Why I Changed My Mind about Infant Baptism 

I was baptized as a baby. I was baptized as an adult. The first was not my choice. The second was. But then the first time the Gospel was preached to me wasn't my choice, but I'm glad I heard it. So with my first baptism I realized that it was promise, an effort, a way to try to guarantee I would stay with God and the church. So I do not fault the parents who made that choice, or the Church that followed that practice. I did not baptize my children as infants, but I did take part in a formal baby dedication ceremony for each of them that was the same as my infant baptism without the water, the intent being the same. So now I respect the intent of the parents, and honour them whether it is a baby dedication or an infant baptism. Because I love them and honour them in Jesus' name.

That was great! Thanks. I am one who disagrees on this particular point, but I greatly respect and am built up by your ministry. I won't get into why I disagree because it is not important. Keep doing what your are doing and I will keep learning and enjoying. Blessings!

I recently left a Southern Baptist church to join a confessional Lutheran Church. The main reason I did this was over the Sacraments, Baptism and Communion. When I sat down with my Baptist pastor, he had no problem with everything I said, EXCEPT infant baptism. This is a very high hurdle for anyone raised in the reformed tradition. You explain this so well. I hadn't thought of the connection between original sin and the infant's need for salvation, but it makes perfect sense. Thank you for your clarity, and for your faithful teaching, constantly clarifying New Testament lessons by their Old Testament antecedents.

Thanks, Chad. Listen, I disagree. But the older I get, the less I’m willing to get distracted by our differences in these types of issues. Christ prayed for our unity in John 17, and I can’t wait for us all to truly be united in eternity one day.

Chad, I've been listening to your commentaries for several months now and want to let you know that I appreciate the careful thought and deep perspective that you provide, similar to that of my own pastor but with many additional insights. May God continue to bless your ministry.

Υπέροχη διδασκαλία. Ευχαριστούμε, Τσαντ. Σε αγαπάμε. Στον ελληνικό κόσμο, η γλώσσα του οποίου είναι η γλώσσα της Καινής Διαθήκης, πάντα βαπτίζαμε και βαπτίζουμε νήπια. Η βάπτιση είναι δώρο.

Too often, people try to take the credit away from the Lord, when it is the Lord who chooses us.

Thank you for being careful and thorough. One of the beautiful things about confessional Lutheranism is the trust in God's Word without feeling a need to understand how God does it.

This was my last hurdle too! We joined the EPC recently and had been attending for about a year before becoming members and I really had struggles with this. Thank you. I had been gradually accepting it and trying so hard to understand it for a long time.

Your Fusion Water Bible study gets at the water soaking the Sacred Scriptures with this Baptismal understanding. Thanks, Chad...

Thank you for a very timely explanation. I am also grappling with the practice of baptism. I was raised Lutheran in the ALC. I was confirmed at 16. In the late 80s I was in Texas in the midst of the liberal encroachment into what would become the ELCA. My family moved to Utah and through circumstances have ended up in a Southern Baptist congregation. Recently I have started studying and looking into the issue to settle my mind on the teachings. Just thank you. Your insights are very helpful.

The last one is the best point I’ve personally heard, thank you.

Chad, thank you, I too have been raised SBC, and have been wrestling with this doctrine. This has been helpful! Perhaps you could do a video, on your journey from memorial to the real presence in the Lord's supper. This would be of tremendous benefit.

I was baptized as a child not knowing why. I lived apart from God until age 37 when I started to seek God. Later, on Pentecost, 2011 I was baptized knowing full well what it meant. Prior to that day I felt as if God was pursuing me - even as I looked the other way. Did my infant baptism make a difference? I would say no. God loves me as much now as when I was born. Christ died for me no matter what I say or do; but with that said being baptized as a child held no sway in light of my adult baptism. At least for my limited vision and understanding. All in held so much more weight than clueless. I will review your points further. Blessings!

I also come from a background opposed to infant baptism and have found myself Lutheran. Through the years I’ve not been totally convinced, but I’m no longer opposed. I found your point about circumcision particularly cogent. Thanks for all you do. You’ve been a tremendous blessing!

