Baptism question?

Question

Would it be better to not baptize babies? Just let them grow up, and then see what religious calling they have? And then if they want to get baptized let them?

What if, even though the child was raised Christian, he wanted to be something else? Babies don't know what religion THEY want to be yet. So is it really fair to make them get baptized instead of letting them choose? Don't be a religion-forcing tyrant.

As for the "relgious calling" I mean what religion they are comfortable with.

So Paul, if your children turn into Hindus, you would shun them?

Answer 1

with out a doubt. no one likes forced religion.

Answer 2

Water baptizing babies isn't done in the bible. It is done because people are choosing Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior & they believe Jesus raised from the dead.

So, I think that baptizing babies is really for the parents to dedicate their children to the Lord. And this is like a pledge to bring up your children in the Lord and to receive the Lords blessings on the child.

Water baptism signifies the death of the old man and the washing away of sin by Jesus atoning blood & and the resurrection of the new man in Christ. This is an act of obedience & faith & a testimony.

Getting water baptized should be the choice of the child or grownup when they choose Christ. And then baptized in the Name of the Father, Son & Holy Ghost.

Answer 3

No one has ever said, "I have no religious calling whatsoever, but I was baptized as an infant, so I guess I HAVE to go to church and be a Christian."

Baptism initiates a person into the church - the body of Christ. Baptism makes a person a son or daughter of God the Father. Baptism unites a person with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the person is promised resurrection with Christ. Baptism gives a person the gifts of the holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, right judgement, knowledge, courage, reverence, and wonder and awe.

Jesus told His disciples to not keep the children from coming to Him. Why would anyone want to keep an infant from the loving arms of the Father?

Answer 4

Babies should not be baptized. There are 6 steps to consider before being baptized.
#1 John 17:3 You need to know God, form a relationship with him and Christ by studying the bible and taking in accurate knowledge.
#2 Hebrews 11:6 Taking in knowledge gives us Faith and Confidence. We must personally have faith in the promises and love that God and Jesus are extending to us. We must have the confidence to stand up under pressure and persecution just as Jesus did in his day.
#3 Romans 2:4 If someone has faith - change is required. Repentance or deep regret for what they are doing wrong. We are all sinners and Satan is doing all he can to keep us from God.
#4 Acts 3:19 Turning around, go in the opposite direction from the bad. Not just stopping the bad things but doing the good.
Satan hates this part.
#5 Ephesians 4: Dedicate yourself to God in prayer. It is a personal relationship between the two of you.
#6 Matt 28:19 Get BAPTIZED. This is a public declaration that you belong to God and are not ashamed of it. That you know what He expects of you and you are willing and going to do everything in your power to please him and praise his name, Jehovah.
How can a baby be baptized?
To summarize;
1 = Learn/knowledge, 2 = Faith and Confidence, 3 = Repentance,
4 = Turning around, 5 = Dedication in prayer, 6 = Public declaration with Baptism.

Answer 5

Baptizing a baby is doing nothing by getting them wet.

The Bible teaches that baptism is putting a person completely under water for a short time. This is called a burial or immersion.

WHY should a person be baptized? So that he can be saved and have his sins forgiven. This baptism makes him a part of Christ and His church.

WHO should be baptized? The Bible says the one who is to be baptized MUST believe, repent and confess his faith BEFORE he is baptized.

Answer 6

I am Methodist and we believe in baptizing babies. It does not force the child to become Christian or force them to join our church. Part of the ceremony is that the church members promise to help the parents in raising the child so that they will know God.

When the person reaches an age that they can make decisions for themselves they can decide what they believe or not. If they wish to join a church at that point then they do.

Answer 7

Many denominations do not baptize babies. They may have christening or dedication ceremonies, but baptism doesn't come until the child is old enough to decide for him or herself.

I wasn't baptized until I was about 14.

I do know that some denominations practice infant baptism.

I agree that it should wait, and be a personal choice.

Answer 8

Well, I know that some parents (including mine) dedicated me to the Lord a little while after I was born. Then after I got older I decided, on my own, to get baptized. Yes, I think that is better for the parents to wait. But some people have different opinions.....

Answer 9

How do babies KNOW what baptism represents?
Why does the Bible mention to "Train your child in the ways of the Lord?"
Why did Jesus get baptized at thirty?
Mankind, since the fall, is inherently sinful. Without proper training, children will turn into self-loving and selfish people with no consideration for others.
That's why we "rear" children. That's why there are rules.
That's what parents do.

Answer 10

If a child is raised with no religion, as an adult they are unlikely to choose a religion. If a child is baptized, as an adult there is nothing whatsoever preventing them from selecting another path.

Answer 11

It's OK as a symbol of the parents dedicating their life to bring up the child in a Godly way, but the child will ultimately have to make his own decisions as far as religion and baptisim. A baby does not understand what baptism is....