Infant Baptism

Baileyscave

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I realize I have been going to a church that does not baptism infants, and that my husband and I really feel strongly about baptizing our infant daughter. We have already dedicated several months to our current church, but I am thinking this may be a deal breaker. I strongly believe in making this covenant to God. I know there are baby dedication ceremonies from some churches, but I don't know if they are quite the same as an infant baptism theologically speaking. The type of church we are currently attending is a reformed Baptist, and in the almost 6 months we have been attending we have not seen or heard of an adult baptism let alone a dedication or infant baptism. I think I already know the answer if I asked them, but that leaves me with this question...what type of churches DO believe in infant baptism?
 
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-57

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I realize I have been going to a church that does not baptism infants, and that my husband and I really feel strongly about baptizing our infant daughter. We have already dedicated several months to our current church, but I am thinking this may be a deal breaker. I strongly believe in making this covenant to God. I know there are baby dedication ceremonies from some churches, but I don't know if they are quite the same as an infant baptism theologically speaking. The type of church we are currently attending is a reformed Baptist, and in the almost 6 months we have been attending we have not seen or heard of an adult baptism let alone a dedication or infant baptism. I think I already know the answer if I asked them, but that leaves me with this question...what type of churches DO believe in infant baptism?

Many churches believe in "believers" baptism. They can point to the bible and say there is no instance of a baby being baptized. Instead they dedicate babies promising to raise them in a christian fashion.

On the other hand, denominations like the Presbyterians say baptism is a symbol and has replaced circumcision. In a sense it is a baby dedication but also believe in believers baptism later on.

I believe Catholics and others say baptism removes Adams sin. This I do not believe.
 
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Radagast

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I realize I have been going to a church that does not baptism infants, and that my husband and I really feel strongly about baptizing our infant daughter. We have already dedicated several months to our current church, but I am thinking this may be a deal breaker. I strongly believe in making this covenant to God. I know there are baby dedication ceremonies from some churches, but I don't know if they are quite the same as an infant baptism theologically speaking. The type of church we are currently attending is a reformed Baptist

If you go to a conservative Presbyterian church (like the PCA or the OPC, but not the more liberal PCUSA) you will find it theologically very much like the Reformed Baptists you are attending, except that they will baptise infants.

Are these people anywhere near you? It sounds like exactly what you're looking for.
 
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Albion

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Most churches do believe in infant baptism, Baileyscave. That would include the Catholic, Anglican/Episcopal, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Congregationalist, and a host of smaller churches. The churches that oppose the practice are the Amish, Baptist, Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ, most non-denominational congregations, plus a few other churches related to the Baptist churches.

You are correct that a dedication is not the equivalent of a baptism--and that is true whether we are speaking of the churches that baptize infants or the ones that only practice "believers baptism."
 
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-57

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Most churches do believe in infant baptism, Baileyscave. That would include the Catholic, Anglican/Episcopal, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Congregationalist, and a host of smaller churches. The churches that oppose the practice are the Amish, Baptist, Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ, most non-denominational congregations, plus a few other churches related to the Baptist churches.

You are correct that a dedication is not the equivalent of a baptism--and that is true whether we are speaking of the churches that baptize infants or the ones that only practice "believers baptism."

It should be noted the reason for baptism is very different. Catholics baptism and Presbyterian baptism of infants are done for seperate purposes.
I've never looked into why Anglican, Episcopal, Reformed Lutheran and the others mentioned in your post baptise infants.
Maybe someone here can tell us what baptism of infants accomplishes in those denominations.
 
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Albion

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It should be noted the reason for baptism is very different. Catholics baptism and Presbyterian baptism of infants are done for seperate purposes.
Somewhat, but here the objective is to help our friend Baileyscave know where she might turn in order to find a church. What she thinks about the differences between the various denominations that I named is hers to decide. And that would apply to many other aspects of the alternatives. She might, for instance, agree with the baptismal policy of some church but find other beliefs and practices to be unacceptable to her. IMO Radagast's suggest of a conservative Presbyterian church was a good one, however.

Maybe someone here can tell us what baptism of infants accomplishes in those denominations
Traditionally, baptism is believed to 1) mark the recipient as a member of Christs church, 2) forgive his or her sins or reassure the person of the remission of their sins, and 3) give grace.
 
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-57

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Somewhat, but here the objective is to help our friend Baileyscave know where she might turn in order to find a church. What she thinks about the differences between the various denominations that I named is hers to decide. And that would apply to many other aspects of the alternatives. She might, for instance, agree with the baptismal policy of some church but find other beliefs and practices to be unacceptable to her. IMO Radagast's suggest of a conservative Presbyterian church was a good one, however.


Traditionally, baptism is believed to 1) mark the recipient as a member of Christs church, 2) forgive his or her sins or reassure the person of the remission of their sins, and 3) give grace.

If baptism is what makes you stay or leave a church I would think Baileyscave would want to understand the reasons for it, why some do and some don't baptize infants.

I understand why Baptist don't baptize infants as well as undertand why Presbyterian do.
I disagree with why Catholics baptize infants.
 
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Jonaitis

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Presbyterians and Congregational churches are your best option if you are looking for one more similar to a Reformed Baptist Church, with the different view of baptism. They do have minor other difference, but they are closer than Anglican and Methodist and so on...
 
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Radagast

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Presbyterians and Congregational churches are your best option if you are looking for one more similar to a Reformed Baptist Church, with the different view of baptism. They do have minor other difference, but they are closer than Anglican and Methodist and so on...

