Compare and contrast believer’s baptism and infant baptism. Note that they have much in common.
INFANT BAPTISM TRACK
Symbolizes God’s initiating action in salvation. |
BELIEVER’S BAPTISM TRACK
Symbolizes believer’s response to God’s salvation. |
1. Infant baptism ceremony
(a symbol of God’s grace)
- To be baptized as a symbol of God’s Covenant is to be brought under God’s eternal covenant with all its attendant promises and threatenings (Deuteronomy 28, 2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 31:31-40, Matthew 26:26-30, Acts 3:12-26) by the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in the hope of salvation, symbolized by the washing of water by sprinkling or pouring, and the parents’ commitment to God’s covenant.
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1. Infant dedication ceremony
(a symbol of God’s grace)
- To be dedicated as a symbol of God’s Covenant is to be brought under God’s eternal covenant with all its attendant promises and threatenings (Deuteronomy 28, 2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 31:31-40, Matthew 26:26-30, Acts 3:12-26) by the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in the hope of salvation, symbolized by the laying on of hands upon the infant and the parents’ commitment to God’s covenant.
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2. Profession or Confirmation of Faith
(a symbol of personal response to Spirit’s work)
- Public confession of faith in Christ as personal Lord and Savior, and a period or process of instruction or testing.
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2. Profession or Confirmation of Faith
(a symbol of personal response to Spirit’s word)
- Public confession of faith in Christ as personal Lord and Savior, and a period or process of instruction or testing.
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3. Dedication ceremony (taking the vows of faithfulness).
- Confirmation or dedication is a symbol of personal regeneration that involves the laying on of hands as an outward sign of an inward and spiritual receiving or the acceptance and forgiveness of Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior (Acts 9:17).
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3. Baptism ceremony (taking the vows of faithfulness).
- To be baptized as a symbol of personal regeneration involves sprinkling, pouring or immersion with water of an individual as an outward sign of an inward spiritual grace, or the acceptance and forgiveness of Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior (Romans 6).
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4. Church Membership
- Requires baptism and profession.
- Public assent to God’s personal calling to unity in the Body of Christ through the common commitment of believers in a local church.
- Requires public assent to the local church constitution, by-laws, and Statement of Faith.
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4. Church Membership
- Requires profession and baptism.
- Public assent to God’s personal calling to unity in the Body of Christ through the common commitment of believers in a local church.
- Requires public assent to the local church constitution, by-laws, and Statement of Faith.
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Thank you for your summary of baptism with scriptural references.