Are we ready for today's lesson?

Question

INFANT BAPTISM. Ready kids?

Fundamentalists often criticize the Catholic Church’s practice of baptizing infants. According to them, baptism is for adults and older children, because it is for only after one has undergone a "born again" experience—that is, after one has "accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior."

But, in Luke’s Gospel, we read: "Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God’" (Luke 18:15–16).

The present Catholic attitude accords perfectly with early Christian practices. Origen, for instance, wrote in the third century that "according to the usage of the Church, baptism is given even to infants" (Holilies on Leviticus, 8:3:11 [A.D. 244]).

The Council of Carthage, in 253, condemned the opinion that baptism should be withheld from infants until the eighth day after birth. Later, Augustine taught, "The custom of Mother Church in baptizing infants is certainly not to be scorned . . . nor is it to be believed that its tradition is anything except apostolic" (Literal Interpretation of Genesis 10:23:39 [A.D. 408]).

Fundamentalists try to ignore the historical writings from the early Church which clearly indicate the legitimacy of infant baptism. They attempt to sidestep appeals to history by saying baptism requires faith and, since children are incapable of having faith, they cannot be baptized. It is true that Christ prescribed instruction and actual faith for adult converts (Matt. 28:19–20), but his general law on the necessity of baptism (John 3:5) puts no restriction on the subjects of baptism. Although infants are included in the law he establishes, requirements of that law that are impossible to meet because of their age are not applicable to them. They cannot be expected to be instructed and have faith when they are incapable of receiving instruction or manifesting faith. The same was true of circumcision; faith in the Lord was necessary for an adult convert to receive it, but it was not necessary for the children of believers.

Comments?
There are more scripture references here:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Infant_Baptism.asp

Answer 1

Again this is an issue with the man made belief of Sola Scriptura which originated in the past 500 years.

We all appreciate you're back. This place is horrible without ya.

Answer 2

Ooh, a good one. Let's see...

First, the passage sited says only that Jesus touched the children (blessed them), not that He baptized them. I'm not aware of any passage where Jesus baptised anyone.

Not being a fundementalist exactly (does evangelical count?), I can only say that fundementalists reject infant baptism on the grounds that baptism requires the willful conversion of the one baptised. Prior to the nebulous and undetermined 'age of accountability', there is thus no need for baptism.

Many protestant churches DO practice infant baptism, but, with the exception of the Anglicans/Episcopals, it is not viewed as a sacrament that confers salvation. It is 'covenant' baptism, a public vow by both the parents and the congregation to raise the child in the 'nurture and admonition of the Lord', that is, to raise the child in such a way that when he/she comes to a level of maturity when the decision can be made, he/she will choose Christ. Then he/she can participate in believers' baptism.

The fundemental (excuse me) issue here is not baptism, per se, but rather, the authority of the Church as a holy institution to confer salvation at all. Protestants generally believe that salvation is strictly between the individual and God and that the Church acts in a persuasive and didactic capacity only. You're right, a great many writings of the early fathers ARE ignored, as being biased toward the supreme authority of the Church, against which the Protestants were rebelling.

The Scriptural ground for the RC view is, I believe, Matthew 16:18 "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church." (which is interpreted to establish the earthly authority of the Pope) and 16:19 -- "What you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and what you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.', which is taken to mean that the Pope, and thereby the Church, can confer salvation or condemnation without reference to the will of the individual.

Of course, Protestants don't interpret those verses the same way. They don't even all agree on the interpretation.

Guess we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, I think Paul had it right in I Corinthians 2:2 -- "I resolved to know nothing when I was among you except Christ and Him crucified."

Answer 3

Having Jesus lay hands on infants and children is scriptural.
Fundamentalists do this all day long.
But that is not baptism. Sorry. But if you want to baptize infants go ahead. I was baptized(not Christened(sprinkled)) as an infant in the Greek Orthodox Church.
But after reading the Bible a couple of times I decided to get Baptized as an adult. Immersed. And when I go to Israel I intend to get baptized in the Jordan. So there.
I do not believe that baptism is a requisite for salvation. However I do believe that it is a requisite for discipleship.
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 4

As a protest - ant. And believer in the 'age of accountability' (7 or 13 years), I have considered infant baptism (sprinkling) as unnecessary.

I found your comments interesting. As it is written, the first born male child is the Lord's; I can see that an infant baptism might be a good way to identify the child unto the Lord. And for the girl children and others in the family; I think it would be a good ritual to endorse and use, for Catholics and Protestants.

I still firmly believe that THE individual's young adult, adult baptism SHOULD be full immersion. THAT is the only way to achieve the 'feeling' of being dead, buried and washed anew. Albeit, I baptised my mother, on her deathbed, via sprinkling. But, I knew that 14 years previously, she had accepted Jesus as Savior.

Maranantha

Answer 5

You cited John 3, but notice Nicodemus asked, “How can a MAN be born when he is OLD? Can he enter a second time into his mothers womb and be born?” (John 3:4) Notice this is not speaking of infants being born again.

Notice the following:
1.There is no express mention of the baptism of infants in the New Testament.
2."It is difficult to give strict proof from the scriptures in favor of it. [infant baptism]" (Catholic Dictionary, p. 61).
3."Ecclesiastical custom with regard to the administration of Baptism has undergone a change in the course of history. Whereas the early Church baptized adults only, the baptism of children soon became the usual practice." (Sanford, Alexander E., MD, Pastoral Medicine: Handbook for the Catholic Clergy, 1904, p 32-33)
4."Where in the fourth and fifth centuries the doctrine of original sin became better known, the practice of infant baptism progressed rapidly." (Legislation on the Sacraments in the New Code of Canon Law, p. 72).
5."When all fear of persecution had passed away, and the empire had become almost entirely Christian, the necessity for a prolonged period of trial and instruction no longer existed, about the same time the fuller teaching on the subject of original sin, occasioned by the Pelagian heresy, gradually led to the administration of baptism of infants." (Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. V, p. 78).

