"The Shepherds Way" E.W.King: Christianity and the child

Christianity and the child

By Eric William King

Some “Christians” say; “We do not baptize infant children.” Yet Jesus stated: “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. “(Mark 9:37) Early Christianity taught that baptism was ultimately an act of God though men performed it. Baptism was understood as a supernatural act. Just as the Holy Spirit came upon Christ at His baptism so the Holy Spirit supernaturally entered the person at baptism, instant “regeneration”. This is how the Christian church understood the sacrament of baptism for the first 1500 years of the Church.

Today, many years after the Christian reformation, the church no longer believes this. Today’s church may boast about “Sola Scriptura” and say that they understand the “sovereignty” of God yet when it comes to salvation they somehow get credit. You hear many pastors say things like: “The child has to be old enough to accept Christ.” When the fact of the matter is the Bible teaches that salvation is a complete work of God. You also hear some pastor’s brag about not following “outward signs” and or “emotions” yet they wait to watch the emotional reactions of others who “accept” Jesus Christ and then claim that water baptism is only an “outward” act on your part to demonstrate that you have been saved. Where is that in the Bible? There is no Bible verse that instructs a person to “accept Jesus Christ.”

We are only commanded to “believe”, let God do His own work. Baptism is likened by Apostle Paul to circumcision. Children on the 8^th day after birth were circumcised. It was a simple commandment of God. Baptism is commanded by God for Christians and “their children” (Acts 2:39) - we also note that it says “children” so please do not add to Scripture by placing age limits.

Yes, at water baptism which is practiced by using God’s spoken word (the water with the Word) is a supernatural act of God, it is not just a “symbol”. Faith can be planted in the child by God himself at baptism. Jesus prayed to Father God: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” (Matthew 11:25) Didn’t John the Baptist leap for joy in the womb? (Luke 1:44)

Having child-like faith means that we simply believe in the sacraments through faith, what God can do and is doing through the sacraments. We do not question God’s power. Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14)

Once a person can logically explain the works of God no faith is needed. The over use of human reason and logic is the trap of all the denominations that came after St. Luther. Jesus warned that it would be better for a person to have a millstone tied around his neck and thrown into the sea if he should turn one of the little ones away from the Lord. (Luke 17:2) So does your “denomination” reject the baptism of infant children?

Salvation is a complete supernatural act of God and the unfolding of our faith happens through time, as we grow. So many churches seek for emotional or ecstatic signs in a person to prove that their saved. Better yet, the Baptists believe that you “prove” your salvation by “your work” of baptism and by your “free will”. This is called synergism. Synergism is the belief that man cooperates with God in his conversion by his own power. Where is that taught in Scripture?

Biblical faith is not an emotional reaction. It is not an intellectual realization and it is not a fallen willful decision. True faith is a supernatural gift from God and it is demonstrated by simple yet profound belief and trust in God. We are saved by God’s grace, not any work we could do (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus stated to His disciples; “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” (John 15:16) “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

True Christian faith is activated through the hearing of the Word of God and the Sacraments which come though Christ’s true Church – His bride on earth. The true church has been given “the keys” to administer the Word and Sacraments on God’s behalf. The objective word of God recognizes the sacraments as a means of God’s grace…not just mere trinket symbols done by man.

Are you in the Christian Church that Jesus Christ built? Or are you following some manmade denomination that has an explanation for everything God does? It is my hope that you will continue your studies here at “The Shepherds Way” and “Nugget of Truth” and get the Biblical FACTS.

Resting in the finished work of my Lord and savior, Jesus the Christ.

Eric William King (May 11^th 2020)

Learn more about true Baptism.....

*Christian Baptism

*The Water & the Word

*Baptized Once

*Baptism, a Supernatural Act

*Infant Baptism

*What is Baptism?