Do you believe that infants, children, or teenagers should be baptized? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Baptism is a life affirming act. It confirms a decision to be a part of that religion and to dedicate yourself.
Babies, children and teenagers don't have competent decisive processes at that age and having their decision made for them by parents is ludicrous. Would they affirm their children's political allegiance, music preferences, food likes and dislikes? After the turmoil of adolescence and puberty and years of teenage angst, only then can a person decide what religious (or political!) path they want to take and often repudiate the decision forced upon them when they simply knew no better.

Answer 2

The only candidates for baptism are those who have made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. It is utterly futile to baptize an infant because they don't know what is going on around them. In each case in the scriptures, Baptism came after salvation and is therefore not a part of salvation but is the next step. When a person is baptized, they are identifying themselves with the death, burial and resurrection with Jesus Christ. the act of Baptism is also the scriptural means by which the new believer is added to the church (membership) A study of the Bible will reveal that there is no acceptable service to the Lord outside of baptism. Baptizing teenagers is acceptable provided the teenager has professed faith in Jesus Christ as his/hers savior. Any one who is not saved is definitely not a candidate for baptism. Some even go so far as to suggest that the act of baptism washes away original sin however the Bible is clear on this issue, all sin whether original or otherwise can only be dealt with by the blood of Christ.

Answer 3

This country is based on freedom of religion and some religions 'require' that baptisms take place for infants. I say it is up to the parent. If you want to have your infant baptized then go for it, it is only giving you peace of mind, as the infant can NOT understand any of this. Now concerning a child and teenagers; I think that as soon as they are old enough to understand the basic teachings/belief's of your religion it should be their choice. As a parent you can't choose for them even if you do not like their choice.

I disagree with alot of the statements above me. Teenager's for sure are ABLE to make their own decisions, and their decision will probably be based on how they are brought up. As for small children, that is tougher. Some can and do make the decision to be baptized. I am not a Christan, nor am I a atheist, I am simply a non-believer in 'God'. The reason I tell you this is because: I saw to it that my children were raised attending church and learning my thoughts at home. 3 of my 4 children decided to be baptized around the beginning of their early teens. They still church regularly and are Christan's. They are in their early to mid 20's now with families of their own. So yes, youngster's are sometimes able to make their decision.

Answer 4

Infants and children, no. Being baptized means that the person accepts Jesus as their lord and Savior. A teeneager might be able to understand this, but not a child or an infant, in my opinion.

Answer 5

I believe that baptism of entire households in the early church meant everyone living in that house, under the authority of the head of that household, not choices by individual members of that family. This would have been the culture of the day, and would have included infants, wives, and servants. Therefore the NT writers didn't need to specifically include these people. And this would give us a parallel with circumcision and entire families being under a covenant with God, "marked out" from families that did not believe. It just wasn't a question of giving the servant a choice to follow God where the head of house would just live with it. Neither would he allow his wife to run around by night as a prostitute, the marriage would be looked at as holy and it would have meaning. Belief and baptism would have been a big change for everyone, especially back in those days. Infants, children, teenagers would all be brought up under the Lord, there is no way they would say "it's ok for you to be Wiccan, honey, everybody has to decide for themselves." Wrong answer!!! And it's the same way today, as long as my daughter lives in this house, she is "under her baptism." An adopted child, same thing, I don't care what life they had before, they live under the cross in my house.

Answer 6

In the New Testament, it was only people who were already followers of Jesus Christ who were baptized. So, before you get baptized, you need to get saved (which can happen as a child). I don't believe in infant baptism because the ritual has no meaning to the child at the time it happens.

Answer 7

It is not an either or issue.

People are baptized as infants, or barring that, when they convert to Christ as children, teens, or adults.

The bible never argues against infant baptism, and the writings of the apostles, and their heirs, shows that infant baptism occured since the founding of the faith. Further, there are instances of children being baptized in the NT, and their age is never mentioned. The translation from the Greek would seem to denote infants are included in the passages of baptism, but not specifically singled out.

Answer 8

Children and infants should forgo a dedication to G-D ceremony, teens that read the Bible and accepts it should be baptised

Answer 9

No. I do nopt accept that kids should be baptised.
It strips them of their freedom of choice for when they get old enough to decide what spiritual path, if any, they want to walk along. And christianity does not hold a monopoly on spiritual matters.

Answer 10

I believe that babies should not be baptized, but be allowed to grow up and determine their own beliefs, in their own time.