Infant baptism

Infant baptism refers to a ritual of initiation to the faith performed by some Christian denominations. Baptism is rite of adoption or inclusion in the church, usually using water. Baptism can be conferred on adults or children beyond the age of reason. This is sometimes called credobaptism, or baptism of the believer, because the person being baptized proclaims his or her belief in the faith. Infant baptism, sometimes called pedobaptism, is given to infants and children too young to make their own statement of belief.

Overview

The word baptism comes from the Greek word baptisma, which means washing. The rite of baptism may have been an extension of the Jewish rituals of washing and is first mentioned in the Bible in the context of John the Baptist. John was a relation of Jesus Christ, most likely a cousin, and his ministry included baptizing people in the Jordan River as a way of symbolically washing away their sins.

John's baptisms were by full immersion in water, and it is likely that the baptisms of the early Christians were as well. Most scholars believe that Christians adopted the practice because Jesus was baptized by John before he began his ministry of teaching (Matt. 3:13–17, Luke 3:21–22, Mark 1:9–11). There are numerous references in the New Testament of people being baptized (Acts 8:35–38, Acts 16:31, 33). Some mention the baptism of entire households, leading many scholars to believe that while the Bible does not specifically mention infant baptism, the practice was not uncommon in Christianity's early days.

The first known non-biblical mention of baptism appears in The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, also known as the Didache. This first-century text contains the earliest known Christian catechism, or rules of the faith. It also includes a description of the rite of baptism, noting it should be performed by immersion, where possible, or affusion (pouring water over). The first recorded mention of the practice of infant baptism occurs in the writings of Irenaeus (c. 130–202), a bishop in what is now Lyons, France. The third-century theologian Origen Adamantius (c.182–c. 254) references the practice of infant baptism as if it is common, while the early Christian text known as Apostolic Tradition, presumed to have been written by Hippolytus of Rome (170–235 CE), states that parents should speak for children unable to speak for themselves during the baptism rite.

Viewpoints

The majority of Christians accept the practice of infant baptism. They note that just as children become citizens of the country in which their parents reside, so too should children be granted membership in the faith of their parents. They point out that baptism is the beginning of a faith process and not the end, so it is appropriate even for those not yet able to articulate that faith. Some also believe the rite conveys special grace on the recipient and serves to wash away sins; they do not want to withhold these benefits from children. Others say that faith and salvation are gifts from God and not dependent on the actions of the individual, so making a statement is not necessary.

Those in favor of infant baptism often liken it to the Old Testament practice of circumcision. Some Christians believe that the New Covenant initiated by God through Jesus's life and death is an extension of the Old Testament Covenant given to Abraham (Genesis 17). They consider baptism the Christian equivalent of circumcision that was the seal of the Old Testament. According to those holding this position, since infants were circumcised to initiate them into the Old Covenant, infants should also receive the rite of baptism to initiate them into the New Covenant.

Some branches of Christianity, most notably Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, the Church of Latter Day Saints, and many Pentecostal Christians, do not practice infant baptism and require the person to be old enough to make a statement of belief before baptism can be conferred. The reasons for their opposition include the absence of infant baptism in the Bible and the inability of infants to make a statement of faith or repent sins.

Those who oppose infant baptism often dispute the argument that infant baptism can be seen as an extension of the Old Testament circumcision because some were included in the Old Covenant who did not follow Jesus and are therefore not part of the New Covenant. These individuals include the religious Pharisees of Jesus's time. Opponents of infant baptism believe this means that the New Covenant is not directly connected to the Old Covenant, and baptism is not the equivalent of circumcision.

Christian denominations also differ somewhat in the practices and beliefs related to infant baptism. Roman Catholics believe that baptism removes the stain of original sin, the legacy of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:4–3:24), and conveys special grace. They encourage baptism as soon as possible after birth and usually administer baptism by affusion. Other denominations that hold similar views include the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church of the East, although baptism in these traditions is often done by immersion. Anglican and Episcopal Churches, among others, see baptism as a way the recipient renounces evil, accepts belief in the Trinity of God, and agrees to follow the teachings of Jesus. These denominations also generally perform baptism by affusion.

Clergyman and church reformer Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a staunch supporter of infant baptism, which was a topic of much debate during his lifetime. The Lutheran Church holds similar views, believing that children are born sinful and in need of the grace and removal of sin provided by baptism. They also believe it is necessary to fulfill Jesus's command to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"(Matthew 28:19, NIV). Lutherans generally sprinkle the water on the child to be baptized.

Presbyterians and Reformed Christians are among those who see the rite of baptism as the New Covenant equivalent of circumcision. They believe that baptism conveys special grace and also serves to recognize the membership of the newly baptized in the church family. They also tend to baptize by sprinkling. Methodists see baptism as a symbolic act of God providing grace. Baptisms in the Methodist Church may be by immersion, sprinkling, or affusion.

Bibliography

"Christian baptism." ReligionFacts.com, 10 Nov. 2015, YPERLINK "http://www.religionfacts.com/baptism/christianity" www.religionfacts.com/baptism/christianity. Accessed 24 Oct. 2016.

Craycraft, Kenneth R. Jr. "Sign and Word: Martin Luther's Theology of the Sacraments." Restoration Quarterly, Abilene Christian University,

http://www.acu.edu/legacy/sponsored/restoration‗quarterly/archives/1990s/vol‗32‗no‗3‗contents/craycraftluther.html. Accessed 24 Oct. 2016.

David F. Wright. "What Has Infant Baptism Done to Baptism? An Enquiry at the End of Christendom." Presbyterian Journal of Covenant Seminary, Sept. 2006. http://www.covenant.edu/docs/faculty/Stewart‗Ken/DFWright%20Infant%20Baptism.pdf . Accessed 24 Oct. 2016.

DeYoung, Kevin. "A Brief Defense of Infant Baptism." The Aquila Report, 4 Apr. 2015, INK "http://theaquilareport.com/a-brief-defense-of-infant-baptism/" http://theaquilareport.com/a-brief-defense-of-infant-baptism/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2016.

Horton, David, editor. The Portable Seminary. Bethany House, 2006.

Kitch, Anne E. Taking the Plunge: Baptism and Parenting. Morehouse, 2006.

MacCulloch, Diarmaid. Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years. Penguin, 2009.