One of our sons was unable to go to a Primitive Baptist church this past weekend and attended one of the denominational churches. He had a unique experience in that he witnessed an infant being baptized by the minister. He called it a baptism and used the terms we use as directed in scripture, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” He just rubbed a little water on the infant’s forehead as he said these words and called it baptism. Of course this could not be baptism because baptism is for believers and an infant is not old enough to be a believer. The eunuch desired baptism by Philip and wanted to know what hindered him from being baptized. Philip told him “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37). Upon profession of belief in Jesus Christ. Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water and came up out of the water. We see that immersion in water is the only mode of baptism authorized in scripture. Even a believer could have water rubbed on his forehead and he still would not have scriptural baptism. John the Baptist was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim because there was much water there which would be required for immersion. Many came and were baptized. (John 3:23). Primitive Baptists do not believe in infant baptism and have never practiced such and that immersion in water is the only scriptural mode of baptism. It doesn’t matter what kind of a good feeling an infants’s parents might have (the infant wouldn’t realize what is happening), it still would not be a valid baptism. Likewise, a believer that isn’t immersed in water, but only had a little water rubbed on his forehead, would not have scriptural baptism despsite the fact he or she might have a good feeling about it. The Bible is the only rule of faith and practice and there is no authorization for infant baptism or sprinkling found in God’s inspired word.–Jan. 24, 1012–Elder Larry Wise
