Adult or Infant Baptism & Why?

Question

Which one's correct?

Answer 1

Scripture plainly states that NO-ONE will enter the Kingdom without being born of water, a passage which the Christian Church has taken from the beginning as a clear and direct reference to the waters of Baptism. For this reason the Christian Church has baptized infants from the beginning.

The Bible tells us that when an adult convert entered the Church, his/her whole family was baptized at the same time. No exceptions are mentioned. Obviously among the families of hundreds or thousands of new converts there were a great many young children.

Also, even though no-one can enter the Kingdom without Baptism, Jesus looked upon a group of small children and said "to such as these belongs the Kingdom of God". Obviously if Baptism is necessary to enter the Kingdom, and these little ones were in possession of the Kingdom, these children must have been baptized, which would be expected since that was the common practice of the early Church.

In the third century there was a major disagreement over infant baptism. It became so heated that it almost split the Church. The question they debated was whether to baptize infants on the day of their birth, or eight days later, as was the custom for circumcision. This debate simply shows how universally accepted was infant baptism at that time.

Protestants sometimes accuse the Catholic Church of starting the practice of infant baptism at some point in history. However, if that were true, certainly there would have been a huge debate, with various people taking sides, and much being published on both sides of the question. However, in all of history there cannot be found a single example of any such debate. Obviously that is because the practice was never "introduced". It was in effect from the beginning.

The Protestant position on this question stems from their inadequate and skewed view of what baptism is. They see baptism as something WE do to demonstrate our alliegiance to God. However, the true Church founded by Christ has always recognized baptism, and all sacraments, as something GOD does in us, which pours out grace upon us, and causes a fundamental spiritual change in us.

Answer 2

Although Christian baptism does not wash sins away, it is a symbol indicating that the individual being immersed in water has made an unconditional dedication to God through Jesus Christ. ( Matthew 16:24.) To dedicate means “to declare, to affirm, to devote.” Dedication to God refers to the act whereby a person is unreservedly set apart by an agreement to do God’s will through Christ. Figuratively, when the baptismal candidate is temporarily “buried” under the water and then lifted out of it, he dies to his previous course and is raised to a new way of life, to do Gods will unreservedly.

Clearly, baptism is a serious step. Baptizing an infant is wrong because a baby cannot understand, make a decision, and become a disciple. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Those baptized during Philip’s ministry in Samaria were “men and women,” not mere infants. (Acts 8:4-8, 12) Baptism is for those old enough to learn, believe, and exercise faith. (John 17:3)

historian Augustus Neander wrote: “Faith and baptism were always connected with one another; and thus it is in the highest degree probable, that the practice of infant baptism was unknown [in the first century C.E.]. That it first became recognised as an apostolic tradition in the course of the third century, is evidence rather against than for the admission of its apostolic origin.

Jesus’ words at Matthew 28:19, 20 show that it is those who have been made his disciples that should be baptized. Hence, it follows that no infant or small child could meet the Scriptural requirements for baptism. An infant could not exercise faith in God’s Word, in God the Creator, and in his Son Jesus Christ. An infant could not understand that the holy spirit is God’s active force; nor could it repent of past sins and make a solemn vow to do God’s will.

Answer 3

Both.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called."

Infant baptism is not a new thing. There are non-biblical documented sources starting in the second century telling of infant Baptism.

There are even several passages in the Bible where whole households were baptized. This would include everyone who lived there, men, women, children, and infants.

Acts 16:15, "After she and her household had been baptized"

Acts 16:33, "then he and all his family were baptized at once."

Acts 18:8, "came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized."

1 Corinthians 1:16, "I baptized the household of Stephanas"

St. Paul wrote that baptism has replaced circumcision (Col 2:11-12), and in Judaism circumcision was performed primarily on infants.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

Adult baptism should be the way to go. An infant has no choice in the matter, and what if that child grew to worship a different Deity, or none at all? An adult can make that decision, and understand it wholeheartedly.

Answer 5

Both are correct for different reasons.
the infant one started out as a means to protect the infant as it was being born form evil spirits entering into the new born body.
now it is done at the parents wishes in the hospital or at their Church in front of witnesses.and yes the child may develop its own religious preference as it grows to maturity.
Adult Baptism or the lack of it would be better as the person hopefully knows that the religion is for it and will adhere to its principals. Most are afraid of any ridicule that may be attached to waiting so long to make up the mind of the person.
a smaller portion have done what is called self Baptism.
The rest either don't care or believe that it matters.

Answer 6

Adult
By complete immersion
and "in the name of Jesus" (not His titles)

Acts 2:38, Act 8:16, Act 10:48, Acts 19:1-7

Baptism is part of salvation and never in the Bible did they baptize an infant only adult that wanted to be. it is not something to be forced or pushed, they must understand why they are being baptized and infant dose not.
it is as said in Acts 2:38 for the remission of sins, it is a cleansing.

Answer 7

It seems ludicrous to baptize a baby....A baby hasn't formed a thought process capable of understanding WHY? Baptism is nothing but a bronze-age superstition that people do today for show.

I've seen many baptisms and it appears to be nothing more than the parents attempt to show off their "cute" little baby to their friends and family at church.

As far as adult baptism....It doesn't make sense. Why would a "god" require you to dunk your head under water? What does it prove? The bible states very clearly that god knows a persons "heart" so why would he require them to act out a silly tradition that proves nothing? A person could just fake it so their parents, wife, friends etc, won't be displeased.

Answer 8

when an adult is baptized he can choose whether or not to "continue in sin (vv.Romans 6 1, 2)." Infants have no such choice.those that were baptized were conscious of the effect of their baptism (v. 3). This is not true of gurgling babies.those buried and raised in baptism were expected to "walk in newness of life" in contrast with their former manner of life (vv. 4-6, 11-13, 21, 22). How does a week-old baby's lifestyle change after his baptism? one is a servant of the one whom he obeys. If he yields and obeys sin, he is the servant of sin; if he submits and obeys the will of God, he is a servant of righteousness (vv. 16-18).babies cant do this.read romans it will tell you more about it. Infants can not do what is required for baptism.

Answer 9

We Believe in Baptizim by immersion for the remission of sins & laying on of hands for the gift of the holy ghost. DUDE in OTHER WORDS! A baby has no sin's so why in the Heck is a baby being baptized? I am LDS & I don't think an 8 year old knows what the he** they want at THAT age. And What sins does even an 8 year old have? I think as an adult you KNOW what you want and are all confused. BTW For those that believe the Bullsh** about Everyone being born with Adam & Eve's sins Read the bible. It Says"The Sins of the Father Shall Not fall on the son Nor the sins of the son fall to the father"

Answer 10

Neither is correct if done for the wrong purpose or reason.
Scripture teaches in Mathew to make disciples of all men then baptize them.
Well in order to be a disciple one must be a follower a learner one that is committed to the teaching of their master or leader.
I have yet to see or of know any infant that would be able to understand or obey the great commission found in scripture.
As Jesus gave the command to be a disciple then be baptized I truly believe we should do things his way. As this is the first act of obedience a new follower of Christ is given.
I am a simple man and I choose to do things as God says I do not need a deep philosophical reason to follow just a simple desire to to that which makes my Lord happy.