Conclusion: God's covenant has always been for his people and their children. He has always incorporated even newborns in the visible community. At the same time, he has always been clear that it is faith that is required to be his true people, not any outward symbolism. Despite God's requirement for our individual faith, he expressly views the children of his people as distinct. The outward symbolism is then not something we do for God, but a recognition of God's promise towards us and our children. Just as the circumcised Israelite's blood was shed and flesh removed, so a savior's blood would one day be shed to put our flesh to death and to circumcise our hearts. Infant baptism is in keeping with this beautiful theme of including the children of believers in the covenant promise of what God must do for them to be saved, and what God has promised to do should those with the outward sign seek to be in true relationship with him through personal faith. |
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While we wanted to share this awesome news with everyone, we do understand that we have supporters from various denominations. Some may be taken aback that the first baptism in our church was an infant baptism. Rather than keeping such an exciting event to ourselves, we thought it would be a great opportunity to share our heart, our research, and our thoughts on baptism as we seek to edify the church universal and not just recede into our own denomination. While I'm sure some won't agree with our stance as I explain it, I hope everyone will have the opportunity to learn about some differing views from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Any good, lasting tradition revolves around some worldview notion that was deemed so valuable, it was preserved in the form of tradition. Even seemingly benign or childish traditions, like Santa Claus, contain entrenched worldview teachings. Santa, for instance, holds central this idea that good works are rewarded with material blessings. Your success is up to you. This is the American Dream. Work hard and do good and you will rise up. In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos emphasizes the importance of family and heritage, the importance of legacy and being remembered, and the view of the continuation of a soul beyond death. While these traditions, and others, may often look shallow and eccentric (especially in our modern culture with heavy marketing), lasting traditions are often built on very deep beliefs.
So for we as Christians to shine our light, it is vital that we understand we are illuminated objects reflecting our luminous source. As the main text of Matthew 5 tells us, this shining light that we are to be will illuminate our good works. Ephesians 2:10 - the oft overlooked successor to the wonderful declaration of grace in verses 8-9, reinforces that as Christ's workmanship, we have been formed to complete good works. This is not only a charge, but an inevitability to the one who follows Christ. For as Romans 8 declares, all things work together for the good of the Christian - with good defined as being conformed to the image of Christ. True Christians will be lights just as Christ is light, and we will do good works just as Christ did good works, and we will share that good with the world, just as Christ did. Certainly we will be imperfect as we go through this process of sanctification, but through the Holy Spirit, Christians will be markedly different than the world.
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*The views and ideas on this site are in no way affiliated with any organization, business, or individuals we are a part of or work with. They're also not theological certainties. They're simply thinking out loud, on issues and difficulties as I process things.
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