God’s Word as judge of my heart (Hebrews 4:12)?   Do I take joy in God’s Word ruling over me the way that David did?   Do I cherish the strength of God’s Word and its ability to clean in me what must be clean and break in me what needs to be broken (Jeremiah 23:29)?   Do I see God’s speech as beautiful (Psalm 12:6)?   Am I able and willing to use God’s Word as necessary (Ephesians 6:17)?
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