christians, hold up a sec...?

Question

okay, so many of you have said that you believe in adult baptisms. i take it that its so the individual will fully understand the nature of what they are doing. however, i'm willing to bet that you're the same ones who raise your kids in the church and teach them bible stories at a young age at which they are not developed enough to question what you're teaching them. my question to you is, how can you distinguish between the two? they go hand in hand. isn't that hypocritical of you?

btw sophie... it is proven that a child who learns religion at a young age is far more apt to believe and stick with what you teach them than an adult. have you ever tried learning a foreign language? easy for kids, much harder for adults.

btw sophie... it is proven that a child who learns religion at a young age is far more apt to believe and stick with what you teach them than an adult. have you ever tried learning a foreign language? easy for kids, much harder for adults.

Answer 1

Not all Christians. But, yeah - you are right. Especially in the light of what St. Peter says clearly in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles:

Acts 2:38 - Peter says to the multitude, "Repent and be baptized.." Protestants use this verse to prove one must be a believer (not an infant) to be baptized. But the Greek translation literally says, "If you repent, then each one who is a part of you and yours must each be baptized” (“Metanoesate kai bapistheto hekastos hymon.”) This, contrary to what Protestants argue, actually proves that babies are baptized based on their parents’ faith. This is confirmed in the next verse.

Acts 2:39 - Peter then says baptism is specifically given to children as well as adults. “Those far off” refers to those who were at their “homes” (primarily infants and children). God's covenant family includes children. The word "children" that Peter used comes from the Greek word "teknon" which also includes infants.

Answer 2

"train up a child in the way he should go...." is the bible verse for this. Baptism is a sign of accepting Christ's sacrifice and accepting Him as your personal saviour. Baptizing a baby is saying he (used figuratively here) accepts Christ that way without the child's every actually knowing that he does!!!! You're not a christian unless you knowingly accept Christ as Lord and saviour.

And trust me as a child raised in church the way you mention, the two do not go hand in hand. EVERY single child raised in church has the opportunity to question and verify the reality of every Sunday school lesson they ever learn, especially during the teen years. It's one of the wonders of a secular school system - though i love it dearly (and for others it's just a point where they feel the need to ask "Is this for real?")

This way...parents teach the child the right path (and of course by free will it is the child's choice to accept that path) just as when a parent tells a child that they should go to college...ultimately it is the child's decision whether or not to go. Just because a child is raised to do the right thing, doesn't mean they always do it or truly believe it's right, take not drinking underage for instance. A lot of Americans think it's stupid and drink when they're underage, but they still have to face the consequences when they get caught.

What would truly be hypocritical is if we baptized the baby and assumed that when he grew up, he'd go to heaven, simply because he'd been baptized as a baby.

Answer 3

According to the Bible a child becomes responsible for his/her own salvation at the age of 12 up until that time it is the responsibility of the father/guardian.
Children need to be educated enough in regard to spiritual things to be able to make informed decisions with regard to salvation.
Your question is a loaded one, because you assume there is a level playing field, but there isn't. Children are taught by the education system that evolution is fact when even its founding father, Charles Darwin asserted it was only a theory.
Don't you think a person should have all the information before making a decision which may or may not have such enormous consequences.

Answer 4

The stories are told so that when they are "of age" they will have a foundation and understanding to build their testimony on. It would not make much sense to bring up a child without any christian teaching, then suddenly tell them "now it's time to be baptized" Would you walk a tight rope without any practice at all. When you are baptized you are taking on a great responsibility. Being old enough to grasp the concept of right and wrong is the only way you can be expected to make a covenant with the lord. Otherwise there is no understanding of the contract between the believer and Christ. It is a covenant (contract) that has to be understood to enter into. Not one that should be entered into blindly.

Answer 5

We may be teaching our children at early ages, but they arent held accountable to God until they are old enough to understand, and make choices for themselves, That is usually around 13 or 14. To be baptized, it is something one must ask for and understand the meaning of it. Children are realy able to understand this fully , therefore most Christians wont baptize a baby. This has to be an adult choice, and atherefore we only approve of Adult baptizms, as that what God teaches. BUt way before baptizm, we are to be teacing our Children the various truths of God in the Bible a,d helping them to udnersatnd, so at some point, they will understand and know and be able to make their own choices.
So, no this is not hypocritical. Its balanced teaching, and Jesus is very balanced. Amen

Answer 6

Um, I wasn't taught religion at home. I discovered it on my own as an adult. I am a Christian. I was baptised when I was 23. It wasn't forced upon me. I researched it and then realized research didn't help me. Divine intervention helped me to make my decision. I decided to pick up a bible that was on the floor of my closet and began to read it. I didn't get through Genesis before I felt the presence of God or something divine in my life. The feeling was so powerful that I couldn't help but burst into tears of joy. There is no other feeling like it in the world.

Answer 7

The Bible Stories told and read to our young children are the same ones they might hear as adults, but in age-appropriate language. They are theme appropriate as well in order to let them know that God loves them. Even as early as 2 to 4 years of age, a lovingly presented story can allow them to see that Jesus died for the sins of the world. Once they reach the age of reason, they understand that His death and sacrifice was not only for the sins of the world, but for their sins as well. It's a pretty simple and straight-forward method of teaching.

Answer 8

You can teach children whatever you want, but that is no guarantee that the children will stay in the faith and agree with what you say. They have a choice in what they believe. Don't you think it's better to wait and let them decide? Besides, the real reason is that a baby has no sins to be forgiven. Baptism is rebirth, but it is for the remission of our sins. We should be baptized by choice when we feel we want to dedicate our lives to Jesus.

Answer 9

It was part of the law that Fathers should teach their children about their God.

Deutoronomy 6:6 And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; 7 and you must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up...

That said, it's up to the child, as he or she reaches the proper age, to make a decision for themselves. For myself, my mom was one of JW. That is what I was taught. However, I made a personal decision to also become one of JW 38 years ago.

Answer 10

That is why each person must make the decision of salvation for themself. You cannot get to heaven by being baptized, by your family being saved.

No matter what you were taught as a child, there comes a time of accountability when you have to answer and decide for yourself..