Why Baptize Babies?

Answers in an Hour

by Mark Horne

If Reformed and Presbyterian churches claim to follow the Scriptures why do they still baptize their infants? Isn't infant baptism just another bad idea held over from the Roman Church? Where do serious Bible-believing Christians find support for this practice? In this book, Mark Horne provides brief but thorough answers to these questions. If you are looking for a quick introduction to the Reformed view of baptism and covenant membership, here is the place to start.

Genres: Theology, Ecclesiology

47 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2007

About the author

Mark Horne was born in Melbourne, Florida, but has also lived in Liberia, West Africa, and Kwajalein, Marshall Islands before graduating from high school. After graduating from Houghton College in Western, NY, in 1989, Mark worked for American Vision, Coral Ridge Ministries, and co-authored two books with George Grant. After living in Nashville, TN, where he worked as a writer/editor for Legacy Communications, Mark attended Covenant Theological Seminary here in Saint Louis and earned his M.Div. degree in 1998. Mark has pastored two congregations since his seminary graduation, and he returned here to serve as Assistant Pastor in January 2005. Mark is a prolific writer and the author of a layperson's commentary on the Gospel of Mark.

Reviews

[Booketeer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this. It is totally awesome. Trust me.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good stuff here. Horne does a great job explaining the reformed position on baptism. I commend this little work!

[Thomas Duell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, quick primer on the topics of baptism, the covenant, and God's glorious promises.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good primer on the subject from a moderately "federal vision" perspective. Rightly focuses on the theology of children across Scripture and not simply on the continuity of the broader covenant or the relationship between baptism and circumcision. Too often on both sides the theology of children plays minimal, if any, role in shaping the thought on the subject of baptism. Horne's pamphlet is a welcome exception.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, though brief, possesses greater depth and insight regarding baptism than some larger books on the very same subject.

[Bradley Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine. Even if you're unconvinced (as I am) by paedobaptism it will force you to evaluate how you treat children within the church. Necessary topic to cover. Those interested will need to continue beyond this one read, but it's a fine start.

[Jose Filho · Rating 5 out of 5]

O batismo atesta que estamos numa relação pactual com Deus, não necessariamente salvífica. Deixar as crianças fora dessa aliança é desconhecer uma das importantes implicações do reino de Deus aqui na terra.

[Lori Wann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, clear, and compelling.

[David Jamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Scriptural arguments, quite compelling.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to give to someone who is inquiring about membership in a church that baptizes babies. The book has many strengths:

1. it is short. This series of book is designed to be readable in one hour, and this one delivers in that department.
2. It is not simplistic. Proving infant baptism is not just a matter of pointing out various proof texts. He demonstrates the problems with such an approach and makes other helpful suggestions.
3. It is full of Bible. Horne takes the time to go through many texts of the Bible to show that baptism is what God requires.
4. Horne is not adversarial. He does not take a position of attacking other views, but one of friendly conversation. He presents enough material to convince the serious student of the Bible of his position, but he still allows that some people will not be convinced.

There are some drawbacks to this book, but they are very minor and would not hinder me from gladly giving this to a new person at my church:
1. There are a few cringe-worthy typos. The worst is this sentence on pg 53: "God has said merely implied but has explicitly said that he wants to eat and drink with our children as much as he wants to eat and drink with us." I think what Horne meant to write was "not" instead of the first "said." I had to read it a few times to figure out what that sentence was about. There are other places with similar problems.
2. I hate to bring this next one up, but it is one I feel compelled to make a note of. Mark Horne has been identified as a "Federal Vision" man. A lot of dumb things have been said about the so-called Federal Vision. The critics will likely assume this book is a treatise on how baptism gets you into heaven. Do not make that assumption. Because he's been identified that way, lots of people who would otherwise benefit from this book will be told to stay away from it. That's frustrating to me.

Get lots of copies and pass it out. It's worth discussing with new people.

[Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid outline of the reformed position on infant baptism. As much an argument for paedocommunion as paedobaptism (e.g. Appendix - "The Covenant Meal"), "Why Baptize Babies" not only argues for a particular understanding of the sacrament of baptism, but an understanding of the Church as covenantal community, both contemporary, historical, and eschatological.
Of course, the book is an apologetic presented to "baptists;" anymore, though, Presbyterians would do well to read this book as well, particularly those involved in the so-called Federal Vision controversy.

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horne gives a clear, brief definition of baptism. His approach is covenantal, and therefore, it emphasizes the continuity of the whole of Scripture. He does a particularly solid job of showing how the “age of accountability” argument has no significant Scriptural support. This is a helpful, easy-to-read introduction to covenantal baptism. And, whereas people often become arrogant or disrespectful when comparing one theological doctrine to another, I found Horne’s tone to be very warm and respectful towards people who hold to credobaptism as opposed to paedobaptism.

[Jonah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book with a robust, full-bodied understanding of the Old and New Testaments being the expression of one covenant of grace. I am a Reformed pastor and I have baptized babies, and while I was reading this I was attempting to assume the Baptist position looking for holes in Pastor Horne's argument. Well, I couldn't. To paraphrase B.B. Warfield, "God has placed children in the covenant and has nowhere removed them." Well done Pastor Horne.

[Dan Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good brief explanation of why reformed folks baptize their children as babies. Of course much more could be said about it but as a place to start, this is one of the better quick references out there.

[Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short introduction for paedobaptism from the covenantal perspective. This book is for those who don't understand why anyone would believe in paedobaptism. It is written with a very irenic tone.

[Emily Schatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A paedobaptist apologetic in credobaptist language. Extremely well done. Succeeded in changing our minds on the subject (or explaining to us why our minds had already been changing and motivating us to do something about it).

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than I expected for such a short book. It is certainly not comprehensive, but I thought this would be a good book to recommend to somebody as a fairly accurate summary of my views of paedobaptism.

[Jlnpeacock Peacock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book and one which we have used to good advantage with friends who have not understood our position. Mr. Horne explains the matter in a non-threating and clear manner.

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good!

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent overview of the paedobaptist position. Horne draws from a wider context of the Bible's teaching, rather than just focusing on a few verses.

[Payton Comis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was hard to understand. I will be reading this book again when I get older.

[James Aaron Kirkpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good summary, but I found the in-depth approach of "To a Thousand Generations" to be more helpful and informative.

[Grant Steiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. This book is a massive paradigm shift for me, so I imagine I will need to revisit.

2nd Time: Still good. More clear the second time.