Title: Is It Right To Baptize Infants? (3 of 4)
Series: Baptism - Burial And Resurrection
Author: Jeff Strite
Text: Acts 2:38-41
Raccoon John Smith was one of our brotherhood's more colorful evangelists in the early 1800s. One day he was passing by a Methodist camp meeting and watched as a young Methodist preacher sprinkled water (for baptism) on a baby who was kicking and screaming at the top of its lungs. When the service was over, Raccoon Smith stepped to the front of the crowd and, introduced himself. Then he took the Methodist preacher by the arm and started dragging him down toward a nearby creek. The young preacher protested "What are you trying to do? Are you out of your mind?" Raccoon Smith looked surprised: "What am I trying to do? Why, sir, I going to baptize you by immersion into the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Methodist preacher cried out "I have no desire for such baptism. I know you; you are called 'The dipper.' But you are not going to dip me. I'm a Methodist; you let me go!" But Smith tightened his hold on the man's arm and asked "Are you a believer?" "Well, of course I'm a believer," the preacher said. "But I'm not willing to be immersed. It would do no good for you to baptize me against my will. IT WOULD BE WRONG." Smith looked shocked: "I don't understand. Only a few minutes ago, you baptized a helpless baby against its will although it screamed and it kicked. Did you get its consent first?" And the crowd broke into laughter, as Smith again pulled the preacher toward creek. Then he suddenly released him and motioned the audience to be silent. "Friends, I will be in the neighborhood for a little while visiting among you; let me know if this poor, misguided man ever again baptizes another without his consent. For you have heard him say that it would do no good, and that IT WOULD BE WRONG."
It would be wrong to baptize someone (like an infant) who hadn't given consent? Really? Well, yeah... it would be ...
Series: Baptism - Burial And Resurrection
Author: Jeff Strite
Text: Acts 2:38-41
Raccoon John Smith was one of our brotherhood's more colorful evangelists in the early 1800s. One day he was passing by a Methodist camp meeting and watched as a young Methodist preacher sprinkled water (for baptism) on a baby who was kicking and screaming at the top of its lungs. When the service was over, Raccoon Smith stepped to the front of the crowd and, introduced himself. Then he took the Methodist preacher by the arm and started dragging him down toward a nearby creek. The young preacher protested "What are you trying to do? Are you out of your mind?" Raccoon Smith looked surprised: "What am I trying to do? Why, sir, I going to baptize you by immersion into the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Methodist preacher cried out "I have no desire for such baptism. I know you; you are called 'The dipper.' But you are not going to dip me. I'm a Methodist; you let me go!" But Smith tightened his hold on the man's arm and asked "Are you a believer?" "Well, of course I'm a believer," the preacher said. "But I'm not willing to be immersed. It would do no good for you to baptize me against my will. IT WOULD BE WRONG." Smith looked shocked: "I don't understand. Only a few minutes ago, you baptized a helpless baby against its will although it screamed and it kicked. Did you get its consent first?" And the crowd broke into laughter, as Smith again pulled the preacher toward creek. Then he suddenly released him and motioned the audience to be silent. "Friends, I will be in the neighborhood for a little while visiting among you; let me know if this poor, misguided man ever again baptizes another without his consent. For you have heard him say that it would do no good, and that IT WOULD BE WRONG."
It would be wrong to baptize someone (like an infant) who hadn't given consent? Really? Well, yeah... it would be ...
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