What is infant dedication and what does it mean

[Josiah]

Babies cannot be believers.

Adults cannot be believers - unless God GIVES them faith. NO ONE CAN say 'Jesus is Lord' unless the Holy Spirit gives them the faith to proclaim that. A handsome, German, blonde/blue 42 year old man with an IQ of 230 and 4 Ph.D.'s who has memorized the Bible CANNOT come to faith (God must GIVE him faith) and nor can an ugly, retarded baby with an IQ of 60 and no education at all (God must GIVE him faith). Faith is the "gift of God" the Bible proclaims.

What is it about those below a certain age (never disclosed.... I wonder why?) that renders God impotent? Unable to give faith? Why does age cause God to be impotent?






- Josiah

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

And yet we hear "testimonies" of "I was two years old when I accepted Jesus, and was baptized at three..." :huh:

 

[pinacled]

Is infant dedication something like Circumcision?

 

[Lamb]

Is infant dedication something like Circumcision?

There's no biblical basis for infant dedication but Jesus told the disciples to baptize all nations. The Jews were family oriented, to think of them not including their children would be unheard of. Acts 2:39 also states it's for children: “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

 

[J. M. Spader]

Josiah -- It won't let me quote you. But what you're saying is essentially election and predestination.

I agree with both, but I am sure you're not meaning it that way.

 

[Josiah]

Josiah -- It won't let me quote you. But what you're saying is essentially election and predestination.

I agree with both, but I am sure you're not meaning it that way.

Actually, my intended point was much more basic and simple: IMO, Jesus is the Savior, ergo I'm not. Not now, not ever. Not fully, not partly. He is the Savior. And thus, salvation (and I mean that in the sense of narrow justification) is HIS doing. Fully, completely, absolutely. Thus, from that perspective, infant baptism certain is possible. Yes, I accept election (although I usually avoid the word "predestination" only because many "read" that as Greek determinism and/or Calvins' concept of "double" predestination). But to me, this is just gospel and I avoid the philosophy of it.

IMO, yes, babies cannot choose faith. But then nor can adults.... age has nothing whatsoever to do with it. Nor IQ or education or race or gender or ethnicity. IMO, faith is the gift of God, so the appropriate question is not CAN "X" generate faith but CAN God give it? The question that comes to my mind when people deny that those under the age of "X" can't believe is what is it in them that renders God impotent?

To the issue of the thread, I don't see anywhere that we are to "dedicate" anyone. But I do see the mandate to baptize.



Thank you.


Pax


- Josiah

 

[TurtleHare]

IMO, faith is the gift of God, so the appropriate question is not CAN "X" generate faith but CAN God give it? The question that comes to my mind when people deny that those under the age of "X" can't believe is what is it in them that renders God impotent?

- Josiah

It isn't only your opinon but scriptural proof given in Ephesians 2 where it is stated that faith is a gift from God. Didn't Jesus have good things to say about children when everyone else looked down upon them?