Does it allow God to "regenerate" the infant, is a sign of being in the Church, or what?
Do ANY baptist groups practice it? Do we recognize it as being valid mode of baptism ?
What is purpose Of Infant Baptism, do ANY Baptists practice it?
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by JesusFan, May 4, 2011.
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I don't know of any Baptist church but I know we baptized my daughters when they were little because that was something that the Presbyterian church we attended did. However, it was pretty much a "dedication" and it was expected that they would later have a "believer's baptism" which they did.
It would be interesting to see if any Baptist church baptizes infants. -
Would "reformed" baptist, who adhered to confessional creeds require infant baptism? -
Iconoclast Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
No....RB believe in believers baptism only.
Infant baptism is done by those who believe baptism is the replacement sign replacing circumcision. They believe the sign points to the thing signified
new birth
here is the RB teaching of the 1689;
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We just attended our infant granddaughter's baptism in a Presbyterian Church. The minister read the entire infant baptism service. I paid close attention. The minister explicited read that the baptism saved our granddaughter from her sins. I suspect the reading meant saved her from her sins until the age of accountability.
In the past here on BB, others have said that when they attended Presbyterian churches, saving from sins was not a part of the infant baptism. This Presbyterian church is a part of the liberal wing of the Presbyterian churches which may make a difference. -
Not sure about reformed Baptist but I've never heard of any Baptist church requiring infant baptism. -
Christians who practice it now didn't reform enough from Roman Catholicism. However, even though some have invented new reasons for it it is still an utterly useless practice.
All Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans believe in baptismal regeneration and think that the infant is born again through baptism.
Presbyterians think it's just a sign of the new covenant that says the child is associated with Christ and will be saved because his parents are saved.
Methodists sprinkle babies for much the same reason.
There are no baptists that baptize infants. We only baptize professing believers. That is really what sets us apart and makes us more biblical than anyone else. Credo-baptism is also why we are called baptists. -
Iconoclast Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Ann,
RB follow the teaching of the 1689 confession of faith.We do find alot of agreement with padeos, but not here.
short answer ...padeos think the new cov. is just like the old cov.
RB think the new is not like the old.....how you get in, and is it breakable is the issue -
The Church of Christ (where I grew up) believes in baptismal regeneration, but they only practice believer's baptism. Weird, huh?
But the 1644 info above has some really telling stuff. Re-read it, folks. I'm not saying "believe it", I'm saying to re-read it. -
Some baptist churches, including John Piper's, recognize infant baptism as valid if you can provide a covenental and Biblical reasoning for it. Alistair Begg's church has considered this as well, and others are kicking it around. -
Gnerally, the Church of England believes the infant is covered with infant baptism from original sin, but still require a confession of Christ as Saviour at confirmation.
Cheers,
Jim -
Iconoclast Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Later on they believe God will work in the child, unless the child breaks the covenant through unbelief. -
Last I heard the saints at Bethlehem Baptist had forced Piper to withdraw that proposed scheme. Good for them.
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I had the water-sprinkled-on-my-forehead ceremony when I was less than five months old - most children did in those days (1949). Even now, about 39% of babies in this country have such a ceremony performed on them in either the Church of England or the Roman Catholic church. For many parents, this is seen as a naming ceremony - some even seem to imagine that if they don't get their baby "done", that baby will not be legally named! That sort of thing is not baptism.
When I was converted at the age of 19 or so, I was baptized. I have never thought of that as being "rebaptized" - it was nothing like the ceremony I had been through unknowingly at a few months of age.
In answer to your question about reformed baptists, no, they definitely do not "require infant baptism". The "confessional creeds" that reformed baptists usually adhere to are those such as the First London Baptist Declaration of Faith (1646), the Second London Baptist Declaration of Faith (1689) or the 1966 Affirmaton of Faith. All of these are alike in stating clearly that the subjects for baptism are those who have exhibited repentance for sin, and have made a profession of their faith in Christ.
I hope that helps. -
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