What is the significance of infant baptism in the Methodist church?

Answer 1

A religious leader saying I've got dibs on another member to grow my empire; an organization which does things in the name of God, but not really for God.

Answer 2

Wow. I cannot believe that so many people are unfamiliar with the primary means of baptism within Christianity for over 1000 years.

Recall that during most of the time since Emperor Constantine installed Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, almost everyone within the various nations that sprang from the R.E. were assumed to be Christian. There was almost no choice. Infant baptism was practiced originally in the early church as a way of ensuring that the children were absolved of original sin. This was the belief that all people were born sinners and that only those who were baptized in water and in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit would gain entrance into heaven.

The belief was so widespread that a number of highly religious nurses have been known to surreptitiously baptize babies in hospital nurseries.

Once the protestant reformation began, the practice of infant baptism spread into the new denominations. However, among the anabaptists (re-baptizers), the practice moved to re-baptizing people. These denominations practiced adult baptism, and when they migrated to America to escape oppression in England, they brought that practice with them. And these groups are the roots of the Baptists churches, the Amish & Mennonites, and many Pentacostal groups.

Methodists, however, sprang from the Anglican church, which began as a nationalized form of Catholicism. They, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Congregationalists practice infant baptism. And while this is considered the way to welcome a new child into the community, the child later gets to decide whether or not they want to become a full member of the church through confirmation. However, among these denominations, there is no re-baptism.

Answer 3

"The New Birth"

The Methodists (who were founded by the Wesley brothers, John and Charles - who never ceased being Anglican Priests) came out of the Anglican Church...and they believe in Baptismal Regeneration - so - it is seen as a sacrament...an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

Methodists believe in the two "Dominical Sacraments" of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.

Methodists practice infant baptism because there is scriptural evidence that entire households, including children, were baptized, as recorded in the book of Acts. (Acts 16:15 )

Answer 4

First off, the person above is clearly not Methodist because they do not believe in the Saints, at least not as the Catholics do... Personally, I was baptized Methodist as a baby and I do not think it had much signifigance because I was never really Christian until just recently... Now I'm considering Catholicism. And I would really like to be baptized again. A friend of mine who now wants to become a Methodist pastor was baptized at around age 10 and it meant so much to her and is a large part of her strong belief in God.

Answer 5

it would be a covenant dedication, in Corinthians it says if one parent is a Christian in some sense the children and even the unbelieving spouse is holy and has some special protection or blessing form God... it is no guarantee the child will become a believer and for some parents might be more a ritual than a real appeal to God

it does not mean the baby is saved, but it is like a dedication of the child and a commitment of the parent(s) and church to raise the child in the knowledge of God in hopes it will have saving faith... it would not be much different than Presbyterian view or n Episcopal view Just as a Baptist might dedicate a child and appeal to God for its care, someone baptizing a baby with a coovenant baptism is doing similar

it is somewhat different than a Catholic view than a child is regenerate and becomes a Christian at infant baptism which I do not agree with as the best view as a person is saved by their faith not be a ritual... as far as Lutheran views of infant baptism... Im not sure would have to ask them

Answer 6

The Methodist Baptism is the same as a Catholic Baptism if a child every wanted to become a Catholic.

Answer 7

I'm not a Methodist, but the Bible does not teach infant baptism, the doctrine comes from Catholicism & baptism cannot not save you.The word baptisim comes from the Greek word "Baptizo", which means full immersion. Take a look at a story in the bible, Where the Philip is preaching to the eunuch Acts 8:29-39, if you bring your attention to verse 36 the eunuch asks "what doth hinder me to be baptised ?" in verse 37 philip answers "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest (the eunuch responds) and he answered and said, i believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" Then in verse 38 "And he comanded the chariot to stand still: and they they went down both into the water, both philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." Before one can be baptised they have to make a confession of faith, that they beleive in Christ as their savoiur, which infants cannot do as they have no understanding.

Answer 8

Jesus came to bring peace to the world by replacing the heavy burden of the sacrifice of circumcision with a cleansing ritual of baptism. Some people claimed Jesus was committing blasphemy to the covenant of Abraham by trying to substitute baptism. It is rumoured that they paid the Romans to crucify Jesus because of this. I hope this is why the Methodist are following Jesus' lead.

Answer 9

Actually I used to be Methodist but am now non denominational...
My husband was a Methodist Minister, and changed from that denomination because they were teaching in the seminary that there is more than one way to God...
They were denying Jesus as being sole heir to the throne...
Methodist's don't baptize babies they bless. and dedicate them....

Answer 10

I was a Methodist , and baptized as an infant , and now I'm an atheist . It wasn't to significant for me

Answer 11

A form of protection for the child that they hope will stay with the Church as it grows up. and to present the infant to the congregation.