“Wet Diapers”

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

I was baptized as an infant in my parents' church.  I know that baptism is supposed to be an (adult) individual's decision to follow the calling of God and to repent of an (adult) individual's sin.  Still, I can't help but think that my baptism was at least partially valid since it was done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  If/when I get baptized as an adult, could it be a baptism that is done just to make sure I'm saved - so not necessarily to be re-baptized, but as a just-in-case?

Sincerely, Not A Little Kid Anymore

Dear Not A Little Kid Anymore,

There is no authority or example of infant baptism in the Bible. Infant baptism does nothing but get the child wet (and often crabby). The fact that it was done “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” doesn’t make a difference. To do something ‘in the name of God’ is to proclaim that you are doing it by the authority of God. Many people proclaim to do things by God’s authority and yet are completely wrong. Jesus Himself said that many people will say that they had God’s authority and yet will be rejected by God on the Day of Judgment (Matt 7:21-23). Infant baptism is a great example of this principle. God never condones or commands infants to be baptized, and yet (sadly) many, many churches do it and claim that they do it by God’s authority. Infant baptism is a false teaching, pure and simple. It ignores the authority of the Scriptures (1 Jhn 4:6).

Biblical baptism is for those capable of repenting (Acts 2:38). It is an adult decision and is a requirement for salvation (1 Pet 3:21, Mk 16:16). This is the only baptism that can truly be said is done “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). If someone has been baptized in this way, they never need to be re-baptized. If you haven’t been baptized in this way… you never were really baptized into Christ’s baptism in the first place.

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