Expert: J.M.J. West - 10/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: Baptism: In the New Testament baptism is ALWAYS practiced AFTER saving faith in Christ. Baptism is not the means of salvation; it is faith in the Gospel that saves (1 Corinthians 1:14-18; Romans 10:13-17). The Roman Catholic Church teaches baptismal regeneration of infants, a practice never found in Scripture. The only possible hint of infant baptism in the Bible that the Roman Catholic Church can point to is that the whole household of the Philippian jailer was baptized in Acts 16:33. However, the context nowhere mentions infants. Acts 16:31 declares that salvation is by faith. Paul spoke to all of the household in verse 32, and the whole household believed (verse 34). This passage only supports the baptism of those who have already believed, not of infants... could you please elaborate on why catholics still baptize infants after we clearly see that it is not biblical...please excuse my ignorance if their is scripture that supports anything contradicting what i've stated.


ANSWER: Connor,

First, thank you for your questions.  I'll try to answer them all in as timely of a fashion as I can.  That said, I'd ask you to please only submit one or two questions at a time.  I am a volunteer (this isn't my job), who has two other jobs, is a husband, and has two children and one on the way.  I simply cannot spend all day answering question after question (one of the reasons I think that you've graded me unfairly before).

That said, certainly baptism in the New Testament happened OFTEN after conversion, because the PRIMARY way the gospel spread that first generation (and for not a few generations after) was via CONVERSION.  The message was preached to adults, who were in need of repentance and conversion, but it applied to more than just individuals who had converted.

Paul calls baptism the new circumcision (Col 2:11)  Who was circumcised under the old covenant?  Just like baptism, it was INITIALLY mostly adults who underwent the knife, but it applied to all [male] members of a house 8 days old or older.  So entire households entered into the covenant between Abraham and God via Circumcision.  And after the initial wave of circumcisions it was almost exclusively BABIES which underwent the procedure (though we do read that briefly circumcision had to be re-instituted, cf Joshua 5).

So too in the New Testament entire households are baptized:

1.   Lydia was converted by Paul’s preaching and that "She was baptized, with her household" (Acts 16:15).
2.   The jailer whom Paul and Silas had converted to the faith "the same hour of the night . . . he was baptized, with all his family" (Acts 16:33).
3.   Paul recalled that, "I did baptize also the household of Stephanas" (1 Cor. 1:16).
This concept of households includes all members, no exception for infants.

Moreover, Luke 18:15-16 tells us that "they were bringing even infants [Gk: brephe]" to Jesus; and he himself related this to the kingdom of God: "Let the children come to me…for to such belongs the kingdom of God."  Brephe means "babies" (http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=18&v=15&i=conc&t=KJV#15)

The early church supports this notion too:

"For He came to save all through means of Himself--all, I say, who through Him are born again to God--infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old men." Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 2,22:4 (A.D. 180).

"Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them" (Hippolytus, The Apostolic Tradition 21:16 [A.D. 215])

The chief problem I think you're having is with the notion that the actions of one person could affect the salvation of another, yet this is utterly consistent with the biblical Message.

In Mark 2 we read the story of the paralytic child who is lowered through the roof to Christ.  The text says "when he saw THEIR FAITH, he said to the child 'YOUR sins are forgiven'".  The actions of the group resulted in the salvation of the child.  

Compare also St. Paul's words about believers with unbelieving spouses in 1 Cor 7:14, "For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, whereas in fact they are holy."

Baptism certainly is regenerative, washing us of sin like the flood washed the earth; and all are in need of it, children included.

See also:
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/baptism.html#baptism-III
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/baptism.html#tradition-II

I hope that helps, and I'll try to address your other questions when I have time.

Peace of Christ,

-J.M.J. West

EDIT: JUST TO BE CLEAR, I DO NOT MIND YOUR QUESTIONS AT ALL, AND I FREELY WELCOME YOU TO ASK AS MANY AS YOU LIKE.  THE SYSTEM GIVES ME 3 DAYS TO RESPOND TO THEM, AND AT TIMES IT CAN BE TOUGH TO GET THROUGH A GLUT OF QUESTIONS ALL AT ONCE.  MY REGULAR JOB IS AS A CATECHIST, SO ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS IS IN A SENSE MY JOB/DUTY, AND AS SUCH I DON'T MIND DOING IT.  I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTIONS AND THAT YOU ARE SEEKING THE TRUTH - THIS ABOVE ALL IS A THING TO BE PRIZED!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok concerning disciples of Jesus, he said we'd have the power to do miracles, immunity to poison ect. where are these people he spoke of? also.>if your going to tell me that only apostles had this gift then i will remind you of the 1st martyr Stephen. it was said he performed great signs and miracles correct? thanks allot

Answer
The people he spoke of are in the church today, and have been for 2000 years.

There are all host of miracles:

Saint Miracles:
http://www.stillcatholic.com/CATHMir.htm

Eucharistic Miracles:
http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/engl_mir.htm

Visions seen by 50,000+ witnesses:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Miracle_of_Fatima

Apparitions of saints (usually Mary)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_apparition

Healings:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1947652/posts

Exorcisms:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05709a.htm

See also:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Do_Miracles_Still_Occur.asp

Every saint, to be canonized as a saint, must have three confirmed and tested miracles (weighed in by scientists and specialists, often secular, who can come up with no causal explanation for the healings).

Miracles still most certainly do happen.  BUT, miracles are only to attest of the power of God.  We are all called to carry our cross, and to be willing to lay down our lives.  God uses miracles, but also the consistent witness of the Church's willingness to suffer, to spread the gospel.  Tertullian said famously "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

Hopefully that is helpful.

Peace of Christ,

-J.M.J. West