CON Bible Study Outline 2025 – Study Week 7(Initiating the child 3)

The reign of God: Children and the Kingdom of God – SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY

Date: Feb 16, 2025

Sub Theme: Initiating the child (3)

Topic: Infant Baptism

Text: Acts 16: 15, Acts 16:33; Col. 2: 11-12

Aims

• to explain infant baptism,
• to relate baptism with circumcision and
• to expatiate on some biblical bases for infant baptism

Introduction

“Paedobaptism,” also called “Christening in some Christian tradition, is the practice of baptising infants. The baptism of infants is believed to be the New Testament typology of the Old Testament doctrine of circumcision as enshrined in Col. 2: 11-12. Children were part of God’s Covenant as seen in the Bible (cf. Gen. 17: 7; Deut. 29: 10-12; Acts 2: 38-39). Likewise, baptism is the seal of this New Covenant in Christ, as it brings cleansing from sin and acceptance of children into Christendom which circumcision signified.

Study Guide

1. What is your understanding of infant baptism?
2. From the following passages, discuss biblical basis for infant baptism. Gen 17: 7; Acts 16: 14-15, Acts 16:32- 33, and its connection to circumcision; Col. 2: 11-12
3. As a Christian, how can you justify infant baptism? Matt 19: 13-14; Acts 2: 38-39; Rev 20:12.
4. Does baptism automatically lead to heaven? Discuss in line with righteous upbringing in preparing our children for the kingdom of God. Acts 21: 8-9; 2Tim 1: 5-6.

Conclusion

Infant baptism is one of our many rich heritages as a church. Even though it is not a license into the kingdom of God, but a reception of children into the Christian fold through confession made on their behalf by their godparents. Therefore, we must encourage Christian parents not to deny their children this all-important opportunity of having them initiated into the Body of Christ.

Food for Thought

Quick eradication awaits any religion without children

Memory Verse

Acts 16: 33: “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptised at once, with all his family.”

Watch this week’s CON Bible Study Outline 2025 on ACNNTV YouTube Channel.

Partner with ACNNTV

Help us reach the world with the undiluted Word of God. Make donations through our website or via the details below:

Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion ACNN Account
Account Number: 1016868363 (Zenith Bank)

Thank you for joining the Kingdom Partners today.