Infant Baptism

Infant baptism

Can anyone prove the value in baptising an infant?

Since it has been practiced for as long as it has, there must be documented evidence of it's value. Where is that evidence?

What proof is offered that there is any merit whatever in doing so?

 

padredurand,

This is not the only Augustine made in his theological understanding. He mixed the ideas of Plato and Aristotle with his, at times, mistaken understanding of the Word of God.

David and Bathsheba's baby probably was not circumcised and surely not baptized and yet the newborn went to Heaven. [II Samuel 12:23]

Acts 16:15 strongly hints of 'household baptism' which included Lydia and perhaps a husband and minor, in age, children, or an infant. In N.T. times baptism became the sign of the covenant of grace, which replaced the marking of the male in his flesh under the Old Covenant system. Where Christian families lived they baptized not only adults but the rest of the family created by the husband and wife. For one thing, it brought the minor children under the care and protection of the church which, of course, included the Elders in the local assembly/church. Other passages indicate that when a new believer came into the faith, he or she became the person of spiritual guidance for the rest of the family.

To be lightly damned would be an oxymoron from my viewpoint also. Some of these early interpreters of the Word, did not have the light or insight that exists in our times.

Berrian, Th.D.

 

In their guts Baptists want to baprize their children so they invent the nonbiblical process of child dedication. How come Baptists never dedicate important stuff like their pay checks and trucks?

 

>Can anyone prove the value in baptising an infant?

In the Christian Reformed Church the congregation pledges to raise the child.

 

It is apparent from your post where you put your faith.

Those who dedicate their infants do so in accordance with scripture. Mary took the baby Jesus to the temple in dedication.

There's more to the story see verses 24 thru 39.

That's the reason why children are brought to the church for dedication.

 

That doesn't take baptism, because the same is done in most Christian churches. They all pledge their support to the child and the family. by Christian, I mean all congregations who practice infant dedication as opposed to infant baptism.

 

Wow, I said that wrong, I mean all congregations who practice infant dedication as opposed to congregations with the word Christian in their church name or denomination.

 

I believe that Luke chapter 2:22- was more than a dedication. Every son of Israel had to receive the mark in the flesh {circumcision} which was a sign of the covenant on all Israelites. Without this the were outcasts from their nation. Jesus did not need dedicated; He was God in flesh. Would Joseph and Mary dedicate God to God? But, because He was a son of Israel he experienced the marking on the body.

 

Burkley,

This quote is taken from "The Apostolic Fathers" Baker Book House, p. 153. These two paragraphs are taken from "The Didache" or the Teaching of theTwelve Apostles. If I recall the Didache was a kind of instruction from the Apostolate for the church.

'Now concerning baptism, baptize as follows: after you have reviewed all these things, baptize "in the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." in running water. (2) But if you have no running water, then baptize in some other water; and if you are not able to baptize in cold water, then do so in warm. (3) But if you have neither, then pour water on the head three times "in the Name of the Father, and Son and Holy Spirit." (4) And before the baptism, let the one baptizing and the one who is to be baptized fast, as well as any others who are able. Also, you must instruct the one who is to be baptized to fast for one or two days beforehand.

(8) But do not let your fasts coincide with those of the hypocrites. They fast on Monday and Thursday, so you must fast on Wednesday and Friday.'

At the bottom of p. 153 the author said, 'This appears to be the earliest reference to the Christian use of a mode of baptism other than immersion.'

 

Forget the name Burkley, I merely used this name as a bookmark for myself and forgot to delete it.

 

padredurand,

Your most recent post was correct. Perfect! I agree with you.

Ray

 

Can someone come up with a brief list of what the various Christian groups beleive about Baptism?

Here's all I know:

Catholic: Baptism removes original sin and "makes" the child a Christian. (and therefore, better do it sooner than later - hence infants. Having a priest perform the ceremony is what is important, so the amount of water does not matter, and sprinkling is used)

MS Lutheran: Baptism instills the gift of potential faith needed to accept Christ as Saviour in later life. (Not quite as urgent as deemed by Catholics, but the sooner the better - so also done to infants with small amount of water)

Baptist: Baptism is our special way of declaring to the world that a person has accepted Christ and been "born again." Done by imersion to symbolize death to sin and rebirth to Christ. Since it requires a decision, infants do not qualify.

Can we add any others?

 

The fact that some churches do baptise infants still does not provide any evidence of the value of doing so. If there is no value in baptizing infants why do it? If there is value what is it and where is the evidence?

 

We buy health insurance to protect us financially in the event of a major illness. The value for doing so is only realized if we get sick or have an accident.

What value is there in baptizing an infant? Baptism DOES NOT SAVE an infant from anything, and circumcision is the sign of the Abrahamic Covenent administered upon male descendents of Abraham and those who choose to join that covenant. Circumcision is not a sign of the Jesus Covenant, Faith is! No one willfully get's baptised unless they believe in Jesus.

Baptism of an infant does not save the infants soul because salvation is through FAITH in God ALONE! Granted, God loves the little people that He created, and until the child commits its first sin, that child is innocent of sinning. Besides all sin is atoned and is therefore not a factor in salvation.