Does baptisim need to be by total immersion and why are infants excluded?

Question

The word itself doesnt mean that (its used when jesus washed his hands in the same manner)

Some denominations think it is symbolic of a new life.
does the Bible ever say that infants or young children can be baptized? The indications are clear. In the New Testament we read that Lydia was converted by Paul’s preaching and that "She was baptized, with her household" (Acts 16:15). The Philippian jailer whom Paul and Silas had converted to the faith was baptized that night along with his household. We are told that "the same hour of the night . . . he was baptized, with all his family" (Acts 16:33). And in his greetings to the Corinthians, Paul recalled that, "I did baptize also the household of Stephanas" (1 Cor. 1:16).

In all these cases, whole households or families were baptized. This means more than just the spouse; the children too were included. If the text of Acts referred simply to the Philippian jailer and his wife, then we would read that "he and his wife were baptized," but we do not. Thus his children must have been baptized as well. The same applies to the other cases of household baptism in Scripture.

Granted, we do not know the exact age of the children; they may have been past the age of reason, rather than infants. Then again, they could have been babes in arms. More probably, there were both younger and older children. Certainly there were children younger than the age of reason in some of the households that were baptized, especially if one considers that society at this time had no reliable form of birth control. Furthermore, given the New Testament pattern of household baptism, if there were to be exceptions to this rule (such as infants), they would be explicit.

Answer 1

Baptism by immersion is a valid form of baptism, but it certainly was not the usual manner in which the apostles baptized. They lived and preached in a desert land. In many of the locations where they made converts there was no water for a great distance other than the town well. They certainly didn't lower people down into the well to baptize them. They baptized them with a bucket of water drawn up from the well, by pouring the water over the head of the person being baptized.

Every early work of art depicting the baptism of Jesus - and there are a good number of them - shows Jesus standing in the water while John pours water over His head. So obviously that was the early Church's understanding of how Jesus was baptized. And why wouldn't they think so, since that was also the way they themselves were baptized.

Anyone who reads the writings of the early Fathers of the Church can have no doubt that baptism of infants was the common practice of the early Church from the beginning. Unfortunately Protestants usually ignore such informative and authoritative sources, preferring to form their opinions by imaginative interpretation of what little the Bible has to say on a particular topic - which is often next to nothing.

"... he passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age" . . . (Irenaeus, 189 A.D.)

"Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or their relatives speak for them" (Hippolytus, 215 A.D.)

"The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants. The apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of the divine sacraments, knew there are in everyone inate stains of sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit" (Origen, 248 A.D.)

Answer 2

Lets just list a few of the things we do & don't know:

1. We don't know if these particular households had any children in their groups.

2. A household would (back then) include both servants and extended families.

3. If a small child was excluded, would it have been reported materially different? they do not state either way if children were present.

4. What is the age of reason, might it have been considered (back then) to be as young as 6 or 7?

5. Don't 6 & 7 year old's get saved today?

6. What if young children did get baptised along with everyone else, would they not also have to be 'born again' perhaps later just as every Christian must?

7. Most people these days are first 'born again' and then baptised. If they died in between these two events, would they be saved or not?

At best infant baptism is a waste of time, better that we restrict ourselves to simply dedicating our children to the Lord, and at worst it engenders (often to their peril) a false sense of security in their salvation. Or do you not agree that we each must make our own individual decision to follow Jesus and that our salvation can not be simply thrust upon us by doting parents?

Answer 3

biblical baptism is for those who know Jesus- and that can include Children- both of my kids were baptized young. My church does not baptize infants- but have a baby dedication, where the baby is dedicated and the parents commit to raising the child in the Lord. Baptism is not something to be done, to save a person, it is done after salvation. If an infant is baptized, that does not mean he/she is saved.

Answer 4

The original greek word for baptism meant an immersion, rather than a 'dipping' or 'sprinkling'. Children are unable to make a decision to become christians, I guess the age they are able to make that choice varies from child to child. It's not important: baptism is not essential for salvation, so it's not worth getting worked up about the issue. If someone wants to baptise a child, may they feel later that they want to get baptised again to make a statement of faith? I am waiting until my kids tell me they are ready.

