Our View on the Baptism of
Infants
We at SGC believe that our children, as
well as adults, are included in the covenant of grace (Gen. 17:7). We also believe that
both redemption from sin (Matt
19:14) and the Holy Spirit, the Author of faith, are promised
to them through the blood of Christ, no less than to adults (Lk 1:15; Ps 22:10; Isa 44:1-3; Ac
2:39). Because of
this we believe that the infants of believing parents should also be
baptized, as a sign of the covenant, and be in-grafted into the
Christian church, and thus distinguished from the children of
unbelievers (Ac 10:47). This
was accomplished in the old covenant by circumcision (Gen 17:14), and presently, under the
new covenant, by baptism. (Col
2:11-13). See Heidelberg
Catechism #74
We would caution, however, against reading
this as if we subscribed to baptismal regeneration. We do not. We agree with other Reformed
confessions that although it is a great sin to neglect this
ordinance (Lk 7:30; Ex 4:24-26),
yet grace & salvation are not so inseparably connected to
it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it;
(Rom 4:11; Ac 10:2,4,22,31,
45,47) or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly born
again (Ac 8: 13,23).
Please understand that while we take this matter seriously
and teach it aggressively it is not intended to put off our
baptistic brethren as if they were lesser Christians. All believers in our Lord
Jesus Christ are invited to worship with us and experience the joy
of communion fellowship around His table.
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