Scripture Collage

The following homily related to infant baptism was delivered on September 23, 2012 at Dominion Covenant Church. It is an attempt to let Scripture interpret Scripture with no comments by me at all. The purpose of the readings was to show that 1) infants need salvation, 2) that God has a plan for saving them, 3) that some infants (like John the Baptist) are already saved in the womb, 4) which in turn proves that water baptism does not save a child but rather points to God's promises of such salvation. These Scriptures also clearly demonstrate that 5) God's covenant is with believers and their seed, and 6) His purpose is to have covenant succession of the faith from generation to generation. 7) Thus it is not surprising to find Scriptures that say that parents do not own the children. Instead, God claims special ownership of the children of believers and 8) He entrusts children to "stewards" and "guardians" who will raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. 9) Baptism serves as God's pledge to our children and the parents' pledge to engage in this stewardship responsibility. 10) This in turn means that infants have not been "thrown to the wolves" by God, but have been placed within the covenant, and are members of the visible church congregation. While there are many more Scriptures that speak to these issues, the following have been selected to provide a very short introduction to the subject. For more information, download the free ebook, Seven Biblical Principles that Call for Infant Baptism at BiblicalBlueprints.com. All verses are from the New King James except for one, which is from the Amplified Bible.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.¹ The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.² Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child.³ Hear this O Jacob...you... were a transgressor from the womb.⁴

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and His righteousness to children's children.⁵ He will save the children of the needy,⁶ He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.⁷ Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.⁸ But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts.⁹ He has blessed His children within you.¹⁰ That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children...¹¹ Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babes...¹² who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb.¹³

The LORD appeared to Abraham and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly... And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you; Every male child among you shall be circumcised... and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.¹⁴ Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision.¹⁵

Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also?¹⁶ I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.¹⁷ ...he received the sign of circumcision... that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised...¹⁸ Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?¹⁹ Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh... that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.²⁰ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.²¹ Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.²² For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.²³ For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.²⁴ [Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism.²⁵

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards...²⁶ it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.²⁷ Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.²⁸ And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.²⁹ Gather the people together, men and women and little ones ...that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law.³⁰ In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.³¹ The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.³²

Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven... Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.³³ They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.³⁴ They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble; for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.³⁵ He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.³⁶

Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ ... for the promise is to you and to your children...³⁷ ... she and her household were baptized.³⁸ And immediately he and all his family were baptized.³⁹ I also baptized the household of Stephanas.⁴⁰ All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.⁴¹ Sprinkle water of purification on them.⁴² I will pour water on him who is thirsty... I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.⁴³

Amen. Make it so, Lord Jesus.