2007-02-20 05:24:53 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There is much confusion about baptism in the various Christian denominations. However, this is not a result of the Bible presenting a confusing message on baptism. The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes. In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized - as a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4). Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ. It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.
With this in view, infant baptism is not a Biblical practice. An infant cannot place his or her faith in Christ. An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ. An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes. The Bible does not record any infants being baptized. Infant baptism is the origin of the sprinkling and pouring methods of baptism - as it is unwise and unsafe to immerse an infant under water. Even the method of infant baptism fails to agree with the Bible. How does pouring or sprinkling illustrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Many Christians who practice infant baptism do so because they understand infant baptism as the new covenant equivalent of circumcision. In this view, just as circumcision joined a Hebrew to the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, so baptism joined a person to the New Covenant of salvation through Jesus Christ. This view is unbiblical. The New Testament nowhere connects baptism and circumcision. The New Testament nowhere describes baptism as a sign of the New Covenant. It is faith in Jesus Christ that enables a person to enjoy to blessings of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 9:15).
Baptism does not save a person. It does not matter if you were baptized by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling - if you have not first trusted in Christ for salvation, baptism (no matter the method) is meaningless and useless. Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience to be done after salvation as a public profession of faith in Christ and identification with Him. Infant baptism does not fit the Biblical definition of baptism or the Biblical method of baptism. If Christian parents wish to dedicate their child to Christ, then a baby dedication service is entirely appropriate. However, even if infants are dedicated to the Lord, when they grow up they will still have to make a personal decision to believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved.
2007-02-20 05:48:46 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!
God states many times in the bible that he is a fair God and a loving God.
He does command us to repent and be baptized in order to be saved (Acts 2:38).
However, some people do not have the chance to be baptized. What then?
When Christ was dying on the cross there was another man being crucified with him, who believed in Christ. This man did not have a chance to be baptized yet Christ saved him. (Luke 23:32ff).
God also judges those who do not have the opportunity to know Christ differently than he judges us (Rom 2:14-15)
Is a fair God going to send somebody to hell when they did not have a chance to get to know Him? Would a loving God going to condemn a baby? These things are against His very nature.
2007-02-20 13:44:46 · answer #2 · answered by Laura H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where does it say in the Bible that babies have to be baptized? Jesus wasn't baptized until he was 30. There is no record anywhere of a baby being baptized. Babies are guaranteed heaven because they don't know any better about right and wrong choices. It's extended time on the earth and being in this world that corrupts their minds. "Suffer the little children to come unto me."
2007-02-20 13:30:56 · answer #3 · answered by heavnbound 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No sweetheart, unbaptized babies are welcomed into the open arms of god along with those incapable of undertanding salvation
2007-02-20 13:54:09 · answer #4 · answered by shaquailla0 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Babies are too young to be held accountable, and should not be baptized until they understand the gospel and can comprehend salvation through Jesus Christ....or else them being baptized is pointless--because they obviously do not "believe" in their heart about Jesus since they are only infants and have no understanding of who Jesus is. That is why I never understood why some relegions baptize babies.
2007-02-20 13:32:39 · answer #5 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you'll find that most people seem to believe that the stain of sin from adam and eve don't appear on people until they reach a certain age.
Even the most fundamentalist of christians have a hard time making that stick on babies.
Just more evidence of how sick it all is.
2007-02-20 13:30:48 · answer #6 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, next door to the place reserved for you.
2007-02-20 13:28:57 · answer #7 · answered by nycguy10002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is not the same as salvation.
Babies are innocents, and will not go to hell.
2007-02-20 13:29:02 · answer #8 · answered by Char 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are no babies in hell
2007-02-20 13:36:51 · answer #9 · answered by Frihah Anti-Milanist 4lyf! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its called limbo, but it isnt in hell.
2007-02-20 13:28:58 · answer #10 · answered by David H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