Thank you! This is very helpful. I'm working my way through Luther's Catechism at the moment and wrestling with this very issue. Blessings, Rob

Hi Chad Bird. My testimony is basically one of Proverbs 22:6. My mother had me (and two years later my sister) baptized as infants at the First Methodist Church of Wichita Falls, TX (back in the days before that denomination gave way to blatant acceptance of sin). Into our mid teens mom made sure we participated in worship and activities of the churches we lived among military moves. In time, as is common, I simply strayed away. I always knew God was real and felt a bit of guilt by ignoring Him. Until I met the woman God brought into my life during my mid 30s. One of criteria to seriously dating me was that I be baptized. I said I'd been baptized, but later went to have a private submersion baptism just to satisfy the seeds inside and my conscious. But I still lived a worldly business style life until I was in my 50s and Christ confronted by baptism in His Holy Spirit. It changed my life. My point is in the truth of Proverbs 22:6. It does not tell what may occur 40 years until that child returns and receives the ways of the Lord and had no intention of departing from it. As a born again believer I pray my experience is a positive example for you and others. Now, let's all go be a blessing.

Likewise! Arguments against pedobaptism are usually a fusion of the following: 1) a preference towards a symbolic reading of God's Word, 2) an appeal to reason fostered by Western Enlightenment ideals, and 3) a hermeneutic that isn't entirely consistent with the manuscripts or their traditional preserving through church history. So, Scripture is referenced and cited but symbolically read (in places it wasn't before) or argued for a radically anti-historical interpretation (because throwing babies out with their bathwater is preferred over anything remotely seeming "Catholic") or flies in the face of Western Enlightenment reasoning. In the end of it, one's bias inevitably plays a large part in resisting a plain reading of the text because breaking personal biases is difficult.

Thank you. I love the connection between infant baptism and infant circumcision.

Thank you brother Chad

I thank God for how He is using your ministry. Would love to talk to you face to face one day. A very powerful presentation.

Thank you for sharing Pastor! Same thing for me, former Baptist now Lutheran!

Absolutely correct Chad. Thank You.

Thankyou! I really understand now !

Thank you Brother Chad,I really Love the Teaching. I feel That this is True brother.

Thank you for your thoughtful presentation/argument. I still believe only in a believer's baptism. But, again thank you for your clear, and simple presentation.

Wow! It makes so much sense! Thank you very much! I live in Puerto Rico and I would really like to visit a Lutheran congregation!

Great message and as a former Baptist it took me a while to understand and embrace infant baptism. But the more I thought about it, I began to realize that hearing a sermon isn't terribly different -- in some respects -- from infant baptism. God comes to us through sermons which is also a very physical process: vibrating air molecules, ear drums, nerve cells, chemical reactions, signals interpreted in my brain. And ironically our brains are 75% water, so - in a way - He comes to us through water even in a sermon. But it's not these physical "things" that save us rather God brings us his promises through them. He works from outside of us to bring us His justification and grace. I've often thought about remote civilizations that never heard of the Gospel. Surely God creates a means of grace for these people as well. Let's not put God in a box. His ways are not our ways and He's even more incredible than we can imagine.

I was raised Catholic, but left the Catholic Church in my early twenties (I align more with the Baptists since then), so I have a different perspective. You say, "When God baptizes someone, He puts His Word into the Water...". Where in scripture does it explicitly say this? By saying that Baptism is the Liquid Word, you "seem" to be trying to resolve a conflict you are having with who can be saved and how. So when does the "plain" water used in baptism become the Liquid Word? By the prayer of a Priest, a Lutheran minister, or when any Christian decides to baptize someone (or can they)? Since a child has the sin nature from birth, and because they are too young to confess Christ, are you concerned they will go to Hell because they have the original sin still on them? You said "plain" water can't save us, so the assumption would be that you are inferring that the Liquid Word can? If so, you never explicitly said so. I would agree with you if I saw evidence of child baptism in the New Testament and it explicitly mentioned baptism was part of the salvation process, but it does not. You also never did delve into "why" certain churches came to practice infant baptism. Circumcision introduces a male child into the Mosaic Covenant. Water baptism always follows faith in the New Testament. You said, and I quote, "What's happening in baptism is God is taking the word that is preached and he's putting it in water so that instead of the word simply entering into our ears the word is washed onto us....". Where did that come from? Scripture or your mind? So what is it? Is water baptism that you call the Liquid Word essential to saving faith? If so, you never said so. If not, then why did you say it wasn't? If water baptism is essential to salvation, then the thief on the cross is not in paradise. According to the New Testament, Jesus' blood is the only washing that is needed to cleanse our sin.

