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Infant Baptism

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brian100

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Infant baptism makes you a member of God's kingdom. The sooner you do it the better.

Like this:
I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. (pouring water over their head)

Mark 10
“Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God.+ 15 I promise you that you cannot get into God's kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” 16Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them.
 
Infant baptism makes you a member of God's kingdom. The sooner you do it the better.

Like this:
I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. (pouring water over their head)

Mark 10
“Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God.+ 15 I promise you that you cannot get into God's kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” 16Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them.

Hi brother

Welcome to our community. Glad to have you here.


Beautiful scripture.





JLB
 
Infant baptism makes you a member of God's kingdom. The sooner you do it the better.

I personally believe being born again makes you a member of God’s kingdom; ie believing and therefore obeying the Gospel message of the Kingdom Of God.


Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 1 Peter 1:22-23


Each child must decide for themselves whether they will follow the Lord Jesus Christ.


JLB
 
Its not whether they do (insert baptize kids) or not. Its the belief they shouldn't b/c that's an ominous warning?
 
Why are no children specifically baptized in the Bible?

That’s the million dollar question.

Because only those who believe the Gospel, believe that Jesus is Lord, the Son of the living God, are to be baptized in water.


Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
Acts 8:36-38


  • Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.





JLB
 
That’s the million dollar question.

Because only those who believe the Gospel, believe that Jesus is Lord, the Son of the living God, are to be baptized in water.


Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
Acts 8:36-38


  • Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.





JLB
I agree....here's one thing I learned along the way...
The Baptist dedicate an infant while the Presbyterians baptize....but for a different reason. The Presbyterians would say baptism has replaced circumcision as a symbol only. They do not believe the baptism saves the infant.
 
I agree....here's one thing I learned along the way...
The Baptist dedicate an infant while the Presbyterians baptize....but for a different reason. The Presbyterians would say baptism has replaced circumcision as a symbol only. They do not believe the baptism saves the infant.

Amazing. Just amazing.
 
Baptism brings us into the New Covenant.
In Judaism offspring were born into the covenant.
In Christianity offspring are born from above (John 3:5) into the New Covenant, a member of the Church, a member of God's kingdom as brian100 said in the OP.

And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.” (Acts 2:38-39 RSV)
 
Baptism brings us into the New Covenant.
In Judaism offspring were born into the covenant.
While I believe Baptism is an element in which we enter into the New Covenant, talking about Judaism can become just as complex as baptism.
For instance, the essence of Judaism comes through the mother while the identity comes from the father. If a non-Jewish mother marries a Jewish man, the child needs to go through conversion. However, if a Jewish mother marries a non-Jewish father, then the child is considered a Jew.
As for covenant, Circumcision was a sign of that covenant.

Baptism brings us into the New Covenant.
In Judaism offspring were born into the covenant.
In Christianity offspring are born from above (John 3:5) into the New Covenant, a member of the Church, a member of God's kingdom as brian100 said in the OP.

And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.” (Acts 2:38-39 RSV)

I think context is in order when talking about those in Acts 2. If we go back, we read.
Acts 2:13 But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.
Others in verse 13 were those who opposed and mocked. But who are these "others".
It is of note that they did indeed see the truth ("They are filled with new wine."), but they didn't understand it, so they mocked it.

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words.

Peter is speaking to a specific subset of Jews considered in verse 13 as "others". These "others" were of Judaea and Jerusalem.

And who might these "others" be. If we go back to the Crucifixion in Matthews accout, I believe we can shed some light on who these "others" were to whom Peter is addressing in Acts 2.

Matthew 27:24-25 So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it. And all the people answered and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

This gives us an idea why Peter says,
Acts 2:39 For to you is the promise, and to your children

If we look at Acts 2:38, I think it's good to note:
And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:39 points forward to the promise because Acts 2:38 points to the now. What we do now is important. But furthermore, each one of us needs to make a choice now which will effect the future.

Acts 2 is couched in Torah teachings, which the Jews understood well.

Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

But this is another teaching.
 
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Why are no children specifically baptized in the Bible?
Although there is no mention of a child by name, we don't know if they aren't. There are a couple places where Scripture speaks of whole entire households being baptized and not just those over a certain age or whatever.

In Acts 16:14-15 NKJV we can read about Lydia and her whole household being baptized.
14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.


In Acts 16:30-33 NKJV we can read about Peter and Silas' jailer and his whole house being baptized.
30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.


1 Corinthians 1:14-16 NKJV Paul talks about baptizing the household of Stephanas.
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.
16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
 
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Why are no children specifically baptized in the Bible?

Because it's a spiritually meaningless solution for a non-existent problem. Babies are INNOCENT, and there's NO SUCH THING as "Original sin". Adam's "Human Nature" never changed, and was identical to MY nature (And Jesus' nature, since HE suffered TEMPTATION just like me). On the other hand, it's a time for family to gather, play "dress up" and take pictures, so not a total waste of time. Since Dad was a Christmas and Easter Catholic, from a generational Catholic family, I was paedobaptised. And 20 years later when I was Born Again, and became a Christian, I was baptized Biblically.
 
Although there is no mention of a child by name, we don't know if they aren't. There are a couple places where Scripture speaks of whole entire households being baptized and not just those over a certain age or whatever.

In Acts 16:14-15 NKJV we can read about Lydia and her whole household being baptized.
14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.


