Why do we baptise infants?

Everton Park - 15th March 2015

KS417 - Why do we baptist infants?

Galatians 3:1-29
Hebrews 8:1-13

Introductory comments

1. God's salvation comes to us today through a covenant

2. This covenant goes right back to Abraham

3. The later arrangement under Moses was always temporary
   a) This arrangement under Moses was "added" for a time
   b) This arrangement is what is termed the "first/old covenant"

4. The covenant sign with Abraham was circumcision
   a) The outward sign for becoming part of the covenant community was circumcision
   b) This covenant sign signified the need for regeneration and forgiveness
   c) This covenant sign was administered to believing households

5. The new covenant sign is baptism
   a) The outward sign for becoming part of the covenant community is baptism
   b) This covenant sign signifies the need for regeneration and forgiveness
   c) This covenant sign is administered to believing households

   • The prophecies of the 'new covenant' in the OT included the children of believers
   • The promises of the 'new covenant' in the NT included the children of believers
   • The practice of 'new covenant' baptism always included the whole household where there was one.
     In NT, there are 12 examples of baptism:
     • Three are individuals, probably no household
     • Four are 'group' or 'crowd' situations
     • Five were household situations
       What is a believing household?

Conclusion