Re-blogged from https:\/\/immanuelwaterloo.org, by Pastor Merritt Demski:<\/p>\n
Scripture says \u2018Believe and be Baptized\u2019. Since babies cannot do that, and we in the LCMS have the parents speak on the child\u2019s behalf\u2026does this then not in a round about way \u2018sort of cover\u2019 for this sequence? I do believe babies are in need of Baptism (we are conceived in sin and born into a sinful world, and Christ does command us to be baptized). Why then do we in the Baptismal Service have the parents say, \u2018I (baby name) do swear\u2019, etc? This is something we asked another pastor a while back, but it comes up from time to time and I don\u2019t know how to answer it. I also know that it is what is done to us not in any way what we do (gift of grace).\u201d<\/p>\n
Such a great question, and one that I had wrestled with for a long time since I came from a \u201cBelievers baptism\u201d (you have to be able to confess and articulate the faith before approaching baptism) background.<\/p>\n
Before we attack that question head-on, let\u2019s start with a recap on baptism. We already know that we\u2019re sinful from conception, as this individual stated in the question (Psalm 51:5<\/a>)<\/span>. We know that baptism is a means of grace (1 Peter 3:21<\/a>).<\/span> In other words, it\u2019s a way through which God relays his saving grace. God relays his saving grace through his word (Romans 10:17<\/a>)<\/span>. Baptism brings us into the Christian church as members of the body of Christ and gives us the assurance of our salvation in something outside of us. So we don\u2019t have assurance of our salvation because we\u2019re so devoted that we chose to get baptized. We don\u2019t have our assurance because we felt the warm and fuzzies during a worship service. We don\u2019t have our assurance because God relays his grace through lightening bolts. No! We have assurance that God\u2019s word is for us because of what CHRIST has done FOR us, which culminated in his death and resurrection. And in the waters of baptism our sins are washed away and we are covered in the perfection that Jesus won for us. In the same way in the bread and wine we taste and see that the Lord is good. In the words of the pastor announcing the absolution we hear the promise again and again that in repentance and faith \u2013 given by God (Ephesians 2:8<\/a>)<\/span> \u2013 we have assurance that that promise is true\u2026that through Christ our sins are forgiven.<\/p>\n Here are some passages from our Lutheran Confessions on the matter:<\/p>\n \u201cConcerning baptism it is taught that it is necessary, that grace is offered through it, and that one should also baptize children, who through such baptism are entrusted to God and become pleasing to him.\u201d \u2013 The Augsburg Confession Article IX. Concerning Baptism.<\/p>\n \u201cFor it is most certain that the promise of salvation also pertains to little children. But it does not pertain to those who are outside the church of Christ, where there is neither Word nor sacrament, because Christ regenerates through Word and sacrament. Therefore it is necessary to baptize little children in order that the promise of slavation might be applied to them according to Christ\u2019s mandate, \u2018Baptize all nations.\u2019 Just as salvation is offered to all in that passage, so baptism is also offered to all-men, women, children, and infants. Therefore it clearly follows that infants are to be baptized because salvation is offered with baptism.\u201d \u2013 The Apology of the Augsburg Confession IX. Baptism.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Now, back to the main question at hand: Why do parents speak FOR the child?<\/p>\n Parents do a TON of things for their children, on behalf of their children, and for the welfare of their children. Parents go to the doctor and sign off on forms on behalf of their child. Is the parent the one receiving the treatment? No. Is the treatment being done because of something to do with the parent? No. But, the child is not able to write or speak in such a way yet as to indicate the need for the desired treatment. We don\u2019t say, \u201cMy child has a 103-degree fever, and we\u2019re happy to treat him just as soon as he can say, \u2018I\u2019m sick, help me!’\u201d The child can feel that there are problems and can indicate through crying that pain and suffering are present, but cannot articulate that issue.<\/p>\n In the same way. In baptism, the parents stand in the stead of the child, in the child\u2019s place, to bring the child to the waters of baptism where sins are washed away, the Holy Spirit is given, and the child is placed into the care of the family (both biological and congregational) to be raised in the Christian faith. A child (or anyone) should NEVER be baptized and then not raised in the Christian faith. Baptize AND teach is the command of Matthew 28<\/a>.