In Acts 16:30-33 NKJV we can read about Peter and Silas' jailer and his whole house being baptized.
30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.


1 Corinthians 1:14-16 NKJV Paul talks about baptizing the household of Stephanas.
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.
16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.

That is a possibility...but you can't be dogmatic with it as the household may or may not have had infants in it.

When it comes to that argument for baptizing infants...it is neither here nor there.

Personally I have no problem with baptizing infants..or dedicating them. What I have a problem with is the theology that says babies must be baptized in order to be saved.
 
Because it's a spiritually meaningless solution for a non-existent problem. Babies are INNOCENT, and there's NO SUCH THING as "Original sin". Adam's "Human Nature" never changed, and was identical to MY nature (And Jesus' nature, since HE suffered TEMPTATION just like me). On the other hand, it's a time for family to gather, play "dress up" and take pictures, so not a total waste of time. Since Dad was a Christmas and Easter Catholic, from a generational Catholic family, I was paedobaptised. And 20 years later when I was Born Again, and became a Christian, I was baptized Biblically.
What a baby is tainted with is the results of the fall...a fallen nature. The imperfections we are born with now that we wouldn't have been born with if Adam didn't sin. For example the change to women that causes pain in childbirth.

Will a baby that dies go to hell? I don't think so and point out King Davids son.
 
What a baby is tainted with is the results of the fall...a fallen nature.

A Baby has exactly the SAME nature that you, me, and Adam (Before AND After the "Fall") did. Adam's nature never "FELL" He always had the SAME HUMAN NATURE Which followed exactly the conditions noted in James 1 for temptation that we (and Jesus with HIS Human nature) are still subject to right now. Adam's "ENVIRONMENT" changed (made subject to vanity) for his SAKE.
"Original Sin" is only another Augustinian theory, and has no merit. Infant Baptism accomplishes NOTHING.

BUT HEY!!!! At least the Roman Catholic Church doesn't teach "LIMBO" any more (like they did when I was young). That's progress.
 
A Baby has exactly the SAME nature that you, me, and Adam (Before AND After the "Fall") did. Adam's nature never "FELL" He always had the SAME HUMAN NATURE Which followed exactly the conditions noted in James 1 for temptation that we (and Jesus with HIS Human nature) are still subject to right now. Adam's "ENVIRONMENT" changed (made subject to vanity) for his SAKE.
"Original Sin" is only another Augustinian theory, and has no merit. Infant Baptism accomplishes NOTHING.

BUT HEY!!!! At least the Roman Catholic Church doesn't teach "LIMBO" any more (like they did when I was young). That's progress.
I gotta disagree...sorry. Adam fell and his eyes were opened....he changed. Mankind was cursed. Mankind has a sin nature added to them. There is none good.
 
Paedobaptism -A Catholic Perspective

Should babies/infants be baptised? The answer depends on whether baptism has some spiritual value. There is no point if it doesn't - for example if baptism is just getting wet, or just a public witness that a person has "accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour".

But if baptism has spiritual value then it is justified. Indeed Justification is the most important aspect of this.
The Council of Trent defines Justification as "being a translation, from that state wherein man is born a child of the first Adam, to the state of grace, and of the adoption of the sons of God, through the second Adam, Jesus Christ, our Saviour." (sess 6 Chap IV). That is a definition that I think many outside the Catholic Church will agree with.

According Paul in the letter to the Romans chap 5
12. "Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned"

Who was this one man? Adam.

Then verse 15-19 spell out the consequences for us all.
15. For if many died through one man's trespass………
16. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, ………….
17. If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, …………
8. Then as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men,………
19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,……


Adam's sin affected all mankind; it affected our nature and brought death into the world and we became separated from God and subject to condemnation.

"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." (1Cor 15:22).

When we are born we are "in Adam". We need to be "in Christ" because "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom 8:1)

Paul says in Eph 2:3 "we [Christians] were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
But in Gal 3:25 he says "for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God"

When we are "in Adam" we are "children of wrath" but when we are "in Christ" we are children of God.

That movement from being "in Adam", subject to death, subject to condemnation, being "children of wrath", to being "in Christ", made alive, brought out of condemnation, being children of God, is effected by baptism.

We are born "in Adam" but to have life we must be "born again", renewed, born by the Spirit in baptism (John 3:5, Ti 3:5).

When we are baptised we "put on" Christ (Gal 3:27); we become part of the body of Christ, and therefore children of God (1Cor 12:13); we become part of a new creation in Christ (2Cor 5:17); we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)

Jesus said "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God."(Jn 3:5) and yet he also says "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Mt 19:14)

All this is good and necessary for adults. All this is equally good and necessary for children.

All scripture quotes from the RSV
 
Infant baptism makes you a member of God's kingdom. The sooner you do it the better.
Infants do not need to be baptised. They can be anointed and dedicated to God there is a difference. Infants do not have a mind set and goals that they can achieve for example. Ask a infant what sins they committed that day, if we are not like children we will not enter into heaven.
 
Infants do not need to be baptised. They can be anointed and dedicated to God there is a difference. Infants do not have a mind set and goals that they can achieve for example. Ask a infant what sins they committed that day, if we are not like children we will not enter into heaven.

Baptism is the normative way to be saved for both adults and infants, as I think I showed above.
 
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