LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW - Brock University

20 LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW IX
Thus we see that the effect of Baptism is citizenship in the Christian church
and therefore also the beginnings of the working of the Holy Spirit in the
life of the individual. 27
INFANT BAPTISM
The question of infant baptism was not so pressing in the nature of the
Prussian Union church for which Schleiermacher wrote, since both parts of
the new union had previously practised it. Nevertheless, as one who viewed
denominational differences as temporary, Schleiermacher had his eye on a
large branch of Christians who did not practice infant Baptism. So he
devoted one proposition to the discussion of that which divided Lutherans
and Reformed from the Baptists.
Considering paedobaptism within the sphere of the church, he notes
first that in order to be considered a complete Baptism, paedobaptism
presupposes the need of confirmation. Confirmation cannot be ignored; that
would make the previous Baptism of the child sinful, since the officiant
would knowingly have baptised one who did not believe. But
Schleiermacher holds that there is a place for paedobaptism provided that
confirmation is kept in view as that which completed Baptism. Earlier, in his
first proposition dealing with Baptism, he said that Baptism and conversion
have a dual relation. Since this is so, the church must have a dual strategy.
This relationship may be exhibited in this way:
Person’s condition
baptised but unconverted
converted but unbaptised
Church’s goal
conversion
Baptism
Infants who are baptised fall under the first category. Confirmation should
not be seen as a separate sacrament but rather as the natural completion of
paedobaptism. 28
Those who have not held to the necessity of infant Baptism should not
be anathematised by those who have; Schleiermacher seeks to remove the
27 The word “beginnings” is not used here in a temporal, but in a logical sense.
Compare The Christian Faith 632: “… it may be said that even if faith is not yet present at
the time of baptism, yet it will arise not merely after baptism, but—baptism being the first
item in the whole series of influences which the Church brings to bear on the baptized—
through baptism.”
28 Schleiermacher, The Christian Faith 633, 636ff.