<\/span> To not teach is to misuse the sacrament and would be a detriment to any person who is baptized. When an adult hears God\u2019s Word and expresses a desire to be baptized as commanded in Scripture, we discuss the saving work of Jesus and what baptism is leading up to baptism. It\u2019s not their work to show devotion, but we explain the significance of what baptism is. It\u2019s God work to bring assurance of salvation through Christ (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12<\/a>)<\/span> and we passively receive that gift. When a child is baptized we see the greatest example of our passive role in salvation. Our faith is not our own work, it\u2019s God\u2019s work (Ephesians 2:8<\/a>)<\/span>. All who are baptized continue learning about the teachings of Christ and grow in the understanding of God\u2019s Word in the joy of salvation rather than in an attempt to attain salvation. There\u2019s a misconception that parents don\u2019t want to \u201csway their children\u201d by forcing religion down their throats. The problem is, our actions and words teach our children either way. Either we teach them that church and salvation is important and that Christ is the only way to salvation, or we teach them there is no God and if there is it\u2019s not important enough to teach about him. Why would we not baptize and teach our children if we desire to have them grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a great quote from Luther in a baptism booklet that was incorporated into many catechisms in Luther\u2019s day. He writes the following in response to many people who aren\u2019t taking baptism seriously and aren\u2019t looking to it with the reverence it is due.<\/p>\n \u201cOut of a sense of Christian commitment, I appeal to all those who baptize, sponsor infants, or witness a baptism to take to heart the temendous work and great solemnity present here. For here in the words of these prayers you hear how plaintively and earnestly the Christian church brings the infant to God, confesses before him with such unchanging, undoubting words that the infant is possessed by the devil and a child of sin and wrath, and so diligently asks for help and grace through baptism, that the infant may become a child of God.<\/p>\n Therefore, you have to realize that it is no joke at all to take action against the devil and not only to drive him away from the little child but also to hang around the child\u2019s neck such a mighty, lifelong enemy. Thus it is extemely necessary to standy by the poor child with all your hear and with a strong faith and to pelead with great devotion that God, in accordance with these prayers, would not only free the child from the devil\u2019s power but also strengthen the child, so that the child might resist him valiantly in life and in death. I fear that people turn out so badly after baptism because we have dealt with them in such a cold and casual way and have prayed for them at their baptism without any zeal at all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor this reason it is right and proper not to allow drunken and boorish priests to baptize nor to select good-for-nothings as godparents. Instead fine, moral, serious, upright priests and godparents ought to be chosen, who can be expected to treat the matter with seriousness and true faith, lest this high sacrament be abandoned to the devil\u2019s mockery and dishonor God, who in this sacrament showers upon us the vast and boundless riches of his grace. He himself calls it a \u2018new birth [John 3:3, 5], through which we, being freed from the devil\u2019s tyranny and loosed from sin, death, and hell, become children of life, heirs of all God\u2019s possessions, God\u2019s own children, and brothers and sisters of Christ.\u201d \u2013 Book of Concord, The Small Catechism, Baptismal Booklet, 371-373.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The big problem that comes in for many people is actually the comment that started this question: \u201cWe know babies can\u2019t believe.\u201d So the basis of everything for this question begins with an assumption that infants are incapable of faith AND that the nature of baptism require that YOU do something. If we confess that our belief is passive, a work of the Holy Spirit, then who is to say that infants cannot have faith just like adults? If it\u2019s not a work for an adult, then it\u2019s not a work for a child either. Faith is never described in Scripture as a cognitive activity. We talk about articulating the faith, but faith is not a chemical reaction in the brain. If that were the case we would have to count out of the kingdom all who have mental disorders and are not capable of expressing or comprehending all of the wonders of God (not that any of us can comprehend ALL of the wonders of God). Faith is a gift from God by God\u2019s grace. It\u2019s the thing that holds on to God\u2019s promises. Faith always has an object. So we don\u2019t just have faith. Instead, we have faith in something or someone. In this case\u2026the only case that gives life\u2026we have faith in Jesus Christ alone as Lord for the forgiveness of our sins and in the waters of baptism, that gift is delivered to us. OUR faith doesn\u2019t make the baptism valid. Our faith is just what trusts in the validity of God\u2019s promise in baptism. If someone lied when they went to the font as an adult and said they believed, but didn\u2019t, their baptism would still be valid despite the misuse of it. That baptism wouldn\u2019t be helpful to them, but God\u2019s promise is there. If that person was brought to faith later, they wouldn\u2019t need to be re-baptized, they need only trust God\u2019s promise when they were baptized.