Reacting to "What David Bercot Believes About Infant Baptism" (Part I)

David Bercot wrote A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs and has produced many CDs which more often than not faithfully represent the beliefs of the Early Christians. David Bercot is at his best when he is on the same page with Scripture and the Early Christians, however he has unfortunately chosen to side with a recent sect called the "Anabaptists" over the early church on the subject of baptizing infants AND young children. David Bercot has a reputation for being the man who represents what the Early Christians believed, and while this is often true, this is not the case when it comes to infant baptism.
"For He came to save all through means of Himself - all, I say, who through Him are born again to God - infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old men. He therefore passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, thus sanctifying infants..." Irenaeus Against Heresies Book 2 Chapter 22

[@ante-nicenechristianity]

David Bercot wrote A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs and has produced many CDs which more often than not faithfully represent the beliefs of the Early Christians. David Bercot is at his best when he is on the same page with Scripture and the Early Christians, however he has unfortunately chosen to side with a recent sect called the "Anabaptists" over the early church on the subject of baptizing infants AND young children. David Bercot has a reputation for being the man who represents what the Early Christians believed, and while this is often true, this is not the case when it comes to infant baptism. "For He came to save all through means of Himself - all, I say, who through Him are born again to God - infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old men. He therefore passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, thus sanctifying infants..." Irenaeus Against Heresies Book 2 Chapter 22 12:15 Luke meant to say 'Sola Scriptura'

[@whenthelionreturns6255]

The entire argument that you have to be sinful BEFORE baptism is ridiculous. Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness and obey His Father.

[@holzmann-]

Good point.

[@whenthelionreturns6255]

Mat 18:10 KJV - 10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

[@NilsWeber-mb5hg]

Good verse brother!

[@whenthelionreturns6255]

This is a very good video. I take the middle position here. God desires a clean concience and a pure heart going into baptism- in fact, some in the early church would repent and follow in learning and testing for three and a half years before being baptized. HOWEVER, that is because they were sinners who had previously been unrepentant. We see partial baptisms in Acts 18 and 19, without the encompassing baptisms, for instance a lack of reception of the Holy Spirit. In these cases, yes, baptism can be partial and requires much "belief." BUT, a small child or an infant HAS a pure heart and a clean concience and therefore their baptism is acceptable to God, otherwise "ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE" there would have never been any reason for God to tell the Israelites to circumcise their sons on the eighth day as a sign. The Scriptures are not broken and neither are the early church fathers. The issue I believe is that cultural context and practical experience in the early church meant that everyone was in the same faith and the reception of the Holy Spirit was common... which is clearly NOT the case now. Error abounds and the remnant is clearly very small- one has to go searching for the reighteous. Bercot's statements are pretty shocking here in that he is essentially undoing all of his previous work, which is such a rich resource to believers in our time. He sounds like a reformation era skeptic. If someone started with this talk, they would have NO INTEREST in the rest of his work. Just because the church as a whole has long lost it's way, does not mean that infant baptism is wrong. Nor does it exclude "believer's" baptism. Christ takes all who would be in His name and serve Him and the body. This is a strange stance for Bercot to take. God bless you all for pointing this out.

[@NilsWeber-mb5hg]

I do consider your point, brother.

[@lynnmmartin]

Brothers, you speak as though you know David's "entire argument" even though you haven't heard his entire series. You claim to know his motivations, and that the only reason he could possibly believe credobaptism is because he's running from the evidence. You misrepresent his argument to make it sound like it would deny baptism from women. These are not the statements of those who are honestly assessing the actual position of their interlocutor. It damages your credibility to be so dismissive without even hearing the entire case. The truth of the matter is that David did not change his mind lightly. He reached paedobaptism having known about much of the evidence. He concluded credobaptism knowing more of the evidence.

[@ante-nicenechristianity]

Lynn, we sincerely believe that David Bercot is at odds with the historic faith concerning this issue. I invite you to a dialogue with us to give you the opportunity to fairly represent your side, and this dialogue can be either private or public (it's your choice). And if only speaking to one of us as opposed to the two of us would make you more comfortable we can accommodate. We want to prove that infant baptism is the historic and apostolic practice, and we would appreciate it if you would try to correct us if you believe we are truly wrong. My email is [e-mail]

[@NilsWeber-mb5hg]

@@ante-nicenechristianity Thank you. Children certainly can be baptized. The thing however is - even they must repent. Mark 16:16 shows baptism must be done if there is faith and repentance. Why baptize someone who does not repent of all sin?

