Archives for February 2012

A gracEmail subscriber writes that his infant grandson is soon to be baptized, although Grandpa raised the baby's mother in a church that baptizes only confessing believers. This grandfather requests more information on the subject. * * * The New Testament does not specifically mention infant baptism or, for that matter, an "age of accountability" of older children. Luke does report "households" being baptized (Acts 10:24, 48; 16:15, 32). Some theologians suppose that those households contained infants; others suppose that they did not. The Book of Acts reflects a first-generation church in … [Read more...]

"Father Paul," a gracEmail subscriber and Roman Catholic priest from Pennsylvania, tells me I am confused concerning infant baptism. Even if it is not explicitly found in the New Testament, he explains, it is "a precious apostolic tradition," part of the oral teaching which the Apostle Paul equated in authority with apostolic writings (2 Thes. 2:15). Augustine (5th century), Origen (3rd century) and Irenaeus (2nd century) all attest to the practice, and Polycarp (born 1st century) might have been baptized as a baby. "I hope you can now respect the Catholic view," Father Paul admonishes. "It is … [Read more...]

A scholarly minister writes, "I am leading a study this summer with five other families, all having children who have expressed an interest in baptism or a desire to be baptized. The children range from seven to 13 years of age. What are your thoughts on this subject?" * * * I was discussing the topic of Christian baptism several years ago with the late Professor F. F. Bruce, whom I admired immensely and who kindly contributed forewords to two of my books. The most likely path to accord on the action of baptism, surmised the great commentator, will not be through focusing on the mode itself … [Read more...]

A scholarly minister writes, "I am leading a study this summer with five other families, all having children who have expressed an interest in baptism or a desire to be baptized. The children range from seven to 13 years of age. What are your thoughts on this subject?" * * * On this question, gracEmail readers (like Christians for the past 16 centuries), do not all share the same understanding. I would like to call attention first to a few historical details. Although some believe they see infant baptism implied in the New Testament, it explicitly originated among early Roman Catholics who … [Read more...]

After I mentioned that my congregation dedicates infants in a special service, a brother in Western Tennessee wrote to ask, "Where is your authority for this dedication? Is it not nearly the same as 'christening' babies? Why this special ceremony? Is it because of a new birth? What actually takes place during such a service?" * * * Dedicating and blessing one's child is quite different from "christening" (literally "anointing"), and people who do one generally do not do the other. Informed persons of either persuasion appreciate the fact that faith and baptism go together, and they want … [Read more...]

After I mentioned that my congregation dedicates infants in a special service, a brother in Western Tennessee wrote to ask, "Where is your authority for this dedication? Is it not nearly the same as 'christening' babies? Why this special ceremony? What actually takes place during such a service?" * * * Those are reasonable questions which deserve serious, biblical answers. The custom of parents dedicating their babies to God is at least as ancient as Hannah (1 Sam. 1:27-28), and parents ever since the patriarchs have "blessed" their children in the name of the Lord (Gen. 49; see also Luke 1 … [Read more...]

"God calls children blessings, in Psalm 127 and in many other texts," writes a Christian sister. "Why, then, don't we want to have them? Or why only one or two? Are modern-day babies not also a part of God's plan?" * * * Indeed, children are entrusted to us as gifts from God. However, we need not forget that the Old Testament people of God lived in extended families in agrarian and semi-agrarian societies. Childlessness was socially undesirable, for children (especially males) not only constituted needed workers but also the "social security" for aged parents. I know no reason why we should … [Read more...]

A gracEmail reader whose spouse, for financial reasons, does not want more children, is nevertheless hesitant to utilize birth control. "I feel disobedient to God's command to increase and multiply," this troubled person writes. "I feel like we are thwarting God's purpose for sex. Have you any advice?" * * * The command to increase and multiple occurs twice in Scripture. God so commands Adam and Eve after he creates them full-grown (Gen. 1:28), and he repeats the command to Noah and his three sons following the Flood (Gen. 9:1). In both cases, those addressed constituted the entire human … [Read more...]

A gracEmail subscriber asks the meaning of the second curse pronounced on Eve after she and Adam ate the forbidden fruit, that "Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you" (Gen. 3:16, NIV). * * * Some interpreters have understood this to mean that women, who earlier in the verse were doomed to suffer pain in childbirth, will nevertheless be sexually attracted to their men who, in turn, will have their way with the women. That explanation is unlikely, however, for at least two reasons. First, it suggests that humans lacked sexual attraction before the Fall, although God … [Read more...]

A brother in the West inquires whether Paul's command not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-16) prohibits believers from marrying or perhaps even dating non-Christians. * * * Surely it is most desirable for believers to marry others who also are committed to Jesus Christ. Now and then one hears the testimony of someone who won a mate to Christ, and both Paul and Peter acknowledge that possibility (1 Cor. 7:12-16; 1 Pet. 3:1-6). But those "success" stories are greatly outnumbered, it seems to me, by tales from beleagured Christians who wake every married day to face the … [Read more...]