Infant Baptism - Is It Wrong?

[RED that's ME]

The reason that most Baptist churches requires a person to be baptized that wants to be a member is if they can't be obedient in the first commandment after becoming a christian how obedient will they be to any other doctrine/teachings.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

My suspicions are that it is more of the “telephone game”. In my church, and I thought most Baptist churches you cannot be a member or function in any way until you are baptized. In addition I believe it is comments such as above without Baptism you are lacking a “whole” faith.

No, you are not lacking in whole faith, you wouold just be disobeying God by not being baptized as Red stated above. Sorry if it came across that way.
Being a member of a church has nothing to do with your salvation.
GEL

 

[Flynmonkie]

No, you are not lacking in whole faith, you wouold just be disobeying God by not being baptized as Red stated above. Sorry if it came across that way.
Being a member of a church has nothing to do with your salvation.
GEL

Oh yes, I understand the meaning. I believe others are not getting the full picture at times why we believe what we believe. (I am not so sure I would consider it disobedience to God, I think it would strictly depend on one's hearts intent!) I do it to profess my faith, however some believe they should not be forced to do anything that vows, or makes a swear..ie: their word should be good enough....and it is for me. But I highly encourage it.

 

[Ginny]

I had this mini-revelation (if you will) yesterday about this whole infant baptism thing.

There are individuals totally going off on a few inexplicit verses to support baptizing infants. Yes, "household" is not explicit on what it entails; however, Jesus tells us in several several places that we are to accept Him and then be baptized...

Now here is the point I am trying to make. We cannot disregard the other parts of God's word to make true the fact that He guides us to baptize infants. If God tells us that we are to be saved and then baptized, then what does that say for infant baptism? God tells us that we are to believe in Him and his death on the cross for remission of our sins and eternity with Him....well, if that is what salvation is all about (and then after baptism in obedience) then STILL what is the point in infant baptism?

There is too much scripture in God's word about accepting Him as Lord and then being baptized to take one little verse about "baptizing a household" to make a point that God directs us to baptize infants. Because of that scripture that is available to us there is no way that one should come to the acknowledgement that babies should be baptized....Too much other scripture makes that point null.

ANother thing, about the baby dedication vs. infant baptism thing...there is nothing that holds up to comparing one to the other.

With baby dedication, you are vowing and making a proclamation before the church to pray for your child and raise him/her in accordance with the teachings of Jesus... Infant baptism is not comparable b/c it is not the same. It is comparing apples and oranges. There is nothing "magical" about baptizing an infant. If one wants to say that this is the way you are saying to the Lord that you will bring the child up as He would want, then I think there should be another form of doing that, b/c God has water baptism specifically designated for those that accept Him.

 

[constance]

With baby dedication, you are vowing and making a proclamation before the church to pray for your child and raise him/her in accordance with the teachings of Jesus...

Yep. I'd even go a step further and say:
With baby dedication, you are vowing and making a proclamation before the church to pray for the new family and the parents' ability to raise him/her in accordance with the teachings of Jesus...

Constance, trying really hard to be a good mommy

 

[Moca]

Now this is a great topic.

I remember when my son was born and my father-in-law was insisting that he be baptized. His reasoning for this was because (1) my husband was baptized as an infant and (2) what if he dies before he is able to make that decision. I believe my father-in-law wanted to do this tradition sake (since he was the first grandchild) and partial he thought that it would save my son. Basing this completely on scripture:

(1) I don't believe it to be wrong. I believe it to be another tradition, unbibical yes. And, I believe later once you understand and have asked Jesus into your heart then you should be baptized.

(2) No, baptizing a child can not save that child. Acceptance of Jesus Christ and asking for forgiveness of sin.


(3) No, that is an excuse. It might be confusing but we as Christians are supposed to look to God's word for answers, pray and God will show you what to do. Also, as parents God tells us to train our children in HIS WAY so that they will not stray. It's also our responsibility as parents to explain to our children if we baptized them as an infant, why we did so.


For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

 

[novcncy]

I had this mini-revelation (if you will) yesterday about this whole infant baptism thing.

There are individuals totally going off on a few inexplicit verses to support baptizing infants. Yes, "household" is not explicit on what it entails; however, Jesus tells us in several several places that we are to accept Him and then be baptized...

Now here is the point I am trying to make. We cannot disregard the other parts of God's word to make true the fact that He guides us to baptize infants. If God tells us that we are to be saved and then baptized, then what does that say for infant baptism? God tells us that we are to believe in Him and his death on the cross for remission of our sins and eternity with Him....well, if that is what salvation is all about (and then after baptism in obedience) then STILL what is the point in infant baptism?

There is too much scripture in God's word about accepting Him as Lord and then being baptized to take one little verse about "baptizing a household" to make a point that God directs us to baptize infants. Because of that scripture that is available to us there is no way that one should come to the acknowledgement that babies should be baptized....Too much other scripture makes that point null.

ANother thing, about the baby dedication vs. infant baptism thing...there is nothing that holds up to comparing one to the other.

With baby dedication, you are vowing and making a proclamation before the church to pray for your child and raise him/her in accordance with the teachings of Jesus... Infant baptism is not comparable b/c it is not the same. It is comparing apples and oranges. There is nothing "magical" about baptizing an infant. If one wants to say that this is the way you are saying to the Lord that you will bring the child up as He would want, then I think there should be another form of doing that, b/c God has water baptism specifically designated for those that accept Him.

Gotta take the whole thing, not just the bits that are interesting to you!

