New Testament baptism is for disciples alone. I believe that both views (credo & paedo) clearly recognize the NT direction for baptizing believers (Acts 2:38–41; 10:47, 48; 22:16). It is the point in which I believe the NT clearly does NOT teach believers to baptize their children that we diverge. The scripture reference to Lydia’s household being baptized in Acts 16:14-15 is often used to establish NT practice of infant baptism. In that scripture, household is the Greek word oikos (G3624). See additional scripture using the same Greek word in other context and I think you have to agree that it cannot be specifically inclusive of children. I say that due to the references in scripture saying oikos has the ability to fear God, receive words by which you will be saved, etc. Also, I see significance in using oikos while specifically mentioning children as well in Timothy. If oikos clearly identified children, why would they be included again in the scripture? Considering the different Greek words translated into the english word household, I am not studied enough to say what all those words mean or imply from the scripture context, I do say that oikos that is used in Acts 16:15 is not a good support that household is inclusive of children.
JB1
PS. Sorry for the bad formatting of the scripture references.
| Acts 7:10 |
and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all hishousehold. |
G3624 |
| Acts 10:2 |
a devout man and one who feared God with all hishousehold, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. |
G3624 |
| Acts 11:14 |
and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ |
G3624 |
| Acts 16:15 |
And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. |
G3624 |
| Acts 16:31 |
They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” |
G3624 |
| Acts 18:8 |
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. |
G3624 |
| 1 Cor 1:16 |
Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. |
G3624 |
| 1 Tim 3:4 |
He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity |
G3624 |
| 1 Tim 3:5 |
(but if a man does not know how to manage his ownhousehold, how will he take care of the church of God?), |
G3624 |
| 1 Tim 3:12 |
Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. |
G3624 |
| 1 Tim 3:15 |
but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. |
G3624 |
| 2 Tim 4:19 |
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. |
G3624 |
| Hebrews 11:7 |
By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
|
G3624 |
| 1 Pet 4:17 |
For it is time for judgment to begin with the householdof God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? |
G3624 |