Reformed Baptist would mean Calvinist, which is which I think conservative Presbyterian groups like the PCA would be the best match.
 
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Jonaitis

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Reformed Baptist would mean Calvinist, which is which I think conservative Presbyterian groups like the PCA would be the best match.

I prefer OPC than PCA (and definitely PCUSA, waay too liberal).

Reformed Baptist are more than Calvinist.
 
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eleos1954

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I realize I have been going to a church that does not baptism infants, and that my husband and I really feel strongly about baptizing our infant daughter. We have already dedicated several months to our current church, but I am thinking this may be a deal breaker. I strongly believe in making this covenant to God. I know there are baby dedication ceremonies from some churches, but I don't know if they are quite the same as an infant baptism theologically speaking. The type of church we are currently attending is a reformed Baptist, and in the almost 6 months we have been attending we have not seen or heard of an adult baptism let alone a dedication or infant baptism. I think I already know the answer if I asked them, but that leaves me with this question...what type of churches DO believe in infant baptism?

You should ask them if they have a dedication ceremony for infants and go from there.

Biblically I don't find where infants were baptized. Some use a verses where it states a whole household were baptized, however no mention of what the household consisted of.

Acts 16:33
New International Version
At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.

Matthew 3:6
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Babies can not confess, repent etc. so with that although it is not necessarily wrong with a baby being baptized ... as they grow up at some point in time they should choose to be baptized, when they understand what being baptized is all about.

By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38; 16:30-33; 22:16; Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12, 13.)

Some faiths believe otherwise.

"that my husband and I really feel strongly about baptizing our infant daughter"

Curious as to what your feelings are being based on?

God Bless.
 
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-57

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One has to be able to know good from evil. Babies don't have this capability ... therefore are totally innocent.

Parents dedicating their children to the Lord, yes, but not baptism.

Luke 2:21-40
Jesus was dedicated to the Lord as a baby.

Matthew 3:13
Jesus was baptized by submersion as an adult.

Follow the Lamb, He is our example in all things.

Luke 2:21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised,......Some say baptism has replaced circumcision as the sign of the covenent. For this reason they baptize babies.
 
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Acts2:38

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I really feel strongly about baptizing our infant daughter.

I strongly believe in making this covenant to God.

Why? Do you have any scripture that supports this?

If you will take a step back and hear what your saying:

" I feel strongly about baptizing..." / "I strongly believe in making this covenant...."

Baptism was only done when the individual THEMSELVES believed, repented, and confessed Christ, not when someone else believed they should.

Acts 2:37 = They asked Peter, "What should WE do?"

Peter said Acts 2:38
This poster was right:
One has to be able to know good from evil. Babies don't have this capability ... therefore are totally innocent.

Parents dedicating their children to the Lord, yes, but not baptism.

Luke 2:21-40
Jesus was dedicated to the Lord as a baby.

Matthew 3:13
Jesus was baptized by submersion as an adult.

Follow the Lamb, He is our example in all things.

Notice all the people who get baptized in Acts are penitent for their transgressions. They realize they are in sin and they UNDERSTAND what is being preached. The Ethiopian knew and understood what Philip preached in Acts 8.

Do babies understand what you are saying?

Are babies accountable? Are they responsible?

Do they have any understanding of Christ if you preached to them?

If you answered "no", then how can you baptize a baby? They have no idea what you are saying, no understanding of Christ regardless of you telling them, they cant even produce nor do they know language.

Because they are not accountable, they are not held to the standards of those who reached the ability to understand and be accountable.

Due to scripture such as this:
Matthew 18:3, mark 10:13-15, Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 14:12

I would say baptism is not needed at all for infants.
 
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eleos1954

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Luke 2:21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised,......Some say baptism has replaced circumcision as the sign of the covenent. For this reason they baptize babies.

Some say a lot of things ;o) What they believe is up to them.

A baby does not know good from evil.

By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings.

Supporting Scripture:
Romans 6:1-6 Colossians 2:12, 13 Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matthew 28:19, 20.
 
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brightlights

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I realize I have been going to a church that does not baptism infants, and that my husband and I really feel strongly about baptizing our infant daughter. We have already dedicated several months to our current church, but I am thinking this may be a deal breaker. I strongly believe in making this covenant to God. I know there are baby dedication ceremonies from some churches, but I don't know if they are quite the same as an infant baptism theologically speaking. The type of church we are currently attending is a reformed Baptist, and in the almost 6 months we have been attending we have not seen or heard of an adult baptism let alone a dedication or infant baptism. I think I already know the answer if I asked them, but that leaves me with this question...what type of churches DO believe in infant baptism?

Most Christian denominations baptize babies, but for different reasons. Why do you want to have your kids baptized?
 
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PoppyB

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I realize I have been going to a church that does not baptism infants, and that my husband and I really feel strongly about baptizing our infant daughter. We have already dedicated several months to our current church, but I am thinking this may be a deal breaker. I strongly believe in making this covenant to God. I know there are baby dedication ceremonies from some churches, but I don't know if they are quite the same as an infant baptism theologically speaking. The type of church we are currently attending is a reformed Baptist, and in the almost 6 months we have been attending we have not seen or heard of an adult baptism let alone a dedication or infant baptism. I think I already know the answer if I asked them, but that leaves me with this question...what type of churches DO believe in infant baptism?
Have your child blessed or 'welcomed' by all means but baptising infants is not biblical.
 
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