Christians-Infant baptism vs. believers baptism?

Question

Which do you believe in and why?

Answer 1

...And one for infant baptism.

- Baptism parallels circumcision which was applied to Jesus himself as a Jew.
- Is there any other reason for circumcision to have been dropped as a practice of the church than for baptism to have replaced it? Both are covenants between God and His people.
- Nowhere in Scripture are infants rejected from this practice.
- The baptism of entire households included infants by way of authority rather than age requirements.
- If infants are excluded from baptism, then are not women excluded from Communion for the same reason since all partakers were male as identified in the New Testament?
- Children have inherited original sin and stand, like the adult, in need of a Savior.
- If those below the age of reason are not held accountable for sin, then would it not be better for them to die and enter Heaven in this sinless state rather than risk an eternity in Hell through a "personal choice" later? This is logically macabre.
- If infants are not baptized, what difference is there between the baptized and heathen's child? (oh that's right, they're both going to Heaven. See above.)

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

Jesus said "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16)

Peter taught in Acts 2 that they needed to believe ("know assuredly" verse 36) that Jesus was the Christ. After it was clear they believed and they asked what they needed to do to be saved, he told them, "Repent and be baptized". (Verse 38) Belief and repentance both precede baptism in this chapter.

When the eunuch recognized the need to be baptized, he asked "See, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized?" Phillip's response was, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." (Acts 8:36-37) Belief is required for one to be scriptural be baptized.

Those who say an infant may, or even must, be baptized base their argument on the "households" that were baptized. They assume these households included infants that were baptized. Their idea is mere assumption rather than what the Word says.

Also the scriptures in some of these accounts say a certain individual believed with his whole house. If the whole house believes, then it can be concluded they were capable of believing, and therefore not infants.

Finally, the conversions of these households would not contradict the other verses that teach belief comes before baptism. Again "If you believe you may (be baptized)".

Why do I believe in believer's baptism? Because that is what the Word of God says.

Answer 4

Believes baptism. With the infant baptism it's the faith of the parent that is the reason for baptism, you can't believe for someone else. With believes baptism you are, yourself believing and following the words of Christ.

Answer 5

show me where in the Bible it mentions anything about infant baptism- even hints to it - everything about baptism is about a person making a conscious decision because they believe in their heart- even the Ethiopian eunich was cautioned not to rush into baptism until he was sure that he understood what it was he was doing and why- an infant cannot make this decision. I have not researched where the practice of infant baptism came from but I suspect, as with most other catholic traditions, it is very pagan in origin.

Answer 6

Believers Baptism.... because it's always the believers in the Bible who get baptized and there is no Biblical record of a child or infant being Baptized. Baptism is the recognition of Christ's death, burrial and ressurection, the symbolic cleansing of sins and a public profession of faith. Infants cannot do these things.

Answer 7

To assume that because something is not specifically mentioned in scripture, it is therefore invalid, is a faulty premise. First of all, the Bible says that everything is NOT written down. We never read that Jesus told anyone "hey write this down" however he did say "go and preach." So then entire new Christian Church was evangelized, formed and taught via sacred oral tradition. We know that among these sacred oral traditions, is infant baptism. History shows the from the earliest days of Christianity babies were baptized. Early Christian whitings support this truth. The real question is why would you exclude your babies? Why would God exclude them? Some say they shouldn't be baptized until the age of reason...but when is that? The Bible doesn't specify an age in which a person should be baptized, nor does it say that a person of a particular age cannot be baptized. Sometimes what is not said is as important as what is said. All the Synoptic Gospels are basically tradition, since there were not written by the men whom they are named for. They are thought to be written decades later by men tutored by the Apostles. This would make the Gospels "sacred oral tradition" as well. Sacred oral tradition, and sacred written tradition (Bible) are one and the same in inspiration and authority.

Answer 8

There is no real evidence in TheBible to support infant baptism. But there is much that shows one must be able to accept the meaning of the act of Baptism.... and infant can not do that.... I am one who accepts The Age of Consent belief. that too has no direct biblical support. But I believe it is supported by the intire context of The Bible as it relates to God's Love and Mercy.

Answer 9

What is required before baptism?
hear
believe
repent
baptism
How can a baby do these things? No where in bible does it ever show a baby being baptized. Acts says baptism if for remission of our sins. The 10 commandments show us what sin is. A baby does none of these things.

Answer 10

Both are in the bible. But you need to include baptism by the Holy Spirit.

We dedicated are baby, and will help she to get Baptism when she can under stand it.