Infant Baptism

[Ttalkkugjil]

Did the Ethiopian not ask the requirements to be baptized

Did Phillip not say

what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Since a infant can not do this do they meet what Phillip said

Since they can not speak they cannot do what Phillip said

This seems clear as day how do you not see?

God has more than one means of grace. God gives faith through God's Word. The Eunich had been studying God's Word. God also gives faith through baptism.

 

[Gregory95]

So you are saying Phillip was in error?

God has more than one means of grace. God gives faith through God's Word. The Eunich had been studying God's Word. God also gives faith through baptism.

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

So you are saying Phillip was in error?

I didn't say that.

 

[JacksBratt]

How do you discern an adult who makes a confession of faith, is baptized, and then turns away from Christ? That is not at all uncommon.

Your right... but they are making their own decisions and God will be the judge.

Infants cannot make any decisions. Especially ones that determine the eternal state of their soul.

 

[JacksBratt]

I have conceded that a few people here have posted those two words, which could mean several different things, but they are speaking only for themselves, just as there are some people somewhere who are mistaken about just about any doctrine that Christians hold to.

There is no church that I know of that agrees with them, so you either get to insist that several unexplained posts online have the secret to understanding baptism...or go with the Bible, most of Christian history, theologians and linguists, both Protestant and Catholic church bodies/denomiantions, and the majority of Christians worldwide.

One thing is certain. The several people here who are determined to have baptism not be open to children are off-topic. The original question asked why Christians believe in the practice, not why a minority does not. Now the answer has been given--several times over.

Understood. Thank you for clearing up that point.

Now, if it is not going to save the child, what is the purpose and why do so many people, some that I know personally... get so much pressure to carry out this ritual?

 

[JacksBratt]

Not my job to judge. God is the judge. God knows who God has predestined for glory.

So, some infants will be saved by this baptism and others will not?

Or, all are saved until they stray or follow Christ?

Or, all infants are, by nature, not held accountable for their actions as they are ignorant of right and wrong and the concept of repentance and salvation?

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

So, some infants will be saved by this baptism and others will not?

Those get saved who are baptized in the name of God and of Christ and of the Spirit.

 

[JacksBratt]

Fellow posters.

I have argued and asked questions. It seems to me that there is no real reason to baptize an infant, from the information that I have seen here.

One poster continues to say that it is necessary but cannot back it up with scripture.

Nobody can tell me what would happen to the souls of two infants.. one baptized and one not... if they were to die..... from a scriptural perspective...

or... that baptism is necessary to save the souls of these infants that cannot personally and cognitively understand the gospel or anything dealing with salvation.

I will hold to the view that it is not necessary but, in fact, only to bring a false comfort to the parents...for whatever reason that they were concerned for the soul of their infant, who, in the end, may watch their child grow up to become a great preacher... or a person who rejects Christ.... baptized at birth or not.

My basis for this is found when King David mourned until his sickly son died and then cleaned up and took of his clothes of mourning only to say.."I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me."....

Where was David going? That's where your infants are going, if they die.. baptized or not.

2 Samuel 12:21-23 King James Version (KJV)

21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.


22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?


23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

 

[timothyu]

to carry out this ritual?

A ritual... exactly . A ritual cleansing which goes back to the time of Jesus and before that, when it was only done for priests. How much cleansing does an infant need other than with baby wipes? The ritual became a commitment to the church as of course Jewish ideals were no longer in vogue with the ruling Gentiles.

 

[JacksBratt]

Those get saved who are baptized in the name of God and of Christ and of the Spirit.

And, those not baptized?

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

And, those not baptized?

I've already shared my thoughts on that. Since they didn't seem to satisfy you, I won't do so again at this time.

 

[tulipbee]

I don't agree with this.... That thinking would mean that no matter what a person does.... they are either saved or condemned before they even live......

Secondly... baptism is a choice that follows the choice of accepting or rejecting Christ.

Infants, young children and mentally incapable people cannot make this choice and are not held accountable for things that they are not capable of being aware of.

You don't discipline a baby for filling it's diaper.... Nor do you discipline a child for holding a cat too tight... or flushing your wallet down the toilet.... They are totally innocent of wrong doing.. they are oblivious to what the reality of it is....

the saved needs jesus

 

[tulipbee]

That, then, would mean every human ever conceived.


I arrive at that conclusion because, at the great white throne judgment... names are blotted out... not written down.

then God created hell for nothing. blotted out, not chosen, same thing

 

[JacksBratt]

I've already shared my thoughts on that. Since they didn't seem to satisfy you, I won't do so again at this time.

I wanted you to repeat it... so I could ask if all aborted babies, all children who don't have parents that baptize them, for whatever reason... are going to hell, if they die?

If this is your belief... then Your God is not my God.

 

[JacksBratt]

the saved needs jesus

The saved have Jesus.

Those who are not saved, need Jesus.

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

I wanted you to repeat it... so I could ask if all aborted babies, all children who don't have parents that baptize them, for whatever reason... are going to hell, if they die?

If this is your belief... then Your God is not my God.

I have given numerous answers to questions from you. I feel no great need to answer any more of them at this time. Blessings.

 

[JacksBratt]

then God created hell for nothing. blotted out, not chosen, same thing

If someone lives a life on this earth and denies Christ... Their name will be blotted out of the Lambs book of life.

This means that the name of every human ever conceived is written in this book. All have a chance to chose Christ and be saved.

Those that never hear of Christ or the gospel, will be judged by the Righteous judgement of God...

Hell was for the fallen angels... it was never for humans... but.. those that deny Christ.. will die with unpaid debt and can not exist in the presence of God.

 

[JacksBratt]

I have given numerous answers to questions from you. I feel no great need to answer any more of them at this time. Blessings.

No worries Ttalkkugjil.... you and I have totally different views of a gracious and loving God..

God bless.

 

[tulipbee]

If someone lives a life on this earth and denies Christ... Their name will be blotted out of the Lambs book of life.

This means that the name of every human ever conceived is written in this book. All have a chance to chose Christ and be saved.

Those that never hear of Christ or the gospel, will be judged by the Righteous judgement of God...

Hell was for the fallen angels... it was never for humans... but.. those that deny Christ.. will die with unpaid debt and can not exist in the presence of God.

unregenerates won't care to deny christ. all mankind won't make the right move. thats way jesus came. to save all those God drew

 

[Gregory95]

I didn't say that.

So your saying Phillip was correct in his only requirement for baptism thus your doctrine is incorrect as a infant can not profess faith

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

So your saying Phillip was correct in his only requirement for baptism thus your doctrine is incorrect as a infant can not profess faith

I'm saying that God saves and, as I have already shared, that God uses more than one means to do so.