Are those with intellectual impairments eligible for baptism?

frogoon234 · Apr 21, 2019

that last picture was from something else. Please ignore that. that was a mistake.

devin553344 · Apr 21, 2019

DamianWarS said:
I'm interested in peoples thoughts on this and how this may differ from their thoughts on infant baptism. Specifically, in the cases of a believers baptism can those with these impairments, especially in severe cases, be in good conscience baptized?

(this may sound like a loaded question, but it's not, I'm a part of a fellowship that rejects infant baptism, and although I have never asked I think in spirit those with severe intellectual impairments would not be allowed to get baptized and I'm not sure how I feel about this)

One of the most spiritual persons I knew was mentally retarded. It was really strange too. He was wise from the Lord. But not real intelligent, which made it all very strange to experience. Truly gifted.

DamianWarS · Apr 21, 2019

frogoon234 said:
Is the church you belong to believe this or do you believe this? Ofcourse everyone should be baptized. Theres no arguing against this. Case closed. If you got baptized as a child then get baptized again. If you feel its necessary to get baptized 50 times then get baptized 50 times. This is absolute nonsense to suggest anyone should be barred from baptism. Are you serious or joking?

the church I belong to rejects infant baptism and I would think have issues with severe intellectual impairments (but I've have never asked the last one) I more flexible personally but I don't like to encourage multiple baptisms, I think it is unnecessary and it promotes counter-baptisms values

frogoon234 · Apr 21, 2019

DamianWarS said:
the church I belong to rejects infant baptism and I would think have issues with severe intellectual impairments (but I've have never asked the last one) I more flexible personally but I don't like to encourage multiple baptisms, I think it is unnecessary and it promotes counter-baptisms values

thats fair. sorry for my initial response. I agree with the others on the forum that unless we can get inside that person's head, if they adknowledge verbally or some other form of communication like a head nod or something then why would we keep them from being baptised.

Tigger45 · Apr 21, 2019

Yes the Lord can save an infant or anyone for that matter, outside of baptism no one is disputing that. Infant baptism is part of the spiritual well-being and formation of the infant’s maturation in the faith.

thecolorsblend · Apr 21, 2019

Maria Billingsley said:
What of all the millions and millions of aborted children? What is their condition ?As they were not water baptized.

Answer: Out on a Limbo

Natsumi Lam · Apr 22, 2019

DamianWarS said:
I'm interested in peoples thoughts on this and how this may differ from their thoughts on infant baptism. Specifically, in the cases of a believers baptism can those with these impairments, especially in severe cases, be in good conscience baptized?

(this may sound like a loaded question, but it's not, I'm a part of a fellowship that rejects infant baptism, and although I have never asked I think in spirit those with severe intellectual impairments would not be allowed to get baptized and I'm not sure how I feel about this)

I dont see a point to baptizing an infant other than the parents dedicating the child to God as a proclamation.

As far as those with impairments...i think that person should make the decision only.

Monk Brendan · Apr 22, 2019

DamianWarS said:
I'm interested in peoples thoughts on this and how this may differ from their thoughts on infant baptism. Specifically, in the cases of a believers baptism can those with these impairments, especially in severe cases, be in good conscience baptized?

(this may sound like a loaded question, but it's not, I'm a part of a fellowship that rejects infant baptism, and although I have never asked I think in spirit those with severe intellectual impairments would not be allowed to get baptized and I'm not sure how I feel about this)

Why should they not be?

To say we have to have "understanding" for God to work in our lives is gnosticism.

ChristianGirl_96 · Apr 22, 2019

Albion said:
If the churches which adhere to Believers Baptism are consistent, there is no basis for them to baptize a person who is mentally defective (sufficiently to not understand a conversion experience or the nature of God, etc.)

But the traditional churches, both Catholic and Protestant, which baptize infants and young children in the belief that the sacrament is God doing something for the recipient rather than the other way around…are being entirely consistent in baptizing such a person.

