Unbeknown Paedobaptist

Biology lessons have provided me an interesting topic to look at. We are looking at genetics with the hope of talking about the ludicrous theory of evolution in later lessons. Here is a guide to Chromosomes and Genes: the "bits" that make us what we are.

Imagine the human cell as a factory with the nucleus as the office of the factory.
As all interested people would, we want to take a look inside this factory office. On entering, we find a room full of filing cabinets. These filing cabinets have lots of drawers and inside the drawers are 100s of blueprints.
The large filing cabinets represent stick-like objects in the nucleus. The nucleus has 23 pairs (46 in total) of these stick like things. This is different to any other animal on this planet.
These stick like "things" are chromosomes. Chromosome can be split up into the Greek for "colour" and the Greek for "body". This is because they absorb different kinds of coloured stains under a microscope to show parts of the cell.
When a cell nucleus splits in half, one chromosome from each pair goes into each of the two nuclei, so that each new cell has exactly the same number of chromosomes. When the new cells are ready to divide each of them double the number of Chromosomes it has making a pair out of each original chromosome. The cycle repeats itself.
Having established that the filing cabinets are like chromosomes we look more closely at them. Each filing cabinet has a number of drawers. What do these drawers represent? Genes of course!
When genes join together chromosomes are made. Just as the drawers make up the filing cabinet, genes make up chromosomes.
Genes contain the instructions needed to "generate" us. They control different parts of the body.
Opening the drawers in the filing cabinet we see many pieces of paper in each drawer with plans or blue prints of the factory. These plans represent the humans DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) Molecules of DNA are what make our genes.
Intelligent ones amongst us will know that a molecule is a cluster of atoms. Take water for example. It is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. So one molecule of water is made of three parts.
The atoms in DNA are: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Phosphorous. There are numerous atoms of each kind in one DNA molecule. These atoms arrange themselves in a double helix or spiral.
In fact, DNA molecules can be compared to a spiral staircase. Just as a spiral staircase has two sides to it either side of the steps DNA molecules have two spiral staircases. There are steps in a staircase and that's what we can call the things that go in between the two spirals. In DNA the steps can be one of four different kinds. On the spiral staircase this could be represented as a Red, Blue, Green and Yellow step.
The steps can arrange themselves in any order. Imagine there were only 10 steps on a DNA molecule. Using the types of steps you can arrange them in 1,048,576 different ways (That took a while to work out). But there aren't 10 steps in a DNA molecule. In fact, there are thousands and it has been calculated that the steps could arrange themselves in 1000000000000000000 different ways.
The ways these steps are ordered act as a code or set of instructions to the body. As blueprints and plans give instructions the DNA give instructions to the cell.
So, we can break down the human body in this way.
DNA molecule OR Plans/ Blueprints
DNA molecules form a gene OR Drawers
Genes form Chromosomes OR Filing Cabinets
Chromosomes are kept in the nucleus OR Factory Office
The Nucleus is in the cell OR Factory
Many cells make organs OR Cities
Organs make organ systems OR Countries
Organ systems make organisms OR The world

The kind of body a human has depends on the arrangements in the steps of a DNA molecule. AND THESE THINGS ARE TINY.

Could this have happened by chance?
The bible says God designed it and I think its obvious that that's the only way.
If an explorer came across a city in an unexplored jungle an found factories, offices and plans, he would realise that it had been designed on purpose by someone.
A CODE AS COMPLEX AS THE ONE IN DNA COULD NOT COME ABOUT BY RANDOM MUTATIONS.
I urge you all to think carefully at the absurdity of the theory that is Evolution.
To believe in that is to have a religion. I have a religion: that is Christianity which recognises an all powerful creator who created man "very good". It also believes that man rebelled against God and deserves his never ending wrath. But that’s not the end of the story. This just, righteous God sent his own Son as a sacrifice for our sins so that he might bring sinners to himself. Think about it. Click on the link to "Ultimate Questions" and read that carefully.
The religion of evolution is tax supported and funded. Don't you think this is a waste of money.
In all areas it falls short of what the Bible has to say. Our government must be stupid.

