confused about baptism?

Question

I am Lutheran and my husband is baptist. I am having trouble trying to determine whether or not I should have any children that we have in the future baptised as infants or when they are spiritually ready on their own. I have only witnessed the infant baptisms since that's what I was raised around. My husband doesn't care if we do it as babies, but then would like the children to do a full emmersion when they can testify that they are believers. It's just confusing...the church we're currently attending is a Lutheran church, however they will baptise at any age we want and which ever way we want. Just want to get some outside thoughts to help with the decision. Thank you

Answer 1

Theres no point in baptizing your children. The object of baptism has to do with being saved, when you're above the age of accountability. You go down in the water, and come up, a physical impression of sacrificing your old life, and being born again, as a new being through Christ Jesus.

Baptism is in no way, a requirement to get into heaven mind you. It will not keep you, or help you to get into heaven. Getting in to heaven is by Jesus's work, and His work alone. It is simply a thing to do, to show that we have been born again to others, and ourself. When Jesus left after his resurrection, people are now baptized by the Holy Spirit instead. Which is a much more powerful thing indeed.

If you want to baptize your children as babies, thats fine also. But there really is no significance with it, because baptism is all about you being saved, and sacrificing your old life, and being born again through Christ Jesus. Babies/children are innocent, so they don't have an old life to sacrifice. But you could use it, to show God that you lay your children in His hands.

With love to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,

Dusty

Answer 2

From a Lutheran website:

"In the early church, the ritual associated with confirmation (affirming the creed, laying on of hands, anointing with oil) were actually part of Baptism, as it was mostly adults who were baptized. It wasn't until infant baptism became widely practiced that confirmation became a separate sacrament, because people believed that there had to be some kind of conscious, adult decision to become a full member of the church."

If you and/your spouse are still not convinced, read this wonderful article on Infant baptism as written by the Methodist Church: http://www.gbod.org/homepage/new_home/baptism/page_4A.htm#8

Last.....We Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians ALL use infant baptism Adutl immersion baptism is "new" with the Anabaptists (Mennonites)...in the 1600's!!!

Answer 3

Lutheran belief Baptizes infants and young children as a show of faith, Taking the child to the ceremony is a promise that this child will be taught of the one true God and of the Savior, Jesus the Christ. Jesus taught that his words are the living water and the manna; these will be taught to the child who is dedicated in infant Baptism so that later, at an age where this child can reason for him/herself the Baptism can take place fully with understanding and full consent with dedication to faith. Our Lutheran Ministers reasure that the Baptist religion is in agreement with this.

Answer 4

I think your husband has a misunderstanding about why person are baptized.

Baptism is not an outward sign of a person belief in Jesus Christ. Baptism is a sacrament in which the person is received into the Church, is made an adopted son or daughter of God the Father, is united with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is promised resurrection, is cleansed of personal and original sin, and recieves the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us that ENTIRE HOUSEHOLDS were baptized. The entire household became a part of the Church, not just the adults. Jesus told His disciples to let the children come to Him. Why would a loving parent keep an infant away from Jesus?

For Catholics a profession of faith is done at each and every Mass whenever we recite the Nicene Creed.

There is only one baptism in a person's life because a person becomes an adopted son or daughter of God the Father only once in life.

Answer 5

Your Lutheran Pastor can't be much of a Pastor or at least not a confessional one; otherwise he would be urging you to baptize your child as soon as possible. My daughter was 5 days old.

Christ commands us to teach all nations, baptizing them in the nave of the Father and of the Son and of the Holly Ghost From Matt. 28:18. From the Small Catechism: Question 249. Who is to be baptized? ALL NATIONS, that is all human beings, young and old, are to be baptized.

Question 251. How do you prove that infants, too, are to be Baptized?
A. Because they are included in the words "all nations"
See Matt 28:19, Acts 2:38,39.

B. Because Holy Baptism is the only means whereby infants, who, too, must be born again, can ordinarily be regenerated and brought to faith. They brought young children to Him that He should touch them;.... Suffer the little children to come unto me.... Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Mark 10:13-15.

C. Because infants, too, can believe. Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matt. 18:6

Baptism doth also now save us 1 Peter 3:21

Ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal. 3:26,27.

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. 2 Cor. 5:17.

Baptism is also an exorcism where by putting on Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit we put away original sin, and displace Satan's will and power.

The long form of the Lutheran Baptismal rite, as in the old Catholic rite begins with the "Little Exorcism" "Depart un-clean spirits, and make room for the Holy Spirit" Lutheran Service Book Agenda, Concordia, 2007.

Everydaycatholic's answer is correct. Whole households, adults, children, and servants were baptized. Read the book of Acts.

As usafbrat said and her quotes from Scripture prove; the Sacrament of Baptism IS a means of Grace, instituted by Christ. To make any more or less out of it is a grievous error.

Possibly check out another Lutheran parish, preferably one that is Confessional. LCMS or WELS would be a good place to start. Even the Roman Catholic Church would steer you right regarding Baptism.

Mark

Answer 6

In my church we don't baptize until the age of 8. We do, however, give infants a blessing in front of the congregation. I always enjoy the spirit that attends this event.

I believe that baptism should be a consious choice to follow the Savior. If there is any purpose to infant baptism, it would be that the parents dedicate themselves to raising the child in a Christian atmosphere.

Answer 7

Baptism is a public and physical display of the spiritual cleansing of repentance. I do not believe this is appropriate for anyone who is not cognitively aware of what is happening or why, especially if the person is too young to understand even the basic principles of faith. Some see child baptisms as the parents dedication but the child will inevitably make up their own mind when the time comes.

There are many different practices concerning baptism. I consider the differences (submersion, sprinkling, pouring, ritual washing, anointing and what not) trival to the actual spiritual renewal.

Answer 8

Baptism is performed for the remission of sin. It should be done in the Name of Jesus. Fully immersed in water.Just like was done in the New Testament. No Babies baptized there. It is necessary for salvation according to scripture.

Acts 2:38
Acts 8:12
Mathew 28:19 What is the name of all these titles? Jesus
Acts 4:12

Answer 9

brb...

Usually, infant baptism is just a way to say the child is now a member of that particular church....that is the bottom line regardless of what anyone "thinks" it is, lol A Lutheran Minister told me that a long time ago when I had asked about it. :)

Immersion when the person accepts Jesus as their PERSONAL Savior and are repenting of their sins and making a conscious declaration of their Faith is the 1st Baptism that is important... the 2nd Baptism is when they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had John the Baptist Baptize Him in immersion in the beginning of His active ministry because it is something GOD wants us to do...

....and one of the major reasons Jesus came was so that we may have the Holy Spirit in our lives...VERY IMPORTANT to God that we HAVE the Holy Spirit....something many Christians have tended to deem "optional", and is why there are so many "lukewarm" Christians that satan has whispered his lie that the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" will just disrupt the churches structured routines...

The Bible states we be baptised in water and of Spirit.

God Bless :)

Answer 10

I think it would be a good idea to wait until the children/adults are able to choose baptism on their own. We had big arguments in my house about when I would get baptized (when I was a child.) When I was old enough to choose, it turns out I wanted nothing to do with that ritual....my parents made the right choice by holding off and letting me make the decision.