Five Reasons Why Babies Should be Baptized...

[Cassia]

Should he?

In my church there are catechism classes that children take and then there is Confirmation and that is where the child professes faith (faith given to them at their baptisms if baptized as babies) in Jesus as their Savior in front of the congregation. Lutherans don't put emphasis on man like other churches do so decision isn't part of our theology. The scriptures focus on God's work for our salvation. We acknowledge and receive Him.

Yes he should.

 

[Lamb]

Yes he should.

So you focus on that decision being prominent in your theology? It's about man then DOING something? Why?

 

[Cassia]

So you focus on that decision being prominent in your theology? It's about man then DOING something? Why?

Because marraige (2 becoming 1) implies consent. A giving of "I will"

 

[Lamb]

Because marraige (2 becoming 1) implies consent. A giving of "I will"

In the OT the Father chose the bride for the son. Just as God the Father chose the Church as the bride for His Son. Arranged marriages were the standard practice. Modern practices of the bride deciding is just that...modern.

The bride/bridegroom is only one analogy in scripture and I gave others that show that our choice isn't dependent on what God has done for our salvation. It's HIS work.

 

[Cassia]

In the OT the Father chose the bride for the son. Just as God the Father chose the Church as the bride for His Son. Arranged marriages were the standard practice. Modern practices of the bride deciding is just that...modern.

The bride/bridegroom is only one analogy in scripture and I gave others that show that our choice isn't dependent on what God has done for our salvation. It's HIS work.

So you don't believe in identifying with His death?

 

[Rens]

In the OT the Father chose the bride for the son. Just as God the Father chose the Church as the bride for His Son. Arranged marriages were the standard practice. Modern practices of the bride deciding is just that...modern.

The bride/bridegroom is only one analogy in scripture and I gave others that show that our choice isn't dependent on what God has done for our salvation. It's HIS work.

Rebekkah still said yes.

 

[Josiah]

Because marraige (2 becoming 1) implies consent. A giving of "I will"

1. There is no Scripture that indicates God needs our permission to bless us and to give us faith and life. God is the Lord of us, we are not the Lord of Him.

2. I didn't give God my permission to give me physical life. Why does He need my permission to give me spiritual life?

3 If you are driving... and unknown to you a car comes right at you.... but God's grace means He makes that car miss yours .... does that offend you? Do you complain to God, "You didn't have my permission!"

4. Where does any Baptism Scripture state: "You are forbidden to baptize any who does not first give permission to you to do this?" It says, "GO.....baptize." Not "ASK permission....."

5. The Great Commission mandates we baptize and teach. Does that necessitate that parents have the permission of a 2 year old before they sing "Jesus Loves Me" or tells them that Jesus was born at Christmas? If you don't need permission before you teach, where does it state you gotta have permission before you baptize?

 

[Lamb]

So you don't believe in identifying with His death?

I'm not sure why you bring up His death when you were talking about the bride/bridegroom?

Here are the benefits of baptism, why wouldn't you want it for your children and your children's children?

Colossians 2:11-12. In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in Baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Romans 6:3-10. Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

Galatians 3:27. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Eph. 5:26. Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.

Titus 3:5. He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.

Corinthians 12:13. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:11. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Acts 22:16. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.

Acts 2:37-39. Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

Mark 16:16. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

 

[Lamb]

Rebekkah still said yes.

Did Lazarus?

God doesn't NEED our help in saving us. God doesn't need our permission. He doesn't even ask us if we want to be saved. Do you see that question in scripture? Why do people wait for their children to choose salvation when the Holy Father wants all to be saved and gives benefits through the waters by His word? God brings to us the washing we need because He wants us to live with Him forever. Just as I would want my child to be with me so I would do everything I could to keep her close by me and pull her back when she strays.

 

[TurtleHare]

Have we agreed that baptism is rightly administered to infants yet?

Yes I agree because God instituted it and God is the Almighty who gathers His children without age limits :disgonbegood:

 

[Cassia]

Romans*1:19-20
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and deity; so that they are without excuse:
Ac*17:27-30
That they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Therefore then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Deity is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
And the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now commands all men everywhere to repent:

I believe that God overlooked ignorance until resurrection when He accepted Christ's sacrifice, but now we have a new and living way. And that way is thru repentance. It's an acceptance that leads to baptism, then reckoning oneself dead to sin in identification with His death.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Yes I agree because God instituted it and God is the Almighty who gathers His children without age limits :disgonbegood:

It's good to see one chap agreeing with the truth

 

[Lamb]

Romans*1:19-20
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and deity; so that they are without excuse:
Ac*17:27-30
That they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Therefore then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Deity is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
And the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now commands all men everywhere to repent:

I believe that God overlooked ignorance until resurrection when He accepted Christ's sacrifice, but now we have a new and living way. And that way is thru repentance. It's an acceptance that leads to baptism, then reckoning oneself dead to sin in identification with His death.

