Do you believe in Infant Baptism or Baptism when ready?
2007-09-23 07:23:20 · 26 answers · asked by Luna Winter 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Baptism when ready means, you are ready to accept Jesus yourself..
2007-09-23 07:34:48 · update #1
Baptism when ready. It carries such a more special meaning in you heart.
2007-09-23 07:28:06 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ Leo ♥ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe in infant baptism, through a weight of scriptural evidence that points to this rite as completely valid and in many cases more appropriate than "baptism when ready." As I've seen in most of the responses here, I'm in the minority. The reasons for infant baptism get kind of deep theologically, but I think it's worth the research -- if nothing else, to make a decision for yourself as to which method is the best for you.
2007-09-24 09:32:18 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only people who were baptised in the Bible is those who chose on their own to be baptised.
Babies can not make that choice.
Baptism does not wash you of original sin, Jesus does. Only by asking Him into your heart can this be done. Baptism is a public declaration of what has already happined in your heart and life.
Babies can not make a choice. Baptism is for when YOU choose to follow Christ. Not your parents.
2007-09-23 15:04:42 · answer #3 · answered by apple1821 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infant Baptism . . . only if it is a sign of a "setting aside" for the parent, in that they will be raising the child with knowledge of Jesus and his teaching. Not as a sign that the infant has chosen to follow Jesus . . .
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment . . . a choice to follow Jesus . . .
Baptism when ready? What is that?
2007-09-23 14:32:29 · answer #4 · answered by Clark H 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In many ways, baptism is like a wedding.
At a wedding you commit yourself to another person in the presence of witnesses. At a baptism, you commit yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of witnesses.
You would not arrange the marriage of a baby, so why force them into baptism.
The symbolism of baptism by immersion is of death, burial, and resurrection.
Romans 6:1-4 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
All the examples of baptism in the bible are of people who have believed in Jesus, and wanted to demonstrate their committment to Him.
In the example of a family being baptised in Acts 16:31-34 it clearly states that the whole family believed in God.
'They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved— you and your household.
Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptised.
The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God— he and his whole family.
2007-09-23 19:55:09 · answer #5 · answered by mikeoxley242 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ed McDavid wrote a wonderful book on Infant Baptism... You may want to read it.
Baptism is an outward showing of an inward conversion. It is not required ie. thief on the cross. However, as an outward sign by the parents, and they can have their child baptized. This was much the same "covenant" that circumsion was in the days before Christ. God promised He would be God to Abraham's seed. The sign of the covenant was circumsion.
2007-09-23 14:46:36 · answer #6 · answered by James B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christian baptism, according to the Bible, is an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in a believer’s life. Christian baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Bible declares, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3-4 NIV). In Christian baptism, the action of being immersed in the water pictures being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection.
In Christian baptism, there should be two requirements before a person is baptized: (1) the person being baptized must have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior, and (2) the person must understand what baptism signifies. If a person knows the Lord Jesus as Savior, understands that Christian baptism is a step of obedience in publicly proclaiming his faith in Christ, and desires to be baptized – then there is no reason to prevent the believer from being baptized. According to the Bible, Christian baptism is simply a step of obedience, a public proclamation of one’s faith in Christ alone for salvation. Christian baptism is important because it is a step of obedience – publicly declaring faith in Christ and commitment to Him, and identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Recommended Resource: Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ by Schriener and Wright.
2007-09-23 15:13:37 · answer #7 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism as taught in the bible is done after accepting Christ as savior, after repenting and asking forgiveness for your sins. A baby cannot do that, so the bible does not teach it for babies. While I understand what you mean by baptism when ready, it is actually once saved, that one should be baptized..
2007-09-23 15:08:26 · answer #8 · answered by Capri 1230 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe in infant baptism but I understand that not everyone believes it is valid and I can see their point. It's two different interpretations of the meaning of baptism and the Bible does not seem to be strongly pushing one or the other, with the exception that it talks about not prohibit ting little children, but this term little children can be interpret ted as grown people who are new to faith and are just little children in the faith.
Anyway, I believe that God honors baptism regardless of how we interpret it.
2007-09-23 14:33:07 · answer #9 · answered by William D 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I believe in Baptism, (I guess I lean toward infant - but everyone needs Baptism to proceed in their faith); and Confirmation when older and ready to take next step in faith.
2007-09-23 15:45:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infant baptism is really a dedication service. The infant will have to make the decision later in their life to accept Christ to have any meaning.
2007-09-23 14:33:26 · answer #11 · answered by Bug YA 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