Is Infant Baptism Valid? Exploring the Validity and Tensions of Infant Baptism in Church Membership. October 7th, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

Is Infant Baptism Valid?

Exploring the Validity and Tensions of Infant Baptism in Church Membership.

October 7th, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Baptism is a sacred practice, deeply significant to the Christian faith, symbolizing union with Christ and entry into the visible church. However, when it comes to infant baptism, questions often arise about its validity, particularly within traditions that emphasize believer’s baptism. This has created ongoing theological tension within many churches, especially Baptist congregations.

Infant baptism, or paedobaptism, is rooted in the belief that baptism serves as the New Testament counterpart to Old Testament circumcision. Proponents, such as Presbyterians and other Reformed denominations, argue that just as circumcision marked entrance into God’s covenant for Israelite infants, baptism should mark entrance into the Christian covenant for the children of believers. It symbolizes the promise of salvation, which will be embraced fully through faith later in life.

On the other hand, Baptist theology emphasizes that baptism is a public profession of faith, following a conscious decision to trust in Jesus Christ. This view holds that only those who have made a personal declaration of faith should be baptized, hence the term credobaptism (from credo, meaning "I believe"). For Baptists, baptism must be performed after an individual has experienced repentance and faith, typically through full immersion in water. This practice, drawn from Scriptures like Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:3-4, underlines baptism as an outward sign of an inward change a transformation that infants, they argue, are incapable of expressing.

The tension arises when churches must determine how to welcome individuals baptized as infants into their congregation. Should they require these believers to undergo rebaptism as adults, or should the infant baptism be acknowledged as valid, even if not ideal? Many Baptists grapple with this question because, while they believe paedobaptism is not a proper expression of faith, they also recognize the genuine Christian faith of those who were baptized as infants.

Joe Rigney, a theologian from Desiring God, offers a balanced approach. He suggests that while paedobaptists may misunderstand the full theology of baptism, this should not disqualify them from fellowship or participation in the broader Christian community. Rigney argues that paedobaptists can still be welcomed into membership, although leadership roles within Baptist churches may require a clearer alignment with credobaptist convictions. This distinction allows for Christian unity, recognizing the broader "catholicity" of the church meaning the universal body of Christ while maintaining Baptist practices within local congregations.

A key point that continues to challenge Baptist traditions is the inconsistency this creates in church membership practices. For instance, if infant baptisms are not deemed valid, it raises questions about the church's recognition of paedobaptist churches and whether these congregations can properly administer the Lord’s Supper. Furthermore, it implies a complex relationship where believers from these traditions are seen as part of the universal church, but not fully integrated into the local Baptist congregation unless rebaptized.

At the heart of this debate is the desire for clarity without compromising Christian fellowship. Churches must navigate these waters carefully, ensuring that their practice of baptism aligns with their theological convictions while still embracing the unity of believers who may hold differing views on this secondary matter.

As discussions on this topic continue within many denominations, it is clear that baptism, though a point of division in some respects, remains a deeply unifying symbol of faith in Jesus Christ. The ongoing conversation is essential for fostering both theological integrity and the unity of Christ’s body.

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Elections Office Breached – Investigation Underway;Prompting a serious security breach investigation, the Dutchess County Board of Elections in New York faced a dramatic disruption when an international package containing crystal meth was discovered.

 

Elections Office Breached – Investigation Underway

(Patriot.Buzz) – Prompting a serious security breach investigation, the Dutchess County Board of Elections in New York faced a dramatic disruption when an international package containing crystal meth was discovered.

A suspicious package containing methamphetamine was sent to the Dutchess County Board of Elections.

It originated from Greece and passed through several countries, including France, before reaching its destination.

The presence of illegal drugs in a governmental mailroom highlights the vulnerabilities in the nation’s postal security systems.

Authorities swiftly took action and shut down the Board of Elections office for three hours. Meanwhile federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office started the investigation.

