Baptizing a Baby?!?!?

Question

why do people Baptise babys? they are far too young to know what is happening. baptism means forgivness of sins and accepting God as your one and only God, but how can a Baby know that? for those who say its Jesus will for those to be Baptised, he himself was not baptised till he was in his 30's, so what up? I was Baptised at 13 and i knew exactly what i was doing...

sorry if i sound a bit nippy, it just confuses me..open answers are appreciated, thanx!

Answer 1

I don't know why people baptize babies. In Luke 18:15-16: Jesus talks about the little children.
I got baptized when I was old enough to understand the meaning of it.

Answer 2

There are three different rites called baptism, depending who you are talking to:

1) The kind you cited, performed by Baptists and other evangelical denominations of Christianity, in which the person being baptized accepts Christ as their savior.

2) The kind of baptism performed by Catholics, who believe that all humans are born with the original sin of Adam and Eve and that they will go to hell if they are not baptized. That is why they baptize babies as soon as possible after birth. The child can take classes and study the faith, and make an independent decision to be Catholic later on, and this is called Confirmation.

3) The kind of baptism performed by moderate Protestants, which is a commitment by the parents, witnessed by members of the church, to raise the child as a Christian. This is called a baby Dedication ceremony by fundamentalists. Later, if the child chooses to join the church, he or she goes through the classes and ceremony for Confirmation, usually around age 12 or so.

Answer 3

Pastor Billy says: every answer so far as misrepresented why infants are baptized.

1. infants are not baptized to prevent them from going to hell as suggest by Theresa this is not what Catholics believe, neither do Greek Orthodox, Lutherans, Methodist, Coptics, Armenians, Anglicans, Russian Orthodox etc who all practice infant baptism.

2. contrary to the beliefs of the person asking the majority of Christianity does in fact baptize infants so as to initiate them into the Christian faith, it is understood to be the true "born again" experience as explained by Jesus to Nicodemus. This is the "bible way" interesting don't you think.

3. baptism is understood to be more than just a symbol by those like Catholics and Orthodox who baptize their young. It is what we call effectual, or baptismal regeneration one receives godly grace from the sacrament.

4. baptism is a new covenant replacement of circumcision, in Judaism the male child is circumcized 8 days after birth. This is a continuation of the covenantal promise but under the new covenant.

5. someone or several have indicated infant baptism is not "biblical" I challenge all of them to provide reference from the bible were Jesus instructed infant baptism is forbidden. Guess what you won't find it because it's not there. Jesus instructed "bring the children to me" and "woo onto you who should sway one of these little ones"

The first generation of converts are of course the leaders of households who are adults they inturn instruct others to be baptised including child who understood the process and those too young to not understand. It is a tradition of interpretation which dictates adult only baptism and this started 400 years ago with the Protestant reformation not 2000 years ago with Christ.

I suggest you read all the source material below for a better understanding.

Answer 4

As far as the Catholic perspective, they believe everyone is born with "Original sin" which stems from Adam and Eve biting into the fruit of knowledge in paradise. Thus babies are washed away of their original sin and made pure, so that way if they die they won't be condemned to purgatory.

At least, that's how I learned it. I was baptized as a baby and raised Catholic. If I had been able to consent would I still have been baptized? Probably not.

Imo, Parents will do a lot of strange things for what they believe is best for their children, and it really isn't my place to judge. Whether they want to baptize at a few weeks old or let the children decide for themselves it depends on the parents belief. Either way, in the end the kids will choose for themselves what they believe.

Answer 5

Water Baptism is an outward demonstration of an inward transaction, the acceptance of Jesus Christ. It pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and of the new believer. It indicates that the person is admitting death to the old nature and life to the new nature. It is following the example of Jesus Christ, Who was baptized by John the Baptist. It is a work of righteousness. (Matthew 3:15)
A person should be baptized soon after trusting Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Since it is a picture of the salvation of the person, baptism should not precede salvation. Infant baptism is not correct for two reasons:
No infant is baptized in the Bible.
An infant has not made a personal acceptance of the Savior as payment of sins.
Our Savior called baptism a work of righteousness. He said to John the Baptist, when John hesitated to baptize Jesus, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." Matthew 3:15 (The word translated "fulfill" in the KJV means to "accomplish, execute, complete" etc. All of these imply a work or task, which makes baptism a work of righteousness.) Salvation is all of grace, and not of works. (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

Answer 6

I was baptized at 8 which is still young to completely grasp the concept, but is considered an age where you can grasp some accountability for your actions. In the end I believe you will be held accountable only for what you truly understood was right and wrong.

I never understood why a baby would need to be baptized. You cant get more innocent then a baby.

Answer 7

You forgot to ask for proof texts, so that covenant theology (which uses a weight of scriptural evidence to make its case) can't come back with as many verses as you can to make your case.

But yes, babies are baptized into a covenant, and this idea has nothing to do with an age of reason or formulas with requirements of how much water, whether you are laid back or must bow forward, "living" or stagnant waters, etc.

Since this whole concept is probably foreign to you, and you have been baptized anyway, don't worry about it.

And I get nippy too sometimes.

Answer 8

I Agra I was baptised at 9 being baptised is a sine of going down dirty and combing out peer even thought you are never perfect it should be your choice only because its you life your choice. But they do it so there baby is peer so it can go to haven if it is not your choice it dues not do a thing thought you have to believe. hope this helps.
and can you add me to your contacts you are on mine.
=]

Answer 9

Because it's tradition, like circumcising, they are too young and maybe they want to keep their foreskin. traditions are part of human nature and have been around for thousands of years, it's a part of culture, like initiation ceremonies, no big deal really.
Also to say that a 12 or 13 year old really knows whats going on, come on, most people mentally mature towards their late 20's, some a little earlier

Answer 10

Its just the culture. I, personally agree with you. I was baptized at the age of 12 and knew what was going on. If youre baptized as a baby and you think youre going to heaven now, thats not the way it works. Like I said, that is MY opinion.