[dwashbur]

jlisenbe
I don't remember when I became a Christian. I do not remember a time when I wasn't.
I have no doubt that's true, but I think we would agree that you were not born a Christian, nor became a Christian at 6 months. There is an issue of volition involved here that infants are not capable of. I tell the guys at the rehab that it's somewhat like agreeing to heart surgery. The surgeon does the work, but I have to recognize my need and get on the table.

I don't remember getting on the table. Last thing I remember was being on a gurney.

- Sir Nitpick

Sorry, I can't always control him.

I agree. I made a decision somewhere along the way. I was just so young I don't remember it. I get a vague flicker of something now and then, but to me it really doesn't matter. I know the result, that's good enough for me.

[Wondergirl]

God isn't capable of beginning the work of faith in a young child, even in an infant?

[jlisenbe]

I get a vague flicker of something now and then,

I'm afraid that happens to me a great deal more than when I was younger.

[jlisenbe]

God isn't capable of beginning the work of faith in a young child, even in an infant?

That's not really the question. The question more concerns how God works, and there is nothing in the Bible to indicate God works at all in that way. To suggest otherwise would be to think contrary to what you yourself said earlier. " Infant baptism has more to do with the sponsors/godparents and the baby's parents than anything going on inside the baby's heart and soul."

[Wondergirl]

Does God begin the work of faith in a young child, even in an infant?

[jlisenbe]

The Bible does not seem to indicate that, or at least not that I know of. At least not in the sense that you seem to be thinking of it.

[Wondergirl]

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:14–15)

[jlisenbe]

That says nothing about an act of faith beginning. It simply says that the children (not infants) should be allowed to come to Christ, and that the Kingdom belongs to those with child-like faith.

[Wondergirl]

with child-like faith...the act of faith has begun!

[jlisenbe]

But not in an infant. Infants do not have faith, child-like or otherwise.

[Wondergirl]

But not in an infant. Infants do not have faith, child-like or otherwise.

Ah, you're not a parent!

And God certainly isn't powerful enough to begin to create faith in an infant! Nooooo!!!

[jlisenbe]

I'm a parent and a grandparent. If you want to believe that infants can have faith, then go for it. You will belong to a justifiably very small club.

[dwashbur]

Wondergirl
Does God begin the work of faith in a young child, even in an infant?

Please expand and develop what that means.

[Wondergirl]

An infant looks expectantly at a parent (usually the mother) to feed, to amuse, to clean up a dirty diaper. That faith continues to be the case as the baby matures. God has planted within that baby the need for love and care -- those seeds of faith in someone who loves us in our dependency, that is, the basis of faith in Jesus.

[dwashbur]

Wondergirl
An infant looks expectantly at a parent (usually the mother) to feed, to amuse, to clean up a dirty diaper. That faith continues to be the case as the baby matures. God has planted within that baby the need for love and care -- those seeds of faith in someone who loves us in our dependency, that is, the basis of faith in Jesus.

Well said. Thanks. Most "free church" denominations (as opposed to liturgy-based) do what they call baby dedications. We did it with all three of ours. Before the church the parents declare that the child will be raised to know and love Jesus and to receive him at an early age. Your description of baptism sounds similar, only with water. They reserve baptism for the time when the person actually makes a public declaration of faith.

I got to baptize all three of my daughters. Still one of the greatest privileges of my life. And the fact is, as they've grown up, they've taught me more about being a Christian than I ever taught them.

jlisenbe
But not in an infant. Infants do not have faith, child-like or otherwise.

They trust the large person in their range of view to do everything for them, all they have to do is cry. Infants have nothing but faith.

[jlisenbe]

They trust the large person in their range of view to do everything for them, all they have to do is cry. Infants have nothing but faith.

That's not what is being talked about. It is one thing for an infant to have faith in a parent. It's an entirely different matter for an infant to have, as WG claims, saving faith in Christ. What you are describing in infant dedication is quite different from what she is insisting took place with her in infant baptism. They are as different as night and day. Ask her if you need to. She has posted it on a number of occasions. Here, for instance.

To Hell with Hell!!! - Page 8 (askmehelpdesk.com)

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showpo...&postcount=165

[Wondergirl]

Why are you limiting God's love for each of us and His power to become part of us even when we are infants?

"'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty." Zech. 4:6

As that baby matures, it will gain "the fruit of the Spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Gal.5:22-23

[jlisenbe]

You could also accuse me of limiting God's power to turn grasshoppers into spaceships. It's not an issue of what God can do. It's an issue of what God's Word says He will do, and what His Word says, He accomplishes by His Spirit. But you can't just proclaim your own desires and then attach them to God. It doesn't work that way.

[Wondergirl]

You've never watched an infant grow and mature in the Spirit's love and grace? I have at least twice with my own sons.

[jlisenbe]

I've never seen an infant born again by exercising faith in Christ and neither have you, but if you want to hold on to that idea, then be my guest.