While the efficiency and dedication of law enforcement are commendable, this incident emphasized the need for stringent security protocols.

Democrat Commissioner Hannah Black assured the public that the attempt to disrupt voting or harm staff was unsuccessful.

This alarming event in Dutchess County underscored the importance of oversight and precise handling of international packages.

The integrity of the electoral and governmental systems must be preserved, particularly as America approaches significant political events like the 2024 General Election.

In addition, Dutchess County offers critical voting resources for its residents. Voter registration, polling sites for the 2024 Presidential Election, and early voting information are readily accessible.

The necessity for re-registration after changing residences or party affiliation is an essential part of maintaining an accurate voter registry.

Hezbollah Begs For Cease Fire Until They Find Their MIA Commander BY MARK MEGAHAN OCTOBER 9, 2024

 

Hezbollah Begs For Cease Fire Until They Find Their MIA Commander

BYMARK MEGAHANTOBER 9, 2024

Hezbollah doesn’t really want a ceasefire, they just want the Israelis to stop killing them until they can regroup. They can’t seem to find their latest commander but parts of his body should be around there somewhere. If they were serious about ending hostilities, they would stop firing their own rockets. They haven’t.

Hezbollah begs for ceasefire

Hezbollah can’t find their current commander but aren’t willing to admit that he’s dead yet. Meanwhile, the orders are coming from Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem.

At the same time they’re launching one salvo of rockets after another into Israel, he’s begging for a ceasefire. He can’t possibly be serious.

If Hezbollah honestly wanted an end to the conflict, they would stop firing. They’re paid to do it by Iran’s Ayatollah but continue to insist they’re attacking Israeli territory “to show solidarity with Hamas.”

If they continue their current course, Lebanon will soon look like the Gaza strip. Nothing but mud and rubble.

Everyone is waiting for the next moves by Israel and Iran. It’s obvious that they’re the only two players that matter in this game. Hezbollah, like Hamas and the Houthis in Yemen, are only pawns.

The Ayatollah is deep in a bunker he hopes Israel doesn’t know about. He’s afraid to make a big strike because Israel will use it as an excuse to nuke Tehran. If he doesn’t make a big strike, Israel may nuke Isfahan. That’s where he stashes the centrifuges. Iran’s second largest city is home to the Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant and the uranium conversion facility.

Hezbollah doesn’t really want a ceasefire, they just want the Israelis to stop killing them until they can regroup.

Softening their stance

Expert observers read a lot into the speech de facto Hezbollah leader Qussem issued on Monday. “We support the political efforts led by Berri under the banner of achieving a ceasefire. Once the ceasefire is firmly established and diplomacy can reach it, all other details will be discussed and decisions will be made collaboratively.”

He was referring to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The experts noticed that “Qassem did not mention a Gaza ceasefire as a condition for achieving one in Lebanon.”

This is the second time Qassem was pushed out in front of the cameras “since Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah late last month.” They’ve been “conducting limited ground incursions into southern Lebanon.” It’s clear that they’re out hunting the terrorists who have “continued to fire rockets into northern Israel.”

Morale is beginning to drop. Not only is their latest commander missing in action, the previous one was bombed in his bunker. Nobody has any way of communicating with HQ, because tens of thousands of their soldiers had their arms blown off by exploding pagers and radios. Those were both a sudden and nasty surprise.

Nabih Berri, as leader of the Shiite Amal party, is handling Hezbollah as a client in Joe Biden’s useless ceasefire negotiations. Last week, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib related that “Nasrallah had agreed to a temporary ceasefire that was called for by U.S. President Joe Biden, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and other allies during last month’s UN General Assembly. Soon after, he was assassinated by Israel.”

That’s a lie! Tzipi Hotovely, the Israeli ambassador to the UK, replied. “Nasrallah hadn’t agreed to a ceasefire.” Habib’s claim is “ridiculous.” He can get away with it because Nasrallah isn’t around to dispute it.