Dear Jody,
Thank you very much for asking me about baptizing your baby. I know that you will make a good mother for you are already concerned about the spiritual well being of your child. So many times in these days, the spiritual well being of children is the furthest thing from the minds of parents and I pray that the following will be of help to you and your husband. Jody, I would like to start with Isaiah 7:13-16, but before we do, I need to establish a foundation concerning who Jesus was. Let me quote to you, two other scriptures.
Hebrew 2:17-18 - Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, he is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Hebrews 4:14-15 - Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
These two sets of scriptures tell us two things. First, Jesus in all aspects of his humanity is just like us, starting from 9 months in the womb until death. The second thing that we can learn is that during this entire period of time from the time He was born until His death, even though He was tempted as we are, He never sinned.
Now, let us look at Isaiah 7:13-16 and Hebrews 5:8 and see what it has to say about Jesus and His life as He grew up.
Isaiah 7:13-16 - Then he said, "Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken.
Hebrews 5:8 - Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered
According to Bible commentators Jamieson, Fausette and Brown, Physicians directed that the first food given a child should be milk and honey. How long was it before children were given curds and honey? It is hard to say, but what we do know from this scripture is that Jesus was eating curds and honey at the time he grew old enough to discern between good and evil.
Also from Hebrews 5:8, we learn that Jesus learned
obedience from the things He suffered. How familiar that sounds to how children learn today and we discipline according to the instructions given in the Bible.
We also know from the previous scriptures mentioned that Jesus never sinned. So, therefore, when Jesus came to know the difference between good and evil, he chose good and did so the rest of his life.
Jody, there is still more evidence that children are not held accountable or do not sin until they reach a certain age.
No Teaching Required
Hebrews 8:11 - And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," For all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.
In Israel in the Old Testament, each child that was born had to be taught that they were an Israelite.
Under the New Testament, no one has to be taught, for anyone that become a Christian knows that they are a Christian from the least to the greatest.
The question is, "Wouldn't we have to teach an infant that he was a Christian as he grew older?" This would not be in accordance with the Bible pattern.
Sin Cannot Be Passed On and Punishment Cannot be passed on to our Children
Ezekiel 18:20 - The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.
Iniquity is Only Passed onto the Third and Fourth Generations
The above scripture is plain. The punishment for sin and going to hell is not passed on to the son. What is passed on to the third and fourth generation is the iniquity, the sin (i.e. it consequences) according to Exodus 34:6-7.
Exodus 34:6-7 - Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgive iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.
One obvious iniquity that is passed on to the next generation is Venereal Diseases. Certainly the child will not be punished for committing fornication, but the consequences of the fornication by one of his parents is passed on. If only we would realize how much effect the consequences of our sins have upon our children, perhaps we would be more careful.
Death spread to all men because men sinned
The Catholics believe that the original sin committed by Adam was passed down from generation to generation. That is why they sprinkle babies just as soon as they are born. They believe that if they are not sprinkled, then they will go to purgatory (purgatory is not mentioned in the Bible). Where did they get this idea? There are several places. The first one is found in:
Romans 5:12-14 - Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned for until the Law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's offense, who is a type of Him who was to come.
Adam sinned against a direct law laid down by God,
"Thou shalt not eat of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, for the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die."
Sin Cannot Be Passed On
As a result of Adam's sin, death came. Now it states,
"death spread to all men, because all sinned."
It also states in Romans 5:12-14 that,
"sin is not imputed when there is no law",
but then it goes on to say that,
"still, death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's offense."
What does it mean, "who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's offense?" Again, Adam sinned against a known law that God gave. It was not until Moses that more laws were given. Therefore there is only one way left to sin and Paul already gave the answer to this earlier in Romans. He said in Romans 2:11-16:
People Sinned Against Their Conscience
Romans 2:11-16 - For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for not the hearers of the Law are just before God; but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when gentiles who do not have the Law, do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men though Christ Jesus."
So now we have the answer. From the time from Adam to Moses, people sinned against their conscience, and sin brings death. The punishment for Adam's sin was never passed on. The only thing that is passed on is the consequences of a father's sins and that is only passed on to the third or fourth generation. It is NOT passed on forever to all succeeding generations. Death and punishment only comes upon one's own sin.
The Original Sin Cannot Be Passed On
There are those who would cite Psalms 51:5 and 58:3 as proof that the original sin is passed on. They are as follows:
Psalms 51:5 - Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
I know what it does not mean. It does not mean that the punishment for sin is passed on, for other scriptures have already established this. As to what it does means, it means that the iniquity or sin (consequences of sin) were passed on.
