The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Meaning of "Disciple"

1. Paedo: Child, infant, thus one who baptizes infants, aka: Infant Baptist or Covenantal Baptist.

2. Credo: profession, I believe, thus one who baptizes those who believe or at least profess faith.

As others have pointed out, Paedobaptists don't restrict baptism to infants. They also baptize those who make a credible profession of faith. However, with some exceptions (hyper-covenantalists) Paedobaptists do NOT believe that baptism INDICATES, i.e., it is a infallible SIGN of the recipient's salvation. Baptism is a outward sign to be sure, but of God's redeeming grace in Christ Jesus to all who have true saving faith. It is a physical demonstration of the Gospel, i.e., as the water used washes away the filth of the body, so does Christ's blood cleanse the soul of sin. But again, faith is a prerequisite to that actual cleansing (justification). <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Thus, in one sense, it doesn't matter who is being baptized in regard to what baptism means, in and of itself. For the saving grace of God never changes. In that we should rejoice. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,