You are conlfating baptism with circumcision and that is not so.
Not conflating, but baptism has replaced circumcision as the sign and seal of the covenant. Conflation is a
merging of two different concepts, and replacement is a
discontinuation of one for the other. You know that. If something is replaced, it is impossible to conflate those two things, because the one does not exist anymore.
House holders were those considered adult members and that was aound 12-13 years old as the cite I showed you.
You showed me your opinion, Ronald. Which is fair enough, but still only your opinion. No, in Jewish culture, a patriarch's household consisted of all human beings associated with that household, which included all blood relatives, certainly, but even servants and slaves.
There is a difference between how 21st century and 1st century considered members of a household.
Sure, but we should hear all Scripture as the original hearers heard it and apply it to our lives today. And we can do that. Yes, housekeepers and such would not be considered part of a household today, only immediate family. But that's just a societal structure difference, even an American difference. Still, though, what people knew and understood 2000 years ago can be synthesized and applied in our lives today.
So do you buy the Mormons getting baptized for all people.
Mormons believe as you do regarding baptism, Ronald, at least to some extent. Now, I don't know if you believe this or not, but they believe that infants are born without sin and do not require baptism. But they do believe that they should be baptized when they are eight years old, as that is what they deem to be the age of accountability. They are wrong on both counts...
According to your premise, all people then will get saved for they are doing it in faith.
No, the believing parents of infants are trusting, in faith, that God will work at some point in the child's heart and, again, bring them, through faith, to belief in Jesus.
But He may not... Now that may be hard to accept, but this is His purpose of election... God is God, and He does what He does, for His own glory. The
juxtaposition of this is also true, that He may choose at some point to work in the heart of persons who were born to
unbelievers, giving them new birth in the Spirit and, through their faith, bring them to belief. Again, God is God, and He does what He does, for His own glory. He has mercy and compassion on whom He chooses. As Peter says,
"the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself."
Baptism is for one who believes.
Well, yes, but also for children of believers, even infants, who may not yet believe but have parents who believe that God will one day work in the hearts of their children and draw those children to Himself and then will then believe, because they are children of the promise. Just as Isaac was to Abraham and Sarah thousands of years ago. Neither Old Testament circumcision nor New Testament baptism are actual conferring of salvation or salvific. Only God can do that... by baptism
by the Spirit, which occurs at the time of new birth of the Spirit. Only the latter is effectual unto salvation.
All these show one has to believe first! and that comes with age.
They show that if one believes, then he or she should be baptized... as an outward sign to all of his or her belief and faith in the Lord... if he or she has not been baptized up to that point. That you agree with, but this baptism is also for his or her entire household and not to be denied or withheld from anyone or any reason, even age or ability to believe. Think of this outward sign this way, that this water baptism, though it is not conferring of salvation on that person (baby), God is writing a "check," if you will, to the parents ~ this is His "promissory note" ~ that He will "cash" at some point in the future and therefore justify that person in his or her sin and give him or her, in His mercy and compassion, new birth of the Spirit (Romans 8, Romans 9, Ephesians 2, 1 Peter 1), at which point that person will be born repent and believe in Christ Jesus. Again, though, He may or may not do that... according to
His purpose of election; He may or may not have...
"chosen that person from before the foundation of the world... according to the purpose of His will" (Ephesians 1).
You cannot find aqn explicit verse like these that says babies are to be baptized (not sprinkled).
Now who's making an argument from silence? <
smile> But again, I will say that much more of a case can be made, Biblically, for sprinkling as opposed to immersion, but I will also say the mode of baptism ~ immersion or sprinkling or anywhere in between ~ is not of great import, but only doing it... or having it done. Either way, it is an
outward sign and seal of the covenant... just like circumcision was in Old Testament times, as I have said.
Grace and peace to you, Ronald.