My good friend Jon Mackenzie encouraged me to carry this on, especially as the camp website isn't working. (Camp Website being the website of Christian camp(ing) (holidays) in Wales. Not anything else you were thinking...)
Having just watched Pirates of the Caribbean and an enthralling performance by Johnny Depp I feel like giving my humble opinion on who should be the winners for the 76th Academy Awards tomorrow evening. (The important ones that is)
Actor in a Leading role: Johnny Depp
Director: Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings)
Best Picture: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
There we go, three awards that I would give out based on the nominations. The rest don't matter one iota to me.
Speak on Monday (perhaps)

It has been a long time since I last wrote anything. I have no excuses, except that I couldn’t be bothered. I realised there is more to life than “Blogspots”.
I do plan on continuing to write in the internet diary but not as frequently as I had done. What with constraints of working hard in preparation for my GCSE exams and doing other numerous things I do not think that I will be able to produce something worthwhile every evening. So, I will try and write an extract a week and see how that goes. I do not promise to reach any great witty or even intellectual heights but never mind. After all, there is more to life than Blogspots...
Hope that you find some interest in the perusal of this blogspot.
The activities I have managed to do over the past two weeks are listed below:







Goodbye for now.

Had quite a laugh today. As its Valentines day tomorrow (Saturday 14th) the gifts from school admirers had to be given today. Friday 13th. To all our suprise, Sohel got a gift every lesson (five in total). We were even told that the gift was genuine although I still wonder whether it was his dear Mum. So there we go, that was my Valentines experience at school. I didn't get anything but then again, it doesnt particularly bother me. I know that deep down they really know I am the bees knees.
Before my head gets too big I will tell you about the rest of thursday and friday. Thursday was the most boring day thus far ever experienced at school. But fortunately thats behind me as is Friday 13th. Statistics show that there are less accidents on Friday 13th (according to Richard and Judy). I completely agree. In fact, I try and do everything that is unlucky just to prove that the people who say things are unlucky are talking out of their bottoms.
English appeals to the imagination most at the moment. We were looking at the Challenger disaster of 1986 and Ronald Raegans speech afterwards. Fascinating. Anyway, Laters...

Wednesday, the very word for some reason is based on Mercury. Mercury was quick and eloquent. Bearing this in mind we will discuss my day (rather, you will read the assessment of my day)
The lessons crept slowly along. IT proved once again to be a let down subject. The already slow computers do not allow access to anything worth note. I am not allowed to visit my email inbox nor am I allowed to post messages anywhere. Wednesdays also means badminton club. Normally, this is an activity of enjoyment and pleasure. That is when I am playing well and producing Asian style shots. However, today, I ran and I missed, I ran and I missed etc. All I managed to do was get sweaty and annoyed. What a waste of an hour.
Fortunately, there was football to look forward to. Having been picked more for my dedication than for my skill and effort I was raring to go. The Sixth Form in our school had put out a strong team that would be likely to give us a challenge.
I played a good first half. In fact, I correct myself and say the first half I played averagely average. I did a few skills which got the crowd oohing and ahhing. But that was about it. I then got taken off at half time. We drew 2-2 having been 2-1 up at half time.
The main story relates all the the name Wednesday. I rediscovered my ability to be as fast as Maurice Greene but also the extreme lack of fitness. In that way you could liken me to a Cheetah. Quick, but not with the ability to keep going for more than 15 seconds. So that is the first part of the meaning of Wednesday. The second half is eloquence. To be honest, the only words I heard were swear words. The ref got the biggest amount of chat back and abuse ever seen by myself. The problem being, he wouldnt have got half the amount of abuse had he made good decisions. Mr. Nutt got fed up and called the game to a close half way through. Then he locked us in the changing rooms. So there we go. No eloquence but rediscovered speed. Wednesday personified.

If it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, and the animals entered in pairs at a rate of thirty pairs per day, how long did it take Moses to get all 720 animals onto the ark?

