Five Reasons Why Babies Should be Baptized...

[TurtleHare]

Snerfle said, "Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality,"


Who said that in the bible? I looked for years and never found a verse that says that but ya hear it all over in churches that don't believe baptism is the work of God and that it can't be for our children even though scriptures say that it can. Have you ever searched for that verse that say Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality?

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

The top reason is .....

It keeps baby clean

Yes it does. In ways we can't comprehend.

 

[TurtleHare]

Oh those clean babies washed clean by the word we welcome you into the Lord's family!

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

Snerfle said, "Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality,"


Who said that in the bible? I looked for years and never found a verse that says that but ya hear it all over in churches that don't believe baptism is the work of God and that it can't be for our children even though scriptures say that it can. Have you ever searched for that verse that say Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality?

You beat me to it

 

[TurtleHare]

You beat me to it

If only there were one simple verse that had that wording but nope and then you look at all the real baptsimal verses and ya gotta see that God is working in baptism and it's for all nations so who is a part of nations, my babies are, that's fo sure!

 

[Lamb]

Snerfle said, "Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality,"


Who said that in the bible? I looked for years and never found a verse that says that but ya hear it all over in churches that don't believe baptism is the work of God and that it can't be for our children even though scriptures say that it can. Have you ever searched for that verse that say Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality?

You're right. There is no such verse. But you DO hear it often from those who oppose infant baptism. I'd rather stick to God's word and verses were given in the video.

 

[user1234]

Snerfle said, "Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality,"


Who said that in the bible? I looked for years and never found a verse that says that but ya hear it all over in churches that don't believe baptism is the work of God and that it can't be for our children even though scriptures say that it can. Have you ever searched for that verse that say Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality?

Why the false accusations?
Seems to be a popular thing these days, accuse somebody of saying something they didnt, then judging them for it, with others glomming on in a sort of 'our religion makes us better than you' mentality.

When did I say water-baptism can't be for children? When? Show me one verse (post) where I said water-baptism can't be for children?!
Or that it's not a work of God, for that matter, though that can be a separate issue, since ppl have diff ideas what 'a work of God' actually means.
Did I say it?
No, you simply read something that wasn't said by me, and judged me over what all these other churches you attend seem to say.

I very clearly said if anyone wants to be water-baptised, that would be fine.Here's my exact quote ----->
~The OP was a good explanation on one perspective from a Lutheran pastor, ..... I don't know if all agree.
I think if ppl want to do that with their babies, that's fine, ..... Dedication is too. Anytime ppl want to devote their lives and family to the Lord Jesus Christ I believe is a good thing.~ <-----

What part of that very plain English would cause a person to think I was disallowing water-baptism for children?!
These kind of misrepresentations followed by accusations really seem to be becoming more frequent.
Not sure why, it seems like an agenda of a new religionism or something.

So, then, what is it if it's not an outward sign of an inward reality?
Is it something a person does BEFORE they get saved?
Get water-baptised and THEN believe in Jesus??!!
That doesn't make much sense.
Though some ppl claim it is done IN ORDER TO BE saved, but then that makes it a religious work FOR salvation, when the bible clearly says we're saved by grace through FAITH.

No, first we have the inward reality, salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then, if we're so led, we get water-baptised, the outward sign of the inward reality.
Quite a wonderful thing, I recommend it, just not as a religious requirement, but a joyfilled response to the salvation that Jesus purchased for us. :=D:

 

[Cassia]

"Baby Dedication" is a very new Christian custom (so folks who reject infant BAPTISM can still do something special with the kiddos).... It is an Old Testament issue of obedience (a Law issue) which simply indicates that children actually belong to God but are entrusted to their earthly parents for upraising. This Jewish legal issue was incorporated into the Christian Baptism.

"Baby Dedication" was never a blessing, never a divine act. It never did anything.



- Josiah

From what I could find of infant baptism recorded as early as Tertullian 220 A.D. also mentions sponsers that give spiritual training. That may have given rise to the origin of godparents? From there I think we can see both infant baptism and that of dedication to proper upbringing. I wonder tho as to the theology of baptism whether infant baptism upholds the criteria that only those who accept Christ can make the decision to be baptized, not understanding or accepting His sacrifice Infant being under the age of understanding of course.

 

[MoreCoffee]

From what I could find of infant baptism recorded as early as Tertullian 220 A.D. also mentions sponsers that give spiritual training. That may have given rise to the origin of godparents? From there I think we can see both infant baptism and that of dedication to proper upbringing. I wonder tho as to the theology of baptism whether infant baptism upholds the criteria that only those who accept Christ can make the decision to be baptized, not understanding or accepting His sacrifice Infant being under the age of understanding of course.

In my parish we have sponsors for adults who seek baptism and for infants we normally have God parents who sponsor the child along with their believing parents.

 

[Lamb]

From what I could find of infant baptism recorded as early as Tertullian 220 A.D. also mentions sponsers that give spiritual training. That may have given rise to the origin of godparents? From there I think we can see both infant baptism and that of dedication to proper upbringing. I wonder tho as to the theology of baptism whether infant baptism upholds the criteria that only those who accept Christ can make the decision to be baptized, not understanding or accepting His sacrifice Infant being under the age of understanding of course.

