I am pregnant with my first baby, my husband and I have chosen not to baptize our baby. I would prefer my child to make the decision for him or herself, since it is a big decision to be baptized into a religion.
In your opinion, should babies/small children be baptized? Why or why not?
2007-01-16 09:39:14 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
NO. Baptism is the washing away of the old person and rising with Jesus into a new life. Children do not understand the concept of faith.
2007-01-16 09:43:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Following are the effects of Baptism:
Baptism unites us with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Baptism makes us a new creation and a child of God
Baptism welcomes us and makes us a part of the Body of Christ
Baptism washes away all sin - original sin and any personal sin
Baptism causes a person to receive the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism obeys the command of Jesus of "let the children come to me"
Baptizing a person as a baby or small child does not prevent the child from making the decision of becoming a Christian for himself or herself later in life. The decision to follow Christ is not something that is done just once in a person's life. It is something that is done every day of a person's life.
Just remember what Jesus said in John 3: 5: "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit."
2007-01-16 09:49:36 · answer #2 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This generally depends on which brand of Christianity you choose to follow. If you feel a baby will go to hell or purgatory if they are not baptized, you will say baptize at birth. If you feel baptism is a commitment to the religion that must be decided on by the individual, you will say later.
2007-01-16 09:45:27 · answer #3 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I, as a Pastor, do not agree with children being baptized, especially at the behest of their parents.
Being Baptized is a serious matter and should be treated as such.
When the child reaches the age of accountability, then it's time for Him/Her to make the decision on their own.
2007-01-16 09:47:06 · answer #4 · answered by drg5609 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know you've already made up your mind about infant baptism, but just know that if baptism is a covenant that replaces circumcision in the Old Testament, then you've decided to keep your baby from being marked as God's property, kind of like wanting to live in the city of the king but not show any address there. Baptism is what Christians do, for themselves and for their entire household -- especially for the infant that will be raised up by God-fearing parents.
I hope I've confused you enough to take a closer look at infant baptism and what it really is.
2007-01-17 07:09:57 · answer #5 · answered by ccrider 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i imagine that baptism is a public exhibit of your devotion to Christ and your dedication to him on your existence. I dont somewhat understand any small toddlers who can draw close that concept. i imagine that having your infant dedicated interior the church is a impressive concern, yet baptism as a newborn seems oddly unnesicary. Even in scripture it became grown adult men and females who were baptised, no longer toddlers. Nowhere interior the bible does it say you should baptise your newborn. the following is a passage about Jesus' baptism: 21When each of the individuals were being baptized, Jesus became baptized too. And as he became praying, heaven became opened 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in actual style like a dove. And a voice got here from heaven: "you're my Son, whom i respect; with you i'm properly extremely joyful." Luke 3:21-22 DH131
2016-10-15 07:58:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is effective 100% of the time, simply because God desires all to be saved.
Every infant is born separated from God and unfit for heaven, solely due to the lingering effects of Adam's original sin.
This is proven by the fact that death is the penalty for sin, and even young childen and infants are still subject to death.
If you choose to delay your child's baptism, there is absolutely no assurance that your child will be admitted to heaven, should it experience an unfortunate accident or illness, that leads to death.
If you can live with that possibility, then wait.
If not, baptize.
2007-01-16 11:57:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It makes no difference. When the child reaches the age of self actualization they will deciede what they believe about religion. An act performed when they are an infant or too young to understand/choose won't have any effect on their spirituality. It is more done for the parents or families.
2007-01-16 13:13:58 · answer #8 · answered by strgoddss 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, they are too young to understand whats going on. It is a big decision thus it should be up to the child when he/she is old enough to understand their religion being able to decide if they are ready
2007-01-16 10:45:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Infant baptism is an abomination before the Lord. They are innocent of sins until they reach the age of accountability. And should they die before reaching that age they will join the Father in Heaven in the Celestial Kingdom forevermore.
2007-01-16 09:46:36 · answer #10 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
At that age it is a "christening". Its just a blessing, really. Dont listen to the Catholic guy here with Jesus picture, he is talking about repentance and baptism, how does a baby understand repentance??
Yes they should choose to do a full body baptism at an older age.
Congratulations!
Mazel Tov! (good luck)
David T
2007-01-16 09:47:21 · answer #11 · answered by David T 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