Infant baptism

Some church denominations belief that infant baptism by sprinkling water on the infant's forehead is an acceptable form of baptism. For example:

[baptism] may be administered by pouring or sprinkling water on the head of the person being baptized. -- Worship in Section W-4.0401 (Presbyterian Church)

the Minister shall take water from the Baptismal Font and pour it three times upon the head of the child saying... "I baptize thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." -- Book of Common Prayer (Anglican/Episcopal Church)

"Baptism is to be administered by washing with water, by the minister, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is done by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person." -- Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 28, paragraph 4)

Some theologians argue that you do not even need to use physical water at all to be "baptised" as they would quote:

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. -- Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV)

They argue that:

  • Christ teachings is powerful enough to save (which contradicts John 5:39-40)
  • "washing of water" is symbolic and not a physical act (which contradicts Matthew 3:5-6, Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:5, Acts 8:26-38)
  • baptism by immersion in impractical in some desert areas, therefor it would be unfair to have such a requirement (however the bible never states that baptism requires a river - oasis, dams, springs and even water tanks could also be used)

Some would quote:

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. -- Ezekiel 36:25 (ESV)

The Hebrew word translated as "sprinkle" is "zaraq" which means could mean "sprinkle", but also "toss" or "throw" according to Brown-Driver-Briggs.

God did not institute infant baptism. He simply stated that he would like to toss water on Israel so that they could "be clean from all their uncleannesses".

Some confuses the sprinkling of water at "baptism" with the sprinkling of blood at priestly sacrificial services (Exodus 29:21; Leviticus 14:7). For example they would quote, these scriptures to support their sprinkle "baptism":

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have ta great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. -- Hebrews 10:19

or

Behold, bmy servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.
As many were astonished at you — his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind — so shall he sprinkle many nations. -- Isaiah 52:13-15 (ESV)

Both cases refer to the blood of Christ, not the way he baptised people as Jesus baptised nobody (John 4:2).