A: Those who are not members of the visible church ought not to be baptized, until they state they believe and will follow Him in obedience; But the infant children of church members ought to be baptized.
Thoughts: Baptism is too often seen as an insurance policy. In a sense it is too easy to just get up and say you believe and say you will obey Christ. In a world that doesn't value loyalty and commitments- talk is cheap. Some degrade baptism as simply a nominal way to be Christian, and nominalism is a sin. The Bible does speak of those who honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. God calls us all to honor Him with our hearts- but we can't honor Him with our hearts without honoring Him with our lips. Baptism is a seal to our profession.
The children of believers are included because
1) The Lord included children in his welcome- "The promise is for you and your children and all those whom the Lord will call- to all who are far off."
2) Baptism is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament family initiation of circumcision (Col. 2:11).
3) There are seven New Testament instances of household baptism- notably the two Philippians- the jailer and Lydia whose households were baptized upon their conversion.
(1637 Westminster Shorter Catechism)
Q. 95- To Whom is Baptism to be administered?
A: Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible Church, till they profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible Church are to be baptized.
(1984 Modern Translation)
Q. 95. Who should be baptized?
A. Those who are not members of churches should not be baptized until they have publicly stated
that they believe in Christ and will obey Him, but the infant children of church members should be
baptized.
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