Why Do Messianic Jews Only Baptize Believers?

[Avodat]

That's all great information, but I guess where I am still a little lost is in regards to how you see children of gentile believers in the covenant. Based on your earlier response, you stated (if I remember right) that infants of believing gentiles would be considered in the covenant based on the faith of the parents...but doesn't this mean we should administer the covenant sign of baptism (if it is indeed the covenant sign)?

Unfortunately, the recent change in the SoP means that those of us who are Messianic (Jews or Gentiles) on here, who also work in 'the Church', are not permitted to teach anything that is Church doctrine, otherwise I would be happy to explain things.

Hopefully, there might be someone who is a Messianic with a good understanding of Church doctrine, whilst not connected to the Church, who might be able to address these issues.

 

[visionary]

Unfortunately, the recent change in the SoP means that those of us who are Messianic (Jews or Gentiles) on here, who also work in 'the Church', are not permitted to teach anything that is Church doctrine, otherwise I would be happy to explain things.

Hopefully, there might be someone who is a Messianic with a good understanding of Church doctrine, whilst not connected to the Church, who might be able to address these issues.

Messianics look at the age of accountability the same way the Jews do, 13 years of age, as the age when a child can commit and be held accountable to that. IT is the parent's responsibility to raise the child in the way they should go. Infant baptism is not Jewish tradition or teaching, thus Messianic see it the same way. I know of no case of infant baptism in scripture. The closest you will come to any covenant relationship of the infant to the faith is in circumcision.

 

[Avodat]

Messianics look at the age of accountability the same way the Jews do, 13 years of age, as the age when a child can commit and be held accountable to that. IT is the parent's responsibility to raise the child in the way they should go. Infant baptism is not Jewish tradition or teaching, thus Messianic see it the same way. I know of no case of infant baptism in scripture. The closest you will come to any covenant relationship of the infant to the faith is in circumcision.

As I have said before, that rather depends on what you mean by the word 'covenant', and denominational doctrinal understanding.

 

[Norbert L]

Great question. I would assume those who practice baptism for infants would argue that it's necessary because it's the only way to bring a child into the covenant community OR because infants need sin cleansed as well and need baptism for that reason (original sin).

Here's a relative statement made by the apostle Paul, how he viewed the status of the believer's children and their relationship with God:

"For the unbelieving husband has been set aside for God by the wife, and the unbelieving wife has been set aside for God by the brother — otherwise your children would be “unclean,” but as it is, they are set aside for God." (1 Cor 7:14)

 

[visionary]

As I have said before, that rather depends on what you mean by the word 'covenant', and denominational doctrinal understanding.

Yes, everything needs to be framed within it group's understanding.

 

[Avodat]

Yes, everything needs to be framed within it group's understanding.

In the vast majority of church situations there is an element of covenant, either parents initially and / or by the child at confirmation, later. Baptism should not happen without the parents, or the baptisee, knowing they are making clear covenantal promises with G_d, not the Church or the leader or the congregation; there should always be witnesses, too. The parents make their own public promises, normally, before the child is baptised at the service - and they would be expected to affirm their own belief in Father, Son and Holy Spirit, before the service is fixed and again at the actual service.

 

[jinc1019]

Unfortunately, the recent change in the SoP means that those of us who are Messianic (Jews or Gentiles) on here, who also work in 'the Church', are not permitted to teach anything that is Church doctrine, otherwise I would be happy to explain things.

Hopefully, there might be someone who is a Messianic with a good understanding of Church doctrine, whilst not connected to the Church, who might be able to address these issues.

That's disappointing to hear...that's a very frustrating rule!

 

[jinc1019]

Messianics look at the age of accountability the same way the Jews do, 13 years of age, as the age when a child can commit and be held accountable to that. IT is the parent's responsibility to raise the child in the way they should go. Infant baptism is not Jewish tradition or teaching, thus Messianic see it the same way. I know of no case of infant baptism in scripture. The closest you will come to any covenant relationship of the infant to the faith is in circumcision.

I agree, and I think most who support infant baptism would say that baptism and circumcision are very much related.

 

[Avodat]

That's disappointing to hear...that's a very frustrating rule!

Only those with Messianic icons can teach on matters of Church doctrine, it seems.

But we are not allowed to post about staff decisions so I can't say any more.

 

[Hoshiyya]

I didn't know that "messianics" baptized anyone . . .

further I do not see a connection betwixt circumcision and baptism.

 

[jinc1019]

I didn't know that "messianics" baptized anyone . . .

further I do not see a connection betwixt circumcision and baptism.

As far as I now, most Messianics do. But I am not one, so someone who is could answer that better than myself.

 

[Hoshiyya]

As far as I now, most Messianics do. But I am not one, so someone who is could answer that better than myself.

I think most Messianics don't have organization or assembly or opportunities to perform or receive baptism easily.