
Credo Podcast Why I became Anglican: The Sacrament of Infant Baptism
Mar 23, 2026
Michael Bird, Anglican priest and New Testament scholar who moved from a Baptist background, explains why infant baptism fits covenant life. He traces influences from patristics and the Book of Common Prayer. Short segments explore household baptisms in Acts, typology with Exodus and Noah, the sacramental role of baptism, and how tradition and corporate identity challenge modern individualism.
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Michael Bird's Path From No Baptism To Anglican Priest
- Michael F. Bird shares his journey from being unbaptized, to Baptist believer's baptism, to attending Presbyterian churches, then becoming Anglican and ordained.
- Reading the Book of Common Prayer and patristics revealed Anglicanism's blend of catholic heritage and Reformation recovery.
Covenant Logic Supports Infant Baptism
- Bird argues covenant continuity makes infant baptism logical because the Old Covenant included children via circumcision and household participation in Passover.
- He also notes Peter's promise in Acts 2:39 explicitly extends to 'your children'.
New Covenant Promise Doesn’t Require Instant Regeneration For All
- Bird distinguishes types of Spirit-activity across eras, saying Jeremiah's prophecy doesn't demand every member be visibly regenerated now.
- He allows the Spirit operates variably: filling, regeneration, common grace within covenant communities.