As an Anglican, I AGREE with you. Understanding what baptism is helps the shift. "Liquid word" You explain it well.

So, if baptism is necessary to wash away the infants original sin, what happen to that baby that dies before birth, from premature birth, death before the baptism? What is the status of a person that is baptized as an infant, but later turns away from God and lives a sinful, non-repentant life? Are they still accepted into heaven for eternity?

Almost thou persuadest me. Seriously, though, thank you for the explanation! I've never seen it Biblically, but never thought about the connection with circumcision.

I'm now a confessional Lutheran (ELS) but one of the things that helped to change my mind about baptism was the prominence of the belief in infant baptism prior to American evangelicalism's rise, and especially when reading Calvin and John Wesley. I attended both Calvinist and Wesleyan churches prior to converting to Lutheranism, but even though the Calvinists and Wesleyans advocated for a Zwinglian (symbolic) view of the sacraments, both Calvin AND Wesley believed in a degree of sacramental efficacy. True, they did not subscribe to Luther's understanding of it (although Wesley was far closer to Luther's position than many modern Wesleyans realize), but they also rejected a flatly symbolic understanding of the sacraments as well. Truth be told, a purely symbolic view of the sacraments is a relatively recent doctrine in church history. You don't find it in the first 1500 years of the church at all.

I pray that many more will see the truth and beauty of infant baptism.

Thr issue of sin you presented is so clear to me in my children. When my son left the womb I had a vision of my newborn son burning up along with me and everone else in the hospital....because for a moment Gods grace was no longer on us. Also reminded of how God moses that he has abundant grace. But also curses generations. Yet Moses bowed down and worshiped instantly. I had that same feeling affer thinking about my son being burnt up. Thats the God I worship. Wow that still blows me away. Now thinking about baptising my children we didnt do it. We brought them to thr church and asked everyone to encourage and pray for us and our son. Not something we had to do we just did it. What struck me was the washing of the word that you highleted Chad. Thats going to sit with me in my studies probably for weeks 😅😅

Chris, thank you for sharing this. I went a complete 180 from you. I went from Lutheran to Southern Baptist. In my opinion, many of your arguements are s stretch...until you spoke about John the Baptist and also circumcision. Thank you for sharing!

Could you please give your verses that discuss "the liquid word of baptism"?

My mom went to a Methodists church We were stationed in Tokyo in 1956-59 At 3 years old I had heart failure The church told her have this baby Baptism Well off to Texas for hospitalization 2 years later off to Oklahoma 15 years later i received Christ at 20 Was Baptisted for real

Hi Chad, really enjoy and appreciate your ministry. I have a question however that I will start with an opinion. Having different sects of Christian religions divides us because each one has differences in customs and beliefs about the same God. Why not be an “unlabeled”follower of Jesus Christ and his teachings rather than feeling the need to identify as Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic ect, ect, I refuse to identify as a particular sect for the reasons stated and prefer to just follow Jesus and his word without the particularities of each “we are more right” sect. Why do you identify within a sect (Lutheran). Again, not arguing, asking.

Hi Chad. I am confused about the liquid word part. I can't find a clear reference in Scripture about the Word being put into water. The part about circumcision really was amazing. Through it, I can understand how baptism is like saying: God, I now belong to You. You are my God! What an amazing grace!

