Infant Baptism

justlovinJesus · Jun 2, 2013

Hi. My question is just a simple one but with a long backstory.. I was baptized as an infant. I've always held this baptism as a true one based on this: I believe if you are baptized and later on decide to not follow God, your baptism is no longer valid. That being said, I believe in the opposite, if you decide to come to God after being baptized, your baptism is in fact, valid. I've also thought that the babies were dedicated in the Israelites' covenant after 8 days, and entire households were baptized in the New Testament. That being said, the church I belong to now believes my baptism is not valid by noting that in the New Testament, it is 'believe, then be baptized'. This obviously disturbs me because, does my baptism count? Do I need to be re-baptized? I don't know, and I've been following God for a while now and am scared that I've been following all this time but missing a step. I've always thought my baptism was valid until my pastor said it was not. Can somebody shine some light on this?

I go to a church that doesn't have a specific denomnation but clearly leans baptist. I'm posting it here as I do think it's a theology question, although it does fall under 'Christian Advice' as well.

Cappadocious · Jun 2, 2013

justlovinJesus said:
I've always thought my baptism was valid until my pastor said it was not. Can somebody shine some light on this?

Super True Stories: Paul's Baptism Oopsie (Episode One) - YouTube

justlovinJesus said:
Do I need to be re-baptized?

No.

ahs · Jun 2, 2013

+1 with Cappadocious...and LOVE the video!!!

Your Baptism is valid as long as it was in the Trinitarian formula ("in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"). That Baptism cannot be undone, no more than circumcision could have been undone to the Jews.

Rev Randy · Jun 2, 2013

Cappadocious said:
Super True Stories: Paul's Baptism Oopsie (Episode One) - YouTube

No.

Great video. God bless the Lutherans.

Albion · Jun 2, 2013

Hi. The answer is that your baptism is valid and you actually CANNOT be re-baptised because there isn't such a thing, even though there are people who talk that way and some of them have gone through the act two or three or more times.

However, its validity won't ever be accepted by the Baptists, so you face a difficult choice. I don't recommend denying your own baptism for the sake of membership there, so the only other practical choice may be to attend without seeking membership.

justlovinJesus said:
Hi. My question is just a simple one but with a long backstory.. I was baptized as an infant. I've always held this baptism as a true one based on this: I believe if you are baptized and later on decide to not follow God, your baptism is no longer valid. That being said, I believe in the opposite, if you decide to come to God after being baptized, your baptism is in fact, valid. I've also thought that the babies were dedicated in the Israelites' covenant after 8 days, and entire households were baptized in the New Testament. That being said, the church I belong to now believes my baptism is not valid by noting that in the New Testament, it is 'believe, then be baptized'. This obviously disturbs me because, does my baptism count? Do I need to be re-baptized? I don't know, and I've been following God for a while now and am scared that I've been following all this time but missing a step. I've always thought my baptism was valid until my pastor said it was not. Can somebody shine some light on this?

I go to a church that doesn't have a specific denomnation but clearly leans baptist. I'm posting it here as I do think it's a theology question, although it does fall under 'Christian Advice' as well.

Rev Randy · Jun 2, 2013

Albion said:
Hi. The answer is that your baptism is valid and you actually CANNOT be re-baptised because there isn't such a thing, even though there are people who talk that way and some of them have gone through the act two or three or more times.

However, its validity won't ever be accepted by the Baptists, so you face a difficult choice. I don't recommend denying your own baptism for the sake of membership there, so the only other practical choice may be to attend without seeking membership.

Elder 111 · Jun 5, 2013

justlovinJesus said:
Hi. My question is just a simple one but with a long backstory.. I was baptized as an infant. I've always held this baptism as a true one based on this: I believe if you are baptized and later on decide to not follow God, your baptism is no longer valid. That being said, I believe in the opposite, if you decide to come to God after being baptized, your baptism is in fact, valid. I've also thought that the babies were dedicated in the Israelites' covenant after 8 days, and entire households were baptized in the New Testament. That being said, the church I belong to now believes my baptism is not valid by noting that in the New Testament, it is 'believe, then be baptized'. This obviously disturbs me because, does my baptism count? Do I need to be re-baptized? I don't know, and I've been following God for a while now and am scared that I've been following all this time but missing a step. I've always thought my baptism was valid until my pastor said it was not. Can somebody shine some light on this?

I go to a church that doesn't have a specific denomnation but clearly leans baptist. I'm posting it here as I do think it's a theology question, although it does fall under 'Christian Advice' as well.

