Infant Baptism

       I recently wrote a post about Baptism, and I received many questions about the topic of infant Baptism. The practice of infant baptism is nothing new, in fact it was first recorded around 220 A.D. and was widely used by the Catholic Church by the 7th century. The reason given was the doctrine of original sin (which I wrote about in an earlier post), which is the thought that we are all born sinners, and that sin is passed down, going all the way back to Adam. The Catholic Church points to Psalms 51:5 as their reasoning, which in their translation (Catholic Holy Bible Version), written and published in the 1950's reads "Truly, I was born a sinner, for in sin did my mother conceive me." Many modern versions have followed suit, saying much the same thing, but in truth, the authors switched a few words from the original texts to fit their doctrine.
       You see, this is what men have done since the Bible was put into written form and published. False teachers who are not happy for whatever reason with a certain doctrine, are able to rewrite God's Word to fit their needs. Here is what the verse says in the original Hebrew, and see for yourself if there is a perversion of the texts: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." Can you see the difference in the two? In the modern version, David is saying he was born a sinner, but in the Hebrew and American Standard (1901) text, it reads that he was born out of his MOTHER'S sin. Furthermore, if the Catholic version is correct, and now many Protestant Churches, their versions of the Bible failed to change in other passages that would lead to a contradiction. Such as Ezekiel 18:20, which reads that the son will not bare the iniquity of the father! We are held accountable for our own sins, not that of people from the past. So from the very start, the reasoning for infant Baptism is man-made, not from God. Let's look in detail the whole purpose of Baptism, and see if infants fit into what God, not myself, has said.
       Mark 16:16 tells us much of what needs to be known. "He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved, he that believeth not, shall be condemned." This is the second part in this that can't involve babies. Before we can even believe, we must be able to understand either what we read, or what is being taught to us. Romans 10:17: "So believing comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Can a baby understand what is being taught? Can an infant read for himself the words of Christ? Of course not! Since it cannot understand, or read, why then does it have the need for baptism as Christ commanded? But what is the reason for Baptism to begin with? Peter showed us in Acts 2:38 the reasoning. After his sermon to the Jewish leaders, many of whom were the ones who condemned Christ, they cried and asked what they can do to be right with God? Peter answered them: "Repent and be baptized". What about what was said in Acts 17:30? "The times of ignorance God overlooked: but now He commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent." Or finally, in Luke 13:3: "I tell you nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." In order to repent, we must have the ability to sin, since we are not born of sin as has already been said. Does anyone truly believe that a child can sin?
       Jesus saw children as perfect and pure, as He stated in Matthew 18:3: "And said, verily I say unto you, except ye turn and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of Heaven." Children can enter into the kingdom because they have no sin. With no sin, there is no need for repentance or baptism! And Romans 14:12 echoes what Ezekiel 18:20 stated, "So then each one of us shall give an account of himself to God." Truly, if an infant or young child dies, what account could they possibly give to the Lord? From all of these passages, how can one teach that it is necessary for an infant to be baptized? However, many people claim that since the Bible doesn't say you can't, then it can't be wrong. Here is my issue with that.
       God has given us His revelation by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, and has told us everything we need to know to have salvation. If we didn't believe this, why do we bother reading the Bible to start with? So God has told us everything He wants us to do, but if the Bible also included everything He doesn't want us to do, it would contain hundreds of volumes. It isn't necessary though, since He has given us explicit instructions. If you give your child twenty dollars and tell them to go buy a loaf bread, and he comes back with a loaf of bread, and 18 dollars worth of candy, did he obey you? Should you have to tell him everything in the store NOT to buy? Of course not. So why doesn't the same apply to what God has told us? He tells us why we should be Baptized, and that is all we need to know.
       Some people also ask me, 'So it is a sin to Baptize a baby?' Baptizing a baby is nothing more than getting a child wet, but by not following God's explicit commands, THAT is the sin. It is also dangerous in that, as the child grows into adulthood, he/she believes that they are saved because they are baptized, especially if they have not heard the truth of God's words. Baptism is for those who wish to accept Christ as their savior and obey God. An infant obviously does not fall into that category, and again, since we know we are not born sinners, or that God does not create anything evil, babies are safe and secure in the arms of the Lord. If your ministers and preachers tell you different, please ask them to look at and explain what God has said and meant by His Words, for as we have seen, we are judged by what We do in our lives, not by what someone such as a preacher has told us. As always, if you have any further questions, please let me know, for I am more than happy to discuss it with anyone. Thank you for taking the time read and consider, and please, continue studying the Word of God.