Emerson Soares

09/25/2024
Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, "The Polemics of Infant Baptism"
Richard L Pratt Jr, Infant Baptism in the New Covenant
John Tombes, A Short Catechism About Baptism
Thomas R. Schreiner, Shawn D. Wright, Believers Baptism Sign of the New Covenant in Christ
Bobby Jamieson, Understanding Baptism
Bobby Jamieson, Why Should I Get Baptized?
Pages Read: All required pages
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This is one of those challenging papers where it's hard to know where to start. The

material covered has been greatly instructive, and the topic itself is particularly captivating.

Essentially, I could say that all the authors discuss the importance and role of baptism

within the reality and life of the Church. The Presbyterian authors advocate for infant "baptism"

based on a specific perspective regarding the continuity between the Old and New Covenants,

and the direct relationship between circumcision and baptism, both being signs and seals of

God’s promises to His people.

On the other hand, the Baptist authors argue that there is no full and direct continuity

between the Old and New Covenants and that the relationship between circumcision and baptism

is not one of direct representation but of “type and antitype,” with physical circumcision being

the “shadow” of what God would accomplish in the hearts of His people—namely, the

“circumcision of the heart.” Baptism, therefore, becomes the sign and seal of the work already

accomplished in the hearts of God's people through the effective operation of His Spirit.

On these grounds, Presbyterians defend the practice of infant baptism, making infants

participants in the church through faith in a potential future conversion. Baptists, however,

maintain that baptism is a confirmation of a visible, past conversion.

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It is interesting to note that both sides agree in their doctrinal affirmation concerning how

God saves sinners. They agree that the Church is God’s redeemed people, representing God in a

fallen world through the spread of the gospel and its “incarnation” through the practice of the

sacraments. However, they diverge when it comes to the necessary implications derived from

this belief.

To my surprise, the Presbyterians resort to a series of inconsistent, confusing, and

misleading arguments that, sadly, are not biblical. It is not that they do not cite the Bible in their

defense of infant baptism—they do—but by clinging stubbornly to traditions, they end up

contradicting what is clearly stated in the Scriptures: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be

saved" (Mark 16:16).

Sinclair Ferguson is precise in his critique: “Reformed paedobaptists are inconsistent in

relating their practice of baptism to their definition of the sacraments. They define the

sacraments carefully and biblically. Then they contradict their own definition by their insistence

that infants should be baptized.” (p. 208).

I have little to add on the subject. I believe I need much time and care to approach this

discussion with love for my brothers rather than for my own theological convictions. Whether

we agree or disagree, my aim is to argue with biblical precision, but with a profound desire to

serve them and help them better understand divine truth, for the glory of our God and the eternal

joy of the Church.

That being said, with humility and care, I join this discussion by simply offering some of

my thoughts on the role and importance of baptism, as I understand this to be the crux of the

matter.
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To this end, I would like to consider:

1. WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

2. DEFINITION

3. BIBLICAL THEOLOGY: EXODUS AND ACTS

4. IMPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

The Church is a community of believers called out by God, saved through Jesus, and united by

the Holy Spirit. It exists to glorify God through evangelism, discipling, worship, acting as a

witness to God's grace.

DEFINITION (Etymologically)

The word church comes from the Greek ekklesia, meaning "called-out assembly." That word is

used in the New Testament to describe those chosen by God from the world to be His people,

characterized by spiritual rebirth and unity in Christ, and one another by the ordinances –

Baptism and Lord Supper.

BIBLICAL THEOLOGY: EXODUS AND ACTS

Exodus shows the Israel as God's redeemed people, called out of Egypt, to worship Him.

In Acts, and in the rest of the New Testament, the Church, as the spiritual Israel, is called out

from the world, the kingdom of darkness and death, translated to the Kingdome of live

(Colossenses 1:13). Acts presents the Church as a community of believers gathered through

repentance and faith, reflecting the new covenant where membership is based on spiritual

regeneration, not heritage.

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IMPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

1. Regenerate Membership: The Church should consist only of those who have truly

experienced conversion and profess faith, aligning with the New Testament pattern of a

community of believers.

2. Baptism as a New Covenant Ordinance: Baptism symbolizes new birth, conversion and

union with Christ, which is a reality just for those who profess faith.

3. Evangelism and Discipling: The Church is tasked with spreading the gospel, making

disciples, and teaching believers to follow Christ, playing a central role in God's mission.

The Church is mere and a messenger for God’s Glory.

4. Congregational Authority and Discipline: The local church holds the authority to affirm

members and exercise church discipline, ensuring doctrinal purity and moral

accountability.

5. The Lord’s Supper as a Sign of Unity: This ordinance represents unity among believers

and is a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, meant for those who have been baptized and

committed to the Church.

Having those biblical categories in mind, the baptism of infants is just a gross error.

Baptism is for those who receive the Gospel, where trespassed by Gods word, being

regenerated by the Holly Spirit and as a result, confess faith and repentance. Those

individuals become a functional part of the local church as full members. Infants are

incapable of doing any of these things.

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CONCLUSION:

Even though it is considered a secondary issue, the doctrine of baptism has deep roots in

the doctrine of the church. It is through baptism, public confession of faith, and the resulting

communion of believers that the local church is visibly formed. Therefore, a misunderstanding of

this doctrine either reveals a weaker ecclesiology or contributes to a weaker ecclesiology.

The Church is a community of genuinely converted believers, committed to biblical

teaching and faithful observance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Its purpose is to honor God

through the proclamation of the gospel and the faithful observance of the ordinances.

I would like to conclude by quoting Stephen J. Wellum:

“To get baptism wrong is not a minor issue. It not only misconstrues our Lord's command

and instruction to the church, it also leads to a misunderstanding of elements of the gospel,

particularly in regard to the beneficiaries of the new covenant and the nature of the church. It

may even lead, if we are not careful, to a downplaying of the need to call our children to

repentance and faith. Often Baptists are charged with not appreciating the place of their children

in the covenant community. Not only does this charge miss the mark in fundamentally

misunderstanding the nature of the new covenant community, but it also runs the danger of what

is truly imperative— to call all people, including our children, to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Shawn D. Wright. Believers Baptism Sign of the New Covenant in Christ – page 161