When was Jesus baptized? A child can not repent.
How was Jesus baptized? He came up out of the water, not sprinkled.
There is no example better than that that Jesus gave. Take your example from Him!

Rev Randy · Jun 5, 2013

Elder 111 said:
When was Jesus baptized? A child can not repent.
How was Jesus baptized? He came up out of the water, not sprinkled.
There is no example better than that that Jesus gave. Take your example from Him!

I'm assuming (how silly of me)you're speaking of an infant. Now just what do you think an infant has need to repent of? Soiling his diaper? Do you think an infant needs Christ? What did Christ (as we are taking our example from Him) have to repent of? I'd say He was even more innocent than a newborn babe.

Defensor Christi · Jun 5, 2013

Of course I agree with the Anglican, Lutheran, EO and (of course) Catholic posters so far...I am merely subscribing at this point. Should be interesting...

Rev Randy · Jun 5, 2013

Defensor Christi said:
Of course I agree with the Anglican, Lutheran, EO and (of course) Catholic posters so far...I am merely subscribing at this point. Should be interesting...

Tis interesting. I'm eagerly awaiting that "age of accountability" spoken of in the Epistle of Waldo.

Defensor Christi · Jun 5, 2013

Cappadocious said:
Super True Stories: Paul's Baptism Oopsie (Episode One) - YouTube

Love this btw....

Defensor Christi · Jun 5, 2013

Rev Randy said:
Tis interesting. I'm eagerly awaiting that "age of accountability" spoken of in the Epistle of Waldo.

Sola Scriptura at it's finest!!

Albion · Jun 5, 2013

Elder 111 said:
How was Jesus baptized? He came up out of the water, not sprinkled.

But he may well have been baptised by having water poured over him, which is the way most churches do it.

There is no example better than that that Jesus gave. Take your example from Him!

OK.

Cappadocious · Jun 5, 2013

Elder 111 said:
A child can not repent.

"The Bible never says" that children cannot repent.

Optimax · Jun 5, 2013

justlovinJesus said:
Hi. My question is just a simple one but with a long backstory.. I was baptized as an infant. I've always held this baptism as a true one based on this: I believe if you are baptized and later on decide to not follow God, your baptism is no longer valid. That being said, I believe in the opposite, if you decide to come to God after being baptized, your baptism is in fact, valid. I've also thought that the babies were dedicated in the Israelites' covenant after 8 days, and entire households were baptized in the New Testament. That being said, the church I belong to now believes my baptism is not valid by noting that in the New Testament, it is 'believe, then be baptized'. This obviously disturbs me because, does my baptism count? Do I need to be re-baptized? I don't know, and I've been following God for a while now and am scared that I've been following all this time but missing a step. I've always thought my baptism was valid until my pastor said it was not. Can somebody shine some light on this?

I go to a church that doesn't have a specific denomnation but clearly leans baptist. I'm posting it here as I do think it's a theology question, although it does fall under 'Christian Advice' as well.

The question is not if a person is baptized in water.

The question is has a person been born again?

Rom 10:9 tells how to be born again.

The dunken in the water is a symbol in which we are buried with Christ, when we are dunked, and raised to newness of life in Him, when we come up after being dunked.

Cappadocious · Jun 5, 2013

Optimax said:
Rom 10:9 tells how to be born again.

The phrase "born again" is not what the Lord said, except in mistranslations.

Optimax · Jun 5, 2013

Cappadocious said:
The phrase "born again" is not what the Lord said, except in mistranslations.

John 3:7
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. KJV

John 3:7
Thou mayest not wonder that I said to thee, It behoveth you to be born from above; YLT

Take your pick.

Born again or born from above.

Means the same.

Rom 10:9 tells how.

Elder 111 · Jun 5, 2013

Cappadocious said:
"The Bible never says" that children cannot repent.

We are talking of infant/babies. When last you heard a baby repent or even speak?

Elder 111 · Jun 5, 2013

Albion said:
But he may well have been baptised by having water poured over him, which is the way most churches do it.

OK.

Mat:3:15 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
No pouring. Down into the water. That is what Jesus did. Have a better example to follow?

Elder 111 · Jun 5, 2013

Rev Randy said:
I'm assuming (how silly of me)you're speaking of an infant. Now just what do you think an infant has need to repent of? Soiling his diaper? Do you think an infant needs Christ? What did Christ (as we are taking our example from Him) have to repent of? I'd say He was even more innocent than a newborn babe.

That is my point.
Act 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The call is for repentance and then baptism, so how does a child fit in there? Is that one reason Jesus did not set that example?

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