The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Infant salvation

Re: Acts 2:39 I think it is imperative to recognize and to be faithful to the context of that passage in order to grasp its truth.

Acts 2:38-39 (ASV) "And Peter [said] unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him."

This "promise" is (a) not universal, i.e., indiscriminate but to those who at that time were to repent and believe and to those who were not present at that time, both adults and children. And with the further qualifier, (b) to those who are called (efficacious calling) of God. For only those who are "called", i.e., given ears to hear will and are capable of repentance and faith in Christ. So, the promise is to believers only; adults and/or children but not as some want it to say, believers and all their children without discrimination.

The other viable interpretation of this passage is, which I happen to hold, albeit with some reservation, is that David is simply acknowledging that his son was truly dead and will be put into the grave from which he cannot return and which also he, his body, too will someday be put to rest. I don't see much warrant in making the text speak of something spiritual/eternal in its context.

It seems to me that we must make a distinction between "faith" and "belief". The former is that element that resides in the soul and which actually becomes united with God. The latter, faith, is that which describes the outward expression of that faith, albeit they are not two separate things. Adults who have been regenerated will naturally express their faith in their believing; both in word and deed. Infants and those who are physically and/or mentally incapable of such outward expression should not be required to do so. For union with Christ is an invisible and spiritual reality that exists through regeneration. Thus I believe that elect infants who die in infancy and those who are incapable of demonstrating "faith" are regenerated and true faith, which is part of regeneration and which its specific purpose is to unite one to Christ, is resident in their souls. And thus, they are justified.

In His Grace,