Answer 5

Total immersion is how first century Christians were baptized,
The word “baptize” comes from the Greek ba·pti´zein, meaning “to dip, to plunge.” (A Greek-English Lexicon, by Liddell and Scott) Christian water baptism is an outward symbol that the one being baptized has made a complete, unreserved, and unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of God. Going along with Total Immersion we have:

Mark 1:9, 10: “Jesus . . . was baptized [“immersed,” ED, Ro] in the Jordan [River] by John. And immediately on coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being parted.”

Acts 8:38: “They both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized [“immersed,” ED, Ro] him.”

Towns were generally near a water source, the same in true today, people populate areas where there is water.

Concerning baptizing infants we need to look at that was commanded:

Matt. 28:19, 20: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”

Acts 2:41: “Those who embraced his word heartily were baptized.”

Acts 8:12: “When they believed Philip, who was declaring the good news of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they proceeded to be baptized, both men and women.”

Acts 8:36-38: “Now as they were going over the road, they came to a certain body of water, and the [Ethiopian] eunuch said: ‘Look! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?’ With that he commanded the chariot to halt, and . . . [Philip] baptized him.”

I do not believe infants were baptized. It seems clear to me that part of being baptized was understanding the meaning of it. The people were taught, accepted the truth and THEN were baptized, making them new disciples of Christ. This can not be said of an infant.

The decision to dedicate oneself to God can not be made as an infant, and no one else may make that dedication for you. Each person has to decide that for themselves once they reach the age of reason.

Answer 6

What you have to remember is that families were different in those times. Children were brought up under a strict code of behaviour and as such would have been raised Christian and instilled with Christian values.
We can no longer work in that way as everyone, including growing children, has some choice in what happens to them and how they are brought up.
Christianity is now a choice thing and although parents have children supposedly baptised as babies...that was really done in Victorian times to make a child eligible for burial in consecrated ground and has habitually carried on to date.
When a child is of an age which is considered relevant for him/her to make the choice of becoming Christian or not...that is the crux of the matter these days.
Best wishes, Mike.

Answer 7

My personal belief is that it does not matter then manner of baptism...and that the act is just an outward sign of an inward commitment.

With that said...I think it is ridiculous to baptize a child...the only people who can make a commitment, are those who are old enough to understand and decide for themselves...and likewise, should be the only ones to be baptized as a sign of their commitment.

I believe those unable to understand because of age, mentality etc...will automatically go to heaven, for they have no other understanding.

Answer 8

Any time any one was baptized, he was immersed in the water, just like Jesus was. A total immersion to represent being buried with Christ..you don't put Someone half in and half out of a grave, do you?

As far as the poster saying the pictures hes has seen show baptizing with a bucket is the way to go...you might want to pay more attention to the bible and less attention to some artist who was wasn't there.

And for the poster who said it isn't necessary for salvation, might want to reread this scripture...

In 1Peter chapter 3 verse 18 the apostle writes, ”For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison, which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, WHEREIN FEW, THAT IS, EIGHT SOULS WERE SAVED BY WATER. THE LIKE FIGURE WHEREUNTO BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US”.

Answer 9

No

Infants are not excluded

Catholics believe that baptism with water -- by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling -- in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, cleanses us from original sin and personal sin and initiates us into the life of the Church.
It is more than merely symbolic; it's more than an expression of belief of the one being baptized , it is a Sacrament, both a sign and medium of sanctifying grace. Baptism does something; it remits sins.

Just as children were once circumsized as infants, they are now baptized as infants because the Kingdom of God, which is entered into through Baptism, most certainly includes them.

Luke 18:16-17
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.


Acts 2:38-39
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.


Baptism leaves an indelible mark on the soul, so one may be baptized only once.

Answer 10

Jesus was not baptised when He was a child. He was 33 years old.
Children don't need be baptise. The salvation is not through the baptism.
When they are young they can decide for themselves if they want be a Christian, be baptised it is followed by a testimony of faith, then the person is a new born believer in Jesus.