Does Paedobaptism Count?

This is a response to this video representing infant baptism from Doug Wilson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La5-BKaMJD8

(For further study on baptisms see here.)

Dilemma- There is no example of baby baptism in the NT.  

1. “Neither is there any example of a kid from a Christian home getting baptized especially when he had been a Christian for years”. 

What he calls arguments from silence are different in scriptures. Using his standard, you could say this is an argument from silence- “unto which of the angels said he at any time...” Heb.1:5,13 Or maybe 7:14 “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” Or Jesus was using it in Luke 4:25-7. The working assumption with the Jews in Israel in Jesus' time was that they had a closed canon. This is why they would say things like “Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.” Jn.7:52 Why? Because there isn’t a verse to confirm. This could also lead to a discussion of the regulative or normative principles of worship. 

 

2. "The pedobaptist tends to believe that the Old Testament applies to us unless the New Testament says that it doesn't.”  

This is a moot point. The NT omits the necessity of circumcision for the church. Thus, you would only need to argue that circumcision is replaced by baptism as the church ‘replaces Israel’. This comment is like saying ‘I have news to tell you.’ Don’t tell me you have news to tell me, just tell me the news. Show the connection rationally in scripture, Old or New Testament. 

Baptism is a figure as was circumcision. They are figures of something greater, the putting off of the old man (Deut.10:16, Jer.4:4) or the flesh by the death of Christ in our stead. (Col.2:11-13, Rom.6:4-7) 

 

3. “Children of the covenant were included in the covenant for 1800 years and wouldn't we need some clear instruction in the New Testament before removing them?”  

Circumcision was explicitly instructed for infants. (Gen.17:12) And as you read Gen.17 it is tied to the physical descendants of Abraham for the inheritance of the promised land; actual real estate. The makeshift connection to physical baptism is not a functional work around. Especially when the NT application for the church is already given. Baptism is a figure as was circumcision. They are figures of something greater, the putting off of the old man (Deut.10:16, Jer.4:4) by the death of Christ in our stead. (Col.2:11-13, Rom.6:4-7) 

 

4. Paedobaptists regarding the new covenant “says that they are already in and we would need an argument for kicking them out”. 

This assumes that babies of unbelievers go to hell, or unbaptized ones do. If you are in the New Covenant your sins are forgiven and you are regenerated- Jer.31:33-4, Ezek.36:25-7. This point is because of reformed covenant theology and original sin. Which those zealous to baptize babies want to align themselves with historically. Holding men's person in admiration because of some perceived advantage. 

 

5. Imagine the chaos “if the terms of the new covenant had required the exclusion of previously included circumcised Jewish children” 

This is just question begging. Assuming physical circumcision and baptism are equivalent. Again, baptism is a figure as was circumcision. They are figures of something greater, the putting off of the old man (Deut.10:16, Jer.4:4) or the flesh by the death of Christ in our stead. (Col.2:11-13, Rom.6:4-7) Then he calls Ja.2:2, 5:14 synagogues to strengthen his point. But it’s a church not an unbelieving Jewish synagogue or a mixture. Jewish Christians went to synagogues on the Sabbath but to churches on Sunday. 

 

 

6. This inferred square is supposed to show the ‘obvious’ link to physical circumcision & baptism and the undeniable covenant connection between infants circumcised and thus baptized.  

 

The problem is the two top edges of the square should meet in the middle forming a triangle. Because physical baptism is a figure as was physical circumcision. They are figures of something greater, the putting off of the old man (Deut.10:16, Jer.4:4) or the flesh by the death of Christ in our stead. (Col.2:11-13, Rom.6:4-7) This square would conclude that spiritual circumcision is one thing and spiritual baptism is a second work of grace or something. 

 

7. Women are not mentioned taking communion. But because of their status in the New Covenant we infer they do. Likewise, baptizing babies. What relationship do infants have with Christ? We affirm they are in covenant with Christ and should be baptized. 

Children can be under an increased measure of grace by their parents' faith (1 Cor.7:14). But this all still begs the question of whether one can partake of the New Covenant forgiveness without faith. As to the degree of grace all infants may have before their faith is not directly relevant. This seems to assume that babies of unbelievers go to hell, or unbaptized ones do. Their eternal salvation should they die before faith could be a distinct operation of grace unrelated to this question. 

 

8. Turning the scripture “that we adults must become more like children into a requirement that children must become more like us is something that i have trouble figuring out.” 

This seems logically unrelated to anything in this discussion.  

  

9. The Christian Church is part of the covenant God made with Abraham.  

By faith in Christ, yes. And this again begs the question. Physical baptism is a figure as was physical circumcision. They are figures of something greater, the putting off of the old man (Deut.10:16, Jer.4:4) or the flesh by the death of Christ in our stead. (Col.2:11-13, Rom.6:4-7) One can have eternal life without water baptism or physical circumcision, but not without the putting off of the sins of the flesh and the old man being crucified with Christ. 

