Do Anabaptists still object to infant baptism?

[joshuabgood]

My reformed friend argues that we treat children like they are saved, that is we disciple them in the Lord etc, so in essence, even if we dont baptize our babies, we act just as we would if we did. So therefore, baptize.

As for the baptizing very young children, it seems to me the vast majority of children if evangelized and sincerely entreated by their parents, will in fact ask for baptism at a very early age.

If one believes that those unbaptized are hell bent, then the above make sense. If one feels baptism is merely an external metaphor for an adult conscious decision, and that one isn't dammed prior then what is the rush?

What age were Jesus and his disciples baptized at? It perhaps doesnt mean up to that point they weren't children of God and part of the family of God.

All that said I encourage my children to wait until adulthood and that they are safe in the fold and home of the father im the meantime.

But due to lack of clear scriptural commands on age I think we should forbear with one another. The early Swiss Brethren themselves, especially in the Emmetal Valley region were more flexible with infant baptism.

[Ernie]

All that said I encourage my children to wait until adulthood and that they are safe in the fold and home of the father im the meantime.

What do you consider adulthood?

[Ernie]

The early Swiss Brethren themselves, especially in the Emmetal Valley region were more flexible with infant baptism.

In what way?

[JohnH]

I obviously left out the question of if baptism is required for salvation, along with the doctrines that go along with that such as that infants might be subject to damnation if not baptized. But, obviously, one's soteriology is going to affect one's views on baptism. This is another fundamental difference between present-day Anabaptism and the groups that engage in infant baptism (although Wesleyan Methodists would be among the closest to the Anabaptist position despite still being infant baptizers).

[joshuabgood]

The early Swiss Brethren themselves, especially in the Emmetal Valley region were more flexible with infant baptism.

In what way?

There is documented evidence that some, perhaps most in this area, took their babies to be baptized as per the legal requirements...reasoning that the action did nothing except make the baby wet and if it made the authorities happy what is the big deal. They could be baptized for real later. In one case an Anabaptist minister took his grandson to a Reformed minister and said in essence he doesn't believe in this but is just doing it to submit and all responsibility for any adverse effect was on the Reformed minister. In that location they tried hard to bend where they could with the government. And some in the Zurich region criticized them for not being resistant enough. However the town records show many Swiss Brethren babies were baptized. (This is the Berne region.) The legal record eas also necessary for passing on the farms.

[joshuabgood]

All that said I encourage my children to wait until adulthood and that they are safe in the fold and home of the father im the meantime.

What do you consider adulthood?

In the 20 range. (By Father I mean God).

If they go against me and be baptized clearly they are ready to forsake father and mother and be baptized so I wouldn't fight them. I advise them only. From my perspective it made the baptism of my son a more thoughtful and meaningful experience than was mine as low teenager who went to instruction class with all the other boys in the church my age, even though I was sincere.

[Valerie]

All that said I encourage my children to wait until adulthood and that they are safe in the fold and home of the father im the meantime.

What do you consider adulthood?

In the 20 range. (By Father I mean God).

If they go against me and be baptized clearly they are ready to forsake father and mother and be baptized so I wouldn't fight them. I advise them only. From my perspective it made the baptism of my son a more thoughtful and meaningful experience than was mine as low teenager who went to instruction class with all the other boys in the church my age, even though I was sincere.

I was baptized in the Pacific Ocean at age 15. My sister was 12. I know we went from darkness to light and had the understanding clear. She stayed the course, went on to lead others to Christ, was working on a suicide prevention hotline at 17 then went on to be a missionary in Amsterdam. I had some backslidden years myself nonetheless our baptism and what it meant to us changed our lives. I respect your reasons I just see it all differently. If in Acts it’s reported that whole households got baptized, I’m not believing the households were all adults.

[barnhart]

My reformed friend argues that we treat children like they are saved, that is we disciple them in the Lord etc, so in essence, even if we dont baptize our babies, we act just as we would if we did. So therefore, baptize.

Interesting thought. Most of the things I do to encourage the faith of my children, I also do in one way or another with people who don't believe, offer to pray with them, talk about things I am learning from the scriptures and how they apply to my life. Maybe he is right, I do believe children are safe in God's mercy.

[Ernie]

My reformed friend argues that we treat children like they are saved, that is we disciple them in the Lord etc, so in essence, even if we dont baptize our babies, we act just as we would if we did. So therefore, baptize.

Interesting thought. Most of the things I do to encourage the faith of my children, I also do in one way or another with people who don't believe, offer to pray with them, talk about things I am learning from the scriptures and how they apply to my life. Maybe he is right, I do believe children are safe in God's mercy.

But the reason Anabaptists exist is because the scriptures say, "Believe, call on the Lord, repent, receive His word, confess Jesus as Lord, and be baptized. Then walk in newness of life." No matter how you frame it, those who stick with the text don't know how to get around this clear teaching. Rationalizations did not work for them in the 1500's and they still don't today for most Anabaptists, on this particular topic.

[HondurasKeiser]

That's another angle.

That I think is the part of the Reformed argument.

Which?

I’ve heard both the covenantal and patriarchal explanations argued by reformed folk before.