For Christians opposed to infant baptism: What is the reasoning behind ... (see details)?

Question

... answering a question like this one with a lecture against the practice and also the Church?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aoh4kPxs89b7pPiTqr9Ajansy6IX?qid=20070705013303AAOjYxZ&show=7#profile-info-ihpoiL2Faa

The poor woman just wanted to know what her son should wear; the decision to have him baptized in the Catholic faith was already made. And yet 17 out of 21 answerers (as I write this), most ostensibly Christians, ranted against the practice and/or the Church.

It's not the first time I've seen an innocent, non-doctrinal question about a child's baptism used as a platform to preach against it.

Would it be asking too much for the body of Christ to use some discernment and consider the person behind the question before sounding off like this -- or answering it at all? You know ... show a little Christian charity? Or are the 2 points just too tempting?

Thank you, Riegan, and thanks for your gracious answer to the young lady, as well. I had always hoped we could find something to agree on.

Answer 1

usually i don't agree with what you have to say, but some of the answers were just disgusting. when someone has a legit question about a religion and people just knock them down, that is totally uncalled for, and i posted that in my answer to her question.

Answer 2

I was raised in a church that promoted infant baptism. As a youngster we were taught the beliefs and teachings of our denomination and then asked to confirm those beliefs in a confirmation ceremony.

I believe that this entire controversy revolves around the interpretation of Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." As Christians we all believe that baptism is a necessary part of our commitment to accepting Christ into our hearts and lives.

Some denominations have taken this passage literally. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." They have assumed that these are requirements for every person. This would mean that if a person has not been baptized he or she would not be saved. We were taught that we should have our children baptized at the earliest opportunity and, in an emergency, any member of our denomination could perform an infant baptism to ensure that the child would be saved.

I challenged this belief when it was presented to me (which was a huge thing to do for a 7th grader) and I still do not believe that an innocent child would be consigned to eternal damnation because they had not been baptized.

I don't think there is anything wrong with baptizing infants but I don't think it is a requirement to being saved (at least not as a small child). Some people believe very strongly that this is necessary and others feel (as I do) that in order to be saved you must make the personal decision to believe in, and follow Christ. At that point, being baptized is a public confession of faith and is something that our Lord has instructed us to do.

Answer 3

First off many will say that baptism is not even required. Others have such guidelines as to age and method. I would say to find discourse with this and to cause pain among other believers is a sin against God. We are here to share in joy and lift each other up. When did the true message of Christ get lost in the Church's one upsmanship. Does anyone really think you will be judged over a little water hitting your physical body. Baptism is a symbol and nothing more. It is a cleansing of the body where the spirit is what Jesus cleansed. The churches of today have regressed back to the ways of the Temple in the times Jesus walked the earth. He tore the curtain separating man from God. Why do so many try to repair the veil.

Answer 4

Baptism is only symbolic of a person having accepted Jesus as Savior, and Lord. It has ZERO meaning beyond that. It is a type of testimony. No where in the Bible is there a requirement to be baptized as a needed action for salvation. What MAN decides is right does not always hold to what the Bible says is right. If someone wants to use some kind of baptism in a christening ceremony, that is between them and God. It does not, however, save that child from it's sin. What Ploycarp thought, is what he thought, that is binding on no one, especially not on God. Infant baptism ranks as a "gee that's so nice", and that is ALL that it is.

Answer 5

They have no concept of God's grace working in someone who is no able to be conscious of it. Some folk are just looking for any opportunity to"pounce". I'm afraid Christian Charity has nothing to do with the attacks.

Acts talks of whole familiesor households baptized and the texts do not say"except for those under the age od reason"

Baptism took the place of circumcision as the entrance into the Kingdom and Family.

Answer 6

These people truly think that they are being helpful by pointing out the error of infant baptism.

If you accept their understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism, it does not make sense to baptize infants or toddlers.

Unfortunately, they are sadly misinformed about what Baptism is all about. To them, it is only a symbolic gesture, much like how they see communion as a symbolic gesture.

It seems to me that the rituals of the non-Catholic Christian churches are merely symbolic and have no real meaning or real effect. They do not see Baptism as really meaning anything and their communion is merely symbolic. They do not even consider Matrimony a sacrament and they do not even have anything that resembles Reconciliation, Confirmation, Holy Orders or Anointing of the Sick.

It is all very very sad

Answer 7

In my faith, the baptism of an infant symbolizes only that the parents are making a commitment to raise the child in a Christian home and in such a manner as to better prepare the child for his own conversion at the appropriate age. Got no problem with that.

Answer 8

I was 'baptized' as an infant (something my parents chose for me and of no choice of my own)... we 'baptized' our children as infants, because we didnt know at the time the truth in salvation cuz our church (not catholic tho) did not teach salvation messages.. just 'things to do' ...

we (my husband and I) started searching out the truth in the Word rather than listening to our respective churches... and learned so much from the Bible that our churches never taught us.... since then, both my husband and I have chosen baptism for ourselves... an outward expression of an inward change... and 2 of our children (20 and 17) have also chosen that path... chosen because we had each become born again... as much as we as parents wish to 'choose' our child's faith, we cannot.. they have to make that choice themselves.

now, that being said... anyone can accept the 'baptism' from when they were a child, as their baptism ... whether wrong or right in other people's eyes... it is the change of heart that matters.. not the mode of baptism nor age of that person... but the motive in the heart.

as for what to wear?? I would say, whatever you would want to dress your child/yourself in... my kids wore white (boys had a shorts outfit and girls had white dress that i wore as a baby)

Answer 9

I can understand why you would feel these people are nuts. Fundamentalists are very adept at sanctimonious instruction. There's a lot of finger pointing and saying what people should do in the name of Jesus (as if they own him). That's how things are done in the private club of the self-righteous.

It's ironic that they would use their powers of theoretical analysis for the matter of infant baptism but completely abandon their brains when it comes to everything else.

But honestly, the rite of baptism is just symbolic whether you are 3 or 103. (And it was around before Jesus.)

Answer 10

I do not know the reasoning of many, but my reply would have been one to share the truth. I am saddened that many who consider themselves Christians do not uphold the bible as absolute authority for what they practice, but rather what the church tells them to do. If someone will not agree that the Bible is the authority in religious matters, then I will not waste my time quoting from it. Infant baptism is simply getting a kid wet as others look around and cry. There is no reason why a baby would object since they have no idea what is going on any way. How old was Jesus when He was baptized?

Answer 11

I'm not catholic, but I know that at our presbyterian church the baptism of babies is basically to let the congregation acknowledge that the child is a part of their church, and as such they will watch over and guide the child. Its not really about saving babies, as all children are covered until the age of accountability anyway.

I know exactly what you mean though, about how people here will attack someone for asking a simple question. Very childish and juvenile.