As Reformed Christians, we confess that infants of believing parents (or of at least one believing parent) should be baptised.
Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 74 asks, “Should infants, too, be baptised?”
Answer: Yes. Infants as well as adults belong to God’s covenant and congregation.[1] Through Christ’s blood, the redemption from sin and the Holy Spirit, who works faith, are promised to them no less than to adults.[2] Therefore, by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, they must be grafted into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers.[3] This was done in the old covenant by circumcision,[4] in place of which baptism was instituted in the new covenant.[5]
[1] Gen. 17:7; Matt. 19:14. [2] Ps. 22:11; Is. 44:1-3; Acts 2:38, 39; 16:31. [3] Acts 10:47; I Cor. 7:14. [4] Gen. 17:9-14. [5] Col. 2: 11-13.
Many people who are new to the Reformed understanding of Scripture struggle with this doctrine, as well as what we confess about the sacraments in general (which some erroneously think are “innovations” introduced by Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy). Over the next few weeks, Pastor Simon will focus on this teaching in his sermons and during adult Bible study. Here are some resources on this subject:
Baptised into Christ’s death and resurrection: link to the livestream of the worship service on 20 February 2022. Pastor Simon’s sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 starts about 19 minutes into the recording.
Washed in Christ: link to the livestream of the worship service on 27 February 2022. Pastor Simon’s sermon on 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 starts at about 18 minutes 45 seconds into the recording.
Infant baptism – recap of sermon on 1 Corinthians 6:1-11: audio recording of the adult Bible study on 2 March 2022. Pastor Simon reviews what he covered in his sermon on 27 February 2022 and answers questions on infant baptism, including the doctrines of justification by faith alone, covenant and regeneration.
The golden chain of salvation: link to the livestream of the worship service on 6 March 2022. Pastor Simon’s sermon on 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 starts at about 15 minutes 16 seconds into the recording.
A Defense of Infant Baptism by R. Scott Clark*
Infant Baptism: How My Mind Has Changed by Dennis Johnson*
*Note: We do not necessarily agree with everything Clark and Johnson have written