Detective Sergeant Smith turned up at the station slightly later than intended. He didn't start working, he just looked at his watch, sighed and went home. His chief wasn't a stickler for punctuality, so why the change in heart?

Today has been incredibly mediocre. The teaching was once again your bog standard comprehensive style and the topics covered proved to be no less than rubbish.
It was nice to do something easy in Maths (working with numbers) but apart from that the lessons didn't excite the imagination at all. Played a game of heads and volleys at lunch time in an incredibly smelly PE kit. The whole group were terribly appalling and succeeded only in getting cold and bored.
Biology was an interesting lesson. I managed to arrive on time and complete the work set. A "friend" of mine sitting two places along tried to tell me he was right when he said all the suffering in the world was God's fault. It is an interesting way to think but I would say its our fault that we have to suffer. We deserve it. Any ideas?!? Post a comment. He also claimed that the hole in the Ozone layer was God's judgment on Australia. The fool. Especially as a couple of weeks ago he tried to tell me there was no God. Sometimes people make the very blood of my body boil. When they are so stubborn as to ignore the blatancy of a God and just as much the blatancy of the total inability of man. Well coming up in Biology is Evolution. Should be interesting for a change...
Watched some program called "Crafty Tricks of War" presented by some man who has a tash to be proud of. Twas indeed a pretty good programme and they displayed an armoured BMW 7 series which was pretty flash.
So as you can see, the day was pretty boring really. However, I have been encouraged to read about suffering. In this instance, I feel I am going to read on the book of Job using a commentary by Robert Fyall called "How does God treat his Friends?". I'll see what that has to say.
There is still another puzzle to guess at. Tomorrow night I will put another one on for all you punters to guess at...

Tonight, I give you two. One is pretty straightforward. T'other is stupid. Ill let all you little people out there guess until you get it.
1. (Easy one) On the table is a carton containing six eggs. If six people each take one egg, how can in be that one egg is left in the carton.
2. For this one you will need an imagination....
One morning a petrol station attendant ran into the office the moment his boss arrived, and told him that the previous evening he had dreamt that one of the pumps had been leaking, causing a huge explosion. His boss was sceptical, but when he checked the pump in question,he indeed found a potentially-disastrous leak. He switched off the pump, and then sacked the attendant. Why?

Let me talk about a couple of new sounds creeping slowly, unsurely and poorly onto the music scene.
Firstly, the famous Simon Cliff. I know this young Sinner Songwriter from the days when he used to go on Christian Camps in Wales. Then, he used to have blond streaks in his hair. Since going to "Archibald" I hear he has become a bit wild :-)
In any case. His songs (which you can download from his website) are quite good. They have unbelievable lyrics. A taste would be "Take a little piece of advice: don't stand on your head for too long." Thanks Si great to know that it isn't sensible to stand on my head for half an hour (as if I could) Even though I might sound sarcastic I really do think that he has talent. He could go far I am serious. Donations go to me.
The second sound is a band. They are named "Leverton" obviously after my family. I mean for what other reason would you call your band Leverton. None of the surnames of the members is Leverton. I haven't listened to them. Don't think I can be bothered. If anyone can... give me your opinion of them. So there we go. Two new sounds that might interest you.

