In
1 Corinthians 1:14-16, we read of still another household: that of Stephanas.
“I baptized also the household of Stephanas.” Nothing more is told us of this
household until we come to 1 Corinthians 16:15, when we read: “Ye know the
house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have
addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” It might seem from this
latter Scripture that those in the household of Stephanas were old enough to
minister to, or, serve the saints, and so had passed the age of infants or
children: but the word used in Greek for the household of Stephanas in the
first chapter is a wider word, than that used of it in the 16th
chapter. This would intimate that all the house of Stephanas was baptized, but
only part, a narrower circle, perhaps excluding little children, addicted
themselves to the service of the saints. So once again the Scripture is
entirely silent as to who composed the household of Stephanas, and silent as to
their spiritual condition: Yet Paul himself baptized it. If we are wise we will
learn from these silences, as well as from what is revealed to us.
There
was nothing further from my thoughts when I began than to touch on the vexed
question of the baptism of our children; but in meditating on Scripture
households, it seemed hardly upright to either pass over this remarkable series
of households in the New Testaments, or to refrain from seeking to point out
what appears to the writer to be the evident intention of the Holy Spirit in recording
them in this particular manner for us. I know nothing of “infant baptism,” or
New Birth by Baptism, in the Scriptures; but I do not believe any true
Christian who believes the Scriptures can deny that the baptism of households
is plainly taught in the Word of God. They may not like it. They may not
believe in it. They may refuse to bow to it, as so many around us refuse to bow
to clear truths in the Scriptures that they cannot deny. But I do believe that
any honest Christian can say that the baptism of households, entirely apart
from any mention of their faith, is not plainly taught in the Word of God. O my
loved ones, May God give us grace not only to hear His Word, but also to do it.
See Matthew 7:24.
(Parts of the preceding are taken from “The Two Trees of Paradise;” and from “Christian Baptism”: both by Walter Scott.)