Why is it that people say do not baptize a baby. You must wait until they are old enough to make their own?

Question

desicion, but when they do make it and it is not the same religion as theirs then they are upset?

Answer 1

They say that because, quite simply, they are not Catholic. But, quick to tell us that our doctrine is false.

The reason the Catholic church baptizes is because it is a Sacrament of initiation. A welcoming into the church.

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: wonderful Midge it's an easy answer, heresies come along and reinvent the meaning of older terminology for example some Protestant Evangelicals now use the term "believers baptism" which may or may not include the rite of baptism (the form and matter). Some groups have decided to separate baptism into two parts unrelated such as spirit baptism and water baptism whereas the meaning was one of oneness in the original biblical Greek.
Getting back to your question the prime reason people say do not baptise a baby is because they've fallen into a heretical understanding of the sacrament. Baptism now replaces circumcision so I ask when do are Jewish babies circumcised? I believe it is as early as 8 days after birth and the parents of the child stand in the child's stead and promise to raise the child in the culture of the faith.

Part of what Baptists call "the Great Commission" is to baptise to be truly saved should we baptise as many as possible including our children? Of course we should it's been done that way right from the beginning of Christendom.


Hippolytus

"Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them" (The Apostolic Tradition 21:16 [A.D. 215]).

Answer 3

I guess it is because the dont understand what "infant baptism " means. Most protestants think infant baptizing is the same as an adult baptism and confirmation. Infant baptism only does one thing and that is to remove the stain of original sin. It is not a confirmation. Protestants have "christenings" which is exactly the same as an infant baptism, except they are confirming their child to the Lord and they also sprinkle water on the babies head(which is also baptizing). Where we as Catholics educate our children first before they take their confirmation.

Answer 4

I made up my mind to be baptized when I was still a very young child, but it was definitely my decision. I knew what it meant. I will also let my little girls decide for themselves. The thing is, I sure will be upset if they choose not to become baptized. But I don't think an infant baptism means anything, because it is a decision the parents make on behalf of their child. Does this hold any weight with God? In the Bible, every single person in the New Testament was past the age of accountability; they were knowledgeable about the importance of baptism. There isn't any story about an infant being baptized in the Bible.

Answer 5

Those who oppose infant baptism do not understand that it is the new covenant, replacing circumcision. If God had infants circumcised on the 8th day as a sign of His covenant, why in the world would He exclude infants in the new? They just don't get it.

They also ignore the fact that in the Catholic Church, confirmation is done when a person is 12-14 yrs old, and THAT is when they make their own profession of faith.

Answer 6

you have to understand what Baptism repesents, Jesus was 30 when he was baptized & he had no sin, it symbolized his puplic dedication to do his fathers will , thats when he accepted the position of being the Messiah & recieved Holy spirit

(Matthew 3:13-14) 13 Then Jesus came from Gal′i‧lee to the Jordan to John, in order to be baptized by him. 14 But the latter tried to prevent him, saying: “I am the one needing to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me. . .

(Matthew 3:16-17) . . .After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God’s spirit coming upon him. 17 Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.”

(1 Peter 3:21) 21 That which corresponds to this is also now saving YOU, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience. . .

(Romans 5:12) 12 That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned—.(including babies)

here is another bible principal
(Ecclesiastes 7:1-2) . . .A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born. 2 Better is it to go to the house of mourning than to go to the banquet house, because that is the end of all mankind. . .

you see when your born you don't prove anything, but living in a way that pleases God you will be remembered by him & ressurected

Answer 7

You want the best for your baby, so baptize him. God's not going to judge him/her until after the age of reason. Traditionally, it's confirmation for catholics, barmitzvah for jews all around 13.

But if you like a family album go for it.

Answer 8

The catholic notion of infant baptism is not biblical. Baptism does not save a baby that dies, nor does an unbaptized baby go to "limbo". All the scriptures indicate that baptism was a baptism of repentance. Infants have no need, nor understanding of repentance. As for the adult desicion, it must be made. Baptism is not required but the repentance is. People who go against family traditions always upset the family. It is just human nature.

Answer 9

Baby's/children are under the Grace of God. They can not commit a sin in his eyes. Most non Catholic Churches, wait and let the child decide, usually around 7 to 10. This is not a stead fast rule.

Answer 10

because they might be upset because they think he/she is choosing wrong religion, and you don't baptize a baby because i don't see what good it does, the baby is already innocent, what sins are there to be "washed away"?.. i'm not catholic, but i don't go around telling all cathoics they are wrong, i do asnwer a question if someone asks me my opinion... as in this yahoo answers section. no disrespect to you or other catholics, but that's just my opinion.AND.. of course they want the child to choose their way, why would a muslim try to raise their child as a catholic, or a hindu to raise a child as a christian... that's obvious.