Did I actually, having posted a diary entry claiming I would go and do my GCSE ICT Coursework? To be honest, I didn't. As the head of Maths says, teenagers are all "Chronic Procrastinators" Maybe she was right. I guess the prospect of sitting making up names and addresses and putting them into a spreadsheet wasn't the most appealing of things.
Instead, I did a number of things. To be more accurate I did two things.
Firstly, I watched some of the BBC Dramatisation of Pride and Prejudice. Obviously, this is based on the book by Jane Austen which came second in the BBC Big Read. Having read the book (which is a great book) I am enjoying watching it come to life on the small screen. We watched the (in)famous "water scene". To be honest, I wasn't that impressed by it and still think Elizabeth Bennet is the best character for reasons which are numerous.
Having watched a little of that and feeling much the cultured gentleman I came back to my room and read a little from a book by Edward Donnelly entitled "Heaven and Hell" This is well worth a read for anyone serious about anything.
Sunday was a great day but it always is. Learnt what it is to be "Salt of the Earth" in the morning and did about "the maintenance of fellowship" in the evening service. Both encouraging and challenging sermons.
So, back to school today it was. Had an "interesting" "personal development lesson. That in itself is laughable. They think that what they have to say is of any benefit to me? :-) I laugh out loud... Anyway, what I was saying was that it was interesting. Some foolish lad was trying to justify the September 11th attacks. That sparked off a debate. We also covered asylum seekers, religion being higher than law and erm greed. Interesting to see that there is no-one who agrees with me on everything. In fact, I would say there is no-one who agrees with me on half the things I say. Never mind, at least they don't ignore what I say and push it aside as "your opinion not mine leave me alone".
Then there was our Christian Union meeting. The teachers were too busy to turn up so the three of us (in a school with no less than 1800 pupils) sat and decided how we could make it a better place to be.
There we go. What an amazing life I lead.... :-)

Not much has really happened today.
I would say that thus far I have done two things today. Firstly, sat around doing nothing and secondly walked around in the cold wind after a small white ball. The Golf was quite good fun although four hours out on the course is quite a long time. I played to my handicap (an impressive 24 over par) which is nice for a change almost getting a hole in one. The problem with that is that "almost" never gets remembered it happens all the time. Its terrible how in Golf one shot can be creamed whilst the following shot rolls along the ground for a short while, stops and then laughs at you.
I am now starving and soon will have some dinner. Then I have the delightful prospect of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) coursework. That will take a large chunk out of my evening.
When I come back I will write another puzzle on for all you intelligent people...

Here is a post where I require your cooperation. This is one of many puzzles I can give you from a little book that my Auntie gave me a while back. Unfortunately, they aren't that good. I need you to post me your suggested answers to this mind bending puzzles. I would encourage you to guess and not just Jon and Rich offer suggestions. You don't have to put your name if you are too embarrassed but just guess. It will be fun. You never know, you might guess correctly (that is if you are clever enough)
So here is an easy enough one to start off with...
Two Fathers and two Sons enter a shop and spend £1.50 each. The shopkeeper takes £4.50. What happened to the rest?
So come on, be daring, be the man (or woman, whatever takes your fancy)....

I know I have mentioned this before but new information makes it all the more interesting...
I remember telling you all about the Guardian Awards ceremony for the best of British Blogging.
I actually read it closely. This turned out to be only the second article I had read by the Guardian. The other one being for my GCSE mock exam. For reasons you will see later I think the Guardian is the best :-s...
The awards were for the following.
The Best Designed
The best use of photography
Best Specialist
The Best Written
All of these were quite impressive blogspots probably interesting reads and all well designed.
The best category was for the under 18s. Take a look at a blog that came close to winning.... if ever I saw a blogspot worse than mine this would have to be it. What a tragically shocking blogspot. And that nearly won...!!!
The winner was a pretty impressive blogspot well updated, well written, well presented and well just about everything else. Looking through I see he got given £500 for winning. Thats an impressive sum of money.
Well, I dont really care about any of that all I was interested in was seeing that they had loads of pictures on their blogspots. I guess one has to pay to have that feature installed. And I am not a man prepared to pay anything for this (I'm not really a man yet either) But if anyone does know how to be able to put on pictures without paying for it I would gratefully accept your help.
So there we go. Now we all know a little more about the yearly "Guardian Unlimited" awards... not that anyone cared.

A quote I read of Spurgeon goes...

"It is perfectly obvious that God chose me, because I know I would never have chosen him, and it is equally clear that he must have chosen me before I was born, for i know that he would not have chosen me afterwards!"

That is a delightfully succinct and meaningful quote. However, there is a little more to predestination than that. Some day I hope to understand it a little better.

John Bunyans (well known for writing "Pilgrims Progress") autobiography "Grace Abounding" is recommended. Our minister quoted from it both on Sunday evening and on Thursday evening also. I like it very much.