[@AlphaStudios-lh1rz]

Brother Lynn, why do you restrict yourself to Anabaptist traditions? Please let them go and accept the faith of the earliest Christians.

[@lynnmmartin]

@@AlphaStudios-lh1rz I'm sorry, I don't recall saying that I restrict myself to Anabaptist traditions. I also don't remember saying that I don't accept the faith of the earliest Christians. Could you let me know where I said either of those things?

[@whenthelionreturns6255]

Luke's point around 29 minutes is crucial. It is about entering the Kingdom and putting away sin. God cares about freedom from sin and continuing in righteousness, not setting age limits on when sin is permissible. What a strange doctrine!

[@NilsWeber-mb5hg]

But even then it demands a life change. A child can change also, but children do not go to hell yet.

[@timstanford995]

David Bercot forgets that Christ himself was baptized. I'm shocked at how bad David's arguments are

[@ante-nicenechristianity]

Exactly, Christ was sinless. He showed that the Holy Spirit descends at baptism, and John the baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb as a precursor, to show that babies can be filled with the Holy Spirit, in case anyone denied it.

[@rogersiders3702]

Where would I be able to get a copy of "What The Early Church Believed About Infant Baptism" by David Bercot?

[@johnstodola1488]

Scroll Publishing.

[@whenthelionreturns6255]

27:56 Very good analogy.

[@whenthelionreturns6255]

26:20 100 percent

[@michaelblanks4284]

But if your beliefs teachings are opposite of what the scriptures teach your mislead

[@ante-nicenechristianity]

If you are opposing what the early Christians believed then you're probably misunderstanding Scripture.

[@michaelblanks4284]

@@ante-nicenechristianity not so I'm not misunderstanding the scriptures you've admitted in so many words that we're going to take the early Fathers as the interpreters of truth and that their interpretation of scripture makes everything clear but I'm going to base my belief system on the word of God itself through much Council not just of my own

[@ante-nicenechristianity]

@@michaelblanks4284 Your philosophy is, "I'll accept any counsel except that of the church fathers." You love commentaries, but not the ones that have true authority.

[@NIFBexposed]

You don't need to listen to Bercot, he is wrong on plenty of things. You can, however, read Tertullian's On Baptism and realize that Infant Baptism is incorrect.

[@ante-nicenechristianity]

We cover this in our Infant Baptism video on this channel, but basically Tertullian is not a good source for people like Bercot to use because Tertullian's reasons for postponing baptism are entirely different from any protestant. Tertullian recommends postponing the baptism of both infants and unmarried persons because he believes the baptism will take its intended effect, and if these persons (either the infant or unmarried person) should commit a mortal sin after they will not be able to receive a second baptism for forgiveness.

[@NIFBexposed]

@@ante-nicenechristianity I'm not sure where you're drawing those conclusions from. Overall, Tertullian admitted that baptism wasn't necessary for Salvation, and it would be an unnecessary way to put the parents in danger of persecution. "The delay of baptism is preferable; principally, however, in the case of little children. For why is it necessary--if (baptism itself) is not so necessary--that the sponsors likewise should be thrust into danger?" On Baptism, Chapter 18 Verses proving Baptism is not required for Eternal Life: "They (I think) followed Him who was wont to promise salvation to every believer. "Thy faith," He would say, "hath saved thee;" and "Thy sins shall be remitted thee," on thy believing, of course, albeit thou be not yet baptized." On Baptism, Chapter 12 "We have indeed, likewise, a second font, (itself withal one with the former,) of blood, to wit; concerning which the Lord said, "I have to be baptized with a baptism," when he had been baptized already...This is the baptism which both stands in lieu of the fontal bathing when that has not been received, and restores it when lost." On Baptism, Chapter 16 "If any understand the weighty import of baptism, they will fear its reception more than its delay: sound faith is secure of salvation." On Baptism, Chapter 18

[@NilsWeber-mb5hg]

@@NIFBexposed Hello brother. The Holy SPirit urges me to check on your channel, and it does look great!

[@yellowblackbird9000]

​@NIFBexposed Tertullian believed that you couldn't be forgiven after baptism which is why he wanted to delayed. He also recommended against baptizing unmarried people.

[@NIFBexposed]

@@yellowblackbird9000 "Tertullian believed that you couldn't be forgiven after baptism" Cite the passage.