A Biblical Critique of Infant Baptism

by Matthew Waymeyer

Publisher:

Kress

, 2008

Overview

In this concise volume, Matt Waymeyer sets forth the six reasons which led him to reject infant baptism. Part theological, part biographical, A Biblical Critique of Infant Baptism describes Waymeyer’s own theological journey. This volume offers an opportunity to eavesdrop on the author’s own theological conversations. He writes this volume not out of antagonism, but to further theological exploration.

Contents

Top Highlights

“First, circumcision and baptism cannot be considered interchangeable in meaning because baptism does not signify specific physical and national promises that were signified by circumcision.” (Page 49)

“The third point of discontinuity concerns the fact that many adults were circumcised in the Old Testament apart from a profession of faith in Yahweh.” (Page 53)

“Consider the differences: In Genesis 17, the covenant is ‘between Me and you and your descendants after you’ without qualification (v. 10); but in Acts 2, the promise is for you and your children, but only for as many of you and your children as the Lord shall call to Himself (v. 39). In Genesis 17, the eight-day-old males are to be circumcised (v. 12); but in Acts 2, only those who repent are commanded to be baptized (v. 38). In Genesis 17, infants are circumcised; but in Acts 2, only those who received Peter’s word are baptized (v. 41). The account in Acts 2 actually provides better support for believer baptism than it does for infant baptism.” (Page 32)

“The primary argument for infant baptism flows out of the continuity of God’s relationship and dealings with His covenant people throughout redemptive history.² In the Old Testament, God instituted the sign of circumcision to be applied to male infants of His people Israel. Circumcision did not save, and it did not indicate that the one circumcised had been saved. Instead, it was a way to mark an individual as a member of God’s covenant people.” (Page 9)

“The position of infant baptism can be summarized most concisely in just five words: baptism is what circumcision was. In other words, baptism has the same meaning and the same function in the New Testament Church as circumcision did in Old Testament Israel.” (Page 47)

Product Details

• Title: A Biblical Critique of Infant Baptism
• Author: Matt Waymeyer
• Publisher: Kress
• Publication Date: 2008
• Pages: 148

About Matthew Waymeyer

Matthew Waymeyer is a graduate of The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, California (M. Div., Th. M.). He serves as pastor of Community Bible Church in Vista, California, where he lives with his wife, Julie, and their five children.