Thanks you Chad I have been thinking about this quite a bit being a baptist in the UK I have really only heard the one side of the story I was baptised as a baby into the church of Ireland/England as my mum was of that demonstration I was confirmed there too but I never believed in God or Jesus as a child not until he meet me on my 21st birthday and saved me not that I done anything for my salvation I just took his word by faith that he died for me.

Thank you for taking the time to explain your journey through this topic. For myself, I have never believed in infant baptism. This is mainly because my understanding of it has the prerequisites of confession and repentance; a conscious now inclined to the things of God. None of the arguments convinced me of anything until you hit on circumcision, which almost got me. The reason I say almost is because, though I agree that there are many things that find their root in the OT, not everything has a direct connection such as you're saying here between circumcision and baptism. Many of the requirements of OT law, ones that could get someone "cutoff from their people" simply aren't there anymore, circumcision being a major one. However, I don't find anywhere in Scripture that connects baptism to circumcision, and certainly lacking baptism isn't punishable by death or under a threat of being cutoff from your people. Also, circumcision was only possible to males. Are females forever cutoff from their people because they cannot be circumcised? Are infant males who are baptized now better off than females, since there is no OT precedent for their particular baptism, based off your logic here drawing a connection between baptism and circumcision? I listened with an open mind, because this is not a pillar of the faith doctrine. I really appreciate your point of view, and love you for sharing it. I've been blessed by most all of your videos this far. I just can't follow your particular path of acceptance on this one. I still have questions and can't reconcile it in my mind, but thank you dearly for your explanation. I wish we could sit down together and break this down over coffee or something, and really sharpen some iron. Just know that's where my heart is with this. I disagree, but respectfully and most importantly lovingly. Grace and peace.

I was born into an episcopal church and baptised as an infant. At the age of 9, I prayed the sinners prayer and accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior in a charismatic catholic church. Soon after, i was immersed in baptised. I then grew up in an evangelical church. At the age of 30 i was questioned about infant baptism and it sent me on a deep dive into what i believe. I can say, i KNEW Jesus before i prayed to receive Him. I had a relationship with God my Father, before I "prayed the sinners prayer" so i called my sister and asked if she had the same experience as I did. She did. Now, do i believe that infant baptism "Saves" you? No. But i do believe something spiritual happens. Like marriage... a prayer is prayed and something spiritual happens 2 become 1. Salvation, a prayer is prayed and a sinner becomes redeemed. Because of what i know from my life and what i have learned from others who were not baptised as infants and did not feel that connection to God before salvation, i made sure my children were baptised as infants. Does it make a difference? I will only know when i get to heaven and ask, but i want my children to have every opportunity to have relationship with God in this world. They are now teens, both have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, both have chosen to be baptised and both love God and are living and serving Him. Maybe they just got wet as babies, or maybe it began that relationship. Im fine either way.

Do you recommend taking an adolescent say age 8-12 and have them baptized if they have not yet received salvation by confessing their sins? Would the baptism save them the same way that the baptism will save the infant?

Thank you for this video Chad. I would love a follow up to this video speaking of, if you’ve been baptized as an infant should you be baptized as an adult. I know the answer. Yes! Of course. But I would love to hear you explain it out. With regard to the belief that you should only be baptized once. Thanks again. I hope this makes sense! :-)

Thank you Chad. Lutheran always believe in the word of God . That is why I'm Lutheran.

Southern Baptist to Lutheranism has been my path too.

I've never seen an infant baptized, but very young children as young as 5 or 6 get baptized with the understanding that they can make their own desicion at that age about personal baptism.

