Believer’s Baptism

Should We Baptize

Our Infants?

“During the first three centuries, congregations all over the East subsisted in separate independent bodies, unsupported by government and consequently without any secular power over one another. All this time they were baptized churches, and though all the fathers of the first four ages, down to Jerome (A.D. 370), were of Greece, Syria and Africa, and though they give great numbers of histories of the baptism of adults, yet there is not one of the baptism of a child till the year 370.” (Compendium of Baptist History, Shackelford, p. 43; Vedder, p. 50; Christian, p, 31; Orchard, p. 50, etc.)

The Catholic church contends that baptism is necessary for salvation: “The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.” [Catechism, Pg. 320, #1257] (All quotes and page references are taken from the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church unless stated otherwise)

All Catholics should be aware that the Lord does not agree with this statement. The Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift that works can never buy. This doctrine was devised by Catholicism:

“The Church does not know of any other means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude…” [Catechism Pg. 320, #1257]

“The faithful are born anew by Baptism…” Pg. 311, #1212

“Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, and are incorporated into the Church…” Pg. 312, #1213

The Bible could not disagree more:

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 (nothing mentioning baptism)

Despite Bible verses like these, the Catechism teaches that:

“Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte ‘a new creature,’ an adopted son of God, who has become a ‘partaker of the divine nature,’ member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit.” Pg. 322, #1265

“By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin.” Pg. 321, #1263 (See pg. 257, #985)

All these doctrines violate a host of Scriptures.

The Bible teaches that only Christ can forgive our sins, performing a “good work” like baptism will never do it:

“In whom we have redemption through his (Christ’s) blood, the forgiveness of sins…” Ephesians 1:7

If baptism is necessary for salvation, would the Apostle Paul have proclaimed:

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” 1 Corinthians 1:17

Or would this same great man of God have stated:

“I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;” 1 Corinthians 1:14

John the Baptist’s message was:

“Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2

After people repented, then they were…

“… baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:6

Listen to what the Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip as they discussed the subject of baptism:

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, 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 8:36-37.

The Bible teaches that baptism should occur after salvation, not as a requirement for salvation. When the Philippian jailer asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul answered:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house… And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” Acts 16:30, 31, 33

First, they believed, then they were baptized. Baptism always follows salvation! Here’s another example:

“And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” Acts 18:8

In Acts chapter two, Peter, the supposed first pope, preached. When he finished:

“… they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41

Again, they were baptized, not to become sons of God, but because they already were sons of God.

When Philip preached to the people of Samaria, first came salvation, then baptism:

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12

Soon after in that same passage, Simon, a deceiving sorcerer, followed the same path:

“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip…” Acts 8:13

The Catechism states:

“All the sacraments are sacred links uniting the faithful with one another and binding them to Jesus Christ, and above all Baptism, the gate by which we enter into the Church.” Pg. 248, #950

Just before his death, the thief on the cross next to Jesus put his faith in Jesus Christ. Obviously, he was never baptized, but he still went to paradise. Why? Because salvation is through faith in Christ, not through baptism.

The Catechism also contends that when a person is baptized, it is really Jesus Himself who is doing the baptizing:

“By his (Christ’s) power he is present in the sacraments so that when anybody baptizes, it is really Christ himself who baptizes.” Pg. 283, #1088

Simply stated, this is another Catholic tradition not found in God’s Word.

Another Contradiction

Here is another Catholic doctrine:

“Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life.” Pg. 324, #1274

But the Bible disagrees again, stating that the eternal destiny of God’s children has been sealed with the Holy Spirit:

“… in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

Infant Baptism

Infant Baptism is one of the most critical doctrines of the Catholic church:

“Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called. The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth.” Pg. 319, #1250

The Catechism tells us where this cornerstone doctrine originated:

“The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on…” Pg. 319, #1252 (Emphasis author’s)

Here, the Catechism admits that this doctrine is not based upon Scripture. It is a man-made tradition. Paul’s warning might fit well here: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

What makes this practice especially disturbing is that the Bible does not record a single occurance of an infant being baptized. On the contrary, every mention of baptism involves people old enough to hear and receive the gospel.

Jesus was an adult when he was baptized:

“… Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water…” Matthew 3:16

Throughout the Bible, baptism always followed salvation. The Ethiopian eunuch who was led to salvation by Philip was an adult when baptized: “… they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Acts 8:38

Obviously, newborn infants can not repent, believe or confess their sins. Therefore, they are never qualified to be scripturally baptized.

When Philip preached to the people of Samaria, men and women were baptized, but no infants were baptized:

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12 (not infants)

If God’s Word is so explicit that only those old enough to hear and receive God’s Word should be baptized, then why does Catholicism demand that newborn infants be baptized? Is it to bring people into bondage to the church from shortly after their birth? You must settle this question in your own heart.

Conclusion

When you were baptized as an infant, were you really baptized, or did you just have some water sprinkled on you? It all depends on which side you will believe in – the Word of God or the traditions of men. Please keep in mind the words Jesus spoke to the religious leaders of His day:

“Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:9

Is baptism necessary for salvation? Catholic tradition and God’s Word are at odds. The Catechism says “yes.” God’s Word says “no.”

