Why do catholics baptise babies?

Question

when it says in the bible that you have to accept the word of god first.
As for taking away original sin, didn't Jesus say that the young are innocent?

Answer 1

Infant baptism is not taught in the Bible. It stems from the pagan superstition that baptism “regenerates” a person and cleanses him from past sin. However, the Bible teaches that it is, not baptism, but ‘the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, that cleanses us from all sin.’ (1 John 1:7; Acts 22:16) Also, it is not baptism, but “the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah” that qualifies a child to meet God’s approval. (Eph. 6:4)

Answer 2

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called."

Infant baptism is not a new thing. There are non-biblical documented sources starting in the second century telling of infant Baptism.

There are even several passages in the Bible where whole households were baptized. This would include everyone who lived there, men, women, children, and infants.

Acts 16:15, "After she and her household had been baptized"

Acts 16:33, "then he and all his family were baptized at once."

Acts 18:8, "came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized."

1 Corinthians 1:16, "I baptized the household of Stephanas"

St. Paul wrote that baptism has replaced circumcision (Col 2:11-12), and in Judaism circumcision was performed primarily on infants.

By the way, infant baptism is also practiced by the majority of Protestants in the world, including Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, Methodists, and others.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

It is improper to form doctrine on Scripture verses gleaned out of context. The Bible also states that one must be Baptized to have eternal life. Since this Scripture contradicts your proof text that says that one must accept the Word then one must reconcile this apparent contradiction. Obviously your interpretation, in context, cannot be correct. the fact is babies need Baptism just like everyone as they are born with original sin even if they do not have actual sins to atone.

History records and the book of Acts that entire families were Baptized. Many families would have had infants and it is understood that the parents had their children Baptized to remove the stain of original sin. If this was practiced by the first century Church is this not sufficient proof since it was under the teaching of the apostles that this was done, that we should continue this practice and teaching today?

I believe so.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 4

Because of the belief that you must be clensed of "original sin"(the sin of Adam & Eve) before you can enter the kindom of Heaven. When the child becomes an adult, they go through another Sacrement called "confirmation" in which they pretty much go through the ceremony again as adults.

In the baptism of babies the God Parents answer for the God Child.

Answer 5

I can see we Can't Fool U!!! The Origin came from the giving of "Free Will Offerings" out of Love to the "Baptist" or person doing the "Deed". It was a "Misconception" of the early church, that "Baptism" MUST be performed for Salvation. So everyone wanted their kids to go to Heaven right???Bear in mind, they didn't have our modern communications & so could not just call Paul on the cell to ck. on the Doctrine. The Catholic church Actively Promoted this Revenue Maker allowing the False Doctrine to be Perpetuated, but soon realized that the "Immersion" type Baptism was causing the kids to catch Pneumonia, killing them in the Cold Monstrous Cathedrals!!! So, Lost Revenue!!! This had to be changed to "Sprinkling" which is the way they still Perpetuate the LIE & Revenue Today. John

Answer 6

Basically everyone is born with original sin, the sin of Adam and Eve, and by being baptized, original sin is taken away. You can still choose to sin, but the baby can't sin, and so until it gets older it is sinless. If the baby dies, it will go straight to heaven.

Answer 7

Paul tells us that baptism has replaced circumcision.
When was Jesus circumcised? When he was 8 days old. Do you think that was an empty jesture done by his parents? Or did it convey the covenant of God? We enter into the new covenant when we are baptised. Since the earliest days of the Church this included children and adults.

Answer 8

There's nothing in the bible that forbids the baptism of infants. Not one word, nada. Since the word of God does not forbid it, why would we arbitrarily deny this grace to children?

On the other hand, the jailer to whom Paul said, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here" - Acts says that his whole household was baptized. There were very few households in that day and age that did not have infants in them.

Answer 9

Baptism just marks you as one of God's own.

It's Confirmation that is the final step in the process of becoming a full member of the Church, and that doesn't happen until the child is between 10 - 12 (usually).

Answer 10

Catholics and Protestants baptize babies as a form of dedication to God. Wishful thinking, I guess.