Catholics Jesus says repent and then be born again by baptism how can an infant repent?

Answer 1

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.

For more information, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1250: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm#1250

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Catholic baptism is a welcoming into the church: a christening. Catholic belief is that baptism removes the taint of original sin (re: Adam, Eve, and their apple) not necessarily the sins you've accumulated. Repentance and forgiveness for your sins comes in during your first confession, acceptance of Jesus Christ is acknowledged during your First Communion, and the choice to be Catholic is established during your Confirmation, all of which occur much later in life.

Also, Catholic doctrine has just changed, but it used to be taught that all who were not baptized were condemned, including infants. With high mortality rates of children in the old days, it was a precaution to save their souls from Hell.

Answer 3

Your English could do with some improvement. Baptism has nothing to do with repentance; it is a matter of sanctification. First communion is where repentance comes into the picture. You're a teenager - usually - by then.

Answer 4

That's why the Catholic teaching of infant baptism needs to be updated- if in the Acts of the Apostles they baptized people once they repented, it should be now also.

Answer 5

Several Protestant denominations baptize infants, why just pick on Catholics? But there is no point in pursuing the subject at all until you can see baptism as a covenant. It will make no sense to you at all.

Answer 6

what does an infant have to repent for? born into sin does not make a sinner. until they break the law there is no sin.

jesus was born into flesh and didn't need to repent. faulty logic.

Answer 7

The Bible say all one has to do is Confess with thy Mouth and belive wth thy Heart Jesus Chris is Lord Then you can be Baptised An Infant cant confes and recive Jesus on his own ( see the Attached Scriptures )

Answer 8

v stupid question...what has an infant done which needs repentance?....wet him/herself