Other Evidences for the Practice of Infant Baptism

So, therefore, as we must understand the promise to be of a spiritual dimension, we must believe, further, that the covenant remains still in force. There is a continuity between both dispensations especially regarding the fact that the mediator of both is the same, the condition of faith is also foundational in both and the blessings are the same in both; and these are the following: justification, regeneration, spiritual gifts and eternal life. I will raise one scripture as evidence for each of these in a moment. But in continuing Berkhoff's thought, he directs our attention to Acts 2:39 and points out that the covenant promises of those under conviction from Peter's sermon were for them and their children. We do not read that the children professed their faith. We do read here that there were individuals who believed because of what was preached and did confess their sin. Peter says to them that these promises where for their children (those who heard and consequentially believed). Paul, in Romans 4:13-18, points out that the giving of the law did not make the promise of none effect. This means that it still holds true in the new dispensation. Lastly we cannot ignore what the writer of Hebrews says in explaining how the promise to Abraham was ratified. It was confirmed with an oath in order that New Testament believers might draw comfort from its durability and immutability. We cannot simply disregard the promise given to and through Abraham. The promise still stands as God's truth, not to simply be sectioned up and dismissed as the Baptists would do. There is a continuity and eternal nature to God's promise that clearly speaks to us of unity in all of God's Word both in the old and new dispensation. We ought to be careful if we are ever tempted to treat God's promise as coming to an end when he says that these things are eternal and will never end, as when he promises to make the descendants of Abraham as numerous as the stars in the heavens. Well this certainly cannot truly be understood to mean Israel as a nation - for they are not very numerous. But the spiritual meaning here is something else. Therefore I end as I began by reemphasizing that the covenant and the promise being one and the same must be understood on spiritual terms. By way of references from what was said above, regarding justification I would point to Romans 4:9-12. Abraham's faith was evident before he was circumcised and circumcision was a sign that pointed to what he already had. Paul's point was that Abraham was "father to all who believed without being circumcised so that righteousness would be counted to them as well". Paul is drawing out the purpose of circumcision which was always more than a mere physical cutting away of the foreskin of a male child, it represented a setting apart of that infant child as being under God's protective custody. That child belonged to the Lord and was included in the community of faith - even though it could not express that faith in a verbal assent. If this was true, then I say how much greater and expansive would the new dispensation be for us! It would be greater not less. Second point of regeneration found in both dispensations we can look to Deuteronomy 30:6 where Moses said showing the spiritual nature of the promise: "And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live." This is a beautiful revealing of God's sovereign design for children born into homes set apart under his covenant. He will place in their hearts a desire to love Him. Third point is that of spiritual gifts. We can turn to Joel 2:28,32 or read him referenced in Acts 2:17 by Peter standing with the eleven giving testimony to the coming of the Holy Spirit of God at Pentecost. Part of that prophecy stated that during the end days God's Spirit would descend on all flesh and they would prophecy. It concludes by saying that in those last days "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Did the Israelites know that Joel was really speaking about peoples of non Semitic decent into God's family? Fourth in proof of the spiritual nature of the promise is how it pertains to eternal life. Does the promise speak to us of eternal life for those who walked during Abraham's days? For if it does then it must still be in force else God has lied. If the promise has come to end on the eve of the new dispensation, when Christ died and was raised to life, then what is to become of God's promise to Abraham unless there is an eternal meaning and spiritual aspect to it? For instance we read in Exodus 3:6 that Moses' ancestors were still regarded while God discoursed with Moses. Therefore, "God is not the God of the dead but of the living" (Matthew 22:32). We can also turn to Hebrews 4:9 and 11:10. 11:10 points out that Abraham was looking ahead to that eternal city of God when he would find rest. 4:9 speaks to this eternal Sabbath rest for the people of God of whom Abraham and Joshua were included in. So now as I come to the end of this post, you can see how I am methodically trying to show you that, not only is the promise spiritual and that it has never ended but continues onward in the same force from when it was given to Abraham many thousands of years ago, but that it connects both the old and the new dispensations since the Author is the same. We can see by the use of several biblical references the meaning of the promise and that we as new testament children of God can gain much hope and assurance from it. The promise continues forward and has not ended or morphed into 2 and even 3 different promises, as the Baptists would like people to think, but that there is only ONE promise, which is in the singular tense, as has already been shown. Now slowly I will begin to draw out the conclusion for infant baptism rather than against it as the Baptists do. Many of you who have been following this series will see where I am going and can follow the logic and for you the conclusion is laid bare. Don't dismiss it offhandedly but take it seriously and honestly. Make comments if I err as I go down the path following the premises I laid out in the outset. -Joe