Neil & I have been seekers of Truth about this, and for very good reasons- we had to know where God was leading us, and we believed for awhile, it was with the Anabaptists-and indeed, I wished they were right about this particular doctrine, it would have made some of our decisions easier- especially last 2 years when my marriage was not an issue-ohio jones wrote:A literal reading of Jesus' words about children would conclude that he said nothing at all about baptizing them. Or am I missing something?Valerie wrote:I had read that 'some' delayed their baptism- but by and large, they took Jesus' words about children literally...
Yet here you are, arguing about it.I am not here to argue about it-
I not only consider the history of the Church on this, but you bring up Jesus words- about children- although He didn't specifically say to baptize them, He did hold a 'little child' in His arms, and even said they believe in Him-
from Matthew 18, I see how Jesus views children, and their 'faith'
18 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Jesus came to save the 'little ones'! He didn't exclude them until they were older!
From Mark's account of this, this 'little one' Jesus faith, He used as an example, was small enough to take in his arms:
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
The child must have been pretty small-
Luke also felt it was important enough to mention it in his Gospel:
chapter 9
47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
It is not difficult for me to see from Jesus' very words, that when whole households were baptized (as we have a mere example of 5 'whole households' in the New Testament, mentioned among the thousands of households that were baptized, that the APostles would have taught to include the children- because Jesus said the little one in His arms believed in Him, and used the little child's faith as an example, and warned not to 'refuse' them-
As an Apostle baptizing, I'm sure they took this very serious, because your baptism was your admittance to the Church- I can appreciate that they didn't ignore Jesus' words and make them grow up first- because Jesus never said to do that- and yes, Jesus said 'they believe in Him' and 'have faith'.
We sincerely needed to know, who has the truth about this- not here to argue, anymore than the Anabaptists were 'arguing' against this practice from the beginning- with all the best intentions, and for important reasons- when we say we 'know' something, I could never, now, say I know that they left infants and children 'out' of the baptizing of households- we simply don't read that, we know how Jesus felt about little ones, and we have the history of the Church in areas that exist today where Chritianity had it's roots, that have always baptized their young and it's a blessing that they take Jesus' words serious about including them as part of the Church because He never said to wait until they grow up to believe.
As implied earlier, does that make me/us look unfavorably on the Anabaptists? not at all- I look favorably on the Anabaptists for many reasons- but I really, now, believe I had been wrong against infant baptism all my life, and those who teach against it, I feel with the best intentions, got this incorrect as well-
May God heal the schisms of the Churches-