I am having a discussion with my friend on the importance of baptisms.....please read the details for her view

Question

Im on AIM with my firend and she feels that baptisms are not important until a child can understand God and feels that if a child gets baptised at a young age that they need to get baptised again to be accepted in Gods eyes. This is exactly what she just typed (tell me if you agree with her opinion)"that's great that your family feels that way and lots of people do.... and i'm not saying that getting baptised isn't important.... b/c soon i'm getting baptised, but i'm just saying that if you aren't baptised doesn't mean you won't go to heaven. like you was baptised at 3 months old.... you would definitely need it again. but you can only get baptised if you accept jesus as lord and savior that's why children really don't need to be baptised b/c they don't understand it, and in God's eyes they don't"

Answer 1

You have to be baptized by the Spirit to get to Heaven.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

That having been said, a true Christian will obey the command of Jesus to be baptized in water as a testimony and symbol of their faith.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Child baptism isn't a good thing because it can lead someone to a false assurance of salvation and it's only a ceremony performed by others. It's not like one person can "confer" salvation upon another by dunking them in water and reciting some religious formula over a child.

Answer 2

you are correct; a person must be of age and be knowledgable in Gods word to accept Jesus and to be baptized. Even most adults don't have the mind set to be baptized.
1pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1pe 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Answer 3

Baptism is supposed to be for remission of sins. What would a baby have as sins to be forgiven? Your friend is correct that a child should be old enough to understand the meaning of baptism before they would do it. Is baptism essentiol to get into Heaven? Sure is. But only if you can be baptized. Like the thief on the cross could not be baptized so Jesus took his place in baptism for that reason as He took our place on the cross so we would not have to die the second death. There are times that a person cannot be baptized so in those cases, it is not going to keep them out of Heaven as they want to but just cannot do it so I believe Jesus baptism took their place. For those that just choose not to be baptized but want to join a church, I do believe they will not be able to go to Heaven as they are not doing things as Jesus said to do. For more info see the site below.

Answer 4

I believe a child should not be baptized until they are at least 8 years old, until they know right from wrong..

Moroni chapter 8
11 And their little achildren need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the bremission of sins.
12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!
13 Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell.
14 Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell.
15 For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.
• • •
20 And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption.
• • •
22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—
• • •
25 And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;

So, LDS believe we should not baptize children until the age of accountability.
Christ was baptized and He was the perfect example...

Answer 5

once the mark of baptism is placed upon the soul by any god fearing person, or god fearing official, you are baptised forever. anyone can baptise. does not have to be a clergy or other. the mark of baptism can never be removed or replaced...ex: if one has been baptised lutheran as a baby, and in later life, as an adult, get re-baptised catholic. the mark of baptism remains the same...baptised (the removal of Original Sin).

the whole point of baptism is to release our souls from the chains of Original Sin. it is not about being saved or understanding of god or religion.

with baptism we are then held accountable for our own sins to come, and not for those before us. this is why it has become, and is done, as soon as possible after one is born, instead of waiting till one is older. Original Sin began with Adam & Eve.

now knowing some of Original Sin, being upon our souls from the beginning...a sin is a sin. doesn't matter if you are an infant or an elder, or anywhere inbetween. not by our own doing, but it is there. a punishment handed down by GOD Himself. one can not merit the face of GOD the Father...not even un-baptised babies, with Original Sin still in place upon the soul. it has to be removed. the sooner the better.

to not merit the face of GOD the Father, is not the same as not being able to be in heaven. it just means that, even though a soul may go to heaven, it will not merit (be worthy of) the face (knowing) of the Father in heaven as long as Original Sin exist upon the soul. ex: when one goes to haven and you meet the Father...as in face to face.

this is often why when babies pass on, before or after birth, are still baptised before their burial. to remove Original Sin. otherwise will be granted heaven, but will never know the Face of God the Father, Himself.

baptism is extremely important. although many do, it is not to be taken lightly.

i do hope this has helped somehow.

kindest regards,
~~mafi
ps: in case one would want to know, we begin to be held accountable for our own sins from the age of 7 years and on. then it is up to you, to confess your sins, repent, and seek forgiveness. the idea of being saved spiritually does not give you a guarentee that you have a ticket for admission into heaven, and that a spot is saved for you. it just means that you have better chances of gaining heaven for having chose to follow Brother Jesus, and have chosen to do your best spiritually in your life. with that, your chances of actully gaining heaven, i would say is quite high. :-)

Answer 6

I am an anabaptist. I believe that baptism is a personal choice. Babies cannot make that choice for themselves. Baptism is a serious commitment; biblically speaking there is no such thing as an infant baptism.

Please feel free to read more at http://www.messiah.edu/siderinstitute/anabaptism.html

Answer 7

i dont think you have to be baptised eather it probably is a good thing to get baptised after you can understand what it means to believe in God

Answer 8

i agree with her. you have to be saved and you have to be at an age of understanding.