What is the purpose of infant baptism?

[tonychanyt]

The doctrine of infant baptism (paedobaptism) is a theological position that advocates for baptizing infants of believing parents.

Purposes of paedobaptism:

1. As a parallel with circumcision in the Old Testament, Luke 2:21.
2. Initiate the baby into the Christian community because his parent is a Christian, Acts 16:33, 1 Corinthians 7:14.

I baptized all five of my kids by near submersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when they were eight days old. However, the evidence for the doctrine of infant baptism in the Bible is not explicit and is debatable. So, when my kids were teenagers, I told them that if they believed that was sufficient, they would not need to be baptized again. If not, with a clear conscience, they could feel free to have an official adult believer's baptism from a reputable local church.

Did babies have to believe before they were circumcised?

No. my kids were only eight days old when I baptized them.

Is infant baptism supported in the Bible?

I think so. The household of Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48), the household of Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), and the household of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:30-34) were baptized.

Do I think it is a proper doctrine?

It may be, or it may not be. Check this. I baptized my kids, not because it was a doctrine. I do not advocate all Christians to practice it.

Is the doctrine justified?

Yes, somewhat. My position is not so black and white. I weigh it. I'd say 8 to 2 that it is justified.

 

[Lauren_]

I guess this is one of those secondary issues that some believers can divide over. I just think it's important as an adult to make that decision to get baptized much like Jesus made it a big deal for him to get baptized as an adult by John the Baptist. But then again I also don't know how I feel about making a kid get baptized at like age 11 or 12 when they are just doing it to please their parents. I know many Christian parents think that is a guaranteed way for their kid to get into heaven and that is why they push for such an early age. But I just know too many people that got baptized in their teens that turned away from God.

Romans 6:1–4​

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Acts 1:4–5​

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So I guess my point as someone who got baptized later in life is that baptism is a conscious decision that needs to be made. That renewal of the soul due to the holy spirit being invited to live in us then causes a transformation of the heart. If it is done as a form of tradition I suppose it does get done by many Catholics etc. As long as adults know they need to make their own decisions. There are no bible verses commanding a baby being sprinkled on the head with water that is why I personally don't follow that. Good day to you.

 

[Markie Boy]

I guess this is one of those secondary issues that some believers can divide over. I just think it's important as an adult to make that decision to get baptized much like Jesus made it a big deal for him to get baptized as an adult by John the Baptist. But then again I also don't know how I feel about making a kid get baptized at like age 11 or 12 when they are just doing it to please their parents. I know many Christian parents think that is a guaranteed way for their kid to get into heaven and that is why they push for such an early age. But I just know too many people that got baptized in their teens that turned away from God.

Romans 6:1–4​

So I guess my point as someone who got baptized later in life is that baptism is a conscious decision that needs to be made. That renewal of the soul due to the holy spirit being invited to live in us then causes a transformation of the heart. If it is done as a form of tradition I suppose it does get done by many Catholics etc. As long as adults know they need to make their own decisions. There are no bible verses commanding a baby being sprinkled on the head with water that is why I personally don't follow that. Good day to you.

Thanks for that perspective. I am struggling with the Catholic version - where I see many baptized as a baby, but then later in life not seeming to really care if they are walking with the Lord.

But what you described about 11-12 year olds is a similar problem, just pushed out a few years later. The question becomes - how far out do you have to move that age of reason? I didn't become a believer until I was close to 40, but I was baptized Catholic as an infant.

 

[tonychanyt]

I am struggling with the Catholic version - where I see many baptized as a baby, but then later in life not seeming to really care if they are walking with the Lord.

Whether one is baptized as a child or an adult, by Catholic or Protestant means, the ritual of baptism does not guarantee salvation. See Baptism for salvation?

 

[Grip Docility]

Purposes of paedobaptism:

1. As a parallel with circumcision in the Old Testament, Luke 2:21.
2. Initiate the baby into the Christian community because his parent is a Christian, Acts 16:33, 1 Corinthians 7:14.

I baptized all five of my kids by near submersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when they were eight days old. I understand that the evidence for infant baptism in the Bible is not explicit and is debatable. So, when my kids were teenagers, I told them that if they believed that was sufficient, they would not need to be baptized again. But if not, feel free to have an official adult believer's baptism from a reputable local church.

I’ll be sincere, there are dark forces in this world that are beyond human capability. Devoting our children to God before they are able to understand this is wise.

Also, I’m so sick of petty division in the Body. Jesus saves. Only Jesus has a lock on perfect doctrine. We don’t have a right to tell people how to express who they are. The Divided body needs to get over itself and unify under Jesus, alone, to deliver the physical gospel to a hateful world in need. It would be so much more wonderful if the entire invisible Body could learn to understand that God is Love to all humanity, the Law of stone kills and Jesus is our unification. Different people express their Love and devotion to Jesus differently.

I think that what you did is beautiful and expresses your consent for God to protect your little one’s.

This OP is unifying to the divide between the Mother Brick and Mortar and her offspring!

Respect