LESSON NINE
2003-2004
BAPTISM
A. Historical argument based on oikos formula.
1. Suggests high probability that was practiced by apostles.
2. By itself, still not conclusive.
3. Hence, can not provide dogmatic certainty.
1. Children were included in the command to baptize.
2. Children are themselves also addressed in passages related to Baptism.
3. Will be surveyed to identify support for infant Baptism.
II. The Synoptic Gospels (“seeing together”: 1st three gospels)
A. Lutheran Confessions deduce infant Baptisms from Mt 28:19.
1. (Ap IX. 2-3)
2. Use invites examination of matter in light of other parts of Matthew.
3. Mt 28:20 (command to teach all things).
a. Clearly refers to the words of Jesus which he recorded.
b. Among the necessary teachings: children should have the prominent place in the kingdom of the heavens.
c. Mt 17:22,23 (2d announcement of His death and resurrection).
d. (Mt 20:17-28) (3d announcement).
e. Between them are the two pericopes of the children.
(1) Mt 18:1-5.
(2) Mt 19:13-15.
f. Placement makes it clear that Matthew intends readers to see the children as those whom He has included in His work of the world’s atonement.
g. Mt 20:28: children are among “the many”.
1. Some say “No”.
2. They fail to consider the gospels as self-contained theological treatises.
a. They are not random collections of historical events.
b. They are theologies about Jesus.
3. The pericopes re: the children inform the baptismal command.
4. Children are included in the kingdom.
5. Hence, they are entitled to Baptism (indeed must be baptized).
6. Mt. 18:1-5
a. Children seen as exemplary members.
b. Have faith; are present members.
c. Note placement of passages:
(1) Mt 18:3 initiated by question in Mt 18:1.
(2) Paralleled by mother’s request in Mt 20:21.
(3) Both of the above deal with the most prominent positions in His Kingdom.
(4) In Mt 18:1-5, Jesus resolves difficulty by placement of child in their midst and admonishment of Mt 18:4.
(5) In the second, disciples instructed to follow the servanthood of Jesus who gave His life as ransom. Mt 20:26-28.
7. Baptism not incidental to these pericopes.
a. Matthew at beginning, made it clear that Baptism is required for inclusion.
b. In both John’s and Jesus’ ministries, preparation for kingdom coming with Jesus involves confessing and being baptized.
c. Suddenly, baptism of John not an incidental historical questions.
d. Those coming to Jesus and being found acceptable by Him are those who confess and are baptized.
e. Argument for infant Baptism is virtually proven.
8. Mt 18:3: Matthew is even addressing the conversion or repentance of children!
a. Important re: argument that children not capable of contrition and faith.
b. Lutherans assert that children can have faith.
c. Even the apostles themselves had to become like the believing children.
d. Opponents argue that παιδιον (paidion) refers to older child with sufficient consciousness to confess sins.
e. But, in Mt 2:16, the children (παιδας, paidas) has not reached their second year (date of birth for Jews was 1st birthday).
f. For Matthew’s usage, the children (paidia) of Mt 19:13 included infants and child of Mt 18:2 could easily have been a one year old.
g. Cf Lk 18:15: calls them infants (βρεφη, brephe)
h. He was working faith in them: Mt 18:6.
(1) He was working faith in them by that same Spirit in Himself He received in His Baptism.
(2) These were the hands of the eternal Word of the Father who works only through the Holy Spirit.
i. The image here was of infant Baptism.
9. Mk 10:13-16.
a. Greek word “intense blessing” (κατευλογει, kateulogei).
b. He “took the children in His arms”.
c. Word “bless” has both a christological and sacramental significance.
(1) Mt 21:9.
(2) Mk 14:22 (Greek: eulogēsas)
(3) 1Co 10:16 (Greek: eulogias ho eulogoumen)
d. Children brought into arena of the sacraments where Christ embraces them with salvation.
10. Mt 21:14-16.
11. Mt 18:6,10.
A. Has no pericopes about the children; rarely offers precise parallels to the synoptic gospels.
B. Jn 3:5-8 and Ro 6:4
1. A fundamental structure is common to both.
2. The one who undergoes Baptism becomes a new person in Christ.
C. Jn 1:13 and Jn 3:1-10 share common thought-pattern and vocabulary.
D. Jn 1:1,2,14.
1. John uses birth language in describing Jesus’ entry into the world and Christian’s regeneration.
2. Christ’s own infancy:
a. His coming into the world from God.
b. May provide the strongest support for baptizing infants.
E. 1Jn 2:13.
1. Theme concerning victory.
2. Theme reappears in 1Jn 5:4-6 (re: Baptism)
F. 1Jn 2:12 (paidia).
G. Language clearly sacramental.
H. 1Jn 2:14: children included in those whose sins forgiven.
I. 1Jn 5:1.
IV. Paul’s Epistles
A. Col 2:11,12: reference to circumcision certainly suggests inclusion of infants.
B. 1Co 7:14: recognizes children as members of congregation.
1. With 1Co 6:11: Question of whether these believing children were baptized is capable of resolution.
2. Believer has influence on unbelieving spouse by remaining in the marriage.
3. Influence seen in children, who have become members of church through Baptism.
C. 1Co 10:1,2: “all baptized”.
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