Household baptisms, reprise

In total there are three clear statements referencing “household baptism” in the New Testament (Acts 16:15, 33-34; I Corinthians 1:16), as well as two that may be considered implied (Acts 10:47-48; 18:8). Pædobaptists assert that “household baptism” are proof of “infant baptism.”[1]  However, the second (infant baptism) does not logically follow the first (household baptism).[2] In addition to the logical fallacy, contextual statements in each biblical case provide evidence against rather than support for infant baptism. 

Rather than infant baptism, the Bible teaches believers’ baptism. The command, precept, and example of the New Testament is that belief – faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – must precede baptism (immersion in water).

Below is a chart showing these five biblical “household baptisms.”

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[1] “…when the NT merely says that Lydia believed and she was baptized and her household, it is far more natural to assume her children were included.” Derek Carlsen, Faith and Courage, page 374. “Pædobaptist” is a theological term for those who baptize infants. Most are more properly “pædorantist,” that is, they sprinkle (ραντιζω) rather than baptize (immerse, βαπτιζω) infants.
[2] Pædobaptists must assume that all households always have infants, which is incorrect. Notice that Carlsen must assume (1) Lydia is married, (2) Lydia has children, (3) Lydia has young children for whom she must stand proxy, and (4) the household in this needed case must necessarily include parents and children.

Baptizing babies (or not) in the first century

I recently heard a Roman Catholic apologist make the statement below about infant baptism. He was referencing the lack of early historical evidence for infant baptism; and the possibility that the apostles’ did not institute the practice “because of how baptism is described in the writings of the first 150 years of church history.” He said:

“Most of the apostles would have died before most Christians were born from Christian parents rather than being converts to the faith as adults.” (Trent Horn)

I found that statement unbelievably astounding from an intelligent academic theologian and debater. I may be a little simple, but it seems to me within the realm of logic that any average Christian couple could have a baby within nine months of their conversion. No need for most of the apostles to be dead. (Certainly, this is not the sole argument he makes on the subject, but it was one that he made that I could not believe he made.)