which part of baptising "entire households" means that the children and babies were ommitted in baptising the

Question

household?

Answer 1

The Church from the beginning has practiced the Baptism of children. The reasons are very clear in Scriptures.

(Joh 3:5 DRB) Jesus answered: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

To the first Christians that baptized their children it was understood by them that Baptism is the doorway to salvation. St. Peter said the following:

(1Pe 3:18 DRB) Because Christ also died once for our sins, the just for the unjust: that he might offer us to God, being put to death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit,

(1Pe 3:19 DRB) In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in prison:

(1Pe 3:20 DRB) Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.

(1Pe 3:21 DRB) Whereunto baptism, being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but, the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The effects of Baptism are the regeneration of the soul (born again), eradication of original sin and actual sin and its effects on the soul. A baby does not have actual sin but does have original sin. Through Baptism we become members of the Body of Christ, of which St. Paul says the following:

(2Co 5:17 DRB) If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away. Behold all things are made new.

(1Co 3:16 DRB) Know you not that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Baptism is the sacramental doorway into the Church:

(Mat 28:19 DRB) Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

The Bible teaches that everyone should be Baptized:

(Act 2:38 DRB) But Peter said to them: Do penance: and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(Act 2:39 DRB) For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call.

(Act 2:40 DRB) And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: Save yourselves from this perverse generation.

(Act 2:41 DRB) They therefore that received his word were baptized: and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

(Act 2:42 DRB) And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles and in the communication of the breaking of bread and in prayers.

St. Peter at Pentecost said to the adults to repent but did not exclude children from Baptism, instead saying that everyone should receive the Holy Spirit not just those of age to repent. He said it is “to you and to your children”. That is why people in the early Church brought even their smallest children to be baptized as do parents today.

There is no necessity to repent for children to be Baptized according to Scriptures. The command to repent is not binding on infants nor to mentally incapacitated people as the intent of repentance is not to exclude those incapable of such an act. They are not to be condemned because of their lack of ability to repent. Certainly the same understanding should apply as we understand St. Paul’s statement in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 where St. Paul says that someone who does not work does not eat. Are we to deny children or the mentally handicapped sustenance? Certainly they should not, nor should they be denied eternal life.

The Old Testament required circumcision at eight days old as a sign of the covenant of God. The child had no knowledge of why he was being circumcised yet the parents brought the son to the synagogue to have this done. God accepted the child into the covenant for what the parents had done just as He accepts the Baptism when the parents present their child to be baptized. The Scriptures tell us clearly that Baptism replaced circumcision:

(Col 2:11 DRB) In whom also you are circumcised with circumcision not made by hand in despoiling of the body of the flesh: but in the circumcision of Christ.

(Col 2:12 DRB) Buried with him in baptism: in whom also you are risen again by the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him up from the dead.

We must remember what Christ said when there were those who attempted to forbid the children from coming to Him:

(Luk 18:15 DRB) And they brought unto him also infants, that he might touch them. Which when the disciples saw, they rebuked them.

(Luk 18:16 DRB) But Jesus, calling them together, said: Suffer children to come to me and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

(Luk 18:17 DRB) Amen, I say to you: Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a child shall not enter into it.

Can there be any doubt by a proper understanding of Scripture that children should be baptized? Certainly a complete understanding of the Scriptural verses shows clearly that children have the same need for Baptism as adults and that they should not be held away from this act by their parents or the Church lest they put the child in grave danger and the parents and/or Church are disobedient to the spirit of the teaching of Jesus and the apostles.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 2

Looks like I can best answer you by answering "Bill", above.

Bill, adult converts are prepared -- for about a year or so -- to receive *all* of their sacraments in the same Mass, not just baptism. And so it is reasonable that they are first instructed in what, exactly, those sacraments mean.

You're right that a baby can't understand the significance of the sacrament. But we do believe that it is regenerative and confers grace. Not wanting to exclude our children from this, we baptize them; their godparents and/or parents answer the question "do you renounce satan and all of his works?" on behalf of the child.

I fail to see the reasoning that something considered merely "symbolic" is at the same time a "serious step". Most non-Catholics are very careful to say that baptism doesn't "save" you, isn't required for salvation, and all that is necessary is accepting Christ into one's heart. Why so much fuss, then, over someone baptizing an infant? It's either a serious step or it's just getting wet. I do wish folks would make up their minds.

