2007-10-28 13:13:37 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Please add your reasoning
Thanks
2007-10-28 13:17:15 · update #1
The more I read the answers from Protestant Pharisees, the more I realize that they are not all that interested in the biblical evidence. They get their ideas from extrabiblical doctrines of recent vintage and ignore the explicit Bible evidence.
Is baptism required for salvation? "Baptism . . . now SAVES YOU, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21).
Peter explained what happens at baptism when he said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS; and you shall receive the GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" (Acts 2:38). Being cleansed of sin and receiving the Holy Spirit depend on being baptized.
Is baptism for adults only? Not according to Peter in Acts 2:39: "For the promise is to you and to YOUR CHILDREN and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him" (2:39).
Conclusion: Baptism is necessary for salvation, and available to infants. If you follow Christ, arrange it for yourself and for your children.
Cheers,
Bruce
2007-10-28 14:07:59 · answer #1 · answered by Bruce 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sprinkling a baby with water does not accomplish a thing.
Baptism is a public proclamation of a person believing in Jesus, symbolizing the death of the old sinful person and being raised to new life.
Therefore, a person should be baptized only after becoming a believer. Otherwise it is just like taking a bath without soap.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Jesus
First a person becomes a disciple, then is baptized.
2007-10-28 20:27:54 · answer #2 · answered by Jarrod 2 · 4⤊ 3⤋
I was raised Protestant and I was baptized at 12 (forced, actually). I never knew what it really meant until I became a Catholic 11 years later. So as long as someone explains what it really means, it doesn't matter when its done, if its chosen to be done. If parents want to baptize their baby, then make sure the child knows what it meant, then it doesn't matter. In my opinion it is not required for salvation, but I sure thought it was when I was 12 and forced.
2007-10-28 21:11:53 · answer #3 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
acts 2 38 repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins you are baptized when you realize that you are a sinner in need of a saviors a infant cannot have that religion they don't know right from wrong yet all baptism does for infants is make them wet and we was all wet many times as an infant
2007-10-28 20:56:15 · answer #4 · answered by beverly d 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Baptism does not save you, its a confession of your faith. so a baptism shuld happen after you can confess your faith. Babies can't.
See here:
1 Pet 3: NKJV
21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
As we see the conscience is involved. The baptism into water does not remove the sin, but is a symbolic act of the regeneration the believer. Thus, it is an act of faith done toward God, but also as a confession before men.
2007-10-28 20:41:53 · answer #5 · answered by Doma 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
infant baptism produces nothing but a baby with a wet head and some fond memories-baptism means nothing until a person has accepted Christ and begun a relationship with Him...infants lack the understanding necessary, to say nothing of the fact that an infant has done nothing wrong! .if it makes the parents happy and gets the 'grands' off their backs, have at it...just don't assume it does anything whatsoever for the baby's soul...it doesn't
2007-10-28 20:36:24 · answer #6 · answered by spike missing debra m 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
One of the most nagging questions in Christianity is whether or not baptism is necessary for salvation. The answer is a simple, "No." But you might ask, "If the answer is no, then why are there verses that say things like ‘. . .baptism that now saves you . . . ‘ (1 Pet. 3:21, NIV) and ‘ . . . Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins . . ." (Acts 2:38, NIV)? This is an honest question and it needs a competent answer. But, before I tackle this I need to lay a foundation of proper theology, then I'll address some of those verses that are commonly used to support the idea that baptism is necessary for salvation.
2007-10-28 20:18:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
There are NO instances in the Bible of infant baptism. Pertaining to infants there is the circumcision of males is on the 8th day as was Jesus to fulfill the law and the covenant God made with Abraham. If you have repented of your sins you need to be baptized. (immersed) It is a symbolic act that God recognizes to portray the covering of your old self in death to sin and becoming alive in Christ. Then do everything you can to seek and find the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.
2007-10-28 20:28:13 · answer #8 · answered by copperhead89 4 · 4⤊ 3⤋
I have come to believe that children should be baptized in the Holy Spirit while yet in the womb, as was St John the Baptist. This is the remedy for our poor world. A nation of prophets and seers.
2007-10-28 20:25:21 · answer #9 · answered by Somewhat Enlightened, the Parrot of Truth 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
A person should get baptized when he or she has made a complete and unconditionable dedication to Jesus to do the will of God. This involves taking in knowledge of Christ and God and applying that knowledge. Then getting baptized is just an outward symbol of that dedication. There is no specific age, however I have yet to find an infant who has learned about God and made the personal decision to dedicate himself to God.
2007-10-28 20:26:43 · answer #10 · answered by sugar 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