"But one day, as I was passing in the field, and that too with some dashes on my conscience, fearing lest yet all was not right, suddenly this sentence fell upon my soul, Thy righteousness is in heaven; and methought withal, I saw, with the eyes of my soul, Jesus Christ at God's right hand; there, I say, is my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or whatever I was a-doing, God could not say of me, He wants my righteousness, for that was just before Him. I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ Himself, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever (Heb. 13.8). Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed, I was loosed from my affliction and irons, my temptations had fled away; so that, from that time, those dreadful scriptures of God left off to trouble me now; now went I also home rejoicing, for the grace and love of God."

Now if you are Christian reading this, that has to be of some comfort to you...

Yesterday was parents evening. All my teachers love me :-). The only criticism that was put forward was that I was too keen and need to give the slower, more intellectually challenged members of the group have a chance.
My History teacher however told me the other day I shouldn't make incorrect ironic comments in the lessons because people actually believe them and write them down in their mock exams. For example... I would question all in good jest whether the "iron curtain" that Churchill described as cutting Europe in two actually blocked the sunlight out of western Europe. I also believe that people think that the temperature dropped in East Germany quite considerably immediately after the Russians took over it because they liked snow. As you can tell, I have one of the most intelligent History classes in the History of History lessons. The subject still rules while everything else continues to drool.
Apart from that, the week of school work has been pretty uneventful. Our German teacher appears to have mysteriously disappeared just when the work actually needs to be done properly. (It did mean she wasn't at parents evening.... what a shame). I played a bit of badminton winning almost every time which just goes to prove my all round ability at beating those who are not as good as myself. What I mean is, that I am just at the top of the bottom section of near talent....
So there we go, as you can see my life happens to be fit to bursting with interesting happenings. This actually seems enjoyable compared to the monotonies of "The Netherhall School" and "GCSE" grades.

In light of the Manchester City versus Spurs cup tie last night I want to know from you the readers what in your opinion the greatest comeback in the History of Sport has been....
Kevin Keegan certainly thinks that the comeback of his team deserves the award but then again "he was babbling away like the Keegan of old, happiness smeared all over his chops like a five-year-old on Christmas morning." Man City go into the tie not on the best of form. With a goalkeeper making his debut his first task was to take the ball out of the back of his net after Ledly Kings goal. By half time there were a number of problems. They were 3-0 down, the most in form striker in the premiership (Anelka) had limped off injured and they were down to 10 men. Come the second half and we all expect a few more spurs goals but rather we get no less than 4 goals from Man City to send them through happy and put manager Kev into ecstasy. Even if we wouldn't want him managing our team it is sometimes nice to see him in a delighted mood.
So that was a good comeback but surely there are better than that. What we have to think about is context. There are many. Maybe you wouldn't call the 1999 champions league a comeback but it was a remarkable victory. From being 2 minutes from defeat Manchester United turned the game round and won the champions league. That's impressive.
Football however has one great comeback that I feel wont be beaten. The Wayman family will be particularly delighted that it involves their team Charlton.
In 1957 they were playing Huddersfield and were 5-1 down with half an hour to go. Down to ten men as well they managed to come back and win the game 7-6. Now that has to be a great achievement and certainly a thrilling game to watch. Unfortunately it was just your bog standard division 2 match.
In June 1922 warwickshire were playing Hampshire in a game of cricket. 208 runs behind they were still made to carry on. Warwickshire were bowled out for 158 whilst Hampshire went on to score a mighty 521. Hampshire are also known for Headingly in 1981. Having been bowled out for a measly 15 runs they went on in the end to beat Yorkshire by 155 runs.
Athletics is represented by Lasse Viren a finnish policemen. In the 1972 Olympics he was racing in the 10,000 metres. Not really being in contention he was tripped by the Tunisian competitor in the final. However, he calmly got up and went to win in world record time. What a man....
Denis Taylor, how could we forget the cheeky small Irishman who won the 1976 snooker world championship against Steve Davis in the final frame on a respotted black having been earlier 7 frames to nil down...
Rugby World Cup Semi Final 1999. New Zealand All Blacks against France. The favourites at half time are 24-10 but the French put up a great struggle and go on to win in a momentous match 43-31. Fortunately the Aussies beat them in the final.
I have to mention Golf in here... Gary Player "the man in black" from SA was in the World matchplay championships at Wentworth in October 1965. After 19 holes (36 played in total) he was 7 down. Then playing remarkable golf he steadily came back. With three holes to play he had to win all of them to win the match. Guess what? He did :-)
In my opinion however, the greatest almost comeback goes to Jon Mackenzie whilst playing me at match play on the Keswick Pitch and putt. With it being only nine holes I was confident I could thrash him. After going 4 up after 4 holes it seemed a foregone conclusion. But no, the man from Winterly battled back winning the next four holes. With me shaking at the knees in the light of a possible "Giantkilling" I recovered myself on the 9th. However, we played that hole 3 times with Jon holing a monster putt from almost a mile away to halve the hole the first time. What a legend... Oh the memories :-)
Now you can give me some more examples of great comebacks in the Sporting World.

