Today, reply is on infant baptism, the just, and the inclusion of small children within the body of Christ. Divine law is not invested within a newborn child as intellect and secular knowledge so much as through self-will. (Saying this another way: Romans 5: 13, King James Version, KJV: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.) Where the objective of baptism is understood as the establishment of a personal relationship between the Creator and the created, baptism involves the emanation and putting forth of spirit substance that includes sovereign will from the makeup of divinity. Also deposited are sacred consciousness, existence, faith, holiness, lovingkindness, person, and the will to live. By election, grace and divine prerogative, then, children have place as sons and daughters of GOD on the basis of their spirit content imparted from Deity without also having performed various “religious” deeds, prayers, service, and good works. The possibilities and purity of children are imputed as well as imparted. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information supplied) posted the following:
Is luke 18:16-17 teaching we have to receive the kingdom of God as a child like infant baptism?
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (Romans 4: 7-8, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Dead While We Live? (02/02/2017); Spirit Content From GOD? (09/26/2016); Of Such Is The Kingdom (09/01/2015); To Foster Godly Sorrow (03/11/2016); Asking For Answers From GOD? (05/21/2015); Going to Church Before Baptism? (05/05/2015); Babies Given A Second Life? (01/25/2015); About “The Just” (10/29/2014); Antidotes to the Poisons (10/30/2014)
“Anonymous”, here are some points that many Christian believers have found useful for avoiding error and spiritual confusion when considering baptism for babies, small children, and those having special needs. Some insist that baptism is a public act from personal choice and self-will (we say, voluntary). Therefore, to be baptized, a person should be at an “age of responsibility” as with secular activities like drinking alcohol, driving, and voting for elected officials. Among Christian congregations the age of responsibility varies from 8 to 25 years old. Those who argue to exalt finite human nature and “free will” often despise baptism as an act of formalism (commitment to the letter of divine law, yet not its spirit), and a foolish act of surrender (acknowledging the sovereignty of GOD). Others, accept models that appear as practices and principles recorded in the Scriptures.
Baptism can be understood as an aspect of identity and spiritual inheritance received through ones parents such as circumcision, citizenship within the divine kingdom, practice of sacraments within the home, and the sharing of sacred knowledge. More correctly, baptism is an operation of the Holy Spirit like the founding of heaven and earth. In the same way, a newborn child is not required to choose his birth parents, his birth order, or such physical characteristics as gender, there nonetheless are multiple life conditions inherited from Adam and their ancestors that will continue throughout the child’s own lifetime, and that should be correctly addressed with the child’s very beginnings. Included are prenatal care, vulnerability to sickness and disease, mortality, and divine wrath against sin. There is no demand that a fetus or infant choose their standing with GOD; however, their caretakers are accountable for the child’s survival and well-being, and should acknowledge the child’s initial spiritual condition as one of the just (the Lord’s justified ones). The just are accounted as blameless and having committed neither good deeds nor bad. Should the child die before being weaned, learning to walk and talk, or enroll in school for secular instruction, their acceptance with divinity has been established by GOD as a “free gift“” (we say, blessing). Believing is an act of faith or an act of will, and would qualify the child as coming to GOD through works, not grace.
The process of salvation is divine, is not a “one-time” event, and does not rely on the content of human awareness and self-will (willpower). Salvation goes forward as revelation (i.e., discovery, edification, gradual growth, and continual learning) that makes visible the active presence of GOD, his eternal purposes, and the diverse expressions of his unchanging nature and will. Congregations and communities of faith that promote infant baptism often also will practice confession of commitment to Christ, confirmation, and public enrollment as a mature believer once a member “comes of age.” Consider the following:
(1.) Romans 6: 3-6, King James Version (KJV): 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
(2.) John 1: 10-14, KJV: 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
(3.) Romans 9: 8-16, KJV: 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. 10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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