I’m not sure how to respond to your comment but I’m a Christian. My son and daughter were born with physical disabilities that we learned about before they were born. I still had them baptised shortly after we were discharged from the hospital. See my earlier comment above. Inclusion in all forms is not always a bad thing. It is only when it affects the potential progress of other children that it might not be possible.

Ken Rank · Apr 22, 2019

DamianWarS said:
I'm interested in peoples thoughts on this and how this may differ from their thoughts on infant baptism. Specifically, in the cases of a believers baptism can those with these impairments, especially in severe cases, be in good conscience baptized?

(this may sound like a loaded question, but it's not, I'm a part of a fellowship that rejects infant baptism, and although I have never asked I think in spirit those with severe intellectual impairments would not be allowed to get baptized and I'm not sure how I feel about this)

Our take is a simple one... if the person can decide they want to get into the water we allow it. We don't do infant baptism because they have no ability (the infant) to choose their own path. A parent has been given the gift of the child and has authority over them until they marry, but that child will answer for themselves before God and being baptized as a baby because it was the parents decision does not add or take from the fact that the child will still, one day, answer for themselves. But if anyone old enough to make a decision does... we allow it... why not?

DM25 · Apr 23, 2019

worshipjunkie said:
I have a daughter with autism- high functioning but still classic autism, not Aspergers

You do realize some people with high functioning autism function better than some with aspergers right? The autism spectrum is a wide spectrum... It's not just about having aspergers that makes you function well.. Just like some people with PDD-NOS may function better than both aspergers and classic autism, or may not function as well. It's a wide spectrum and it depends on the individual. It is offensive to say someone on the autism spectrum doesn't function well just because they don't have aspergers. High functioning autism is still high functioning.

worshipjunkie · Apr 23, 2019

DM25 said:
You do realize some people with high functioning autism function better than some with aspergers right? The autism spectrum is a wide spectrum... It's not just about having aspergers that makes you function well.. Just like some people with PDD-NOS may function better than both aspergers and classic autism, or may not function as well. It's a wide spectrum and it depends on the individual. It is offensive to say someone on the autism spectrum doesn't function well just because they don't have aspergers. High functioning autism is still high functioning.

I mentioned it to clarify the difference between the two diagnoses and not to make a statement about functioning. While I do consider autism (or other ASD's, for that matter) to be the kind of intellectual impairment the OP was talking about, that doesn't mean I don't recognize there is a wide spectrum of intellectual capacity and functioning. A lot of people consider high functioning=Aspergers; that's why I clarified. It is my daughter, after all- I think I get the difference.

DM25 · Apr 23, 2019

worshipjunkie said:
I mentioned it to clarify the difference between the two diagnoses and not to make a statement about functioning. While I do consider autism (or other ASD's, for that matter) to be the kind of intellectual impairment the OP was talking about, that doesn't mean I don't recognize there is a wide spectrum of intellectual capacity and functioning. A lot of people consider high functioning=Aspergers; that's why I clarified. It is my daughter, after all- I think I get the difference.

Ok that's alright. I'm on the spectrum myself so I just felt the need to point it out.

GodsGrace101 · Apr 23, 2019

DamianWarS said:
How about a case of becoming severely impaired from an accident as an unbelieving adult. How does baptism contribute to this individual?

It doesn't.
Even denominations that baptize infants KNOW and state that this baptism must be accepted by the infant as an adult person...

A believer should/must be baptized.

A non-believer could be baptized 5X and it won't make any difference.

It's belief that saves, not baptism.

GodLovesCats · Apr 23, 2019

GodsGrace101 said:
Yes. When an infant is baptized and then grows up and decides to "accept" His baptism and use the Holy Spirit that was given to him...and become a believer and becomes saved, he does not need to be baptized again.

Churches that require this are watering down what baptism is.