Thanks for putting yourself out there on this controversial topic. I’ve been an Anglican pastor most of my working life, and also believe in infant baptism, though for slightly different reasons. Things I found tricky in your reasoning, that I’d love to hear more from you about: the idea that the ‘word is in the water’ idea. I understand a little about the Lutheran view of the Lord’s Supper - consubstantiation. Is this an echo of that view in some way? Yes, God used water to save his people in the OT - but my understanding is that it was not to convey the word, but as a physical instrument to fulfil his word, as he also used the physical world to fulfil his promises to bring plagues upon Egypt, or fire and storm and tempest to convey the terrible awesomeness of his presence on Sinai, and so on. But connecting that to baptism, as if the water somehow saves in itself seems, to my ears, odd - given 1 Peter 3b. The passage about John leaping in the womb reflecting what happens in baptism feels like a bit of a stretch. On one hand, I’ve never heard of anything similar with anyone else, in scripture or outside of scripture. On the other hand, this is an utterly unique moment in world history- with the conception of the God-Man standing before the one appointed to go before him. A unique sign for a unique moment, isn’t it? There are a few questions. I’m sure you’re busy. If you do happen to get a moment to respond, that would be wonderful. If not, I understand. Thanks again, dear brother

What is the Scriptural reference for “The liquid Word in and with the water”

Thank you for this explanation. I’ve heard most of the points you’ve given except the infusion of the Word with the water of baptism. Could this be explained further and some scriptural references given? Thanks again

Hi Teacher I couldn't understand how God's word get inside of the water baptism? Can you please provide biblical bases referencing for God's liquid word? Thank you.

I tried to go protestant. But after several months i simply had to return to the Orthodox Church. I missed a truly beautiful liturgy, the ancient faith and an ascetical training and interior prayer. The ancient Way never disappeared, we dont need to recreate it with our biblical fine combing. I concluded the Church is alive to be experienced. Great stuff though, i really like your teaching.

A Luthptist just like myself. Granted I'm still Southern Baptist but my dad's side was German Lutheran great-granddad founded a Lutheran Church in Plainview. Mom's side was Baptist so while I grew up at the First Baptist Church, I'd go visit. My grandparents at the Lutheran Church. Spent a lot of time in the Lutheran Church.

I’m assuming “liquid word” is referring to Eph. 5:26? “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,” Also, as one that doesn’t adhere to infant baptism I was curious if you believe that every infant that is baptized is now saved? I ask because I’ve known many people who have been baptized as infants and gone on to live very ungodly lives. If such a person were to be saved later on in life would they need to be baptized again? Blessings. ‭

I do agree baptism is necessary for salvation, this baptism is of the Spirit, not all who were circumcision were saved,

Liquid word bit make me think of when one has to say " I now baptize you in the name of the Fath,Son,and Holy Ghost" as a blessing over the water so to speak and that could be seen as mixing words and water.

You mentioned adult baptism however the bible refers to baptism as believers baptism

Not everyone who is baptised as an infant for Bible says "if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God has risen from the dead you shall be saved". However child baptism is more like a dedication so as an EPC person ww look at it as that. I have seen so many non believers who were baptised as infants... being saved is by faith in Him. I accept Christ as a 6 year old boy at the time i understood the foundation of the Gospel presented. Others have different times for understanding whst is presented of the Gospel.

John the Baptist said I indeed baptise you in water but the one who comes after me, He will baptise you in fire and Spirit.

The circumcision made without hands is reference to the baptism also made without hands, meaning Spirit!!!

There’s a lot I could critique here but the main issue here is that you cannot separate, as you quote, repent and be baptized. It really is that simple.

That all said - which Church is the right one to be baptized in? Does it matter? And what if one is baptized in a Church and leaves that one for another, whatever the reason? As in your own situation. I was baptized as a baby in the Roman Catholic Church and left that religion 60+ years ago and now am simply a professed Christian that does not attend any particular church. I've been to many different churches over the years, but never was comfortable in any - including Judaism. So is my baptism "valid"?

, Ephesians 5:26 says, "Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word".

I’m struggling with this too, but related to what you said near the end , if we deny infant baptism, we are forced to say our children are excluded from the covenant and not really part of the church until they make a conscious decision, vs the paradigm in Judaism that circumcised babies are in the covenant automatically barring any apostasy in later life. Seems like the apostles would have addressed such a paradigm shift in the NT if it really happened.

