Infant baptism

[Leonard]

TOO ALL:

I just reread my reply here. I hope I have not been mean these last days. I've been quite ill, and forced to spend most my time with doctors, who seem to be stymied, and who do not indicate anything very appetizing for my future.

Blessings upon the Household of God.

[Work in Progress]

My question to you is this:

Is it possible (seeing as how others were baptized after they accepted Christ) that infant baptism served as a symbolic offering to God whereas baptism as an adult served as an example of what God had done in their lives, thus making both viewpoints valid?

Much like "infant dedications" that go on in many baptist churches?

Now, that, you will find no Scriptural reference for.

I did that with my first two, as that is all I knew and was taught was "right". It was only later that I studied Scripture for myself about all of it - and then had all four of my children baptized, in obedience to God's command and covenant.

[apothanein kerdos]

Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

A very insightful question, Super Jew. Perhaps, but this too would be a view only propounded in very recent times. Until the Reformation era, the WHOLE CHURCH believed that the Holy Ghost was imparted at baptism whether infant or adult.

I think that having our children under the covenant is really a very important thing.

KMB: I'm just giving my opinion. Of course it was the opinion of the WHOLE CHURCH until very, very recently........... Something to consider before you too freely accept the pronouncements of modernity.

With a blessing,

Leonard, a sinner

Well, scripturally speaking is what I'm talking about. The reason I ask is because if baptism automatically brought someone into a covenant with God, then this would be John's baptism and not Jesus' baptism.

Also, the teaching of baptism not being needed as an adult was based off of two things:

1) Assumption that everyone was already saved and baptized as a child, thus, not needed

2) That baptism saved you

Plus, we know from scriptural examples that many were baptised into John's baptism but hten against Baptized into Jesus' baptism. Plus, baptism, that is, the redemptive kind, always seems to be a volunatry action that occurs AFTER the person has placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Now, unless the Catholic Church adopted Calvinism () I don't see how infant baptism could be redemptive or of their free will. That's kind of what I was getting at when refering to the two types of batism, one as a symbol and offering to God, the other as redemptive, and wondering why they had to be mutually exclusive.

I hope that explains my question.

[Work in Progress]

TOO ALL:

I just reread my reply here. I hope I have not been mean these last days. I've been quite ill, and forced to spend most my time with doctors, who seem to be stymied, and who do not indicate anything very appetizing for my future.

Blessings upon the Household of God.

Leonard, I hold you up in prayer, and I sincerely hope that the doctors will get answers and that you will be feeling "good as new" in no time. Please know that you are not alone.

[Orr v'emet]

TOO ALL:

I just reread my reply here. I hope I have not been mean these last days. I've been quite ill, and forced to spend most my time with doctors, who seem to be stymied, and who do not indicate anything very appetizing for my future.

Blessings upon the Household of God.

Stop it you MEANIE!

:hug:

[Guest Called]

I have a question...I am not very familiar with infant baptism.

Anyway, if a baby is baptized and then gets saved when they are older, do they still need to obey God and get baptized after they get saved?

Just wondering! Thanks!

[apothanein kerdos]

My question to you is this:

Is it possible (seeing as how others were baptized after they accepted Christ) that infant baptism served as a symbolic offering to God whereas baptism as an adult served as an example of what God had done in their lives, thus making both viewpoints valid?

Much like "infant dedications" that go on in many baptist churches?

Now, that, you will find no Scriptural reference for.

I did that with my first two, as that is all I knew and was taught was "right". It was only later that I studied Scripture for myself about all of it - and then had all four of my children baptized, in obedience to God's command and covenant.

I disagree. There are many instances in the Old Testament of infant dedications. This also doesn't fall under the Old Covenant as these dedications were not for salvation but for the work of God in their life. The reason we don't see it so much in the New Testament is that infant dedications were more of a Jewish custom and the Gentiles were not use to it. That and it holds absolutely no relivence on our salvation.

[Orr v'emet]

My question to you is this:

Is it possible (seeing as how others were baptized after they accepted Christ) that infant baptism served as a symbolic offering to God whereas baptism as an adult served as an example of what God had done in their lives, thus making both viewpoints valid?

Much like "infant dedications" that go on in many baptist churches?

Now, that, you will find no Scriptural reference for.

I did that with my first two, as that is all I knew and was taught was "right". It was only later that I studied Scripture for myself about all of it - and then had all four of my children baptized, in obedience to God's command and covenant.

I guess I'm confused then on what the spiritual benefits are on being baptized as an infant other than as a sign of dedicating your child to God....

[Work in Progress]

Anyway, if a baby is baptized and then gets saved when they are older, do they still need to obey God and get baptized after they get saved?

No. Not sure what you mean by "obey God". The obedience is the parents responsibility. So, no need to get "re-done" later.

On the same note - someone who was baptized out of "tradition" by unbelieving parents shouldn't be re-done either. I think it cheapens the sacredness of baptism by "re-doing" it. JMO though!

I disagree. There are many instances in the Old Testament of infant dedications.

SJ, would you post them please? Thanks.

This also doesn't fall under the Old Covenant as these dedications were not for salvation

Oh, I've never thought that "dedication" was for Salvation, not even when I mistakenly did it. I've always known that nothing outside of ourselves could save us.

I guess I'm confused then on what the spiritual benefits are on being baptized as an infant other than as a sign of dedicating your child to God....

The same as any other benefit of obeying God. (Not meant to be flip )

[Guest Called]

No. Not sure what you mean by "obey God". The obedience is the parents responsibility. So, no need to get "re-done" later.   

On the same note - someone who was baptized out of "tradition" by unbelieving parents shouldn't be re-done either. I think it cheapens the sacredness of baptism by "re-doing" it. JMO though! 

By obedience I mean the following. Baptism is done after repentance... I don't know what you mean by saying obedience is a parent's responsibility. We are responsible for obeying God in baptism, it has to be a conscience effort on our part, not anyone else's. IMO

Matthew 3

6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Acts 2

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:41

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 8:12

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.