Repentance is a gift 2 Timothy 2:25

Jesus told the disciples to baptize and teach. If you think order is so important (repent and be baptized), why not choose Jesus' words for order then? The order is unimportant when we see that God is at work.

 

[Cassia]

Repentance is a gift 2 Timothy 2:25

Jesus told the disciples to baptize and teach. If you think order is so important (repent and be baptized), why not choose Jesus' words for order then? The order is unimportant when we see that God is at work.

Timothy 2:25 says instruction came first.

 

[Josiah]

Timothy 2:25 says instruction came first.

Again..... perhaps a bit of a grammar reminder is needed. In koine Greek as in English, the word "and" (kai) does NOT mandate or even remotely imply order. It is simply a connector word. "I drank a lot of coffee and took a shower this morning" is a factual and correct statement, just not in chronological order.

Lamm is (as usual) right. We have examples where baptism is stated BEFORE teaching.... and examples where it is after. But you need to keep in mind your grammar school education: "and" has nothing to do with order, nothing whatsoever to do with chronology. Your whole point, my friend, is founded on false grammar (in English as well as in koine Greek).



Pax Christi



- Josiah

 

[Lamb]

Timothy 2:25 says instruction came first.

Does it say that all humans MUST first be instructed? Scriptures show that entire households were baptized after one member came to faith. Do you think there were NO infants whatsoever in those households where birth control was not used?

 

[Josiah]

Does it say that all humans MUST first be instructed?

No Scripture says ANYTHING about any "instruction" requirement for baptism. Obviously.

I think perhaps some have forgotten a very simple point of grammar...... "and" does not mandate order (doesn't even remotely imply it). Not in English or in koine Greek. What tends to happen is that people just delete the actual word (and) and substitute one they wish was there ("then"). Or just forget simple grammar.

Scriptures show that entire households were baptized after one member came to faith. Do you think there were NO infants whatsoever in those households where birth control was not used?

Of course, your reference here destroys the oft made point that "ALL examples of Baptism in the Bible are of people who were past the age of "x" and made a decision for Jesus and said the "Sinner's Prayer" BEFORE they were baptized." Actually, we have several examples of Baptisms in the Bible where NOTHING WHATSOEVER is said about the receivers' age, IQ, education, declarations, decisions or anything else. While there are no OBVIOUS examples given of babies baptized in the Bible, there are EQUALLY no evidence that a certain age, IQ, education, declaration, decisions or will was required. The whole dogma that FIRST one must have celebrated their "X" birthday.... one must have an IQ of at least "X"..... one must know all the right answers to "X"..... one must request God to bless them or He can't..... all these arguments are based on nothing, not a single Scripture about Baptism (or anything else) states that. And IF examples where the norma normans, if we can't do what is specifically exampled in the Bible, then no Gentile can baptize (none did in the Bible, all know administers of it were Jewish), no females can administer it (none did in the Bible), none can be done in the Western Hemisphere (none were in the Bible).... Native Americans, native Australians, Koreans, none of them can be baptized (none were in the Bible). And why do they baptized using a big bathtub, we have no examples of that in the Bible.... and why pass around little pieces of Weber's White bread and little plastic cups of Welch's Grape Juice in Communion (that never happened in the Bible)? Very odd arguments....



- Josiah

 

[Lamb]

Matthew 28:19-20

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This is how Jesus told His disciple to make more disciples. We see both baptizing and teaching. What I see a lot of people doing is trying to correct Jesus because they don't agree that a disciple can be made by baptism.

 

[George]

Simple question to those who are against infant baptism: Is it a waste of time to baptize an infant? Yes or No, and why?

 

[user1234]

Simple question to those who are against infant baptism: Is it a waste of time to baptize an infant? Yes or No, and why?

Has anyone here actually said they were 'against' infant baptism?
I personally think (and I believe I stated earlier) that anytime anyone wants to lift up the name of Jesus, get baptized in His name, baptize another in His name, dedicate, re-dedicate, whatever, is probably a good thing, right?

I also don't think it either adds to or detracts from a persons salvation.
Only if it's being taught as being a 'requirement' in order to be saved, or that we're saved by the act of water-baptism do I have a disagreement.

I just don't like so much religious legalism, or a hierarchichal command or list of things a person 'must' do or else they're told or made to feel like a 'lesser christian' or not one at all. Otherwise ... Hey, dunk away!