2006-07-09 15:46:51 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm an Elder at a Presbyterian church. I personally don't believe in infant baptism. I think the Bible is pretty clear that baptism is something you do as an outward symbol after you become a believer in Christ. My particularly congregation leaves it up to the parents...we do both baptisms and dedications of children.
2006-07-16 13:52:41 · answer #1 · answered by Carl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The practice started with the catholic church. I think I heard somewhere that it was around the time of the plague or some other event that caused a lot of infants to die. It is easy to see how people could be so receptive of this. I mean if you were an illiterate farmer hundreds of yrs ago and worried that your child may die. Anyway even though it is not biblical it became very popular. Even with the protestant reformation it still has continued with many denominational churches. There was the restoration movement that eventually did away with it among some congregations. See church of Christ for more info. Please note that the united church of Christ and the international Church of Christ are very different. Hope this helps.
clarification--- we are told to repent and be baptized. Since an infant cannot repent, he has no need to be baptized. Some may say that it still does no harm at least. However, when this child grows up, he thinks he has already been baptized. Because of this they often never get baptized. They attempt to live a christian life with out ever receiving the Holy Spirit. Even the apostles were unable to have a good understanding of Christ teachings with out the spirit. After a time many of them fall away. How many of us have seen atheist (right here even) who say they used to be part of a church? So the practice is certainly harmful.
2006-07-09 22:57:20 · answer #2 · answered by unicorn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism can be taken to mean many different things in Christendom, not just faith in Christ. Presbyterians are not the only ones who practice infant baptism.
2006-07-09 22:52:24 · answer #3 · answered by mistaroja 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because one of the things that have split the Christian churches is weather or not a baby needs to be Baptized. Some like the Baptists require the person to understand what Jesus did for them and except Him into their hearts first. Some like the Catholics baptize you as an infant than you confirm your dedication to the Lord when you are more able to understand this.
2006-07-09 22:52:44 · answer #4 · answered by andy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't want to speak out against any fellow Christians but in this instance I will say that while many churches came out of the church of Rome, they didn't leave all of the heresies practiced by that church with them. I'm not saying that a Catholic believer isn't a true Christian. I'm only saying that the church of Rome has a long history of bringing reproach upon the name of Christ whether it be in the form of the Inquisition or the matter of asking dead saints to intercede with God on their behalf or going against the clear teaching in the Bible that says that a church official should be the husband of one wife.
2006-07-09 22:59:50 · answer #5 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a carried over tradition from the Roman Catholic Church. Tradition is far more important than truth in some churches...
2006-07-09 22:52:15 · answer #6 · answered by atreadia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question! Why not consider yourself still shopping for a religion, still open minded. You could find more logical religion.
2006-07-09 22:52:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible teaches that entire households were baptized and most of them had children. So, why not baptize children?
2006-07-09 22:51:44 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. Kei 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Presbyterians are wrong.
2006-07-09 22:50:28 · answer #9 · answered by auburn_eyes2005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They eat lots of candy and don't want the baby to melt.
2006-07-09 22:50:10 · answer #10 · answered by animalmother 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