My brother doesn't believe in infant baptism (original sin) (has baby twins). How can I invite him to church??

Question

I would like to invite his family to worship (they're not church attenders) with the rest of our family. The pastor knows my brother believes his twins are too precious to be "sinful" (not the act, but the state of being) and the pastor happens to be baptizing two babies on the afternoon my brother comes to town. Oh brother of course has just offered to stay home and take care of the babies, while the rest of us attend worship/double-baptism. Pastor has said he would love to have a little discussion with brother to answer any questions, etc. I have been praying about this and for the little babies.

What is best???

Answer 1

Your brother is correct. Christ himself waited to the age of 28 or so to be baptized as an example to us. Not because it was bad, but because we should be spiritually "grown-up" in the belief's we have and be able to support those beliefs. Baptising infants is NOT a biblical doctrine and Christ and the early church never recommended it until after the apostasy set in and money was needed for the church coffers. Do you SERIOUSLY think God holds original sin again someone who dies unbaptised? Please! We're born that way. Its only as adults that we can appreciate God's wisdom and Christs love and then get baptised and THAT'S when it matters.

Answer 2

Your beliefs are different than your brother's apparently. Your brother seems to be taking the position of most of the other people that have responded to your post -- babies don't sin, so what's the point in even bringing them to church?

If and only if your brother is open to discussion about it, you may want to explain the reasons for infant baptism. I'm sure the pastor would love to talk to your brother, but it's also good that you know the reasons for infant baptism and why it is important. And, if you expect a full-fledged debate, it's probably best to brush up on your apologetics before confronting the issue. Plenty of websites available, but if perchance you belong to the Reformed/Presbyterian faith group, try www.reformed.org.

I wouldn't go about straining family relationships over this. But have an answer ready when he asks "why"!

Answer 3

Acts 2:38,39 was the 1st gospel preaching after the coming of the Holy Spirit. Peter in those verses makes it clear that baptism was for adults and their children. It aligns with the OT covenant sign of circumcision for a male child on the 8th day, but is inclusive of females too. In the early Christian church, all households were baptized when the parents were believers as it was the responsibility of the adult believers to raise children in their faith in such a manner that they never had to have a so-called conversion experience. That understanding comes from people who have not thoroughly studied their faith through scriptures and church history. Either way, your brother will be a hard person to convince since he obviously wasn't raised in a community of faith, which sadly makes my point concerning infant baptism.

Answer 4

Personally, I do agree with your brother's believe that his twins are not sinful. I think infant baptism is not about forgiving original sins because salvation was already done with the blood of Christ Jesus for all. To me infant baptism is important to many parents, it is like choosing a " good school ". Parents would like their children to belong and be welcome into the faith and to form part of the body of Christ. To instill good foundation at a young age is important and it is the parents responsibility, isn't it. If they choose to change faith later on during their teens, 'Yes' it is then their choice. At least the parents have tried their best. In our faith at age 16, a teens will be given a choice to make at "Confirmation". Teens are given a choice to live 'a life as a disciple of Jesus'. So not to worry, parents are not imposing their will on their infants. I guess your brother should understand this so he will be in a better position to make any decisions for his precious twins.

Answer 5

The Bible says, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." (Ezekiel 18:20)

A baby has not sinned. According to this verse, a baby does not inherit sin. Therefore, a baby does not need to be baptized "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38).

"Sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4) If a baby is guilty of sin, what law have they transgressed? What law are the capable of transgressing?

A baby has no sin, therefore does not need baptism.

Answer 6

Your brother is actually right, except I do feel he needs to be a part of the body of Christ. However, that is his decision the same as it is every bodies individual choice. Baptism is for people who are old enough to make the decision themselves based on knowledge of the commitment they are making to Christ by hearing the Word. There is not any place in the Bible that says to baptize infants or young children, no where. Your Pastor should not have to share the word when anyone for you, you should have your own Bible in which to search things out in order to share the Word with others.
I think it is awesome that you have your heart in the right place and are thinking of your loved ones.

BTW, the punishment of original sin is that we do not get to live in the Garden of Eden, we do not live forever, women suffer pain in childbirth, man has to toil and work the land, etc.... As for the sins we need to be Baptized for in order to be forgiven of them, cleansed daily and to have eternal salvation is the sins we each commit ourselves.

Answer 7

Not content with forcing your beliefs onto your children, you now want to do the same to your brother's kids.
Leave it alone.
Leave him alone.
Leave his kids alone.
It is this indoctrination of innocent children by supposedly well-meaning adults, who just don't realise how controlling they are, that perpetuates this nonsense.
Giving a free choice to a child is the best gift that you can bestow. Leading them into a life of stupidity is not a good idea.
This god will eventually go the same way as Thor, and Ra and Zeus and, eventually, everyone will see what a complete waste of time religion has been.
I'm at this level now. Why not play the game of life to get yourself up to this level before it's 'Game Over' and the only thing that you have achieved is to send your children along the same laughable path.
God is imaginary. God is a man-made invention. Time to see the light, people!

Answer 8

Baptism is just a good symbolic tradition, it is not necessary for salvation. For example the thief on the cross who recognized Jesus was who he said he was, Jesus didn't say "Come down from the cross, get baptized, then you will be with me in paradise". Of course I don't think anything is impure with infant baptism, but if the child isn't doing it willfully, not knowing what it means, it really doesn't mean they are reborn spiritually. It really depends though how his spiritual walk is - if he isn't even a Christian you can hardly impress him into baptizing his infant children. If he is a Christian, then just try to get him to tag along to church, don't pressure him into baptizing his kids. Besides, aren't children supposed to be saved because of ignorance? Remember Jesus said "the kingdom of heaven belongs to ones like these [children]"

Answer 9

First of all, Why in the heck would you baptize babies? Do you even know what baptism is? Baptism washes away your sins, and makes it possible for you to repent. It is a sacred ordinance. This really ticks me off because so many people out ther believe that God would send a baby to hell if it wasn't baptized. God would never do that. There are so many people that have lived on the earth and who are going to live on the earth, that shall not have the opportunity to hear about Jesus or get baptized. They are not damned to hell. Why would God put people on the earth, and from no fault of their own, they do not hear about Jesus or get baptized, and then punish them for something they had nothing to do with? Please read in your bible the meaning of baptism. So mant people out there just accept what their preacher tells them without investigating it for themselves. I agree with your brother. His babies are too precious to be sinners. They are not even at the age of accountability. If you want to invite him and his family to church, then do so, but don't have a hidden agenda about it. And most of all, you need to respect his decision regarding his children.

Answer 10

Best is to respect your brothers wishes and back off.

I'm sure your pastor would just love to have a little "discussion" with your brother so he can "persuade" him to the "right" course of action.
As your brother and his wife are adults, he and his wife have the right to believe as they wish, whether you like the choice or not.

Perhaps your brother would prefer that his children make their own choice about religion, rather than have it handled for them.