Yes rc, you have a good handle on it. I have no arguement with how you presented this because you present the whole spectrum of the basics. I do react to those who try to substantiate infant baptism by indicating that whole households were baptized, as though that means there just HAD to be babies present in that household. A much stronger arguement is the one you present which is that it is interpreted from Tradition.
When I hear the “whole household logic” I (in my somewhat warped sense of humor) wonder if that phrase had been used if people back then would have considered the family dog a member of the family like so many seem to do today. I hear people refer to the family dog with endearment that I am not sure their own children were subjected to. I am sure there are those who would love for the dog to be baptized along with the whole household, and there apparently are churches who have pet services.
I am almost positive I will end up in the doghouse for presenting this!
My dear friend in Christ,
Here is what YOU and many other protestants are missing:
Jn 3:3-5
[3] Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith to him: How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother’ s womb, and be born again? [5] Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
"a Man here means ALL of humanity: to assume otherwise would mean that the female gender regardless of age need NOT Baptized.
Mt 28:19-20
" [19] Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [20]** Teaching them** to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold
I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
Again this means ALL humanity; no age restrictions in either passage:thumbsup:
Mt 16: 18-20
[17] And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art YOU, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to YOU, but my Father who is in heaven. [18] And I say to YOU: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock** I will build my church, ** ]and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] And I will give to YOU the keys ALL of implied here] of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever YOU shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever YOU shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven [AMEN!]
Truth my friend can only be singular per defined issue.
It is impossible that GOD [who must be perfect] couod, would, or did wait for Wycliffe, Luther, Calvin or anyone else; sone 1,500 YEARS to make His Truth known. Amen
GBY
