2007-04-24 08:35:52 · 8 answers · asked by socmum16 ♪ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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 describes baptism as the New Covenant replacement for Old Covenant 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).
2007-04-24 13:30:40 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Infants need to be saved too. There are some people who teach an age of innocence. The early church did not hold to this teaching.
An earlier comment was made about baptism needing to be done by immersion. This was not the viewpoint of the early church. Justin the marytar in 128 AD stated that people were baptized in the lavaer, or basin. This means that the means was by pouring or sprinkling.
Many people disagree with infant baptism because they think that an infant cannot have faith or is too young to understand. God is doing the baptism, not man. It is not about what we are doing, but rather what God is doing. He is establishing a covenant with us and we are responding.
Clement of Alexandria in 212 AD said it well "Being baptized, we are illuminated; illuminated we become sons; being made sons, we are made perfect; being made perfect, we are made immortal." Illumination here means to be washed. What he is saying is it is not what we are doing, but what God has done. Since this is so, infant baptism is just as necessary as anyone else who is not yet baptized.
Cyprian in 220 AD had this to say about the need for infant baptism. "We think is to be even more observed in respect of infants and newly-born persons, who on this very account deserve more from our help and from the divine mercy, that immediately, on the very begining of their birth, lamenting and weeping, they do nothing else but entreat."
2007-04-24 19:47:14 · answer #2 · answered by kitty21 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Church has baptized infants since the time of the Apostles. Many of the Protestant reformers such as Luther and Calvin believed infant baptism was supported by Scripture and tradition.
Jesus said we must be born of water and the spirit and He did not exclude infants from this command. In fact, He said "let the little children come to me for such is the Kingdom of God."
In the book of Acts, we read that the Apostles baptized "entire households" and babies are not excluded.
This might be helpful
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/baptism.html#tradition-II
2007-04-24 15:54:56 · answer #3 · answered by Veritas 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is understandable regarding the parents concern but infant baptism is
NOT
Bible. In fact, baptism is another word for immersion, immersion, not dipping or sprinkling is the only correct Biblical way.
2007-04-24 15:46:01 · answer #4 · answered by 1saintofGod 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
there is none,baptism is only to prove yourself in front of men that you believe in God according to some answers you have recieved im sorry that people dont understand that babies are not accountable their parents are
2007-04-24 15:48:55 · answer #5 · answered by loveChrist 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To indoctrinate them teach them bad science before they grow up to learn the truth.
2007-04-24 15:44:48 · answer #6 · answered by Beaverscanttalk 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
if they die when not baptized they would go to hell or end up in limbo... or at least that is what was previously thought.
2007-04-24 15:41:40 · answer #7 · answered by Loathing 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Some people believe babies will go to hell if they haven't been baptized.
2007-04-24 15:39:42 · answer #8 · answered by ☭ 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