Infant Baptism or Adult Baptism (4)

Why is it that with such a rich biblical covenant doctrine and baptismal doctrine, time and again, there are young people who allow themselves to be re-baptized? There are some people who point to the challenges to authority in society. Office bearers no longer command the respect that they did more than fifty years ago. Godly decrees are pushed aside on the basis of a person’s own discretion. The cause has also been sought in people’s increasing individualism. Young people ask themselves, “Why was I baptized? I would have liked to make that decision myself.”

These things may all be true, but we must dig a bit deeper and also include ourselves in the loop. Why is it that the Church of the Reformation cannot keep its young people bound to the church, and why do they take this step? Are they missing something which they believe they can find in other places? What seems to be the problem? Our baptismal form already warned about “custom and superstition.” Let us take a moment to examine both of these warnings.

Custom

When we speak of custom, it is meant that we baptize out routinely because that is what we are accustomed to doing. This devaluation of baptism is a serious matter. We can find a gripping parallel among Israel in their devaluation of circumcision. Paul places 1 Corinthians 10 as a warning example for Israel. They were all baptized with Moses in the cloud, but they were slain in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:5).

When the practice of godliness begins to wane on the part of parents, there follows a superficiality in the thinking of children as to how they understand the meaning of baptism. Then there is a vacuum in the tents of Abraham. The children no longer know anything of the fear of the LORD and the good savor of Christ. The meaning of baptism becomes invisible, namely, the being buried with Christ and arising with Him in newness of a godly life.

If there are young people who allow themselves to be rebaptized on these grounds, it is a great sin (Westminster Confession Par. 27 article 5), but we also should humbly inquire of ourselves why it has come to this point. “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens” (Lamentations 3:40&41).

Superstition

There may be another “unfulfilled” reason which has developed as to why young people resort to rebaptism. I have placed it under the heading of superstition, and with that I mean the overvaluation of baptism. The meaning of those who compiled the Form for Baptism undoubtedly gave thought to Roman Catholic doctrine wherein great emphasis or power was ascribed to the water in baptism. This was an overvaluation of the sacrament.

I am especially concerned with the theological overvaluation of baptism by the “followers of the Reformation” such as Rev. K. Schilder (died 1952) and Rev. J. Woelderink (died 1956) and others who follow in their footsteps. They barely noted any difference between the essence and the administration of the covenant of grace. Let me cite from an interview with Dr. W. Verboom (ND June 18, 2015): “In the experiential environment where I was raised, you had to be converted to be able to say that the promises (in the Heidelberg Catechism) were for you. Slowly on I have changed my views of that—not because of a specific experience but gradually by going to church and being active with faith. It has become increasingly clear to me how important baptism is.”

When we speak about baptism and the covenant relationship in this manner, the necessity of the application of salvation by the Holy Spirit is blurred. Why is it necessary to speak in such a universal manner? Calvin expends the entire third portion of his Institutes to the work of the Holy Spirit. Especially chapter 12 deserves our attention. Here Calvin deals with the way that leads to Christ which is founded in the breaking of the heart before the countenance of God. Calvin speaks already about a “twofold type of children in the church.” When the speaking of this difference disappears in the church, a void becomes apparent.

A great privilege

Our people are very favored. For centuries we have lived under the sound gospel. The church towers testify of it, but our baptism affirms it even more. The forsaking or the scorning of it is listed in the Bible as a great sin. “He hath broken My covenant” (Genesis 17:14).

For a good understanding of the “great privilege of Christian children,” one should read the book by Jacobus Fruytier of the same name (Het grote voorrecht van christenkinderen). Just a short citation: “Your great privilege exists especially herein, that you have been born and are living under the means whereby God calls with His external call and where He sanctifies and saves the elect. That is why, in addition to that outward call, you also need a powerful inward calling. Young people, do not love the world and that which is in the world. Be diligent in using the means whereby God saves souls. ‘Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word’” (Psalm 119:9).

(This installment marks the end of this series.)

Rev. G. Clements, Gouda, the Netherlands

Translated from De Saambinder

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