I do believe that adults should be baptized. In the early church adults waited as long as they could because it would wipe away all prior sins. That wold be ideal (adult baptism) and what I believe Jesus meant when He said to baptize all who the Apostles taught what He preached. Infants don't understand and cannot be taught.

However, it still has its effect.

This belief is nonsense. I was baptized as an infant. My mom took me to church when she wanted to go. I remained an atheist though, unable to accept the facts heaven is real and Mary was a virgin. I still did not know there is a place called hell and what happened after Jesus was nailed on the cross. I thought Biblical stories were just that - historical accounts of ancient people. So I always htought baptism was useless. It obviously did not help me at all to either be baptized or belong to a Methodist church while growing up so I could not accept my baptism even after finally being saved at age 20. So I felt it was important to get a second baptism at my second church and am glad I did.

Jonathan Mathews · Apr 24, 2019

DamianWarS said:
I'm interested in peoples thoughts on this and how this may differ from their thoughts on infant baptism. Specifically, in the cases of a believers baptism can those with these impairments, especially in severe cases, be in good conscience baptized?

(this may sound like a loaded question, but it's not, I'm a part of a fellowship that rejects infant baptism, and although I have never asked I think in spirit those with severe intellectual impairments would not be allowed to get baptized and I'm not sure how I feel about this)

Water baptism SYMBOLIZES the One Baptism which is Baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:4-6,1 Peter 3:21). Those baptized by John STILL needed the Baptism of the Spirit which only Jesus Christ provides. And the believing thief on the Cross was Born Again and went to Paradise WITHOUT being dunked in water because Jesus baptized his soul with the Spirit when he believe in Christ Jesus on the cross. Spiritual Baptism (or "circumcision of the Heart") is the One Baptism mentioned by Paul. I was Born of God a week before I went down in water. Some people go down in water, but haven't received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:3)

GodsGrace101 · Apr 24, 2019

ChristianForCats said:
This belief is nonsense. I was baptized as an infant. My mom took me to church when she wanted to go. I remained an atheist though, unable to accept the facts heaven is real and Mary was a virgin. I still did not know there is a place called hell and what happened after Jesus was nailed on the cross. I thought Biblical stories were just that - historical accounts of ancient people. So I always htought baptism was useless. It obviously did not help me at all to either be baptized or belong to a Methodist church while growing up so I could not accept my baptism even after finally being saved at age 20. So I felt it was important to get a second baptism at my second church and am glad I did.

I'm happy for you.
You accepted your baptism at the age of 20 and became born again.
As a protestant I've believed that baptism is a sign of belief.
Why would jesus say to be baptized if it's only a sign?
Why do you think a person should be baptized?

GodLovesCats · Apr 24, 2019

The church I was saved at provided Bible verses to support their belief that baptisms are meaningless if a person is too young to be a believer. This is called "believers baptism." What they do instead of an infant baptism is a "baby dedication" ceremony during church services, in which parents publicly pledge to teach the Gospel to their kids and lead them to Jesus.

GodLovesCats · Apr 24, 2019

GodsGrace101 said:
I'm happy for you.
You accepted your baptism at the age of 20 and became born again.
As a protestant I've believed that baptism is a sign of belief.
Why would jesus say to be baptized if it's only a sign?
Why do you think a person should be baptized?

I was clearly stating my infant baptism was never accepted by me.
Unfortunately many Protestant denominations believe in baptizing babies.
Jesus commanded all believers to be baptized.

GodLovesCats · Apr 24, 2019

DamianWarS said:
and if we are unable to determine if it is desirable or not then what? certainly, extremely low functioning impairments still do respond to the things they like and the things they don't like, is this good enough to call it an expression of faith?

It is entirely the mentally impaired person's choice. Nobody else can determine if he or she is ready to get a baptism. If such a person cannot commicate through words, he or she can do so in other ways.

Are those with intellectual impairments eligible for baptism?

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