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St. Mark's History

The answer to that question must begin with a look at how a holy God has always dealt with sinful and lost human beings (Rom. 3:23-25).  The initiative for man's salvation is always taken by a caring God.
 
For example, God chose Abraham when he was an idol worshiper (Josh. 24:2) and gave him the covenant promise, which included our Savior (Gen. 12:1-3).  God acted to deliver His people from Egyptian slavery when they were helpless to do anything about it themselves (Ex. 2:23-25; 3:7-8).  Jesus chose the disciples, some of them from outwardly sinful lives (Luke 5:27-28; Acts 9:1-6).  And God continues to show that kind of underserved love for sinners like you and me, in His Son, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:8).
 Does man have a part in God's saving work?  The basic question one must answer in relation to infant baptism is this:  "Is Baptism God's action toward man (Gospel) or man's response to God (Law)?  One's answer to that question will determine one's understanding and practice of infant baptism.  Let's look at the Biblical picture!
 
Baptism is God's action in the life of individuals of all ages - including infants (Acts 16:15, 33;  1 Cor. 1:16).  The promises and blessings God gives in Baptism are given for both adults and children (Acts 1:38-39).  And God's command to His followers to "make disciples" of "all nations" is without bounds of race, sex or age and certainly includes infants (Matt. 28:18-20).

Infants are in need of the saving action of God in Baptism (1 Peter 3:21) because they are born in sin and thereby are lost and separated from God (Ps. 51:5; John 3:5-6).  Death, physically and eternally, is the plight of all thus born as descendants of Adam (Rom. 5:12).  God's action is required!  And Baptism is the only Biblical alternative for infants.
 
Baptism, however, is the beginning of God's action in a man's life - not the end!  What follows Baptism is just as important as the Baptism itself.  God's saving action is always to be followed by growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).  As the clipping from a house plant is placed in a rooter to get roots, so Baptism gives an infant roots in the family of God.  However, the plant clippings, once rooted, must be put in soil for growth and nurture to bring forth its fruit.  So also the Baptism rooting of an infant must be followed by Christian growth and nurture in the soil of God's love in Christ (Col. 2:6-7).  Which is more important - the rooting or the growing?  Obviously, both are important.

God has provided for such nurture of infants primarily through parents, and especially under the leadership of fathers (Eph. 6:4).  And beyond the family God has given nurture responsibility to the Christian congregation in which the infant is baptized (1 Cor. 12:13).  The God-given concern of the body of Christ for its individual members also applies to these baptized infants (1 Cor. 12:26).
 
However, this responsibility for nurture and growth is not always faithfully carried out.  Infant baptism has often been practiced as an end in itself.  "I just want to get my baby baptized!"  And churches that practice infant baptism have perpetuated this false understanding by baptizing infants without a personal and faithful follow up ministry of Christian growth with them and their families.  Renewal of our confidence in God's power in infant baptism and correction of our follow up nurture ministries are needed, not the denial of Baptism’s saving power.
 
Look for yourself!  With the tremendous blessing God's Word attaches to Baptism - forgiveness of sin (Acts 22:16); the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39); faith (Col. 2:12); union with Christ in His death and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-4); Christ like living now (Gal. 3:27) and salvation (Titus 3:5) - is Baptism God's action toward man (Gospel) or man's response to God (Law)?

Infant baptism is pure Gospel - God's action toward undeserving sinful man.