Why did early christians baptize their babies... how does baptizing babies go againts the bible?

Question

if the apostles went to baptize whole households wouldn't they baptize small children/babies ?

the anabaptist also denied the incarnation of Jesus did they not..?

Answer 1

1) Because the Church has always believed in the necessity of Baptism.

2) It doesn't. It's in perfect harmony with Scripture. "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" 1 Peter 3:21

3) They would and did.

Any other answer clearly indicates a complete lack of knowledge about the Early Church.

The idea of a "believer's Baptism" did not enter onto the scene until the 1520's. That's a whole lotta Christians and a whole lotta Baptisms for the first 1500 years of the Church.

Answer 2

Biblical Proof of Infant Baptism

Jn 3:5 Mk 16:16 baptism required for entering heaven
1 Cor 15:21-22 in Adam all die, in Christ all made alive
Mk 10:14 let children come; to such belong the kingdom
Lk 18:15 people were bringing even infants to Him
Col 2:11-12 baptism has replace circumcision
Jos 24:15 as for me and my house we will serve the Lord
Mt 8:5 servant healed because of centurion faith
Mt 15:21 daughter healed b/c of Canaanite woman's faith
Lk 7:1 just say the word, and let my servant be healed
Acts 16:31 believe in Lord Jesus you & house will be saved
Acts 16:15 she was baptized, with ALL her Household
Acts 16:33 he and ALL his family were baptized at once
1 Cor 1:16 I baptized the household of Stephanas

When Jesus expelled demons did the individual have to ascent to Christ or can God act independently?

Obviously God is bigger than humanity and does act independently. Grace is given freely.

Answer 3

In the early church, baptism was a rite of conversion. Although there are records that the apostles baptised whole households, it's not clear whether that involved young children.

The early church taught that we are all born with original sin from which we are released by baptism. It was therefore thought important that babies should be baptised as early as possible. This led to two different forms of baptism:

Conversion or believers' baptism, where adults were baptised and annointed with oil by a bishop.

Infant baptism, where babies are baptised, but they are not annointed (or confirmed) until they are older.

The Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican communities still recognise both forms of baptism. However, infant baptism was first rejected by the Cathars and later by the Anabaptists. Following the reformation, a number of non-conformist communities also rejected infant baptism.

Answer 4

In view of the fact that 'hearing the word','enbracing the word heartily',and 'repenting' precede water baptism(Acts2:14,22,38,41) and that baptism requires the individual to make a solemn decision,it is apparent that one must at least be of age to hear,to believe,and to make this decision.In the instances where 'households' were baptised,such as the household of Cornelius,Lydia,the Philippian jailer,Crispus,and Stephanas,is it implied that small babies in those families were also baptized?Well,in the case of Cornelius,those who were baptized were those who had heard the word and received the holy spirit,and they spoke in tongues and glorified God,these things could not apply to infants.Lydia was a "worshiper of God.........and Jehovah opened her heart wide to pay attention to the things being spoken by Paul"(Acts16:14)The Philippian jailer had to" beleive on the Lord Jesus",and this implies that the others in his family also had to believe in order to be baptized.(Acts16:31-34)"Crispus the presiding officer of the synagogue became a believer in the Lord,and so did all his household"(Acts 18:8).
All of this demonstrates that associated with baptism were such things as hearing,believing and glorifying God,things infants cannot do.
The concept of infant baptism crept into the Chrisitan congregation early in the second century CE.It was a pagan idea that baptism washes away sins and brings about "regeneration".And by the third century CE,infant baptism had become a general church practice.
Infant baptism is not a Bible teaching

Answer 5

Jesus said that unless we are baptized with water we shall NOT have life with Him. PERIOD!

In an era where infant mortality could reach 30 to 50%; where 2 or 3 of every 5 children never saw their 6th birthday, it only made sense to baptize your baby as soon as possible. Then its little soul could go straight to heaven if it died in infancy. Godparents stood in for the child and made the promises in the child's name. It was then their responsibility to make certain that the child was raised in full cognizance of the faith if anything happened to prevent the parents from so doing.

And yes, "the whole household" would have included children of all ages, even newborns; as well as slaves of any age, including children.

Answer 6

Baptism is a non-magical ceremony that has little effect other than getting someone a little wet and whatever meaning the participants imagine for it. In the case of infant baptism it's of the parent's commitment to raise the child as a Christian. As you said, it's symbolic anyways, so why get your pants in a bunch about it? There are certainly more dangerous things that grown ups with an imaginary friend do to society.

Answer 7

The child must believe first and then be baptize that was Jesus commission go a preach the gospel to every create and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Answer 8

Babies cannot understand a word, no reason for them to be baptized into something they doesn't know about.
The meaning of baptism is to be committed in something you believe so babies shouldn't baptize for they can't figure out yet what to believe.
And probably that's the reson why there's no record/accounts from the Bible taht the apostles did baptize babies or even children who is not at the right age to make decisions about faith yet.

Answer 9

Christians did not baptize babies. You are confusing Christians with Catholics and they are not the same. You must be of accountable age alnd have accepted Jesus as your savior,in order to be baptized. Babies do not know what a sin is or what the difference between right and wrong is. They automatically go to heaven if they should die. Catholics do not understand this. I am a former Catholic. Been there done tht. Prasie the Lord I am now a Christian.

Answer 10

Most christians now days, dedicate their babies to God, so that they can grow up at least knowing about our Lord. As they get older, they need to either decide to be a child of God and lead a christian life or, go their own way. We all pray for our children to accept Jesus as their savior but then we need to hand it over to God. All we do is plant the seed. God has the power, not ourselves.