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t assume a child doesn\u2019t have faith. In the Large Catechism we read this (The Large Catechism<\/a><\/span> on this topic is super helpful if you want to see the full text\u2026the text used in that link is Old English in nature. We have some Book of Concord copies in the church library if you would like a more updated translation):<\/p>\n \u201cThus we do the same with infant baptism. We bring the child with the intent and hope that it may believe, and we pray God to grant it faith. But we do not baptize on this basis, but solely on the command of God. Why? Because we know that God does not lie. My neighbor and I \u2013 in short, all people \u2013 may deceive and mislead, but God\u2019s Word cannot deceive.\u201d \u2013 The Book of Concord, the Large Catechism, Baptism, p 464.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n We pray for God\u2019s blessings on every person who approaches the waters of Holy Baptism. We trust God\u2019s promise, rather than our own determination. To demand signs and soliloquies from people before baptism is to misrepresent the Word of God and how it talks about baptism. Some people believe in Jesus and then approach the Waters of Baptism in accordance with God\u2019s Word and to have that promise of salvation placed on them as a blessing in their salvation. Others, like children, are brought to the waters of baptism trusting in God\u2019s promise of salvation as the church prays that God will strengthen the child\u2019s faith to hold onto God\u2019s promise as the child grows and is taught more about Jesus. Take a look at Titus 3<\/a><\/span> all about God\u2019s work for us being salvific in the washing of regeneration and the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n We can also look at church history and find that baptism of infants wasn\u2019t brought up as a concern (nor was the Lord\u2019s Supper being the body and blood of Christ) until rationalism and the enlightenment when people started saying, \u201cHey! I can\u2019t SEE that or prove that with science tests so it must not be true.\u201d They didn\u2019t trust God\u2019s promise by faith. Instead, they wanted the proof. Ironically, in rejecting the tangible, outward proofs given by God\u2019s command for the forgiveness of sin, these people turned to inward sentiment and personal works as a sign of faith and hope. It leads to people not trusting God\u2019s complete work but always needing to add in some of their own work somehow to make God\u2019s promise valid. For example, \u201cI need to believe and prove it, THEN God will love me\u201d (compared to \u201cChrist died for us while we were still sinners Romans 5<\/a><\/span> and he gives me an outward sign for my hope. I don\u2019t need to trust my feelings or experiences. Instead, I trust God\u2019s promise in the waters of baptism\u201d). We don\u2019t have faith in water, but in God\u2019s promise that is tied into the water that God has provided for our washing and assurance.<\/p>\n So\u2026in the end: We don\u2019t assume a lack of faith in infants, and parents speak on behalf of their child in baptism (followed by teaching in the Christian faith), just as they speak on behalf of their child in any area that\u2019s a matter of life and death which a child does not yet, fully comprehend or is not yet fully able to articulate. Faith comes through hearing God\u2019s Word (see the book of Romans) and our regeneration comes through baptism.<\/p>\n (Since I know a question will come from the last statement\u2026let me just answer it really quickly here: \u201cWhat if someone is on the way to be baptized and they die?\u201d We\u2019re saved by grace through faith in God\u2019s promise in Christ. We get baptized according to God\u2019s command and for hope in God\u2019s promise, but death without baptism doesn\u2019t mean we go to hell. God gives his gifts in multiple ways: The Word, Baptism, The Lord\u2019s Supper, Absolution. In each case, we have peace as we hear God\u2019s promise, and yet each is unique and experienced in a different way. If we start asking, \u201cHow little can I do and still be okay?\u201d, then that\u2019s a whole different issue altogether.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Re-blogged from https:\/\/immanuelwaterloo.org, by Pastor Merritt Demski: Scripture says \u2018Believe and be Baptized\u2019. Since babies cannot do that, and we in the LCMS have the parents speak on the child\u2019s behalf\u2026does this then not in a round about way \u2018sort of cover\u2019 for this sequence? I do believe babies are in need of Baptism (we … <\/p>\n\n
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