The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Reformed but many questions?

I was in a general conversation with someone on Facebook and they made a statement of being Reformed but feel that the emphasis on certain topics of Reformed thought will lead one back on the road to emulate the RCC,.. one statement he mentioned was in regards to baptism of infants, ... and I quote ''Paedobaptism for example. The first historical mention of this practice is its condemnation. The first church era did not practice it. It is not an original apostolic teaching. Yet it is taught as though Scripture commands it through "good and necessary consequence." This is extremely questionable''.. how would you address this concern of his?

Oh dear, the old paedo vs. credo topic.

Lot's of claims with no evidence of their truth, which is so typical. And, of course, there is the odious "guilt by association" accusation... Paedobaptism is a Roman Catholic heresy.

Okay, enough of the sarcasm with the attempted insertion of humor.

Go HERE. On the left click on the "Ecclesiology" button. Scroll down the page to the "Sacraments" section and you'll probably find one or more relevant articles.

Thought I would chime in here. I am a Credo, but I think the accusation that the Paedo view leads back to Rome is silly.
Issues such as this, should always be examined in light of what Scripture teaching on a given topic. Though, it is true that Reformed Paedos baptize babies, it is not true that they are guilty by association.
As a Credo-baptist, although obviously I have come to a different understanding than my Reformed Paedo-Baptist brothers and sisters. Never the less, I have tremendous respect for many of them (especially Pilgrim). I cut my Reformed teeth among many of them.

Tom

I'd like to flesh this out more....what certain topics? Infant baptism sounds like a strange doctrine to target.... I'm wondering if believers baptism only is biblical, how did it work in the early church? There's no mention on how children of believers were dealt with in the early church outside being part of a believing household aka. Baptized family....

Back to your original point, unless he thinks certain reformed churches put too many conditions and are legalistic, not sure what's he's getting at???.....but that can be true of any denomination....
Ultimately, good theology is vital to prevent unbiblical liberalism....and no church breaks it down systematically like reformed

Also it seems like the head of the household is the representative of the believing baptized Christian family.... These are the first generation Christians, of course public confession & baptism will go hand in hand for these first converted Christians entering the covenant.... This is the logical and biblical covenant Reformed position of the true essence of baptism.... Its a sign and seal but not saving in itself

Would say that as aReformed Baptist, would hold to believers baptism as being the most biblical mode of administrating it, but not theonly way to do it. My church allows forthose who profess Jesus as Lord to not be required to redo infant baptism IF was done in a bible based church group, but do require for those who were ex RCC, as many of us once were!