Would you attend a sprinkling

I've never attended a sprinkling, unless you include sneaking into a neighbor's yard with the sprinklers going to cool off. That did save me from a little heat.

 

The Church of England varies in what it believes about infant baptism. Originally, it washed the infant of original sin, hence the reason to sprinkle the infant as soon as possible after birth. Evangelical Anglican churches believed it was a covenant promise to raise that child in the nurture of the Lord...Hence, Confirmation; the time when that person was old enough to understand about salvation and to make a personal decision about Jesus Christ. I came to a personal understanding of Jesus as Saviour at my confirmation. So, not all sprinklers believe in baptismal regeneration, unless you count covenant baptisms as regeneration.

To answer the question; I have attended baby sprinkling naturally. There is a time to speak and a time to remain silent. Just don't ask me to either sprinkle or immerse a child!

Cheers,

Jim

 

That you believe a sprinkler by default believes in baptismal regenration shows your ignorance.

 

No, my statements are not made on lack of knowledge (ignorance). They are made by being around the people that believe this.

 

On the contrary. You believe a person who believes in infant baptism by default believes in baptismal regenration. That displays your ignorance.

 

No, I'm saying that the majority of the ones that I've come into contact with (and that's been quite a few) believe that infant baptism saves.

 

You're saying we shouldn't attend an infant baptism because some people might think it saves. You've stepped into a whopping non-sequitur. Should we not attend an believer's baptism for the same reason? That happens more often than you think.

I visited an Episcopal church on Easter because they had a sunrise service and I could go there and still get to my church on time. It was wonderful- they had a great choir, wonderful liturgy, everyone was happy celebrating the resurection of Christ, and everything was just beautiful.

Oh, BTW, "Episcopalian" is a noun, not an adjective.

 

If it is a church that does not make sure the difference is known, then no you should not attend. I would not attend a CoC baptism.

Oh, btw, Episcopalians will tell you they attend an "Episcopalian church". So, I guess when they missed the letter about infant baptism not saving, they also missed the one about nouns and adjectives.

 

That's not what you said. You brought up baptismal regeneration as an admonition for attending an infant baptism, WITHOUT REGARD to whether the parents believed in baptismal gegeneration or not.

Again, this topic isn't about salvation, it's about whether someone would attend an infant baptism.

 

Would you attend an infant baptism if the priest/minister made clear that baptism does not save?

 

Yes, if it was made clear that salvation only happens through faith in Jesus Christ and that the infant baptism that was about to take place has no spiritual value, beyond making the parents feel good. In that case it would become something akin to a dedication service, which I have no problem with.

 

Silly me, I thought we were supposed to discuss the reasons why we wouldn't attend. If it was just a poll and we weren't supposed to discuss things, I must have missed that.

 

Well, it's a debate forum and you can't expect people not to disagree or debate the issue. That's part of posting here, even if just a poll is posted or opinions are sought. People will express disagreement and debate.

If one wants only a poll with little comment or debate, it should be posted in the Polls Forum.

 

Are you sure you didn't mean to reply to JohnV? He's the one that is saying I'm off topic because I'm talking about the topic.

 

My answer? Other. I have no objections.

 

Sorry, Matt. I probably misread or misunderstood the statements.

 

You ARE off-topic, because you equated the performing of infant baptism with a belief in baptismal regeneration. Further, the debate on the topic was started by YOU, when you accused another person of not using the opportunity to witness.

Again, performing an infant baptism and a belief in baptismal regeneration are two separate topics.

 

And once again, they aren't separate topics when there are many people who have never heard of "baptismal regeneration" and just think they are getting their baby into heaven 'cause they had it sprinkled. I don't know why you insist on believing that the average congregation member knows any difference in this stuff, because they don't.

 

It's not your place to presume they don't. That's the problem. I've never known a Presbyterian or Reformed, or Calvinist that believes as you claim. They don't as a hard fast rule. They baptize babies regularly. You believe they probably do.

 

I knew the difference growing up in the Church of England. That's what Confirmation is all about. Maybe Baptist Churches should install Confirmation classes too!

Cheers,

Jim