Water Baptism - Mode and Formula

As an introduction to the discussion of water baptism, this webinar will attempt to examine three major methods of baptizing individuals, and two major distinctions regarding whom is to be baptized. Those who would baptize infants would also baptize adult converts, but the inverse is not true. Those who believe in believer baptism will not baptize infants.

There exist two camps of thought regarding whom it is appropriate to baptize. The following arguments are set forth by each group.

Arguments for Infant Baptism - The analogy between circumcision as the initiatory rite of the Old Covenant and baptism as the initiatory rite into the New supports infant baptism. Baptisms of entire households would certainly have included infants, it is argued.

Arguments Against Infant Baptism and for (Exclusively) Believer’s Baptism - Only natural birth was necessary to become a member of Israel; but since the new birth is re-quired to be a member of God’s family today, only those who consciously exercise faith should be baptized. Household baptisms in the NT do not specify the presence of infants.