Well, I've finally decided to get off the fence and make a decision on baptism. My journey through this issue lasted just over a year an a half. Whenever I came close to reaching a conclusion (which was always in favour of infant baptism) I would retreat and leave the subject because I feared the practical implications (plus the fence was quite comfy). However, since I've learned my wife is pregnant I pursued the subject with renewed vigor. :bigsmile:
I know there are a number of people on this board who are undecided or interested in learning more on the issue so I'll provide a brief summary of some of the things that caused me to reevaluate and ultimately change my position.
1) Examining all of Scripture - This was the initial obstacle for me. I started to examine baptism from the whole of Scripture and did not begin with the NT.
2) Undestanding the continuity of the New Covenant with what was promised to Abraham. There is a new manifestation of the Covenant of Grace in the New Covenant but it is still the same COG that was present under the Old Covenant. Since the children of believers were included in the COG previously it makes sense that they are included in it now as well.
3) Continuity - Assuming continuity unless there was a reason not to. This was helpful in that I saw that God had always worked with families and that this did not change in the NT. The parallel between Gen 17 and Acts 2 was eye opening for me. Also, 1 Cor. 7:14 and all the household baptisms now made sense.
4) Col 2:11,12 - I used to believe that what was being equated here was spiritual circumcision (regeneration) and baptism...but I missed the point that physical circumcision points to the reality of spiritual circumcision.
5) The biblical writers apply the promises made under the New Covenant to the children of believers (Luke 18:15-17; Acts 2:39).
There's more but those are some of the biggers things that changed in my thinking. I did find that I have a greater sense of family now...it's hard to explain but family has become more prominent in my mind.
I believe I now have a better grasp on Scripture. Many things that seemed hidden or obscure to me are now made plain and clear. What a wonderful thing!
Thank you to those on the board who took some time to interact with me on this issue. You are greatly appreciated since I do not know one person who actually holds to paedobaptism and had no one else to interact with.
I know there are a number of people on this board who are undecided or interested in learning more on the issue so I'll provide a brief summary of some of the things that caused me to reevaluate and ultimately change my position.
1) Examining all of Scripture - This was the initial obstacle for me. I started to examine baptism from the whole of Scripture and did not begin with the NT.
2) Undestanding the continuity of the New Covenant with what was promised to Abraham. There is a new manifestation of the Covenant of Grace in the New Covenant but it is still the same COG that was present under the Old Covenant. Since the children of believers were included in the COG previously it makes sense that they are included in it now as well.
3) Continuity - Assuming continuity unless there was a reason not to. This was helpful in that I saw that God had always worked with families and that this did not change in the NT. The parallel between Gen 17 and Acts 2 was eye opening for me. Also, 1 Cor. 7:14 and all the household baptisms now made sense.
4) Col 2:11,12 - I used to believe that what was being equated here was spiritual circumcision (regeneration) and baptism...but I missed the point that physical circumcision points to the reality of spiritual circumcision.
5) The biblical writers apply the promises made under the New Covenant to the children of believers (Luke 18:15-17; Acts 2:39).
There's more but those are some of the biggers things that changed in my thinking. I did find that I have a greater sense of family now...it's hard to explain but family has become more prominent in my mind.
I believe I now have a better grasp on Scripture. Many things that seemed hidden or obscure to me are now made plain and clear. What a wonderful thing!
Thank you to those on the board who took some time to interact with me on this issue. You are greatly appreciated since I do not know one person who actually holds to paedobaptism and had no one else to interact with.
Im Happy for you brother.