 

[lismore]

,

Hi constance

Just a question about your signature.

people were getting burned alive for being baptized? Who by?

Thats..........awful

Wasnt aware of this.

Lismore

 

[Ave Maria]

Hi There,
Just a few quick questions to you all with an opinion out there...
1. Do you think Infant Baptism is wrong (eg. Evil and Totally Unbiblical)
2. Do you think that Baptising your infant will save him/her?
3. Do you think that Baptising your infant will hinder his/her salvation (eg. later, if they come to a believing faith)?

Just wanting your thoughts on this... Thanks

1. I don't know about wrong but it's definitely useless.
2. No.
3. Doubt it but don't want to take that chance either.

 

[constance]

Hi constance

Just a question about your signature.

people were getting burned alive for being baptized? Who by?

Thats..........awful

Wasnt aware of this.

Lismore

Yep. Think about it every time you pass your baptismal font. Baptists have Martyrs too.

The Anabaptists(the spiritual ancestors of the Baptists, Puritans, Mennonites, Hutterites, and Amish) were killed in mass droves in The Netherlands by the authorities by the command of the Spanish King who ruled the land. He happened to be Catholic, but the Calvinists and Lutherans hated them vehemently too. In fact, the Anabaptists were persecuted more than any other religious group during the 16th Century (including witches, Jews, Catholics, and all the other protestants combined, and all of those groups put together).

The stories of these martyrs are absolutely extraordinary and spiritually uplifting.

Tell you what - once in a while, I will post some Martyrs' Mirror stories for us to discuss.

 

[novcncy]

Hi constance

Just a question about your signature.

people were getting burned alive for being baptized? Who by?

Thats..........awful

Wasnt aware of this.

Lismore

Hi Lismore,

You should check out "The Trail of Blood" I know it's available on line, but I don't have the link. Can someone post it? I think you'll find it eye opening to say the least.

 

[ZiSunka]

Hi constance

Just a question about your signature.

people were getting burned alive for being baptized? Who by?

Thats..........awful

Wasnt aware of this.

Lismore

Church history went through a very violent period just before and during the Reformation. "The Church" thought it could wipe out "heretical beliefs" by wiping out the "heretics" that believed them and they tried to make an example out of them by making the deaths as painful and horrible as possible, as a warning to the common people not to join the "heretics." It had two results; people that formerly loved "The Church" hated what it was doing to people who were harmless in every other way, and the "heretics" became stronger in their faith because of the persecution. Those heretics were people who believed that infant baptism had no effect, that baptism was an act of obedience to be done only after committing to a saving faith in Christ, that baptism itself didn't save but was just a demonstration of the first step of obedience, and that salvation is found in faith in Christ alone and not in maintaining a relationship with "The Church." For that, they were burned at the stake, drowned, stoned and sometimes beheaded. It's certainly nothing to be proud of, but that's how "The Church" decided to handle it. Now The Church even denies that it ever happened, and unfortunately, a lot of people outside "The Church" have bought into this denial, too.

 

[Athanasian Creed]

Hi Lismore,

You should check out "The Trail of Blood" I know it's available on line, but I don't have the link. Can someone post it? I think you'll find it eye opening to say the least.

Here is the link:

Trail Of Blood Book:
http://www.picknowl.com.au/homepages/rlister/baphist/blood/trail.htm



Ray

 

[Athanasian Creed]

Hi constance

Just a question about your signature.

people were getting burned alive for being baptized? Who by?

Thats..........awful

Wasnt aware of this.

Lismore

Not only for being baptized but for being REbaptized.

Anabaptist=Rebaptizers (Believer's Baptism)



Ray

 

[novcncy]

Not only for being baptized but for being REbaptized.

Anabaptist=Rebaptizers (Believer's Baptism)



Ray

Yes, because by RE baptizing, they were demonstrating that the first baptism, the one sanctioned by "The Church" was useless. As Lamslove spelled out, the church didn't take well to being exposed for the manipulative, lying, parasite that it is, and so they started killing people.

Thanks for posting that link Ray, YOU DA MAN!!!!!

 

[20questions]

why get baptized at all? It's just a ritual. Isn't personal intent more important than symbolic gesture?

 

[20questions]

People got burned because humans are unable to practice what they preach. Humbleness, forgiveness, etc.

 

[fireman1173005]

Hi There,
Just a few quick questions to you all with an opinion out there...
1. Do you think Infant Baptism is wrong (eg. Evil and Totally Unbiblical)
2. Do you think that Baptising your infant will save him/her?
3. Do you think that Baptising your infant will hinder his/her salvation (eg. later, if they come to a believing faith)?

Just wanting your thoughts on this... Thanks

1. Yes it's wrong, I don't know that it is evil but it is unbiblical, can you show me an account in the Bible where an infant was baptized.

2. No this will not save them. The Bible says that people made a profession of faith and then were baptized, an infant can't make the decision to accept Christ because they don't understand yet what they are doing.

3. Yes I do thank it could hinder them. If they are baptized as an infant and believe they have salvation through that they may never may the decision to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Brian

 

[Harry3142]

Since infant baptism is not practised in Baptist Churches, I am perplexed that the subject is being discussed on a Baptist thread. I am concerned that it is a thinly-veiled attempt at judgementalism in regard to other denominations that do practise it. That is neither your right nor your privilege.

 

[FreeinChrist]

MOD HAT POST


This is a VERY old thread that just got bumped up and the OP is not here. Old or not, debate is limited to Baptists.