YEAR II | Rondonopolis-MT, October 5th to 18th, 2003 | Nr 10 |
" Why to baptize the children? "
Somebody can, without doubt object: - how to baptize the children if they cannot repent and believe, inviolable demands to baptism? “... Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holly Spirit. "(Act: 2,38)
We cannot forget these same demands are put also to salvation "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, ..." (Act: 3,19) and, in this case, following such ratiocination, the children could not be save too, and this is not that we believe. All Christians have believed that one baby, when he dies, he is save, because Jesus said: “... for of such is the kingdom of God." (Luke:18,16). So it's clear that such demands to address the adults, and not the children, who although without repentance and faith they are save.
Others would say:- which benefit can there be for a baby to be baptized? We would reply the same benefit (hidden) of the Israeli babies, at being inexplicablely at the human eyes submitted under the painful rite of circumcision at the 8 (eight) days old! "This is My covenant which you shall keep , between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male child among shall be circumcised." ( Gn.: 17,10) - the simple and extraordinary benefit of obedience! "... and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,". (II Co.: 10, 5)
But would God indeed ordered to baptize the children? - see the next bulletin.
Pr Afro