Who will you believe?

Are the sacraments necessary for salvation?

“The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.” Pg. 292, #1129

From the book, “Understanding Roman Catholicism” by Rick Jones Reproduced with permission. Chick Publications, P.O. Box 662, Chino, CA. 91708-0662.

“MARKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

Its head and founder—Christ. He is the lawgiver; The church is only the executive. (Mat.16:18, Col.1:18).
Its only rule of faith and practice—The Bible. (2 Tim.3:15-17).
Its name—‘Church,’ ‘Churches.’ (Matt.16:18, Rev. 22:16).
Its policy—congregational—all members equal. (Matt.20:24-28; Matt.23:5-12).
Its members — only saved people. (Eph.2:21; 1 Pet.2:5).
Its ordinances—believers’ baptism, followed by the Lord’s supper and feet washing. (Matt.28:19-20, Jn 13:4-17).
Its officers—pastors and deacons. (1 Tim.3:1-16).
Its work—getting folks saved, baptizing them (with a baptism that meets all the requirements of God’s word), teaching them (“to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”). (Matt.28:16-20).
Its financial plan—‘even so (tithes and offerings) hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel’” (1 Cor. 9:14).
Its weapons of warfare—spiritual, not carnal. (2 Cor.10:4; Eph.6:10-20).
Its independence—separation of church and state” (Matt.22:21) (Emphasis mine).

Now let’s look at an overview Mr. J .M. Carroll gives concerning the period known as the “Dark Ages” and of those Christians that existed at that time:

1. During every period of the ‘Dark Ages’ there were in existence many Christians and many separate and independent Churches, some of them dating back to the times of the Apostles, which were never in any way connected with the Catholic Church. They always wholly rejected and repudiated the Catholics and their doctrines. This is a fact clearly demonstrated by credible history.
2. These Christians were perpetual objects of bitter and relentless persecution. History shows that during the period of the ‘Dark Ages’, about twelve centuries, beginning with AD 426, there were about fifty millions of these Christians who died martyr deaths. Very many thousands of others, both preceding and succeeding the ‘Dark Ages’ died under the same hard hand of persecution.
3. These Christians, during these dark days of many centuries, were called by many different names, all given to them by their enemies. These names were sometimes given because of some specially prominent and heroic leader and sometimes from other causes; and sometimes, yea, many times, the same people, holding the same views, were called by different names in different localities. But amid all the many changes of names, there was one special name or rather designation, which clung to at least some of these Christians, throughout all the ‘Dark Ages’, that designation being ‘Ana-Baptist.’ This compound word applied as a designation of some certain Christians was first found in history during the 3rd century; and a suggestive fact soon after the origin of Infant Baptism, and a more suggestive fact even prior to the use of the name Catholic. Thus the name ‘Ana-Baptists’ is the oldest denominational name in history.
4. A striking peculiarity of these Christians was and continued to be in succeeding centuries: They rejected the man-made doctrine of ‘Infant Baptism’ and demanded rebaptism, even though done by immersion for all those who came to them, having been baptized in infancy. For this peculiarity they were called ‘Ana-Baptists’.
5. This special designation was applied to many of these Christians who bore other nicknames; especially is this true of the Donatists, Paulicians, Albigenses, and Ancient Waldenses and others. In later centuries this designation came to be a regular name, applied to a distinct group. These were simply called ‘Ana-Baptists’ and gradually all other names were dropped. Very early in the sixteenth century, even prior to the origin of the Lutheran Church, the first of all the Protestant Churches, the word ‘ana’ was beginning to be left off, and they were simply called ‘Baptists’.
6. Into the ‘dark ages’ went a group of many churches which were never in any way identified with the Catholics.”

I am not promoting the Baptist Church here, but merely pointing out that anyone who refused to be part of Rome were labeled by their enemies as “Ana-Baptist”. So next time you hear someone tell you that all churches came from Roman Catholicism, be sure to inform them that in all reality, the Ana-Baptists predate Roman Catholicism. There was always a people true to the word of God, just as the Lord promised, a remnant that would not bow their knee to Baal. (Rom.11:2-5)

And today there still exists a people who will hear the voice of the true Shepherd and will not listen to the voice of strangers. (John 10:1-5) They have the promise of God: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:20) God is never without a people, and His people are never without God! His people love His word and cling to it.

“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” Acts 24:14

Will you follow Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life, (John 14:6) or will you be like those who follow lies and falsehood? Which “church” do YOU fit in?

Can you honestly say that if you were to die today, that you would go to Heaven? And what will you say to the Lord as you face Him on the judgment day? Is your name in the book of life? Friend, please consider your eternal destiny. We are giving you the ONLY way into Heaven right now. Please don’t reject Him. You can be saved today……

That if thou 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

Tell Jesus today that you realize that you are a sinner in need of Him. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and that you know that He is the Son of God which died and rose again to save you from your sins. Then ask Him to show you how to live and maintain a Holy and consistent Christian life.

FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH

938 7^th St. – Wasco, CA. 93280

(661) 758-5906

Spanish Dept. – 944 7^th St.

Our Service times are:

Sunday……10am, 11am, & 6pm, Wed.….7pm