Baptism

you), though they might very well be admitted to live in the family of Christ
(as you have been), yet for as much as to fight in the Army of God, and to
discharge the duties of a Christian man or woman, to bring forth the fruits of
their religion and to do the works of the Holy Ghost, their time of ability was
not yet come, their Confirmation was deferred till they arrived to riper years
(as yours now is), that in the meantime they might be seasoned with the
principles of true religion (as we hope well you now are), and a good
foundation laid betimes for the better direction of your lives ever after."
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http://www.prayerbook.ca/crouse/writings/baptism_1.htm
Even the Roman Catholics have come to realize the usefulness of the order
and seperation as seen in the reintroduction of these in many dioceses.
(see:Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion by Martin J. Albrecht
http://www.wls.wels.net/library/Essays/Authors/A/Albrecht/ Confirmation
/Albrecht Confirmation.rtf)
Martin Luther's Historical Arguments
for
Infant Baptism
(For a short summary of Martin Luther’s other arguments see this summary
by Duerr)
Fruitful Church Argument
The presence in the world of millions of fruitful witnesses who were baptized
as infants is proof that God approves of infant Baptism and works favorably
and powerfully through it. If He opposed infant Baptism, the church would be
accursed and unfruitful, for God opposes that which is not of truth. The
present strength of the visible church is thus proof that infant Baptism
bestows the gift of the Holy Spirit to its recipients (Acts 2:28), and they are
made fruitful by the Spirit’s work.
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