 

Our Death with Christ

We are dead with Christ: Col.2:20, 3:3, Rom.6:8, 7:4, 2 Tim.2:11 

We are crucified with Christ: Gal.2:20, 5:24, 6:14, Rom.6:6, 2 Cor.13:4 

We are baptized into his death: Rom.6:3-4, Mt.20:22-3, Mk.10:38-9 (Lk.12:50), Col.2:12  

His baptism of death (external) is the same event as his drinking the cup (internal); his crucifixion. Baptism is a like figure as Noah’s flood, which is of God’s wrath upon Christ. Christ would only have a dread (Matt.26:39,53-4, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42-4, Heb.5:7) of drinking from one cup (Psa.75:8, Job 21:20, Psa.89:46, Isa.51:17,22, Jer.25:15,17,28, Rev.14:10, 16:19) and it would not be human inflicted suffering. (Mt.10:28, Lk.12:5, Prv.29:25) My dying in Christ and his dying performed in us are interrelated and not unconnected. I take up my cross because I was crucified with Christ. (Mt.10:38, 16:24, Mk.8:34, 10:21, Lk.9:23, 14:27) I put off the old man because the old man was crucified in him. (Rom.6:6, Eph.4:22, Col.3:9) The salvation attained by Christ through his death & resurrection is in us as we are in him. It is the life of God in us. And we work this salvation out in our lives as God works within us. There is not a disconnect from our sufferings for Christ and his death on the cross. We died with Him then and we die daily today. (1 Cor.15:31, 2 Cor.4:16, Lk.9:23) We receive the person of Jesus Christ as our righteousness (1 Cor.1:30, Rom.10:4, Phil.3:9, 1:11, Jer.23:6, 33:16) and our life (Jn.1:4, 3:15-6,36, 5:24, 6:35,40,47-8, 63,68,8:12, 10:10,28, 11:25, 14:6,17:2-3, 20:31, 1 Jn.2:25, 3:14, 5:11-13,20, Rom.5:10,21, 6:22-3, 8:2, 2 Cor.3:6, Col.3:3-4, 2 Tim.1:1,10, 2 Pt.1:3). We are living sacrifices, dying and rising daily. (Rom.12:1-2) 

 

The death & resurrection of Christ is our own death and resurrection, and we therefore work this out in our lives. 

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. 

Ezek.36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

Phil.2: 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Heb.13: Now the God of peace... (v20) 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

Eph.2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

1 Cor.12: 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body... 

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 

28 And God hath set some in the church... 

2 Tim.1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 

 

As we walk in the will and operation of God (not our determination), we begin our journey of self-denial and sufferings of Christ and the Spirit of resurrection glory. 

2 Cor.4: 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 

2 Cor.3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 

2 Cor.1: 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 

Rom.8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 

1 Peter 4:13-14 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

Gal.6: 17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 

1 Cor.15: 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 

Mark 9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

1 Pet.2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 

 

The sufferings of Christ and the dying of the Lord Jesus are not self imposed forms of will worship. (Col.2:18-23) Neither are they being buffeted for your faults. (1 Pt.2:20) I can’t flog myself, put on a crown of thorns and permit my being nailed to a cross and claim that I am bearing the marks of the Lord Jesus. If it is the dying of Jesus then it cannot originate from my own will or counsel, or else it would be mine and not Christ’s. Paul said, ‘not I by Christ’ (Gal.2:20). Can we reverse it to ‘not Christ but I’? We are to pursue the will of God for our lives and endure the suffering that God decides. 1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 1 Pet.4:15 But let none of you suffer... as an evildoer... Phil.1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Heb.10:32-3, 2 Cor.8:2, 1 Thes.1:6, 2:14,3:3-4, 2 Thes.1:5, Mk.4:17, Mt.24:9, 1 Tim.4:10, 2 Tim.1:8, 4:5, Jam.5:10, 1 Pt.5:9) 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. (Rev.2:10) 

 

And this self-denial and humbling obedience is what Christ exemplified in the days of his flesh, seeking only the Father’s will, manifesting the Father’s name and doctrine and works. (Mt.26:39, 42, Mk.14:36, Lk.22:42, Jn.17:6, Gal.1:4, Heb.10:7,9) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Heb.12:3 We are instructed to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil.2:5-8) Each step of obedience was another manifestation of the words and works of the Father. (Jn.5:19,30,36, 7:16, 8:26,28, 9:4, 12:49-50, 14:10) 

 

Paul, the mighty apostle was set forth as an example of obedience and suffering by God’s choice. (1 Cor.11:1, 1 Tim.1:16, 2 Tim.2:2, Phil.1:30). His apostleship was God’s will not his own. (Rom.1:1, 5, 11:13, 1 Cor.1:1, 12:28, 2 Cor.1:1, 12:12, Gal.1:1, 2:8, Eph.1:1, 2:20, 3:5, 4:11, Col.1:1, 1 Tim.1:1, 2:7, 2 Tim.1:1, 1:11, Tit.1:1) And the apostolic sufferings followed. (2 Cor.11:21-33) 

Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

1 Corinthians 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 

2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 

2 Timothy 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 

1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 

2 Timothy 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 

 

Knowing therefore the life and glory of Christ to be revealed in us let us humble ourselves in view of the world to come. 

 

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

2 Cor.1: 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 

Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 

Gal.6:12... suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 

1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; V17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 

2 Cor.4: 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.