8 - Deadly deceit of the innocent

Doctrine Studies # 3: Deadly Deceit of the Innocent

1. The English word baptize come from the Greek, baptizo, meaning to dip, plunge, or submerge. No where in the Bible is sprinkling, pouring, splashing—anything other than being completely buried in water mention in connection with baptize. #infantbaptism

2. The New Testament Church did not baptize infants. The earliest reference to infant baptism was by Irenaeus (c. 130–202) in his work Against Heresies.[12] Due to its reference to Eleutherus as the current bishop of Rome, the work is usually dated c. 180.

Proponents of infant salvation claim that the ABSENCE of recording of or instruction for infant baptism means it was a custom of the New Testament Church. Redemption from a sinful nature through the sacrifice of Christ is the single most important objective in human life. It is not a subject God toys with, hints at, leaves to assumption or man’s conclusion of what God will accept. God doesn’t play “gotcha-ha ha your guess/assumption was wrong. Bye-bye.” He is very clear on his way of redemption and the qualifications of an adult candidate for baptism.

Being a God of mercy and grace, filled with love for the human race, and not willing that any perish – IF INFANT BAPTISM GUARANTEES THE BABY FORGIVENESS AND A PLACE IN HEAVEN wouldn’t a God of love and mercy give specific instructions to baptize those innocent little ones instead of leaving it up to guessing or an assumption. He’s explicit for adults. Why wouldn’t he be as equally explicit for innocent babies.

3. The Bible is specific about the prerequisites for baptism. A. Repentance – a recognition in the heart and mind that you’re going the wrong directions, a decision and turning to go in a different direction- God’s direction. Matthew 9:13 ; Mark 1:4; ; Luke 3:3; Luke 15:7; Luke 24:47 ; Acts 20:21; Mark 2:17. Many others.

Proponents of infant baptism say designated adults can make that decision for the infant. Totally false. No scriptural authority for this. Again, with the critical, eternal consequences of redemption, God, in his mercy and love, would have spoken of this. Plus, it isn’t even logical. You can’t get into the heart and mind of another individual and make changes.

B. Believe in thine heart. A baby can’t do this and no one, no matter how much they love him/her can do it for him. In the 8th chapter of Acts, when the eunuch ask what prevented him for being baptized, Phillip answered: If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. -Acts 8:37

C. Confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus. In the verse above the eunuch does this. An infant can’t do it to meet the scripture’s qualifications for baptism. No one can do it for him. See also: Romans 10:10 ; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9

Neither is there any scriptural authority for one person to stand in to be baptized for another.

Children trust their parents, especially in the earliest formative years, to know and tell them the truth. If they're taught from the beginning of understanding that they are safe and going to heaven because of an action someone else chose for them and implemented, which they were totally unaware of, and which they don't remember, that's what they'll believe. The only way they know this act which is supposed to save them and seal their eternal destiny even happened is because they've told so.

That if thou (THE INFANT) shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. - Romans 10:9

Believe in your heart that Christ gave his life, was buried and rose again to pay your debt of sin. For with the heart man (INFANT) believeth unto righteous-ness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10-10.

AN INFANT CANNOT FOLLOW GOD"S INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATONEMENT AND NOWHERE IN THE BIBLE DOES IT SAY ANOTHER PERSON, NOT EVEN A PARENT, CAN "STAND IN" FOR ANOTHER.

Because of the emotional attachment to their teacher(s) in this matter it's often very difficult for the adult to come to the realization that the only thing their infant baptism guaranteed was that they got wet, probably cried, and made their parents feel good.

The child/adult traveling the wide road to destruction, unless he comes to understand the truth, that this "saved by sprinkling or pouring" MAN'S DOCTRINE counts as ZERO with God, and accepts Jesus' sacrifice in their behalf, they will spend eternity in a devil's hell. The parents will also be accountable for teaching their child to follow a deadly false doctrine.

There's more: watch for Infant Baptism #infantbaptism LESSON 2.

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