Infant Baptism

[Johan_1988]

That is correct. They were born again at Pentecost and stayed that way until death when they were redeemed.

That certainly can't be true , how can someone belong to God if they are not born again:
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

 

[PoppyB]

Certainly. I also don't throw around the term liar very easily.

You didn't believe me though did you?

 

[Albion]

That's ok I know many people have the same interpretation. My church doesn't baptise infants.

But my question was WHY doesn't it do so.

Is that because it finds no evidence for it in Scripture...or does the church instead say every parent should wait for God to speak to them personally and then do that?

 

[PoppyB]

But my question was WHY doesn't it do so.

Is that because it finds no evidence for it in Scripture...or does the church instead say every parent should wait for God to speak to them personally and then do that?

Because we believe that repentance and a spiritual re-birth should precede baptism.

 

[Johan_1988]

What difference did the believers baptism do for you?

I was baptized as baby and then persuaded to be baptized again as a believer. There was no difference in my life after my believers baptism. I was almost expecting something to happen, but nope.

I did not feel the difference immediately afterwards, then God put me in a position of ministering to others then I really started to grow stronger and more confident and even my living conditions improved. I wasn't so spiritually weak anymore.

 

[Albion]

Because we believe that repentance and a spiritual re-birth should precede baptism.

So the church itself follows Scripture, as it interprets that Scripture, while you have chosen to follow something else. I take it that you didnt tell the pastor that this was what made up your mind for you??

 

[PoppyB]

I did not feel the difference immediately afterwards, then God put me in a position of ministering to others then I really started to grow stronger and more confident and even my living conditions improved. I wasn't so spiritually weak anymore.

I loved my baptism, it was a wonderful time. I can't say I felt much difference after it but I was different after my acceptance of Jesus. It was immediate. Everything was brighter and clearer and I didn't need drugs any more. The difference was wonderful and I still feel it.

I loved my own baptism and almost as much I enjoyed the privilege of baptising another believer who I'd helped to come to Jesus.

 

[JacksBratt]

I think you already referred to those verses...and brushed them off.

Maybe post them then? I don't recall them either.

 

[PoppyB]

So the church itself follows Scripture, as it interprets that Scripture, while you have chosen to follow something else. I take it that you didnt tell the pastor that this was what made up your mind for you??

I don't know what you mean.

 

[Albion]

Poppy, you told us that it was because God spoke to you personally and told you to be re-baptized.

 

[Johan_1988]

It's a common idea in our day that baptism is an outward act of obedience; that it's a public declaration of faith. The problem is, that's not what Scriptures say. If you believe it does, I would challenge you to read everything the Bible has to say about baptism.

Baptism is not what we do for God, but rather, what God does for us. It's the grace and work of God, instituted by Christ Himself — that we are truly baptised into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is not on account of the water, but God's promise through the water; the work of the Holy Spirit.

So the burden shouldn't be on the orthodox Church bodies to defend why children should be baptised, but on those who insist that children should not be. For where in Scripture does it say or even allude to that we must deny children God's grace? Isn't the norm in the Bible that people are born and raised up in faith, as opposed to getting to a point where they have to receive a personal experience and then make a decision to follow God? In the OT, it's very clear that all of Israel belonged to God. Likewise, in the NT, we see that whole households are baptised. More explicitly, Christ has instituted the Church to baptise and make disciples of all nations, which includes everyone. The Gospel is for everyone, for Christ says "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."

The problem is not baptizing children whom can distinguish between right and wrong and repent , but mere infants whom do not have the understanding to repent since they cannot differentiate right and wrong.

Matt 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
Matt 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Acts 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.

Why does an infant need to be bapized for sin? Since they don't know about it. Baptism is a baptism of repentance.

 

[PoppyB]

Poppy, you told us that it was because God spoke to you personally and told you to be re-baptized.

Not re-baptised just baptised. I just love it when God speaks into my spirit in a completely unexpected way. It is so special.

 

[Albion]

Not re-baptised just baptised. I just love it when God speaks into my spirit in a completely unexpected way. It is so special.

and as I was re-reading the posts a few minutes ago, I saw that you did write that you believe what God tells people individually is superior to what any church says, so that basically settles the matter I was asking about.

 

[PoppyB]

There is much confusion about baptism in the various Christian denominations. However, this is not a result of the Bible presenting a confusing message on baptism. The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes. In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized - as a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4). Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ. It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.

With this in view, infant baptism is not a Biblical practice. An infant cannot place his or her faith in Christ. An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ. An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes. The Bible does not record any infants being baptized. Infant baptism is the origin of the sprinkling and pouring methods of baptism - as it is unwise and unsafe to immerse an infant under water. Even the method of infant baptism fails to agree with the Bible. How does pouring or sprinkling illustrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

 

[PoppyB]

and as I was re-reading the posts a few minutes ago, I saw that you did write that you believe what God tells people individually is superior to what any church says, so that basically settles the matter I was asking about.

If God speaks directly to somebody it will not contradict what is in the scriptures.

 

[Albion]

There is much confusion about baptism in the various Christian denominations. However, this is not a result of the Bible presenting a confusing message on baptism. The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes. In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized - as a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4). Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ. It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.

With this in view, infant baptism is not a Biblical practice. An infant cannot place his or her faith in Christ. An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ. An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes. The Bible does not record any infants being baptized. Infant baptism is the origin of the sprinkling and pouring methods of baptism - as it is unwise and unsafe to immerse an infant under water. Even the method of infant baptism fails to agree with the Bible. How does pouring or sprinkling illustrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

None of that matters, though, if one’s guide is whatever you hear God saying to you personally.

 

[PoppyB]

Look guys you can't accept my beliefs so rather than be subject to your wrath I will leave the arena. God bless you. And thanks for the chat. It helped to sharpen me.

 

[Rescued One]

Find a Church



But JESUS is BEST!

GOD BLESS!

 

[lsume]

Hi pops, sorry to say ,but if that was true then all the disciples on the day of Pentecost only became born again that day and was not born again the whole time they were with Jesus.

Have you read
[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Or

Matt.7

1. [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

It’s not a majority destination according to The Word of God as I understand it. Perhaps you have something else that you abide by.

 

[lsume]

Some say a lot of things ;o) What they believe is up to them.

A baby does not know good from evil.

By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings.

Supporting Scripture:
Romans 6:1-6 Colossians 2:12, 13 Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matthew 28:19, 20.

There is a very specific time in a Born Again Christians life when he or she will absolutely know that The Bible is pure and unadulterated and Christ is the only way to go to Heaven. I assume you have not yet had the aforementioned experience. That does not mean that you never will it just means not yet. If you are actively pursuing The Truth, seek and ye shall find. Please pray about this as I intend to pray for you. As for newborns, I also believe that they are as pure in this life as one can get. I believe that Christ is there salvation.

 

[eleos1954]

There is a very specific time in a Born Again Christians life when he or she will absolutely know that The Bible is pure and unadulterated and Christ is the only way to go to Heaven. I assume you have not yet had the aforementioned experience. That does not mean that you never will it just means not yet. If you are actively pursuing The Truth, seek and ye shall find. Please pray about this as I intend to pray for you. As for newborns, I also believe that they are as pure in this life as one can get. I believe that Christ is there salvation.

"I assume you have not yet had the aforementioned experience."

"The Bible is pure and unadulterated and Christ is the only way to go to Heaven."

Yes, and I didn't say otherwise. Didn't say baptism is a requirement for salvation ... if that's where you are coming from

I think you misread ... misunderstood my post and making assumptions.