Having recently dug out an old CD entitled "Now 43". This has a few good songs on, most of them rubbish. The first song on CD2 is by Baz Luhrmann. Apart from having a great name his song has some interesting thoughts. Because my last post was quite long (I mean very long) I will give you a link to the lyrics and highlight some points of slight interest...
He says things like...
"You are not as fat as you imagine." - To be honest Idon't imagine myself as fat but to be nice to all you girls out there, its true, you aren't fat at all. Believe me and quit complaining please... or else I will have to be brutally honest with you. And that will not be nice
"worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum." - So the moral of the story is not to chew bubblegum whilst trying to solve an algebra equation. Or just not try and solve pointless algebra equations.
"Don't waste your time on jealousy" - This is for all those people who struggle to comprehend people who are slightly camp, drippy, quiet and yet are not confined to the geek bin.
"Be kind to your knees you'll miss them when they are gone." - What I want to know is what would life be like without knees?
"Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly." - All those who feel ugly must read beauty magazines. All those who are really ugly and read beauty magazines never show their faces out of doors. I find the principle applies to Golf Magazines too. Reading them makes me realise my total inability at the game and wonder why I persevere. So jus don't read any magazines.... they will only make you feel bad about yourself, pretty bad if theres reason already to feel bad about yourself :-(
"Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will
look 85." - Something I am sure almost everyone (except me) must heed. The problem being my hair looks 85 already. Lets just hope don't recede.
don't really think the man or his songwriters have a clue about anything but some interesting thoughts can be drawn from the lyrics...

