Baptising Your Children

[KristyAnne]

I've read a few threads around the forum recently, regarding whether or not to baptise a child. I thought I'd start a thread here on the matter, and see how many parents have actually done it.

We haven't baptised Isabel. My husband thinks it's something that she should choose to do when she's older, and has an understanding of why she's doing it. I'm of two minds on the subject.

So, who here has baptised their child, who is planning to, what are your thoughts on the matter?

(And if this has been discussed in the Parenting forum before, a link to that discussion would be appreciated).

God Bless.

Kristy

 

[okiemommy26]

My daughter Desiree was baptised when she was 6, she was saved before then, she knows what it means to be saved and baptised. I plan on my son being baptisted too. I did not force her and I will not force him. He is 3.

 

[andiesmama]

I voted when she's older....she's only 3, it would have no meaning to her personally.

 

[BeanMak]

I baptized my babies, depending on God's promise to save who he will.

 

[amyp31]

The church I attend does not baptise babies or smaller children. They do a dedication where the parents dedicate their children back to the Lord that has blessed them. I had all 4 of my children dedicated just a year ago when I got back into church. I was baptised as a baby so I know both sides. As for my kids, I will let them make that decision on their own but you better believe I'll be here waiting with nothing but support when they are ready.

 

[KristyAnne]

The church I attend does not baptise babies or smaller children. They do a dedication where the parents dedicate their children back to the Lord that has blessed them. I had all 4 of my children dedicated just a year ago when I got back into church. I was baptised as a baby so I know both sides. As for my kids, I will let them make that decision on their own but you better believe I'll be here waiting with nothing but support when they are ready.

I really like the idea of a dedication. Do you know (or does anyone else know) if many churches do this, and if so, which ones?

Kristy

 

[kayd1966]

I voted no because it isn't my decision. I believe that once they come to a realization that Jesus died for them adn they accept Him as their Savior, then its up to them to decide when they want to take a stand and continue in obedience before their church and the Lord.

I believe that the baptism of repentance or forgiveness (Acts 19:3-5) isn't anymore. That is what John did before Jesus died...after Jesus died and rose again, baptism became a symbol (Romans 6:3-5) to show the world that we have given up the old life and are born again or raised in Jesus.

Our church does dedications, so did my previous church. I haven't had my kids 'dedicated' because my husband isn't a Christian and he feels uncomfortable about it but I sure do pray over them everynight when they go to bed .

 

[Linnis]

My brother and I we're Christened being Anglican, all our cousins being Catholic we're baptised the first Sunday after their birth.

I plan on having all my children Christened when they are born although now that I attend a Methodist church it's called a Dedication.

 

[HoshiG]

I voted when she's older. My father-in-law (who is Catholic) kept asking me over and over before my daughter was born about Christening and why I wasn't going to do it. He thought not doing it was some new spangled idea and he likes tradition.


Anyhow, I believe in doing baby dedications (which is ultimately for the parents and not so much for the child as such) and then believer's baptism when she is of an age to understand and make the choice.

Unfortunately, we live in a country village with poor bus access and no car and don't have a church. There is a Catholic church nearby and a Church of England/Methodist (not sure how that works!) nearby but I'm not confortable with C of E. I can't find anything like a Baptist Church or something similar anywhere remotely possible for us to get to.

So, my plan is, when we get to visit Canada (maybe in the summer or fall) I will see if the Pastor where I used to attend will do a dedication for us.

 

[Athene]

I didn't get my kids baptised or christened, I'm very much of the opinion that it is there choice to make and they will make it when they are old enough.

 

[Zoomer]

I believe baptism is an act and command of God. I don't see it merely as an outward act of someone's confession of faith or a choice for one to make when they are older. That to me, turns baptism to an act of man. Baptism is something that God does for us, not us for God. I believe God extends his grace so that we may come to faith, and one means of grace is baptism. My feeling is why should I deny my child something, that would help them grown in faith.

 

[CarrieAg93]

We've chosen to let them decide when they are ready to be baptized so, obviously, it will be when they are older.

 

[lucypevensie]

I'm for believer's baptism, meaning that once a person understands and accepts Christ's atonement he can and should then be baptized. I think it should be a very personal decision, not one for someone else to make for someone else. The baptizee is the one who chooses to be baptized.

OUr baptist church also does baby dedication. It's merely a vow of sorts that the parents and the church will do their best to bring the child up in a God-pleasing manner, and the acknowledgement that our children do not belong to us, but to God.

 

[Addicted2~Jesus]

We didn't an won't baptise any of our children, it's not for us to do, it's for our children to decide to do when they are ready. This is a real can of worms in some areas, primarily I believe between the catholic faith an others, the best advice I could ever give, is read God's word an let Him reveal Himsef to you an your husband. I agree with your husband btw, I feel to baptise a baby that doesn't know anythin bout it is all jes an entertainin show. I of course know there are those that disagree wit this and that's their choice, but personally, I can throw someone in water an if it means nuthin to the one in the water, then all they've done is takin a bath at my hand. Jes my 2 cents.

 

[bigat]

Voted - nope. It's up to them to decide.

 

[Christdefinesme]

We beleive that the baptising is for them to choose to do before/with the
Lord when they are older.
We "dedicated" our kids to the Lord, each of them before a year old.
We had a dedication ceremony in church, with/before the congregation for
each of our kids.
In the dedication ceremony, we express publicly our commitment to/before
the Lord that these kids are His and we desire to raise and instruct them in
His ways. Our church congregation also make a public commitment to
support us and this child in whatever ways necessary to point them toward
Christ.
It's a really awesome memory for us with each kid. Very important and
symbolic.
I am waiting for each of my kids to decide when they would like to make
their public commitment to Christ with baptism. I know they will be lead
by the Holy Spirit in this when it is time. I can't wait!

 

[amyp31]

I really like the idea of a dedication. Do you know (or does anyone else know) if many churches do this, and if so, which ones?

Kristy

The church I attend is a Church of God. I know that dedications are a pretty common practice in the pentacostal denomination. Other than that I'm not sure which other denominations do it. I loved having the kids dedicated. It was my way of saying "Thank you Lord for what you have given me. I promise to raise them according to Your will. I can't do this alone though. So now I put them back in Your hands."


The tradition comes from 1 Samuel chapter 1, when Hannah gave birth to Samuel.

 

[BethMae]

I believe in infant baptism.