What do evangelical and fundamentalist christians believe?

Question

about Baptism?

Is it simply a symbolic gesture and an empty ritual? Or is the Holy Spirit truly at work, bestowing graces upon the newly baptised?

In either case, why would anyone be opposed to an innocent baby being baptised?

"Let the children come to me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." - Jesus

Answer 1

Good observation. Yes, most protestants believe it is just symbolic. Catholics believe it is a Sacrament, and that it actually "effects what it signifies", bestowing grace upon the recipient and washing away the stain of original sin.

Here is a good link to read:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Baptismal_Grace.asp

EDIT: I seet that CJ has expanded his hate lies from a couple of sentences to paragraphs now. You go, CJ ! God bless you.

Answer 2

Basically, it's just symbolic to them. Much like "the Lord's Supper", which is what they've turned Holy Communion into. They don't believe that sacraments confer graces, sanctifying or otherwise, and do not even call these two they do observe sacraments but "ordinances".

Given that, I have no idea why they're so worked up about baptizing babies ... especially since there's no such thing in the Bible as "believer's baptism" the way it's practiced today.

Answer 3

Baptism is an ordinance, an outward symbol of an inward change. It is not an "empty ritual", it is symbolic of our salvation, go under the water (death), rise from the water (new life). Baptism follows salvation and regeneration. Paul backs up this view:

Rom 6:3 Or are you ignorant that all who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been joined together in the likeness of His death, so also shall we be in the resurrection,

Col 2:12 being buried with Him in baptism, in whom also you were raised through the faith of the working of God, raising Him from among the dead.

God gives His grace to believers, fully, and doesn't need baptism to do it.
There are no "innocent" babies, all are born into sin, with a sin nature. You can sprinkle babies all you want, but it won't bring about an inward change, they will still be sinners, just wet ones.

Answer 4

Great question. This is one that Christians do tend to disagree on. But one thing that is really important to pount out is that the majority of Christian denominations DO AGREE that baptism serves a significant role in their walks. Beyond that; required or not, symbolic or practical, who can perform a baptism, at what age, etc. becomes many points of debate.

Personally I believe that salvation comes from placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our savior and repenting from our sinful selves through the power of the Holy Spirit. I do believe we must confess with our mouths that Jesus is the son of God. I do believe that baptism is a symbolic act of obedience that identifies us with Jesus' church. But I do not believe that the act of baptism has any bearing on the actual salvation that we receive through the grace of God through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross.

Answer 5

I feel very sorry for CJ because he hates the Catholics. He is always confuse about the Catholic faith. For one Catholics are not against the Bible. I am Catholic, and I love reading the Bible. I don’t believe what he claims that Vatican openly admits it embraces Babylon. CJ want every one to pray like he does. For God, he does not care how do you pray to him or what way one does it as long praying to him with love and obedience ether jumping praying, dancing praying, in the rain, on and plain, like an Indians, a Jew, a Catholic, and ect. CJ don’t even know Cardinal Newman if you read his life you would not write and claim what are saying about him. I bet after he write he does not goes back reads what other one's answers. He close minded he is always right. I even bet he does not read Catholic literature because he is afraid to know the truth about the Catholic faith and the bible sayings thing in favor of the catholic faith.

Answer 6

because of the fact the "Church" that places that out needs the money. everyone with a million/2 a recommendations (or extra) can examine for themselves. the rest is only organic "D" bull. that's what i think of, persons. convey it! in case you have a situation! }:> A "church" that talks that type of "scare-tactic" isn't a "holy" something. it is not! the "faith" you belong to; it is the way you reside. the two you settle for Jesus because of the fact the Christ, or you do not. And, if i'm not fallacious, the Bible says people who're "uniformed" are exempt. Kinda makes you prefer you fell into THAT catagory, would not it? Do those people unquestionably believe they are the only ones which would be "saved"?? What a load.

Answer 7

It's an empty symoblic gesture for them. True baptism is the actual washing away of sin, and is not symbolic. As we are all born with orginal sin, we should not withold the grace of baptism from infants.

edit: wow, CJ can now document his hatred and lies.

Answer 8

The truth of the bible and literal interpentation!


God loves you.....God bless

Answer 9

NO ONE IS OPPOSED TO THE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN BUT, EVEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WHICH IS BIG ON BABIES BEING BAPTIZED REQUIRE THAT THE BE "CONFIRMED" AT AGE TWELVE AT WHICH TIME THEY ARE CONSIDERED RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SINS HAVING REACHED THE AGE OF RESPONSIBILITY. SEEMS LIKE A WASTE TO ME. EITHER THE INFANT BAPTISM WAS VALID OR THE ONE AT 12 WAS UNNECESSARY.

Answer 10

They believe pretty much anything they want to since their beliefs are based on personal interpretation of scripture.