Book 9780461905175

Arguments, Derived From Sacred Scripture And Sound Reason, Exhibiting The Necessity And Advantages Of Infant Baptism: And Proving Sprinkling Or Affusion To Be The Most Scriptural And Appropriate Mode Of Administering It, Together With A Number Of Essays On Important Subjects Connected With Baptism by Benjamin Kurtz. This work defends infant baptism and argues for sprinkling or affusion as the scripturally appropriate mode of administering the rite. It opens with a Preface and proceeds through a multi-part treatise: (1) baptism in general, establishing baptism as a sign and seal of God's covenant and a formal recognition of church membership; (2) the church of God and the wider meanings of church membership; (3) arguments for infant baptism, including the Abrahamic covenant and the continuity of the church from old to new dispensations; (4) objections to infant baptism and their refutations; (5) a historical argument for infant baptism, drawn from family baptism and the status of infants in early Christianity; (6) a discussion of objections to infant baptism; (7) third argument on biblical passages supporting infant baptism; (8) fourth argument on ancient family baptism; (9) examination of objections to family baptism; (10) fifth argument on the uniform practice of infant baptism across history; (11) objections to infant baptism, including the Schtriken of Waldenses; (12) sixth argument on New Testament terms for children; (13-15) discussions on more technical aspects like baptism as a seal and the mode of baptism; (16-21) the mode of water application, and the case for affusion versus immersion, including a comprehensive critique of immersion; (22-23) the strong case for affusion and its relation to Christian simplicity, universality, and avoidance of scandal; (24) objections to affusion. The Appendix includes essays on related topics such as Sponsors at Baptism, Confirmation, and Baptismal Regeneration, and discusses the Westminster Assembly’s stance on baptism. The book combines theological argument, biblical exegesis, and historical survey to defend infant baptism and the practice of sprinkling or affusion as the normative mode.