I went from independent Baptist to evangelical Lutheran over a period of some years. The first thing that collapsed was the trail of blood theology, I could not accept that the church over 2,000 years was wrong about Nicene orthodoxy and that Baptists were the only ones doing it right until the English Baptists figured it out through rationalism. Another thing that helped me was reading sacramental study Bibles along side my NIV study Bible so that I got more historical theology. I was reading just this week in either my Lutheran study Bible or my Ignatius Press Catholic Bible about the events of 1 Samuel 7 and v. 6. In this passage, the Israelites made a pledge of loyalty to the LORD, confess their sins in deep repentance, sacrifice a lamb, and then draw running water from a river into a pitcher and then poured the cold fresh water out onto the ground "and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day." in the Scott Hahn notes (convert from Presbyterian pastor scholar to Roman catholic) he says (and I'm paraphrasing) that this text in the Old Testament is unique, there's nothing else like it, where fresh water is poured out as an oblation onto the earth to mark the loyalty ceremony / confession / sacrifice. Usually its poured onto a person like King David being anointed, but here, it's just poured out as a symbol that water is important, very important, and it doesn't explain any of it. Fast forward to the first century in the Didache, the early Jewish Christian handbook from as early as the period before the temple was demolished. In the Didache there's a text about baptism where it's like a flow chart of if then statements. And it's all about trying to get your hands on cold fresh river water to do the baptisms, and if none is available, then you can do a number of options, and they all include either immersion or pouring, the technique doesn't much matter as long as you try to do it in the order specified. And the text concludes with fasting on the day of baptism. So I am not saying that anyone is doing it right nowadays, because nobody is going to the river and immersing people as in Didache option A. However, it's cool to see the unfolding biblical theology from the Old 1 Samuel 7 to the Didache, where a loyalty pledge and forgiveness of sins is accompanied by pouring out water and fasting and praying and repenting. When I see all of the sacramental, priestly, liturgical elements of early Christianity, I just had to come to a church where they respect biblical historical theology more than just lexicons the way I grew up, we did lots of word studies and were brain washed that baptism has to mean dunk, but in the long history of the church, starting with the Didache, I think they did things different ways. Craig Keener wrote a giant commentary of Acts in which he says the Holy Spirit saves, converts, calls, baptizes and sanctifies people in the book of Acts in every possible different way imaginable, so that no one group can claim they check all of the boxes. NT Wright also explains how Romans 6 - 8 is a picture of the Israelites fleeing Egypt - in ch 6 they go through the water (like in Exodus) into a period of wandering and confusion (Rom 7) and then finally in Rom 8 the Spirit sets them free from the law of sin and death to live their vocations to the glory of God. So there are all of these pictures in the New Testament about water symbolizing the liberation of Israel from Egypt, from Pharoah's grip, from eternal death and slavery to sin. There's so many exciting pictures of water in the Bible, including how Noah's family was saved from the judgment of too much water on a boat, and the water purified the world from sin, but they survived the deluge by trusting God, etc. etc. Thanks for the great video.

Liquid word is stretching it, first time hearing it actually, I don't agree with infant baptism. I understand where you're coming from. But it's not a question of solvation, so we can disagree on it.

One thing that convinces me also is that Jesus said "You must be born again", infants need to be born again too. What better time to be born again than when you are infants to begin with! And the sooner we are born again, the better!

Infant baptism was introduced when babies died "outside of Grace " It was taken from Egyptian paganism, same as trinity theory. It was done because the Catholics thought that baptism brought salvation. Jesus said that those that repented, should let themselves be baptised. No infant can make that choice. I grew up in a sinful, ungodly un-Biblical church very similar to SBC. It is a religion, but is it Biblical Christianity?

Great video! Now can you edit it and add bible verses to the screen?

This analysis jumps from "we are born sinners" to "we need Christ's atoning sacrifice". There's something missing between, which is personal cupability: understanding the commandment, actualy sinning, and the result: Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Since historic presbyterian and Lutheran believes infant baptism and the salvific nature of it, can you make a video what the difference between the two tradition?

