Introduction

This dissertation will present a defence of infant baptism. Given the broad nature of the baptism debate, our defence will be in the context of the growing contemporary practice of infant dedication adopted by many Christian parents within the church. The defence will consist of three main sections and a final conclusion. The first section will examine the practice of infant dedication to identify the theological position and rationale behind the rejection of infant baptism. We will then turn our attention to Scripture and consider baptism in the light of Matthew 28:18-20 and the New Testament, with particular attention to the theme of “discipleship”. Finally, we shall present the defence of infant baptism.

Important notes

This defence of baptism is arguing from a Reformed Paedobaptist perspective. However, the areas of debate that are normally associated with infant baptism will be referred to but not addressed in any significant depth in this defence. Similarly, arguments and examples from church history are not included.

Regarding the importance of this issue in theological debate, we agree with Grudem, who comments, ‘baptism is not a “major” doctrine that should be the basis of division among genuine Christians, but it is nonetheless a matter of importance for ordinary church life’.

“Infant baptism” refers to the baptism of babies and children born to Christian parents. “Believer’s baptism” refers to baptism given upon reasonable profession of faith  in Christ. Unless otherwise stated, we will use the term “Paedobaptists” to refer to those who support infant baptism, and the term “Baptists” to refer to those who support a believer’s baptism view. Unless otherwise stated, “baptism” refers to the physical act of baptising an individual using water. Concerning the mode of baptism, we join with a number of Baptists who stress that ‘the proper subject... rather than the most appropriate mode is the more important aspect’  in baptism. In our argument we shall see that infant baptism does not necessarily exclude believer’s baptism – i.e. those that come to faith as an adult are not excluded from baptism. We observe, however, that Believer’s baptism necessarily denies infant baptism – there is no possibility of babies or infants being able to be baptised because infants are viewed as unable to possess and/or profess the required faith. We assume “children of the church” to mean children of Christian parents. “Infant dedication” is used to describe a service or action of the church for ‘parents who do not wish their children to be baptized immediately’ . The content, substance or procedure of both the baptism service and the dedication service will not be commented upon. Lastly, the predominantly Anglican practice of confirmation – that is, confirming the faith of the candidate and/or membership to the particular denomination of the church conducting the confirmation service – will also not be addressed in this dissertation.