Infant Baptism

Servant of Yeshua

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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?
PLease reconsider infant baptism. I do understand how it is hard to go against traditions. But honestly your child needs to make this decision for him or herself. Baby dedication is appropriate. You promise to teach your child about the Lord and be a godly example. You also promise to pray for your child. My children were so glad that I did not choose for them. Do not take that choice away from them. Revelation 3:14-20. Behold I stand at the door.... each person needs to answer the door themselves. The bible says: Repent and be baptised. Baptising an infant will make other adults happy, but you will be taking away one of the most beautiful expressions that your child can decide for his or herself one day. It is sort of like an arranged marriage. How special is that ?
And confirmation...well, everyone shows up at the same age and does it at the same time. Also, not special because is it not done without parental prompting.
 
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Johan_1988

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Hi, I was born in the Dutch reformed church and was baptized as an infant at about 3 months old. I can tell you there is no real benefit to it. After messing up my life completely I was preached a biblical gospel got saved and realized those things were doctrines of men since they are not mentioned in scripture. I comes directly from roman Catholicism and should have no place in reformed theology. I was baptized with full immersion after I was born again and man did it make a difference in my life.

Such interpretations is what messed up my life since I ended up making scripture to what someone explained to me and not what it really is. I have a direct interpretation now and it's wonderful.No needing to scratch my head about things anymore even if I don't understand them. I accept it by faith and the answers come.

So dear sister, I mean not to offend you ,but I give you advice as someone whom had grown up with it. You can do it if you'd like, but as I see it, it's completely meaningless and useless.
 
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eleos1954

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actually, no he didn't say what I said
as someone with a child who HAS called around to different churches re Baptism, I know that some will NOT Baptise unless requirements are met

Yes ... and not just children ... when I came to the Lord I didn't go to a church at all .... when I sought out to be baptized I was turned away from many churches due to "their requirements".
 
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All4Christ

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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."
Pentecostals would fall under the Believers Baptism as well - and agreed on the rest of the post. Dedication definitely isn’t the same as baptism.
 
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fhansen

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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?
While Scripture is vague on this the ancient churches, in the east, such as the Eastern Orthodox, and in the west, the Roman Catholic Church, have practiced infant baptism since time immemorial.
 
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lsume

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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?
Baptism of The Holy Spirit is the Baptism that makes one Born Again. Christening young children is somewhat common.
 
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Johan_1988

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Baptism of The Holy Spirit is the Baptism that makes one Born Again. Christening young children is somewhat common.

Hi pops, sorry to say ,but if that was true then all the disciples on the day of Pentecost only became born again that day and was not born again the whole time they were with Jesus.
 
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All4Christ

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Right. I had the feeling that I'd forgotten somebody. I think that was it.:sorry:
Originally coming from a Pentecostal background, it’s the first one I think of!
 
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All4Christ

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Right. I had the feeling that I'd forgotten somebody. I think that was it.:sorry:
Brethren Churches, Mennonites and all Anabaptists also would fall under it (in addition to the Amish) :)
 
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Maria Billingsley

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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?
Ultimately, it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that is important. Only God gives us this gift and He gives it to true believers for the purpose of regeneration and entrance into the Kingdom of God. All children before the age of accountability are in the Kingdom of God. Water baptism is only symbolic and has no redeeming powers. So that being said, baptize your infant yourself. This is just as meaningful maybe even more than having a Pastor perform the ritual as your child is already in the book of life until they make their decision.
Blessings
 
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zoidar

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I was baptized with full immersion after I was born again and man did it make a difference in my life.

What difference did the believers baptism do for you?

I was baptized as baby and then persuaded to be baptised again as a believer. There was no difference in my life after my believers baptism. I was almost expecting something to happen, but nope.
 
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fhansen

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I think it's supposed to be a public proclamation of faith. Infants cannot do this.
Historically the church has taught that the faith of the family members and community stand in for the infant, salvation being both a corporate and personal experience (Acts 16:31). All of us can play a role in advancing God's kingdom and the infant is expected to carry on with his or her own faith as they reach the age, fulfilling their baptismal vows-or otherwise.
 
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friend of

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Historically the church has taught that the faith of the family members and community stand in for the infant, salvation being both a corporate and personal experience (Acts 16:31). All of us can play a role in advancing God's kingdom and the infant is expected to carry on with his or her own faith as they reach the age, fulfilling their baptismal vows-or otherwise.

I'm sure you could put Noah's family alongside that scripture from Acts. I digress, I was baptized and confirmed in Catholicism, but it was empty ritualism until I actually believed and came to saving faith and being born again. I was expected to be Catholic by those sacraments, but I did not have living faith in me then. I expect this is true of many others especially within catholicism. (No offense intended)
 
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Toro

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I believe that an infant baptism is between God and the parents.

A symbol of the parent giving their child over to Him and to do with that child as He wills. Sickness, health no matter what is to happen to that child a symbol to God of trust for His will to be done and trusting no matter what it looks like to the eyes of the parents that all He allows that child to go through, is in the end for benefit of their child.

I do not believe that the baptism is a symbol of the child's salvation, merely a symbol of the faith those parents have, much the same as Abraham put Isaac on the alter trusting that even though he was to put his son on the alter, that whatever came of it was for the best.

I do not believe it to be a symbol of salvation to the child as they get older, because that would be the will of the parents that the child accept Christ, not the child's own free will to declare that acceptance.

I personally believe that an infant "baptism" is useless UNLESS one enters such an event by direction of the Spirit where both parents have counted the cost of giving their child up to the will of God and to allow Him to use the child as He wills.... sometimes His will is not pleasant or comfortable.

In which case, why devote your child to God, but then question why He allowed "insert any circumstance here" to happen.

If you make such a public declaration, mean it.
 
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