LESSON TEN
2003-2004
BAPTISM
A. Opponents of infant Baptism
1. Even they know lack of specific New Testament reference not fool-proof argument.
2. Most frequent argument is assertion that they are unable to believe.
3. An assertion rather than proof.
1. The validity of Baptism of infants does not rest on their faith.
2. But, he nevertheless firmly upheld it.
3. On other hand, he said:
a. If was certain children did not and could not believe, would not baptize them.
b. As he would not baptize professed unbelievers.
4. Faith not a part of the definition of Baptism.
5. Nor does he understand faith as a decision.
C. Lutherans and Baptists recognize that New Testament requires faith for Baptism.
II. Lutheran Confessions
A. Do not know of any justification apart from faith.
1. Thus, consistent in affirming infant faith as necessary dogmatic corollary of doctrine of justification.
2. Children have Holy Spirit in Baptism, possession of whom occurs only through faith. (L.C. IV. 49-51)
1. How can the opponents be so sure as to deny Baptism to children?
2. Is there a different Word or Spirit then or now?
C. Mt 18:5,6.
1. Must not treat them as unbelievers.
2. Is there a greater offense against them?
D. Pieper: argues for infant faith apart from his discussion on Baptism (Christian Dogmatics 2:44-49).
1. Means children can be saved apart from Baptism.
2. But never without the Gospel and faith.
E. Luther:
1. Argued for infant faith in connection with discussion on circumcision (AE 3:103)
2. He concluded that faith can exist before circumcision and Baptism.
III. Arguments of the Opponents
A. Anabaptist argument were adopted by 18th century Rationalists.
B. Next by Schleiermacher
1. Held that children have not come to 1st level of “self-consciousness”.
2. So were incapable of a higher level of “God consciousness”.
C. Their arguments were characteristically those of the Baptists.
D. Rationalists and Schleiermacher found infant Baptism useful in maintaining Christian community, though preferred elimination.
E. Just simply assume infants not to a sufficient level of consciousness.
1. Even by proponents of infant Baptism when comparison made to sleeping or mentally retarded adults.
2. Comparison valuable because shows faith not dependent on a certain level of intellectual development (Baptist can not answer this)
3. But argument may itself be faulty (discussed below)
F. Even some Lutheran have assumed Schleiermacher’s Enlightenment view that children cannot believe.
1. Yet still support infant Baptism.
2. For them, faith follows later in life.
3. Solution of “prevenient grace”.
a. Give Baptism as objectivity not requiring faith.
b. View common among the Reformed.
c. i.e. Baptized into future repentance and faith
1. Both insist that faith must be present at time of Baptism.
2. Pieper: still insists that faith can exist in infants apart from Baptism.
3. Is very important re: children who die without Baptism
A. Allegedly scientifically demonstrated fact that infants are incapable of any cognitive thought being challenged.
1. Recent findings that time in the womb and the 1st days and weeks after birth are child’s most formative period.
2. Distinguishing mother’s voice.
3. Capable of emotions.
4. Even deaf children born with grammatical categories:
a. Enable them to learn not one but several languages.
b. To keep them separate from each other.
c. Before they reach age one.
B. Not the basis for any argument for infant faith.
C. Certainly deserves more attention.
A. Opponents of abortion understand the unborn as full, complete human beings with intellect, will and emotions.
B. If deny infant faith at same time, strangely inconsistent.
VI. When do infants believe?
A. Must be addressed, but can not be answered with precision.
1. Believe first when water applied with trinitarian formula?
2. Or, is faith possible before?
3. As with any action of the Gospel, including the sacraments, precision re: time may not be possible.
a. e.g., Luther asserts infant faith created by the exorcism.
b. But, Luther adds the Word present with the exorcism is no different than one present in the water.
c. Luther: 3 distinctions in the meaning of the Word (per Trigg)
(1) the preached Word in distinction from the sacramental Word.
(2) The Gospel which unites all forms of the Word.
(3) The Word connected with and commanding Baptism.
(a) Baptism has the same content as the Gospel.
(b) But, Baptism has benefit of being commanded and given with an element.
1. In, before, or during the rite of Baptism comes under all forms of the Word of God, by which faith is awakened.
2. The Word culminates in the application of the water administered in His Name.
3. In Baptism, God “preaches” to the child and he believes.
C. Ancient church liturgy.
1. Appropriately, properly requires of the infant:
a. A confession of faith through the sponsors.
b. A renunciation of Satan.
c. Perhaps even the exorcism, as used by Luther, before the Baptism.
2. Child receives the water of Baptism, having confessed his faith and renounced Satan.
3. Upon being baptized, child receives the Holy Spirit, who in fact has already been active in the child.
a. By creating faith.
b. And by having child renounce Satan.
4. Thus, no distinction between infant and adult.
D. From God’s point of view.
1. All things belonging to the rite of Baptism happen at the same time.
2. Liturgy expresses them in a logical though not necessarily chronological sequence.
1. Infant faith no more mysterious than adult faith.
2. Faith is always beyond psychological explanation.
3. Infant faith is the norm for adult faith!
4. Is created by the preached Word, the Word now accompanying Baptism.
a. Nothing to suggest that children are incapable of faith before Baptism.
b. Or, that the Word becomes operative only with the use of water.
c. Lk 1:39-45
d. (FC SD XII. 11)
e. (FC SD XII. 13)
f. (SA III. Viii. 7-13)
5. Children can believe before or after their birth, and before Baptism.
6. The Gospel is effective on children before Baptism, when, e.g., they hear it from Christian parents.
7. Unborn and born infants:
a. Are moral creatures accountable to God,
b. Redeemed by His Son, and
c. Capable of believing the Word through the Spirit’s work.
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