1. The ordinances of the Church (2)
Ecclesiology

2. Review
When we talk about ‘ordinances’, we are referring to the rites of the church. All churches agree on two, some add one or more others to the list.
The Concept and Number of Ordinances
The ordinance of baptism
The importance of baptism

3. Connected Concepts Forgiveness (Ac 2.38, 22.16) Repentance (Ac 2.38)
Union with Christ (Rm )
Discipleship (Mt )
Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 22:16 'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'
“This is not to conclude that water baptism effects forgiveness, etc., but that it is closely connected with those things that begin the Christian life.” Ryrie, 488.

4. Defining the term:
Theological definition: “an act of association or identification with someone, some group, some message, or some event”
Greek mystery religions: connected initiate with a particular religion
Jewish proselyte baptism: associated the proselyte with Judaism
John the Baptist’s baptism: connected the individual with John’s message (no organization to join)

5. Defining the term:
James & John connected with sufferings of Christ (Mk )
Believers connected with the body of Christ (1 Cor 12.13)
Believers connected with the new life in Christ (Rm )
Israelites baptized into Moses connected with his leadership in the Exodus (1 Cor 10.2)
For subject baptized for dead to connect with the hope of the resurrection (1 Cor 15.29)
Christian baptism: “Christian baptism means identification with the message of the Gospel, the person of the Savior, and the group of believers.” Ryrie, 489.
Mark 10:38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
1 Corinthians 15:29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
1 Corinthians 10:1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,

6. Subjects of Baptism: believers only or believers and the infant children of believers?
Arguments for baptizing infants
The circumcision argument (Col )
Baptism is analogous to circumcision in this passage
Since infants were circumcised in the Old Covenant, they should be in the New Covenant
The argument depends on the concept of a single covenant of grace in history with a changed initiatory rite under the New Covenant
Colossians 2:11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

7. Subjects of Baptism: believers only or believers and the infant children of believers?
Arguments for baptizing infants
The historical argument
Infant baptism has been practiced in the church since the early days of church history
The tradition of the church is thus given authority in this argument

8. Subjects of Baptism: believers only or believers and the infant children of believers?
Arguments for baptizing infants
The household argument (Acts 11:14; 16:15, 31, 33; 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:16)
It is presumed in these instances that some infants must have been included
It is also argued from 1 Cor 7.14 that children with one unbelieving parent are expected to be baptized
Acts 16:31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” … 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.
1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

9. Subjects of Baptism: believers only or believers and the infant children of believers?
Against baptizing infants
The scriptural order is always belief, then baptism (Matt. 3:2–6; 28:19; Acts 2:37–38; 16:14–15, 34)
Baptism is the initiatory rite into the church, an organization of believers from many nations, not into Israel, an individual nation including believers and unbelievers
No children are ever mentioned in the so-called household baptisms
If 1 Cor 7.14 required (or allowed) baptism of infants, it would also require (or allow) the baptism of the unbelieving spouse