In Problems in Bible Interpretation: Why Do Christians Disagree on Baptism? (BI172), Dr. Michael Heiser highlights the fundamental areas of debate concerning an important rite of the church. Then he identifies a common cause for these disagreements—namely, unclear language regarding the relationship between baptism and salvation. He examines three of the most prominent historic confessions of the Reformed tradition in order to understand where the confusion originates from. To help us sort through these issues, Dr. Heiser offers a key hermeneutical principle, which can enable us to better articulate a clear and biblical defense of baptism (infant or adult) as well as justify a particular mode of baptism—whether sprinkling, pouring, or immersion—without violating the purity of the gospel of Jesus.
“Why would we baptize an infant if we understand the gospel clearly?” (source)
“So every Israelite member of the exclusive community still had to believe in the covenant promises and worship only Yahweh, trusting that covenant relationship started by Yahweh to result in an afterlife with the true God.” (source)
“What you can establish is why you are doing what you are doing and why the mode you are using—how you are thinking about how you do the actual ceremony—is that a scriptural idea? Is your thought process scriptural?” (source)
“Women were members of the community through marriage to a circumcised man or by being born to Israelite parents.” (source)
“Well, is what we are saying about baptism … can we say the same thing about circumcision?’ That’s” (source)