Why Do So Many Practice It? Part 3

Driving home: Now what is that if it is nothing but pagan superstition to think that some kind of ritual, some incantation with some kind of material substance will fit the soul of a fallen son or daughter of Adam for heaven.

A story of a non-Christian son and daughter-in-law who, despite not attending church, had their child sprinkled 'just in case' the child died, illustrating the superstitious motive behind infant baptism.

We have an example of that that is as current as just several months ago. A situation with a very dear friend of ours where the son involved in this family relationship is not a Christian. The daughter-in-law is not a Christian, but raised in a state church situation where everyone in that particular country has his or her child sprinkled as an infant. Though neither of them attend church, neither of them professes Christianity, they would not dare to leave the child unbaptized in their language just in case.

16:48 - 17:26 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Now what is that if it is nothing but pagan superstition to think that some kind of ritual, some incantation with some kind of material substance will fit the soul of a fallen son or daughter of Adam for heaven.

An example of many people in his own neighborhood who do not attend church but have their children christened, allowing them to 'breathe a bit easier' if the child dies, demonstrating widespread superstitious practice.

Now what is that if it is nothing but pagan superstition to think that some kind of ritual, some incantation with some kind of material substance will fit the soul of a fallen son or daughter of Adam for heaven. When only the mighty efficacious grace of God applied however he applies it in the case of infants can fit an infant for heaven just as much as it can fit an adult for heaven. It is superstitious. And that superstitious element is a powerful element in the realm of Christendom and the evidence of it is seen not only in the kind of instance that I just quoted, but in our own country. Mu...

17:40 - 18:43 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin clarifies that he is not accusing all practitioners of infant baptism of pagan superstition, but rather identifying it as a rationale for many. He then provides two Old…

The Israelites' superstitious belief that having the Temple of Jehovah made them safe, despite their sin, is used as an analogy for parents who feel their children are safe after infant baptism, regardless of their spiritual state.

And when the prophet thundered in their ears they said why get upset? Temple of Jehovah we got the temple we got temple we got God we got God we got blessing we're safe. And that's the mentality you see that works with many. The children can be uninstructed utterly ignorant of their own hearts utterly ignorant of God and of truth and of righteousness but their parents rest at ease they had them done.

21:51 - 22:18 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin clarifies that he is not accusing all practitioners of infant baptism of pagan superstition, but rather identifying it as a rationale for many. He then provides two Old…

The historical account of Hezekiah breaking the brazen serpent (Nehushtan) because the Israelites were burning incense to it, illustrates how even God-given objects can become objects of pagan superstition.

2 Kings chapter 18 verses 1 to 6 Came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel that Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem and his mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah and he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord according to all that David his father had done. He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah these were the pagan gods that they had erected now notice and he broke in pieces the brazen serpent th...

23:24 - 24:53 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Florence asks about the parallel between public dedication and infant sprinkling. Martin, supported by Pastor Clark's testimony from Mexico, explains that in many cases, infant…

The practice of infant dedication is described as a 'waterless christening,' highlighting its functional similarity to infant baptism in many contexts, driven by similar superstitious motives.

It is what some of my friends, perhaps with a little bit of sarcasm, call a waterless christening. A waterless christening. I've seen it in Mexico and it's exactly what it is. All right.

37:30 - 37:43 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Florence asks about the parallel between public dedication and infant sprinkling. Martin, supported by Pastor Clark's testimony from Mexico, explains that in many cases, infant…

Martin shares his experience with parents who dedicated their infants and were later heartbroken when their teenage children went astray, revealing their underlying belief that the dedication ritual secured something for the child.

No. That's right. Now, here's a testimony from Mexico where religious superstition, you see, is shot through the whole fabric of the culture, and it becomes for many in that situation a waterless baptism. I know it from my experience, particularly in the itinerant ministry when I was an evangelist for some five years traveling all over the country.

38:10 - 38:29 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Florence asks about the parallel between public dedication and infant sprinkling. Martin, supported by Pastor Clark's testimony from Mexico, explains that in many cases, infant…

Martin recounts how he established a new precedent in his church, requiring counseling for parents seeking infant dedication, which led to the practice dying out as parents realized the lack of biblical warrant and their own inconsistent motives.

Maybe you remember the circumstances. The first young couple that came to me when we were in a different denominational connection and there was no evidence of grace in the young couple, but they wanted to have their kid dedicated. So I said to the elders at the time, look, can we quickly establish a new precedent? Any parents that want a kid dedicated, they must be willing to come and counsel with me first about the significance of what the dedication means.

40:41 - 41:05 Read in full sermon