INFANT BAPTISM VS. BELIEVERS’ BAPTISM
CONCISE VERSION
REV. F
MARCH 1, 1997
T-F-I I. STATEMENT FOR BELIEVERS’ BAPTISM.
T-F-I A. It is taught by Christ. (Page 5)
T-F-I 1. Matthew 28:19. (Page 5)
T-F-I a. To disciple is to bring to faith. (Page 5)
T-F-I b. The command to teach requires adults. (Page 5)
T-F-I 2. To be baptized means to be immersed. (Page 7)
T-F-I a. The Greek word translated "baptism." (Page 7)
T-F-I b. Examples of baptism confirm the immersion aspect. (Page 7)
T-F-I 1.) John 3:23. (Page 7)
T-F-I 2.) I Corinthians 10:2. (Page 7)
T-F-I B. It is given as a command to believers. (Page 7)
T-F-I C. The Scriptures teach only believers are to be baptized. (Page 7)
T-F-I 1. John 3:5. (Page 9)
T-F-I 2. Titus 3:5. (Page 9)
T-F-I 3. Acts 22:16. (Page 9)
T-F-I 4. Romans 6:3-5 and Colossians 2:12. (Page 9)
T-F-I 5. I Corinthians 15:29. (Page 11)
T-F-I D. Believers’ baptism is the only baptism shown in teaching and example. (Page 11)
T-F-I 1. Acts 8:37. (Page 11)
T-F-I E. The purpose of baptism is to signify death to self. (Page 11)
T-F-I 1. Colossians 2:12. (Page 11)
T-F-I 2. Romans 6. (Page 11)
T-F-I II. STATEMENT AGAINST BELIEVERS’ BAPTISM.
An examination of the "believe and be baptized" verses.
T-F-I A. The context of the "believe and be baptized" verses. (Page 17)
T-F-I B. A Scriptural precedent that must be considered. (Page 17)
T-F-I 1. Romans 4 and Genesis 17. (Page 17)
T-F-I 2. The ramifications of Romans 4 and Genesis 17. (Page 19)
T-F-I 3. Part I falls short of its purpose in establishing believers’ baptism as Scriptural. (Page 19)
T-F-I III. FOR INFANT BAPTISM.
Evidence Supporting the Practice of Infant Baptism.
Baptism is correctly understood and practiced only when it is seen in its proper relationship to the Abrahamic covenant.
In the New Testament, Baptism takes the place of circumcision from the Old Testament. Circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic covenant. Baptism is the New Testament sign of the Abrahamic covenant. Just as circumcision was given to the children of the covenant in the Old Testament, so too, baptism must now be given to the children of the covenant in the New Testament.
Section "B." below proves that infants of believers should be baptized. (Page 25.)
T-F-I A. The Abrahamic covenant is a special relationship initiated by God. (Page 25.)
T-F-I 1. The Abrahamic covenant is dependent solely on grace, not on law. (Page 25.)
T-F-I 2. The covenant contained the Gospel. (Page 29.)
T-F-I 3. There is blessing for those who obey the covenant and curse for those who break the covenant. (Page 31.)
T-F-I 4. God referred to the covenant as a marriage. (Page 33.)
T-F-I 5. The Abrahamic covenant included his physical descendants. (Page 33.)
T-F-I B. Key section in this debate: Baptism is the New Testament equivalent of Old Testament circumcision. (Page 33.)
T-F-I 1. The Abrahamic covenant (which circumcision represented in the Old Testament) still exists in the New Testament. (Page 33.)
T-F-I 2. Both the meaning and function of baptism and circumcision are the same. This indicates their essential equality. (Page 39.)
T-F-I a. Baptism and circumcision primarily symbolize purification. (Page 39.)
T-F-I 1.) Circumcision represents the removal of impurities. (Page 39.)
T-F-I 2.) An important part of baptism is purification. (Page 39.)
T-F-I b. Both circumcision and baptism perform the same function. (Page 47.)
T-F-I 3. Colossians 2:11-12 equate circumcision and baptism. (Page 49.)
T-F-I 4. Final conclusion: the full impact of "1." through "3." above. (Page 49.)
T-F-I IV. Statement Against Infant Baptism. (Page 55)
T-F-I A. Circumcision pointed forward to Christ, baptism exists in a time when the revelation concerning Christ is complete. Hence baptism is to be reserved for those for whom Christ’s sacrifice is a personal reality. (Page 55)
T-F-I B. The Abrahamic covenant was not made with either believers or Abraham’s physical seed. (Page 55)
T-F-I 1. The covenant was not made with believers. (Page 55)
T-F-I 2. The covenant was not made with Abraham’s physical seed. (Page 57)
T-F-I C. Baptism is not the seal of the new covenant. (Page 59)
T-F-I D. The Old Testament had to do with the letter, the New Testament is spiritual in nature. (Page 61)
T-F-I 1. The Old Testament had the circumcision of the flesh - the New Testament has the circumcision of the heart. (Page 61)
T-F-I 2. Circumcision was indiscriminately applied (according to the letter). (Page 61)
T-F-I a. Strangers and the Passover. (Page 63)
T-F-I b. Jewish children were circumcised without respect to the faith of the parents. (Page 63)
T-F-I c. The Shechemites. (Page 63)
T-F-I d. The circumcision of slaves. (Page 63)
T-F-I E. The transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament indicates baptism didn’t replace circumcision. (Page 65)
Dialogos Papers