Every gospel doctrine has its roots in the Old Testament. The same is with baptism. God saved Abraham by grace through faith. He then made a covenant with Abraham a mere human being. Circumcision became the sign of the covenant. (Genesis 17:11). Circumcision is a sign of outward cleanliness which denotes inward spiritual cleansing. (Deuteronomy 30:6). Circumcision did not save just like baptism does not save. The most remarkable thing about circumcision is the fact that it was also to be administered to the infants of the household. (Genesis 17:12)
Jesus told his disciples to baptise those who turn to him. (Matthew 28:19) Baptism is to be applied with water. In biblical baptism the water is applied in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Like circumcision baptism is a sign of inward spiritual reality. It also means being set apart for a holy life. It does not mean that we are saved by baptism. Our sins our cleansed by the blood of Christ alone and our lives are made holy by being born again.
Looking at baptism in this way it appears that believer’s baptism is the only way. But to say peado baptism is unbiblical is not really true. Look at the instances of families not only individuals being baptised. Lydia was baptised by Paul but also her family. (Acts 16:15) The writer goes out of his way to talk about her household being baptised. You can’t just say that he doesn’t mean the children also. Lydia was the only one saved so why were the whole family baptised? The same can be said for the unknown Philippian jailor. (Acts 16:33-34) You can’t really say that Paul made a mistake there. It would have said so because all scripture is useful. If Paul had made a mistake then in being useful scripture would have said that Paul was wrong in doing so. Paul even goes on to write about the baptising of Stephanas household in 1 Corinthians 1:16.
Circumcision is fulfilled by baptism. God always finishes what he begins. Looking at the life of Jesus we see him completing and fulfilling many vows and promises in the Old Testament. The sacrifices were fulfilled by Christ’s death on the cross. The examples I could use are numerous. The same is for baptism. It fulfils circumcision.
Throughout the Old Testament we see the regard God has for the children of his people. We are told that Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord and yet his sons came on with him. Yet again, we can look to the covenant made with Abraham and how God includes his children. Look at 1 Kings 11:11-12 where we see even though Solomon sinned God waited until after Solomon died to divide the kingdom, not because of any good in him but rather because he was David’s son. Another example would be the conclusion of the second commandment… “for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” Psalm 103:17 also shows us that God loves the infants of believers. You may say all these are examples of the children of parents in the Old Testament and you are right but God is the same God and the New Testament is just as full of God showing love to the children of infants. Matthew 9:18-26 shows us Jairuses daughter being brought back from the dead. Jesus did not do this because of her faith but rather because of the faith of her Father. Other examples like this can be found in… Matthew 17:14-18, Luke 7:11-17, John 4:46-54. Look at the account of Zaccheus. He showed faith in Christ and made all those excellent promises. What did Jesus say to him? “Today salvation has come to this house.” Jesus could have said “Today salvation has come to Zaccheus” but he particularly mentions the household.
When Peter says believe and be baptised he goes on to talk of how the promise is for their Children as well. (Acts 2:39)
Words which to me are most striking are those in 1 Corinthians 7:14…. “For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.”
In those words sanctified obviously does not mean saved. Rather sanctified means “set apart”. The wife is viewed in a special way by God because of her husband’s faith. So why then, if we can use these words to say that infants of one believer should be baptised why do we not baptise the unbelieving wife? As an adult, she is responsible for her own profession before the Lord. The infant stands in his father’s faith, unable to make his own profession, but bearing the mark of his father’s faith upon him, which calls him to his Lord in his earliest years.
So if God is the same God in both testaments then why should his promise and sign of covenant faithfulness change? Baptism replaces the sign of circumcision but God’s promise of covenant faithfulness remains the same. Why then shouldn’t baptism be applied to the infants of believers just as circumcision was?
This leads us onto thinking about the covenant home. We know that baptism doesn’t save and to have your child baptised does not mean you can sit back and relax. “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”(Genesis 18:19) This verse speaks not of the insurance that God would automatically save Abraham’s son but rather circumcision was a sign of a covenant that Abraham would raise his son in the Lord, and that God would have regard for him.
When parents baptise their children they answer this question….
Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavour to set before him a godly example, that you will pray with and for him, that you will teach him the doctrines of our holy faith, and that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?
When parents remember the sign of salvation applied to their children, it is a call to raise them as God directed.
I have been baptised obviously as an infant. When I think of it, I look on it as a sign of my parent’s faith. It is a call and a command to me to repent of sin and follow Jesus.
So to conclude why I think baptism is to be administered to the infants of believers (I am not trying to convince any of you just trying to show you the reasoning behind paedobaptistic thinking.
It is our belief that the Bible teaches that the sign of salvation is to be applied to the children of believing parents. In the old testament, circumcision was the sign. In the New Testament baptism is the sign. The baptism of infants of believers shows that they are set apart in the eyes of God.

