The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Infant baptism

Howard,<br><br>I know you asked this question of Tom:<blockquote>Hi Tom. So you would not allow Pilgrim to preach the whole counsel of God ?</blockquote>but I am compelled to answer because it reflects on the truth which I posted above. When we as a Reformed (paedobaptist) church approved the membership of the several families which had left their Reformed Baptist church, yet remained committed to the Credobaptist position, although some were given teaching responsibilities in the church, it was asked of them to refrain from teaching on the subject of Credo/Paedo baptism. [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/grin.gif" alt="grin" title="grin[/img] In other words, we realized that there existed differences between us regarding the baptism of infants. But we were not willing to disfellowship these godly families over it. We felt that showing mutual respect for each other was demanded of us as they professed genuine faith in Christ and desired to raise their children, not less than we did, in the Lord. Our church, unlike so many paedobaptist churches today, believed that our "covenant children" should indeed receive the sign of the covenant; baptism. But we did not presume on God's grace, our children's election or regeneration, but rather we looked upon our children as "little vipers in covenant diapers" who were in dire need of Christ. We believed our children to be wonderfully blessed, "holy", i.e., set apart from the world and given the special privilege of being reared in a home where God was honored, Christ exalted and love for one another was paramount as unto the Lord.<br><br>Truly, brother..... should men bought with the same shed blood of God Himself war against each other over a matter of water? What consequence is it should a parent refuse the sprinkling/pouring of water on an infant, but raises them in the fear and admonition of the Lord compared to someone who brings their baby to the baptismal fount but considers it to be already saved and never speaks to that child as it grows in years of their total depravity and enmity against God and of their dire need of being given repentance and of falling to their knees and receiving Christ as their own, but rather simply encourages them to "keep the covenant"?? I tell you in all sincerity, that Baptist child will more likely be found at the feet of Jesus in heaven than the child who was baptized as an infant and reared under the erroneous presumption that it was a "Christian".<br><br>In His Grace,