My husband and I recently had our little girl dedicated to the Lord. When she old enough, maybe in her teens or early adult years, she will then be baptized. We wanted her faith and her personal relationship with God to be her choice. Some kids, I feel, get dunked for the wrong reasons and then don't live up to their baptismal duties. What do you think?
2006-08-28 07:49:34 · 19 answers · asked by Mom of One in Wisconsin 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I completely agree with you. There are NO recordings of infant baptisms in the bible. This is because one must first believe and then repent in order for their baptism to be valid. A baby cannot believe. There is no way they could understand who jesus was, why he went to the cross, etc...at such a young age! And a baby cannot repent, as they have not yet even sinned! Baptism is something that needs to be done with a clear understanding of the fact that you believe in Jesus, you are repenting of your sins, and your old self is being buried with Christ in baptism and you are being raised to a new life (Rom 6). Without that understanding, a baptism is not a baptism - it is just getting wet!
2006-08-28 15:14:32 · answer #1 · answered by dixiechic 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You definitely made the right decision. I was baptized as a baby, but then my family switched churches and I decided I had been baptized for the wrong reasons. Rather than it being a result of my own conscious choice, I was baptized because that's just the way it was done. It was expected. I am much more confident in my faith now, and I am able to make more personal decisions about my faith.
2006-08-28 07:56:21 · answer #2 · answered by angelsong_04 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. I think if that child wants to be baptized, then they should have that say. Being baptized as an infant doesn't count anyway. I'm Christian and I don't believe in baptizing infants--only dedicating them to the Lord. We have "Baby Sundays" at church sometimes where they dedicate the new little ones. Anyway, I think you made a good choice to have her dedicated instead of baptized.
2006-08-28 07:52:03 · answer #3 · answered by BeeFree 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a good point! I have a 4 month old boy, and we are fixing to dedicate him to the lord. It is different that being baptized. I hope and will encourage my son to get baptized when he is ready to make that commitment to the lord. However we are dedicating him to God and making a promise that we will raise him, and love him according to the word!
2006-08-28 08:42:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is wonderful for parents to stand before the congregation and dedicate their baby to the Lord. This ceremony is a reminder to the parents of the serious role they must play to train the child in the love of the Lord. Baptism, I believe, is for that time when a person has reached the age of understanding what baptism signifies and wants to ask the Lord to cleanse them of all sin, wash them white as snow, and come into their heart as Lord and Savior.
2006-08-28 07:55:02 · answer #5 · answered by missingora 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with all of the other answers. We had my older son dedicated and will also dedicate our new baby. We feel that it is important for them to choose to be baptized as an outward symbol of an inward transformation. My husband and I were both baptized as babies and don't remember it. I want to give my children that gift.
2006-08-28 11:54:37 · answer #6 · answered by Cheri H 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I feel they must understand the reason for a baptism before they decide whether they want to or not. She must be old enough and 100% sure she wants to be baptized before she gets one.
2006-08-28 08:01:45 · answer #7 · answered by Kenneth S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are saved by faith and the grace of God alone so baptizing or not will not save or condemn a child. I think either way is fine and it is not an issue that should cause discord among Christians.
2006-08-28 07:57:04 · answer #8 · answered by N3WJL 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you have done the best thing! Congrats on the dedication!
We did the same with our kids--we let them decide to be baptized after they can explain their own relationship with God and what it means to be baptized.
2006-08-28 07:56:42 · answer #9 · answered by quilt-babe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if the parents don't live up to their baptismal duties, that's the parents' fault, not the child. When a child is baptized, the stain of original sin is washed away. That's why I chose to baptize my kids as infants. When they are ready to accept their relationship with God, then they are confirmed.
2006-08-28 07:55:24 · answer #10 · answered by DMBthatsme 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