Eric over On the Wittenburg Trail has a challenging post regarding Paedo (infant) baptism entitled “Is It Sin?” asking the question of whether it is a sin to withhold baptism from infants. He makes some good arguments, largely hinging upon Luke 18, but also incorporating the Great Commission, i.e. the command to make disciples of all nations. As he says:
Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Notice the preface to Christs command. All authority has been given to me. This could be called a kingdom issue. Jesus is the King the anointed ruler of Gods kingdom. His throne has been established and now his rule must be extended. Therefore, the whole body of disciples, Christs Church, is called to make disciples of all nations by baptizing them and teaching them. Who is eligible to receive membership in Gods kingdom? Who is eligible to become a disciple?
Most churches would say that everybody is eligible, but there is a large minority who say that only those who personally express their willingness to accept the call to discipleship, with all of its attendant responsibilities, should be admitted to its privileges. Therefore, among many Christians, infants and small children are systematically excluded from Christian discipleship.
Jesus said, Let the little children come to me He calls for the little children and not just the older children. Scripture tells us explicitly that this category of children includes even infants (Luke 18:15-17). and do not hinder them We see elsewhere in scripture that such language is associated with water baptism (Acts 8:36 What prevents me? and 10:47 Can anyone withhold water?). for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. This is the clincher. What was only suspected when we read Matthew 28:19,20 is explicitly confirmed for us in the dual witness of Matthew 19:14 and Luke 18:16. Infants and little children, so young as to be brought to Jesus in the arms of their parents and guardians, are given a place in Gods kingdom. They are eligible for discipleship.
Eric also has a latter post in which he asks for an example of infants and children being excluded from baptism in Acts. Here are my responses to them:
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