Overview of Infant Baptism Series, Part 1

Matthew 19 Baptism

In "Overview of Infant Baptism Series, Part 1," Pastor Albert N. Martin condenses 26 lectures on infant baptism, aiming to place the controversy in proper biblical and theological perspective. He outlines the core issues at stake, including the subjects of baptism, the identity and purity of the church, and the relationship of children to God's grace. Martin emphasizes a comprehensive theological method, careful exegesis of relevant passages, and a direct engagement with paedobaptist arguments, particularly those from inference, analogy (circumcision), and the continuity of the Old and New Testament church. He argues that infant baptism is incompatible with the biblical symbolism and declaratory nature of the ordinance, urging paedobaptists to baptize disciples even if they continue to sprinkle infants.

2 illustrations in this sermon

Recommended Literature on Baptism

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Baptist and Paedobaptist Books

In this part of the sermon: Martin recommends a list of influential books and articles on infant baptism from both paedobaptist (e.g., Hodge, Warfield, Murray) and Baptist (e.g., Kingdon, Jewett, Carson)…

Martin describes having six Baptist and six Paedobaptist books on the subject, separated by something behind the podium 'so that they don't start fighting and shaking the place up,' humorously illustrating the contentious nature of the debate.

And I've had to limit myself to the contribution of. Well, I actually have six Baptists and six Pato Baptists. And if you could see up here behind the podium, I have something in between them so that they don't start fighting and shaking the place up while I'm trying to lecture right now. First of all, from the Pato Baptist side, I recommend to you that you read the relevant sections in Charles Hodges Systematic Theology, volume three, part two.

5:13 - 5:44 Read in full sermon

Corrections to the Outline and Dangers of Controversy

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Winning an Argument in Marriage

In this part of the sermon: Martin provides several corrections to the distributed outline. He then underscores five dangers of theological controversy: misrepresenting opponents, imputing uncharitable…

Martin uses the analogy of arguments in marriage to illustrate the danger of simply trying to win an argument rather than seeking the truth in theological controversy.

And you don't have to be married too long before you realize this third danger of entering controversy. We face the danger of simply trying to win an argument rather than trying to find the truth.

42:34 - 42:48 Read in full sermon

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