Making a decision before baptism wasn't a requirement. Jesus told the disciples how to make other disciples and he said, baptize and teach. The Holy Spirit can give faith even to infants, that was part of the video.

 

[user1234]

Making a decision before baptism wasn't a requirement. Jesus told the disciples how to make other disciples and he said, baptize and teach. The Holy Spirit can give faith even to infants, that was part of the video.

Again, it's understood that the video is by a Lutheran pastor, and so that is his interpretation of the matter, and he's entitled to it.
I'm not sure all christians agree, or even all Lutherans.
(Aren't there diff branches of Lutheranism?)

But this post REALLY has me scratching my head.
The Holy Spirit can give FAITH to infants?
You mean an infant can have saving faith in Jesus? But can't make decision to be water-baptized?
So the parents make the decision for it?
But how do the parents know that the baby suddenly has faith?

And you say Jesus told them to make disciples, then baptize and teach them.
Make infant disciples? We're not talking about 'Babes in Christ' like new believers, but actual Babies? Being Disciples?

Finally if 'making a decision (beliving in Jesus) isn't a requirement before water-baptism' what would they be baptizing them for?
Seems a bit silly, no?

 

[user1234]

*sorry, double-posted by accident

 

[Cassia]

Again, it's understood that the video is by a Lutheran pastor, and so that is his interpretation of the matter, and he's entitled to it.
I'm not sure all christians agree, or even all Lutherans.
(Aren't there diff branches of Lutheranism?)

But this post REALLY has me scratching my head.
The Holy Spirit can give FAITH to infants?
You mean an infant can have saving faith in Jesus? But can't make decision to be water-baptized?
So the parents make the decision for it?
But how do the parents know that the baby suddenly has faith?

And you say Jesus told them to make disciples, then baptize and teach them.
Make infant disciples? We're not talking about 'Babes in Christ' like new believers, but actual Babies? Being Disciples?

Finally if 'making a decision (beliving in Jesus) isn't a requirement before water-baptism' what would they be baptizing them for?
Seems a bit silly, no?

I was wondering about that also.

 

[Cassia]

edit{ wrong topic :sorry:

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

Make infant disciples? We're not talking about 'Babes in Christ' like new believers, but actual Babies? Being Disciples?

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim. 3:14-15)

 

[Cassia]

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim. 3:14-15)

To me that shows the dedication of his mother and grandmother to bring children up in the right way so that Timothy was wise enough to choose, thru faith, the salvation of Christ.

 

[MoreCoffee]

To me that shows the dedication of his mother and grandmother to bring children up in the right way so that Timothy was wise enough to choose, thru faith, the salvation of Christ.

2Tim. 3:14-15 tells the reader that Timothy was trained in the scriptures from infancy onwards. Surely that is a direct answer to the question posted by Snerfle , right? Babies are instructed in the scriptures.

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

To me that shows the dedication of his mother and grandmother to bring children up in the right way so that Timothy was wise enough to choose, thru faith, the salvation of Christ.

In the passage there's a "because" that is followed by two clauses:

"because":

1) "You know those from whom you learned it". In this respect you are spot on. Paul is speaking of his mother and grandmother who brought him up in the word, and in the nurturing of the Lord. However -

AND

2)"(H)ow from infancy you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus"

The second clause is speaking of Timothy's knowledge, not that of his mother and grandmother. Other translations have "childhood" rather than "infancy", which might make more sense from an evangelical pov; but infancy is the literal translation, and it refers back to Timothy's knowledge.

 

[Pedrito]

Post #3 on Page 1:

The top reason is .....

It keeps baby clean

Only if the baptism is by full immersion, one would assume.


Who holds the baby's nose?

 

[Lamb]

Again, it's understood that the video is by a Lutheran pastor, and so that is his interpretation of the matter, and he's entitled to it.
I'm not sure all christians agree, or even all Lutherans.
(Aren't there diff branches of Lutheranism?)

But this post REALLY has me scratching my head.
The Holy Spirit can give FAITH to infants?
You mean an infant can have saving faith in Jesus? But can't make decision to be water-baptized?
So the parents make the decision for it?
But how do the parents know that the baby suddenly has faith?

And you say Jesus told them to make disciples, then baptize and teach them.
Make infant disciples? We're not talking about 'Babes in Christ' like new believers, but actual Babies? Being Disciples?

Finally if 'making a decision (beliving in Jesus) isn't a requirement before water-baptism' what would they be baptizing them for?
Seems a bit silly, no?

The video addressed your questions. I wrote out some notes on page 2 with scriptures. http://www.christianityhaven.com/sh...e-Reasons-Why-Babies-Should-be-Baptized/page2

When we read about the Jews and their history we see how family oriented they were. When someone came to believe in Christ, they took their entire households to be baptized. There is no scripture that states exclusion. How many families that had no birth control and were blessed by God for being fruitful would have no children in them?

Yes, God wants babies to be His disciples too. Jesus said "all nations" so again there is no exclusion.

Can baptism give faith? Yes, since the Holy Spirit works through the word and God attached a promise in the waters to give the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Can babies believe? Yes, look at the examples from the video.

Does a decision need to be made for Christ in order to be saved? NO. That is not scriptural. John 15:16 tells us that it's not our decision. God is the one who saves us.