I wish you would change your mind on closed communion too…I was baptized, raised, and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran tradition, but married a Methodist pastor. I’m now 65 and my husband just retired. We are looking for a new church, but not the now apostate UMC. There is a nice MSLChurch in the area, but their closed communion is a stumbling block for both of us (Methodists allow for open communion). I understand the reasoning given for closed communion, but I am a born again believer, Martin Luther is in my ancestry, I lean reformed, but yet I would not be welcomed at the table in this MSLChurch. I worked as a choir director in a MSLChurch and watched many a member come to the table who were, let’s just say, in the bars on Sat. night…yet they were welcomed because they were a member of the church. It makes no sense to me.

Then should we baptize as soon as the baby is born...or even conceived?

I suggest you listen to Dr. Michael Heiser on his podcast about baptism. He has a much clearer teaching and reality concerning the subject.

I enjoy listening to your comments, but I would like to offer some thoughts. "He places that Word inside the waters of Baptism??" @ 6:30. Where does this idea come from? Seems to be an assertion with no Scriptural backing. It's a nice thought, but is the point Biblical? Also, the use of O.T. circumcision as a pattern of salvation ignores the existence of Gentile believers. What of Jethro, Naaman, Nebuchadnezzar, the citizens of Nineveh? There's good indication that they were saved believers, but there is no indication that they were circumcised or were otherwise made to convert to Judaism or become part of the Mosaic Covenant.

The big question is then, how does this affect the misscarried child, or the thousands of abhorted foetuses, who cannot recieve baptism? Are they hellbound just for being unwillingly conceived?

I was also raised Baptist, well…partly Baptist, primarily Non-Denominational [which is really just another way of saying one is an uncommitted Baptist, IMO]. Infant Baptism was also the last thing I came to embrace when I transitioned into Lutheranism. I had to first be challenged on the assumptions I’d inherited about Baptism before discussing who Baptism is designed for. I had to be won over to the idea that Holy Baptism is not a mere symbol of salvation, but salvation itself. So, here’s a challenge for my Baptist/Non-Denom bros that initially got this snowball rolling for me: Where does the New Testament actually teach that Baptism is just a symbol? Where are you getting that Baptism is just an outward expression of an inward change? Do the biblical texts that talk about Baptism actually present the sacrament as simply a first act of obedience meant to publicly express salvation? Where is it written that Baptism merely signifies salvation? Answering these kind of questions honestly, I had to admit that what I’d been taught about Baptism was simply not scriptural at all. So, my objections to baptizing babies were built on one false assumption on top of another false assumption on top of several other false assumptions.

Looking at scripture specifically in what is says about baptism is: believe and be baptized. When is the point a human being can express belief in Christ and then be baptized? I would challenge an infant cannot. But God and His grace I belief takes care of our infants. Even the thief on the cross was not baptized, but Christ told him he would see Him in paradise. Baptism isn’t a salvation issue really. The work of God is to believe in Christ whom our Father sent.

Thank you. I do have a question- what about Muslims who find Jesus and want to be immediately baptized but do not have access to water and choose other ways to get baptized e.g. being buried in sand, then coming up from the sand, etc same concept because of their faith? Thanks again, and I'm very much enjoying "Hitchhiking with Prophets"

This is a secondary doctrinal issue, so we didn't divide in this issue..btw good argument

What of someone baptized as a baby, but in early forties now and yet to believe?

I must respectfully disagree as I believe the baptism of water doesn't wash away sin. John said he indeed did baptize with water but one coming after him (Jesus) would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. This is the baptism required to wash away sin. If not, then where do you see the millions of babies who were aborted without being baptized? I am very confident they are with Jesus, who said we must come as little children totally trusting Him for our salvation.I do enjoy your teaching and as a Southern Baptist find we are in agreement on most issues.

As a layman in the Lutheran church, The "liquid word" phrase might not be the least confusing way to express the concept of "not simply water but water coupled with the word of God". Some of the commenters seem to have a different understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit, and the will of man in conversion. What are the means(tools) that the bible say that the Holy Spirit will use to strengthen or create faith? Also related to this, where is the idea of age of accountability clearly taught in scripture? If children or babies die for whatever reason, is this not also a consequence of original sin?

I appreciate your video brother, I'm hearing you say that God holds the sin of the Father against the Son! Ezekiel 18:19-23 says God nolonger does that.