Now obviously there are a number of objections raised by Baptists and here I will explain a little what is thought about the objections.
You may say that infant baptism is not biblical. The thing is, it is not expressly said in the bible that paedobaptism is wrong and should not take place. Also there are three accounts in the New Testament of whole families being baptised. It is reasonable to suggest that infants in the household were included and that indeed there were infants.
It is objected that infants cannot understand the meaning of that which is dispensed. Of course they cannot but that is not to say that they derive no blessing from it. The same objection would apply to circumcision in the Old Testament. To be in the channel of Gods grace is of deepest consequence and infants are put into that when they are baptised.
It is a weighty argument that there are those infants who are baptised and do not come into a saving relationship with Christ. That is sadly true. However, the same objection could be raised with believer’s baptism. There are many people who are baptised and yet show no signs of being a Christian.
You may claim that the difference between circumcision and baptism is great. After all baptism is for both genders whereas circumcision was just for males. But baptism has replaced circumcision as a divine institution and the argument still remains that Gods covenant of salvation did not change.
Why are not infants who have been baptised not allowed to the Lords table?
Baptism signifies and seals what lies at the basis and inception of a state of salvation, union with Christ, cleansing from the pollution of sin and cleansing from the guilt of sin. It signifies what infants may possess and must possess in order to be in a state of salvation.
The Lords Supper signifies something that is consequent upon the state of salvation. The notions of the Lords supper such as remembrance, communion and the recognition of Christ as our saviour are of such a nature that they involve conscious intelligent understanding.
Baptism is not repeated. The Lords supper represents what is repeated daily in the life of a believer.

Well, that’s a little about the subject of paedobaptism. I must say however, that baptism although an issue of importance should not bring the church at loggerheads with each other. We are one and have to aim to bring about Gods glory. Arguing about baptism is not doing that….
Thank you for reading so attentively….(or not as the case may be)

What more could "the masses" ask for?
It is now possible to comment on the posts that I make.
If you out there are a little shy well dont worry I'll post to myself :-)

"Chemistry is a class you take in high school or college, where you figure out two plus two is 10, or something."
- Dennis Rodman, NBA Basketball player, on Chicago Bull's team chemistry being overrated
Dennis Rodman, theres a man I don't envy. A sporting icon because of his erratic skills on the basketball court and yet a man who I am pretty sure is still learning how to feed himself.
"Sure there have been injuries and deaths in boxing - but none of them serious."
- Alan Minter, Boxer
Here again, the world of sport sets forth its claim for being the most intelligent bunch of people on the planet.
"You guys line up alphabetically by height."
- Bill Peterson, Florida State football coach
If anyone can tell me some day how this is done I would be indebted to you for the rest of my life...
The same man also said....
"You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle."
- Bill Peterson, Florida State football coach
I think this man is a Cambridge graduate. He has bucketloads of intellect.
"I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father."
- Greg Norman, Golfer
I hate laughing at a golfing great but the way he speaks publicly makes me wonder....

In looking at these quotes I have to conclude that the sum total IQ of our sporting heroes must be less than that of a man like John Nash. Congratulations to all the Sporting Icons of the world I just beg of you one thing, never to engage me in conversation or else I fear that I would cry...

"Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star:
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet, I was wounded by the archers, spent.
Leaned me against the tree to die, and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yes, as the master shall the servant be,
And pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole. Can he have followed far
Who has no wound? No scar?"

In the light of recent events I do not feel in the slightest in a humourous mood but rather would like to question us all on our priorities. (Really I am questioning myself but feel free to ponder the matter to.)

The sermon last night was on Romans 8 :29-30. Reading through verses 28-32 this morning I was struck by how much God cares for us.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

These words in and of themselves are comforting but when we step back and think what we truly are and how we have rebelled against God it is even more striking. God is a God who made the very heavens. He created the cosmos and more than that he rules over it. How insignificant this makes us look. How great does it make God look. Coupled with that, we have sinned and rebelled against God. We are foul sinful creatures in the eyes of almighty God. And yet, God can still promise all of these things out of love for us. We deserve nothing less than his wrath and yet we are watched by God in all we do every move we make. He has numbered the very hairs on our head.
So why is it that God is often shunted to the side in our lives? Why do we worry about small matters when we should be worrying about the glory of God and bringing that about? Why are we not constantly trying to conform our ways to Christ? Why do we read words like these and accounts in the bible and not stop and wonder at Gods altogether goodness, sovereignty and power?
Thinking through this certainly leaves me ashamed and upset at the way I am. However, nothing will change unless we ask for Gods help and strength which he has promised to all his people.
I'll leave this post with the words of a modern hymn by Stuart Townend. It reminds us of Gods ultimate show of love to hell deserving sinners by sending his son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and bring us into union with him.

"In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live"