Acts 10:44-48—“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord”

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days (Acts 10:44-48).

BAPTIST ARGUMENT:

“How does this text imply infant baptism?”

(I)

Rev. Ronald Hanko

[Source: Sprinkling, Infant Baptism and the Bible]

Baptists insist that those who were baptized in the house of Cornelius were those who heard the Word and upon whom the Holy Spirit came (v. 44)—in other words, those and those only who were old enough to respond in faith to Peter’s preaching.  It should be noted, however, that the language of the passage does not exclude infants or the possibility that there were infants as well as adults baptized on this occasion.

      

In everyday speech, we include in statements of this sort those to whom the statement does not always strictly apply.  I might say, for example, “We are driving to the store and shopping for groceries.”  That does not imply that everyone who goes to the store is actually capable of driving, selecting items and paying for them.”  Thus, when verse 48 speaks of “them” being baptized, we understand that there were those who were capable of responding to Peter’s preaching, but may not assume that every single baptized individual was.

      

Family baptism is the rule of Scripture, a rule that can only be obeyed when families, including children are baptized!

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(II)

More to come! (DV)