Infant Baptism God's Ordinance

Infant Baptism God's Ordinance is Michael Harrison's systematic defense of the practice of baptizing children of believers. Writing in an era when Baptists were challenging this historic practice, Harrison marshals biblical, theological, and historical arguments to demonstrate that infant baptism is not merely permissible but positively commanded by Scripture rightly understood.

Harrison establishes his argument on covenant theology. He traces God's covenant dealings from Abraham through the present age, arguing for essential continuity. Just as children were included in the Abrahamic covenant through circumcision, so children of believers are included in the new covenant through baptism. The sign changes; the principle of family inclusion remains.

The biblical evidence receives thorough examination. Harrison analyzes household baptisms in Acts, the replacement of circumcision by baptism, Jesus' blessing of children, and apostolic practice. He argues that the absence of explicit command to baptize infants is matched by absence of prohibition—and the presumption from Old Testament practice and New Testament hints favors inclusion.

Theological arguments support the biblical case. If children were included in the covenant before Christ, excluding them now would diminish the new covenant rather than fulfill it. The new covenant is greater, not lesser, than the old. Excluding children from its sign would contradict the expansion of blessing that Christ's coming accomplished.

Harrison addresses Baptist objections systematically. Does baptism require conscious faith? He distinguishes between baptism's administration and its spiritual efficacy. Is there explicit command for infant baptism? The same could be said of women taking communion, yet no one doubts their inclusion. Each objection receives careful response.

For modern readers navigating baptismal debates, Harrison provides substantial material for reflection. His covenant theological framework, careful exegesis, and systematic argumentation represent Puritan paedobaptist theology at its best. Even those who disagree will find their own position sharpened by engaging his arguments.