Answer 3

I believe you that toddler baptism is valid, yet enable's take a inspect the verses and statements you offered. - "enable the babies come to me" has not something to do with toddler baptism. This became Jesus' representation of the childlike faith we are to have with God. - you come back very on the factor of a works-orientated view of salvation once you assert that baptism is had to pass into the dominion of heaven. Baptism isn't a loose bypass. returned, your quote of John 3:5 has not something to do with toddler baptism. - you have not have been given any data that "finished families" could desire to have coated babies, and credo Baptists will reject this argument right now. a greater proper argument using those verses may be that the custom of the day in contact authority mandating it, which might have utilized to better halves, servants, and young ones of any age, through fact Papa suggested so. you're maximum suitable, however, that the Bible does not forbid toddler baptism. this might placed the burden of data onto the credo Baptists to coach how guy or woman judgements might prefer to be made contained in the face of a custom that could have rejected Christianity outright if baptism did not contain the babies.

Answer 4

In most Protestant denominations, it's the part that includes babies and children, sadly enough. Having been privileged to witness many infant baptisms in the Catholic faith and join in giving my blessing to the child and sponsors, I can tell you that it is a time of renewal for all concerned. The priest, the godparents, and the entire congregation affirm their own baptismal promises at the same time that they promise to teach and guide the child in the ways of God.

Infant baptism brings the congregation together, blesses and benefits the child, and gives us cause to think about our own vows to God. Just another reason why I love the rites of my Church so much!

Answer 5

Were there little children and babies? Or are you making a general assumption?

Matthew 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

It says "...teach all nations...". This clearly states something must be taught. Perhaps teaching the Gospel. This seems to indicate that the understanding of the Gospel would be necessary before baptism. Babies and children cannnot understand and appreciate the Gospel message at their age. Therefore, is it possible that babies and little children were not included? Perhaps, all adults young and old were referred to here?

GOD bless

Answer 6

Although Christian baptism does not wash sins away, it is a symbol indicating that the individual being immersed in water has made an unconditional dedication to Jehovah God through Jesus Christ. (Compare Matthew 16:24.) To dedicate means “to declare, to affirm, to devote.” Dedication to God refers to the act whereby a person is unreservedly set apart by an agreement to do God’s will through Christ. Figuratively, when the baptismal candidate is temporarily “buried” under the water and then lifted out of it, he dies to his previous course and is raised to a new way of life, to do Jehovah’s will unreservedly.

baptism is a serious step. Baptizing an infant is wrong because a baby cannot understand, make a decision, and become a disciple. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Those baptized during Philip’s ministry in Samaria were “men and women,” not mere infants. (Acts 8:4-8, 12) Baptism is for those old enough to learn, believe, and exercise faith. (John 17:3) In this regard, historian Augustus Neander wrote: “Faith and baptism were always connected with one another; and thus it is in the highest degree probable, that the practice of infant baptism was unknown [in the first century C.E.], That it first became recognised as an apostolic tradition in the course of the third century, is evidence rather against than for the admission of its apostolic origin.” History of the Planting and Training of the Christian Church.

Adult baptism is, of course, nothing new. Jesus himself was baptized at the age of 30 years. That more than simply a belief in God is required for baptism is likewise not new. Jesus’ command to his followers was to “make disciples, baptizing them” and “teaching them” to observe his commands.

since the Catholic Church has for centuries practiced infant baptism, the church’s stance on the baptizing of adults is a paradox. Church authorities say it takes two or more years to prepare an adult for baptism, yet they maintain that infant baptism is proper. They claim that baptism cleanses infants of inherited sin, but the apostle John wrote: “The blood of Jesus, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) Since babies are incapable of exercising faith in God and in Christ’s shed blood, why baptize them?

Answer 7

it means that even the youngest should be baptized, and it's obvious that even if the youngest is still a baby, the entire househould should be baptised.

Answer 8

well how do you know they had children? could have just been the slaves and maids etc, not everyone can have children you know, but really its irrelevant, baptism does NOT save! it all depends on faith in God.

Answer 9

Because baptism is symbolic of the forgiveness of sin. Babies and small children unable to comprehend sin don't need forgiveness of sin. Therefore, they don't need to be baptized. It's purely elementary thinking.