Okay... so why adult Baptism?

Question

As you may have guessed from my questions today I am trying to fathom whether or not to get my son Baptised!

Answer 1

I'm a Baptist. The early Baptists seem to have come to the conclusion that baptism was only for adults because of the way that they thought of the church. Because they saw the church as a voluntarily gathered group of believers, and because baptism makes you a member of the church, it's only right to baptise someone who can voluntarily request to become a part of the church. If that is what you feel that the church is, then it makes sense to put baptism off.

Answer 2

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.

No Infant Baptism. In view of the fact that ‘hearing the word,’ ‘embracing the word heartily,’ and ‘repenting’ precede water baptism (Ac 2:14, 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. An argument is made by some in favor of infant baptism. They refer to the instances where ‘households’ were baptized, such as the households of Cornelius, Lydia, the Philippian jailer, Crispus, and Stephanas. They believe that this implies that small babies in those families were also baptized. But, 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.

Baptism is a serious step. Baptizing an infant is wrong because a baby cannot understand, make a decision, and become a disciple. 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. In this regard, 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.)

Answer 3

How old is your son? If he's an adult, that's his choice.

The reason they offer adult baptism is because some children weren't introduced to religion at a young age, and as adults, they may feel like their lives are lacking meaning and direction. They choose to study in a church, be baptised and confirmed.

If you baptise a baby, he is still required to take confirmation classes later in life to "seal the deal" so to speak. The purpose of these confirmation classes is to educate him in his religion, and if he accepts it, he's confirmed, meaning he accepts his religion and confirms his baptism as an adult.

I was baptised and confirmed, but I never really liked church and I don't practice as an adult. It's different for everyone.

Answer 4

Baptism isn't only for adults, but it's for young people who are old enough and mature enough to understand FOR THEMSELVES the need for baptism. You shouldn't FORCE baptism on your son; merely lead him in that direction with truth, love and understanding. As paren't we're charged to "Train up a child in the way it SHOULD go; when it grows old it will not depart." That verse teaches us in a nutshell that a child has to be RAISED in the truth, not have it thrust upon them forcibly. Live a good Christian life in front of your child, teach him the Word, be instant, in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke and reproach above all longsuffering.

Answer 5

I am a christian. Don't know what your beliefs are but baptism is something you do AFTER trusting Christ. it can be exampled with a married couple and a wedding ring. when people get married, they get a wedding ring. that ring does not make them any more or less married, but it represents and shows to all who see that you are married. if you dont wear your ring that doesnt mean your not married, just people wont know you are.
the same is true with baptism-it does not make you saved or get you to Heaven. it is simply a way of showing all who see that you trusted Christ to take you to Heaven. if you dont get baptised that doesnt mean you are not saved. Once you trust Christ you are saved NO MATTER WHAT. Christ just wants us to identify with Him by being baptised, just as your spouse wants you to wear your ring to identify that you are theirs and no one elses. Baptism symballizes the death, burial, and ressurection of Christ. the death is you standing in the water, burial is being fully submerssed under, and the ressurection is you coming up out of the water.
as far as age-it does not matter. the only thing is that you need to be saved first, just as you need to get married before wearing the ring. all you need to do to be saved is realize your a sinner, realize from that sin you deserve hell, realize Jesus paid that price by dying on the cross and rose again, and ask Him to take you to Heaven. people make it harder than it really is. why would God make it difficult for people to be saved. He created us and wants to be with us some day, just trust Him.
All scripture taken from the KJV of the Holy Bible.
I know this is kind of long but hope it helps.

Answer 6

You can dedicate your baby, but as far as baptism, until he is old enough to accept the Lord as his personal Lord and Savior, he can not really be baptized. He has to make the decision himself.

Answer 7

One of the prerequisites of baptism is faith/belief. (Mark 16:16)
An infant or child who is incapable of faith and repentance does not need to be baptized.