In this sacrament, we see God’s tremendous grace poured out for sinners regardless of the sinner’s ability to merit or accomplish anything. Whether baptism is received by a child of a Christian household, or by a new professing believer, in all cases when rightly administered, baptism is wholly about the promises of God given by grace and applied through faith in Jesus Christ.
What are the Two Positions on Baptism?
Prior to being called into ministry I was quite convinced for about a year of the Baptist/Credo only position. Then for the last 16 years, I’ve been steadily growing as one convinced of covenant baptism. I have 4 kids who have all been baptized as soon as they were able. Over the last decade of pastoral and missionary work, I’ve been blessed to work alongside many brothers and sisters of various persuasions on the topic. Baptism is an important topic, but it is one I consider to be a secondary issue. This means that I can worship and attend churches that hold a different view on Baptism than I believe to be True. We as Christians, are called to be United in Christ and Baptism is not an issue to divide.
Covenantal Baptism
Covenantal, Family or Household baptism is the administration of the sacrament of baptism to those who are new believers or are newly born within the household of professing believers. In the Covenantal view, there is a continuation of the covenant promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob following the Apostle Peter’s words and example in Acts 2. The sacrament of baptism in the Covenantal practice displays God’s tremendous grace poured out on sinners who are without hope apart from God’s regenerating, salvific, personal work in the lives of those baptized.
Believers Baptism
Believer’s baptism is the administration of the sacrament of baptism to those who are newly converted and making a profession of their faith in Christ Jesus. Believer’s baptism is for those who have never before previously received baptism and are confessing their only hope in this life and the next as the grace of God through Jesus Christ.