An awesome responsibility
We attended our nephew's (Caleb's cousin's) baptism this morning. He is 3 weeks old. Caleb was baptized about a month ago, at 4 months old. Why do we baptize these babies? They obviously don't understand or appreciate what's happening. Wouldn't it benefit them more to wait until they understand what baptism is and let it be their choice to be baptized? No, most definitely not, at least not in my opinion.
We believe that God, in His mercy, chose His people before the foundation of the world, and infant baptism is a beautiful illustration of this. These little ones are not baptized because they are Christians, because they love the Lord, or because they are so sweet and good. They are born sinners, and yet Christ, gave His life for them. Because they deserved it? No. Because they somehow earned it? No. Simply because He loves them. The water that is sprinkled on their little heads represents the blood of Christ that cleanses them of all sin. He makes the first move, not them. They don't even understand what is happening at the time. Just as in our Christian life, it is only by the grace of God that He softens our hearts and causes us to long for Him. A longing that we could never have in and of ourselves.
As Christian parents, we do not believe that the act of baptism saves our children, nor is it necessary for salvation, but it is established by God and therefore it is good.
"The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off- for all whom the Lord our God will call. And I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household." (Acts 2:39 ; Genesis 17:7 ; Acts 16:31)
As Christian parents we are called to unreservedly dedicate our children to God, and to promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that we will endeavor to set before them a godly example, that we will pray with and for them, that we will teach them the doctrines of our holy religion, and that we will strive, by all the means of God's appointment, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
This is an awesome responsibility and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Infant baptism is a glorious reminder of the love that God has for us and the unending mercy He shows us daily. We do not deserve His love but His wrath, but just as these little ones are not baptized because of their goodness, we are not accepted by Christ because of ours. He loves us because he choses to love us and that's it. There is no other reason. And it is by His grace that we can make these promises for our children and strive to keep them.
We believe that God, in His mercy, chose His people before the foundation of the world, and infant baptism is a beautiful illustration of this. These little ones are not baptized because they are Christians, because they love the Lord, or because they are so sweet and good. They are born sinners, and yet Christ, gave His life for them. Because they deserved it? No. Because they somehow earned it? No. Simply because He loves them. The water that is sprinkled on their little heads represents the blood of Christ that cleanses them of all sin. He makes the first move, not them. They don't even understand what is happening at the time. Just as in our Christian life, it is only by the grace of God that He softens our hearts and causes us to long for Him. A longing that we could never have in and of ourselves.
As Christian parents, we do not believe that the act of baptism saves our children, nor is it necessary for salvation, but it is established by God and therefore it is good.
"The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off- for all whom the Lord our God will call. And I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household." (Acts 2:39 ; Genesis 17:7 ; Acts 16:31)
As Christian parents we are called to unreservedly dedicate our children to God, and to promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that we will endeavor to set before them a godly example, that we will pray with and for them, that we will teach them the doctrines of our holy religion, and that we will strive, by all the means of God's appointment, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
This is an awesome responsibility and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Infant baptism is a glorious reminder of the love that God has for us and the unending mercy He shows us daily. We do not deserve His love but His wrath, but just as these little ones are not baptized because of their goodness, we are not accepted by Christ because of ours. He loves us because he choses to love us and that's it. There is no other reason. And it is by His grace that we can make these promises for our children and strive to keep them.
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