Okay.........When should a baby be baptised? as in Infant or, as as adult ?
2006-12-09 11:53:51 · 9 answers · asked by #1 "Abuela" 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First of all, even infants are tainted with original sin and need a Savior. Baptism is God's covenant with His people in a rite that replaces its parallel of circumcision in the Old Testament, and is a completely valid sacrament. It sets the child apart from children in families that reject God. Re-baptism as an adult is pointless, as it is not a statement of faith nor does it have anything to do with meriting salvation. Neither does baptism "erase" original sin to guarantee salvation until an age of reasoning. If you're a Christian, it is an error to wait until the child is an adult for them to receive this sacrament.
2006-12-09 12:52:07 · answer #1 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
At age 8. A child must be able to tell between right and wrong. If a person doesn't know the difference between right and wrong then they cannot sin...and if they can't sin, then they don't need to repent...or be baptized.
There were/ are groups that baptize little children (under age 8) - In the past the Lord gave the covenant of circumcision to teach people an important truth....the Lord instituted the practice of circumcision for a particular reason...The child was to be circumcised when they were 8 days old. This was done for a reminder to the people...a reminder of what? That children are to be baptized only when they are 8 YEARS old...why? because that is when children become accountable. It is at that age when they can know between what is right and what is wrong.
Moroni 8:22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—
Baptism (and repentance) are only for those who can sin! if they don't know the law then they don't know if they are doing right or wrong and therefore they are not condemned (because - how could they know?)
But because people insisted on baptizing little children in spite of being taught not to...The Lord gave them something to help them remember... (They got reminded every time they went to the bathroom)(Remember 8 DAYS old = circumcised = 8 YEARS old = baptism)
The Lord is very adamant about teaching that little children are innocent and will be saved - without baptism!
Moroni 8:13 Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell.
14 Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell.
15 For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.
16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear
The number 8 was probably chosen also for symbolic reasons also (new beginnings)....(you get a new beginning when you are baptized)....Like the Earth 7 days for the creation...then a new beginning on the 8 day...The number 8 also even has some symbolism in society today in certain things - like music...an octave for instance 1= do, 2=re , 3=me, 4=fah, 5=so, 6=la, 7= tee, 8= do ("do" repeats again = a new beginning...).
2006-12-09 23:05:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, as a Christian, I believe in the sacrament of baptism, both by the water and by the gift of the Holy Spirit, but as far as baptizing babies are concerned I followed the school of thought that one does not baptize infants. Baptism gives evidence that one has chosen to follow Christ, and given a new birth through the gift of the Holy Spirit, and infants cannot make that choice and their parents can't chose for them.. However, I am a believer that a parent can dedicate their child while he or she is an infant, and then "Train them up in the way that they should go."
2006-12-09 20:18:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a matter of adiaphora, that is, it is not specifically stated in the Bible. Some church bodies will only baptise adults, because they believe in an "age of accountablity," before which you don't know any better. However, it does clearly state in the Bible that children CAN believe in God (such as John the Baptist's leap for joy while in the womb), so there really is no reason why they should NOT be baptised.
2006-12-09 19:58:52 · answer #4 · answered by wnk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your religion. Baptists, for instance, feel that one should only be baptized when they are old enough to understand and absorb the word of God. Catholics on the other hand don't think understanding is as important to the cleansing of original sin, and promote the baptism of babies.
2006-12-09 19:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water Baptism is the outward sign of an inward conviction.
A person must be old enough to repent of their sins and turn to Jesus as their Savior.
2006-12-09 20:35:19 · answer #6 · answered by tim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people have differing opinions on that and it is also different from denomination to denomination. Personally, I believe as a teenager/adult.
2006-12-09 19:58:53 · answer #7 · answered by JustJane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
baptism is for people who are old enough to make a choice on rather or not they believe in Christ
2006-12-09 19:59:01 · answer #8 · answered by candi_k7 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes when its an adult baby
2006-12-09 19:56:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