The doctrine of infant baptism comes from the (mistaken) idea that babies have the guilt of sin, therefore they need to be baptized to wash away that sin.

The Bible does teach that baptism has a role in having our sins washed away (Acts 22:16) by bringing us into Christ and figuratively into contact with His death, where the saving blood was shed (Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:12). It is that blood that washes away sins (Romans 5:8-10, Revelation 1:5), yet it is through baptism that we contact the blood, therefore, “baptism now saves… through the resurrection of Christ” and baptism is “for the remission of sins”. (1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16)

Finally, it is at baptism that we “rise to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-13, Colossians 2:12). We cannot be saved if we are not “born again” into this new life in Christ.

Infants, however, do not need to be baptized, and they are not candidates for scriptural baptism, for the following three reasons:

First infants are not born with the guilt of inherited sin, so they do not have any inherited sin (guilt) that needs to be forgiven. Ezekiel 18:20 says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Infants are born in a safe condition.

We will each be judged based on what we have done, not based on how anyone else has lived. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Secondly, infants do not have any sin of their own. 1 John 3:4 says, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

“Sin is the transgression of the law”. If a baby is guilty of sin, what law have they transgressed, or which law are they even capable of transgressing or even understanding? Clearly, a baby has transgressed no law!

Finally, baptism in the New Testament is preceded by belief and repentance. (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)

In Acts 8, the eunuch asked, “…What hinders me from being baptized?” (verse 36) The answer was, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” (verse 37)

An infant is not able to believe, therefore, they are not candidates for baptism.

An infant has no personal or inherited sin (guilt), so they do not need baptism. Also, since they do hot have the capacity to believe and repent (and they have nothing to repent of), they do not meet the prior requirements in order that they may be baptized.

Answer 6

I believe infants should receive a blessing. Children are saved in the Kingdom of God without the ordinances. If it gives parents comfort, let it be.

Baptism, however, is an outward act expressing our conversion. Catholics substitute this with a first communion, instead. In this practice is the lost original concept that the sacrament is a renewing of the covenant of baptism.

Answer 7

Acts 2:38 - Peter says to the multitude, "Repent and be baptized.." Protestants use this verse to prove one must be a believer (not an infant) to be baptized. But the Greek translation literally says, "If you repent, then each one who is a part of you and yours must each be baptized” (“Metanoesate kai bapistheto hekastos hymon.”) This, contrary to what Protestants argue, actually proves that babies are baptized based on their parents’ faith. This is confirmed in the next verse.

Acts 2:39 - Peter then says baptism is specifically given to children as well as adults. “Those far off” refers to those who were at their “homes” (primarily infants and children). God's covenant family includes children. The word "children" that Peter used comes from the Greek word "teknon" which also includes infants.

Luke 1:59 - this proves that "teknon" includes infants. Here, John as a "teknon" (infant) was circumcised. See also Acts 21:21 which uses “teknon” for eight-day old babies. So baptism is for infants as well as adults.

Acts 10:47-48 - Peter baptized the entire house of Cornelius, which generally included infants and young children. There is not one word in Scripture about baptism being limited to adults.

Answer 8

Children can be "blessed" by those holding the priesthood. It would be an unjust God who damns little children who cannot be responsible for their actions. The scripture you quote does not have any relevance to infant baptism. You are drawing a major assumption to imply that it does.

"Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God’" (Luke 18:15–16).

I would tend to think that the passage you quote means more that we should not shun children away from listening to the word of Christ. Anciently, children were supposed to be "seen and not heard." Christ is simply teaching that even little children should hear his message.

Answer 9

Why do you think baptism was invented or created? According to the scriptures, which were written by men seeking to control the masses with religion, baptism was and is a way to keep the church alive and growing. No doubt that Christ was a very intelligent being (man) and stood against the establishment of the time however, the gospel writers after him, embellished his teachings for the good of the church and crowd control. Keep the sheep in the flock and rebuke the ones that stray or question "God's word". The wool has been and still is over people's eyes and many choose to blindly believe and be "shepherded". Here endeth today's lesson.

Answer 10

I think it is o.k. to baptize a baby. A person must be born of water and Spirit. When a person is baptized at whatever age, they are born again. For the Holy Spirit to come dwell within a person on earth, they need to be baptized. That's how the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus. When the waters of baptism comes, the Spirit comes... I wish that my son was baptized earlier, but we weren't Catholic. He just turned 9 and for about a year, he has been asking me to become baptized, but we have had trouble meshing with protestants... so, since we love Jesus so much we have had to try and find other avenues. I am beginning the Catholic lessons at a Catholic church in town today... one of the questions I will ask is when my son can be baptized. He has asked and asked and sometimes... I wish that we were Catholic earlier... and that it would not be so complicated for us. His baptism should have been taken care of a long time ago.

Answer 11

Why continue to try and separate over non essential truths. I was baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church but when I turned 25 years old and repented and gave my life to Jesus Christ I was baptized again. The second time I knew what I was doing. The first time (as a baby) my parents had the right heart in doing it. My dear Crusader, if you live by the law you will be judged by the law. Where there is no love there is law. Separation is death.