Its a good topic, while I disagree with water baptism as a requirement in any form for this new entity called the Body of Christ, its good to see people discussing scripture - I think that honors God.

Repentance and Faith is required in the Scripture before Water Baptism. Also we never see any infants baptized in the Bible. Only an argument out of silence can be made for infant Baptism But I appreciate you explaining your views. Blessings Hal

Act 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Lack of belief is what hinders someone from being baptized. A baby with no knowledge of God does not believe Jesus is the son of God or anything else. They do not meet the requirement. "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." The logical implication of this question and answer, is that If thou doth not believe, thou mayest not.

I also have a Luthern background, and was baptized as an infant and it meant absolutly nothing to me. Later on in life when I accepted Jesus, and became a Christian I was baptized as an adult. I knew what I was doing, and it was deeply felt, and meaningful to me. Your explaination of your point of view didn't make any sense, and did not witness in my heart as the truth.

Thank you for a well articulated explanation on infant baptism. My question is this, if a child was baptized as an infant let's say Catholicism and becomes a believer, should they be "re-baptized, now as a conscious, outward confession of faith in Christ?

You quoted Acts 2:38, Peter said repent and be baptised. In infant is born with a sinful nature however it hasn't trespassed against God, yet. The child lacks understanding of the gift of saving grace. We can't force our will on anyone, that's the Holy Spirits job, we can only plant seeds. Acts 19 in Ephesus is a clear example to me of lacking baptism understanding and only just going through the "movements". That's my view anyway. I can see yours but I humbly disagree. Baptism isn't a pretreatment oil for your engine before it's ran yet or a metal conditioner for a prefired firearm.

I don't know if this helps, but the deciding factor that led me to change my mind on the credo/paedobaptist divide, stems from reflecting on God and His attributes: Most Christians would agree that God is steadfast and unchanging, as according to His Word. Obviously children (males) in the Old Covenant were welcomed into the covenant upon receiving the mark of circumcision. Considering this, after Christ implemented baptism as the sign that essentially replaces circumcision, how can the New Covenant be less inclusive than the Old? God's greatest and most gracious gift of his Son, and the salvation through him, is more limited and smaller in scope in terms of who is and isn't included in God's covenant? Surely God is steadfast.

I will check to see if you video library on RU-vid includes a video on Jesus dying for the whole world. My question is if all the sins of everyone were atoned for on the Cross then why do any go to hell?

I was curious about the baptism by John the Baptist prior to Christs imparting of the Holy Spirit.

How can people go to Hell whose s sins have been paid for? I would ask you to respond to Mike Riccardi’s paper on Limited Atonement. ❤

The Acts 2 verse you quote, in my opinion, must be understood in light of the fact that it is directly related to the calling of God. I find that most who use this passage never finish the rest of what is being communicated. The promise is ultimately rooted in and upon the basis of “as many as the Lord shall call”. It’s also clear that the category of folks who were baptized that day were “those who received his words… “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭39‬-‭41‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Having said this, I do understand how you arrive at your position which is by using an OT paradigm to shed light on a NT interpretation. I would point out that baptism is the ONLY major doctrine in which this type of hermeneutic is utilized by those who baptize infants. Why not stay consistent and use the NT to teach us who is in the NC? It’s the book of Hebrews ,for me, that clearly teaches and defines the parameters of the NC. However, I appreciate the gentle spirit you exhibit on your channel and see no reason for not having unity in Christ. I actually attend a church that practices and allows room for both credo and paedo.

I very respectfully disagree with you. Nevertheless, I’m extremely blessed by your kindness and wisdom that you have shown in all your teaching. I’ll continue to follow you and pray for God’s grace upon you.

Hmmmm idk about this. I have learned so much from you but I feel you're stretching on this one. I still appreciate you tho!

Watch the discussion between John Mac Arthur and RC Sproul❤

Anyone Anytime getting baptized in Christ Jesus..This is not a bad thing.. Probably leading to a puddle of your own tears .Our understanding is off..Walk by faith❤