Psalms 58:3 - The wicked are estranged from the womb; these who speak lies go astray from birth.
Concerning this verse, it is quite evident that the sin spoke about here is not the punishment of the original sin being passed on, It is the consequences of the sin committed by the person himself. In view of the previous scriptures on Jesus and how he grew up, I have to believe that this is speaking in a "hyperbole" (exaggeration).
In other words, at the moment of their birth, they did not start sinning, but, like Jesus, when they knew enough to discern between good and evil, they chose evil. It was exaggerated to add emphasis to it. Many hyperboles are used in the New Testament like found in Deuteronomy 1:28, and Nehemiah 4:3. I know of no other way to interpret this scripture without making the Bible contradict itself.
Two Biblical Examples of a Hyperbole
Hyperbole #1
Deuteronomy 1:28 - 'Where can we go up? Our brethren have made our hearts melt, saying, "The people are bigger and taller than we; the cities are large and fortified to heaven. NASU
Both "melt and "fortified to heaven are hyperboles. The people's hearts did not melt nor was the wall built to heaven. The people were afraid and it was a high wall that surrounded the city.
Hyperbole #2
Nehemiah 4:3 - Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, "Even what they are building - if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!" NASU
"If a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down is another example of a hyperbole or an exaggeration. All Tobiah was saying that the wall was weak and could be broken down easily.
Two Examples: One in which the consequences of sins were passed on and the other where succeeding generations were blessed.
Max Jukes lived in New York. He did not believe in Christ, and refused to take his children to church even when they asked to go. He had 1,026 descendants; 200 were sent to prison for an average term of 13 years, 190 were prostitutes and 680 were admitted alcoholics. His family has, thus far, cost the state in excess of $5 million. For all intents and purposes, they have made little or no contribution to society.
Jonathan Edwards lived in the same state, at the same time. He loved the Lord, and made sure his children were in church each Sunday as he served the Lord to the best of his ability. He had 929 descendants. Of these, 430 were ministers, 96 became university presidents, 75 authored books, five were elected representative and two became U.S. senators. One became Vice President of our country. His family cost the state not ONE DOLLAR, but has contributed immeasurably to the life of plenty that you and I enjoy.
Conversion of Infants in NT
In looking at the different conversions in the New Testament, I find no example of any infants being converted. I say infants and not children, for I believe, that children can be converted.
Many of those that believe in infant baptism point to the household conversions that are listed in the New Testament to prove that there was infant baptism. They are Cornelius and his household and the Philippians Jailer and his household. In none of these accounts is their anything to indicate that there were infants in them. It is just assumed without proof. I know many households where there are children and no infants. Certainly, citing these households from the Bible does not provide any proof of infant baptism.
Little Ones
Deuteronomy 1:38-39 - Joshua, the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there; encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good and evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them, and they shall possess it.
Here the Lord says that the "little ones" have no knowledge of good and evil. This goes right along with what it said in Isa 7:13-16
Isaiah 7:13-16 - Then he said, "Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken.
Children Speak, Think & Reason in a Childish Way
I Corinthians 13:11 - When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
I Corinthians 14:20 - Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature.
Everyone knows that a baby or child does not reason or think as an adult. It takes them a while to come to the point where they are thinking in a mature way.
Children Don't Know the Difference Between Their Right and Left Hand
Jonah 4:11 - And should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals.
Children Have a Composed and Quiet Soul
Psalms 131:2 - Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me.
Jody, certainly, in view of these scriptures we can see that children, up to a certain age, and if children, then most certainly infants, are different then adults.
Jody, there is another area which also speaks to the subject of infant baptism, and it is the requirements that the scriptures give for those who would be saved. I have no problem believing that children at some age are sinners, but I do not believe that an infant is in need of salvation. I mention the following in relation to infants, not children who are capable of understanding. As I understand God's plan of redemption for us, there are certain areas of obedience that God says we must comply with in order to be redeemed. These areas of obedience are areas that infants cannot do, either for the reason or purpose that God specifies or simply because they have not mentally grown to the point where they can obey.
Children are a Part of the Kingdom of God
Mark 10:13-16 - And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. NASU
Children have no need for a plan of salvation. They are already a part of the kingdom of God and continue to be so until they know enough to choose right from wrong and choose wrong.
