What is the purpose of infant baptism?

[TonyChanYT]

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 my 5 kids by near submersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when they were 8 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, there would be no need to be baptized again; but if not, feel free to have an official adult believer's baptism from a reputable local church.

 

[doctrox]

TonyChanYT, your honesty is refreshing. However, there are dangers here that we need to be aware of.

Without getting into the history of the Jewish ritual of water baptism, it always involved one who is accountable. And certainly an 8-day-old is not accountable.

What is the purpose of infant baptism?

So what is the spiritual agenda behind those who would push for sprinkling such young ones? Well, it's similar to telling yours about Santa Claus.

At some point, they will discover that Santa is a lie, and so "maybe my dad also lied to me about Jesus." Every time we are dishonest to those we are in authority over (e.g. attempting to instill a belief on another in lieu of their understanding and acceptance), there is a searing of the conscience that takes place. Sprinkling an underling who has no comprehension of the ritual or its purpose leaves that person defenseless to the spirit behind it. You can see the utility that Satan would get from this (e.g. Ex. 20:5).

We must remain in the truth at all times, and not condescend to traditions of men, no matter how "right" they may appear.

 

[Randy Kluth]

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 my 5 kids by near submersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when they were 8 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, there would be no need to be baptized again; but if not, feel free to have an official adult believer's baptism from a reputable local church.

Hi Tony, I went thru all this myself, having been baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church and raised up in the faith. I have always had faith, but I wandered away in my early adolescence and returned in my later adolescence. I felt stupid getting rebaptized as an adult, but I did it.

My view now is that water baptism is largely for new converts. Those dedicated as babies is a promise by the parents to raise the child in the faith--not actual baptism. Later baptism is not necessary, because it is for new converts. In my case, I may have benefited from a recommit type of water baptism.

At any rate, Water Baptism doesn't save one, but serves as a form of confession that does save one. It's a good practice for new converts. But it's much better to be raised up in the faith, if possible. However, those saved later in life tend to have greater love and appreciation for the faith--men like the Apostle Paul and St. Augustine.

 

[quietthinker]

What is the purpose of infant baptism?​

role model for washing hair when little water is available?

 

[Bob Estey]

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 my 5 kids by near submersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when they were 8 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, there would be no need to be baptized again; but if not, feel free to have an official adult believer's baptism from a reputable local church.

I think some people think you need to be baptized to go to heaven. Therefore, they have their children baptized as soon as possible.

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

If you are a worthy Christian that's what you will do directly if you value your child and regards to God !

Only a slob would not do such, or one who is not truly born again in fact !

It's a Duty to all you know in doing so and worthy to God !

John the Baptist was baptizing Jews regardless. so why would anyone stand in the way of such, must be of Satan !

 

[Pearl]

Baptism is only true and effective if the person being baptised has made their own free will choice. It doesn't mean anything if somebody else such as a parent makes that decision for them - even if it's by full immersion. To be truly baptised we need to know the truth of the saving grace of God through the blood of Jesus. We need to know it and desire to partake of it. Without that it's just getting wet.

 

[Aunty Jane]

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.

Neither of those reasons are scripturally valid since there is no recommendation for either.
How is infant baptism a parallel with circumcision when only males were mandated to be circumcised?

The apostle Paul made mention of the children of believers who were married to unbelievers when he said…
“The unbelieving husband is sanctified in relation to his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in relation to the brother; otherwise, your children would really be unclean, but now they are holy.” (1 Cor 7:14)

The children and spouse of a believing parent are “sanctified” (viewed as holy by God) until that child or mate decides to make their own free willed choice to become a baptized Christian.
Jesus was 30 years old when he was baptized, so age does not matter.

Baptism is a public demonstration of a person’s commitment to God through Christ to live up to that dedication from that day forward….and a good incentive for parents to raise
their children in the faith….but even the best parents can produce rebellious children….ask God about that….

I baptized all my 5 kids by near submersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when they were 8 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, there would be no need to be baptized again; but if not, feel free to have an official adult believer's baptism from a reputable local church.

The fact that you baptized your children by “near immersion” shows that you understand the dangers of baptizing infants by “full immersion”…..God would never command something physically dangerous for infants…..and yet it is full immersion that must take place as it is a symbolic ‘death, burial and resurrection’ to one’s former life, and a commitment to live as Christ commanded from then on.

Christ’s own baptism was by full immersion, indicating his commitment to take up his role as Messiah with all that it meant…..and his course was approved by his God and Father by way of the endowment of holy spirit, as well as his voice of approval.

 

[DJT_47]

Ain't any.

 

[Fred J]

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 my 5 kids by near submersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when they were 8 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, there would be no need to be baptized again; but if not, feel free to have an official adult believer's baptism from a reputable local church.

As a born again believer and according to the New Testament, where is it written infant baptism is required?

Jesus' parents peformed alone the 8 days old circumcision on Jesus, and yearly festives pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

 

[JBO]

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 my 5 kids by near submersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when they were 8 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, there would be no need to be baptized again; but if not, feel free to have an official adult believer's baptism from a reputable local church.

Infant baptism results from two false doctrines. The first is the doctrine of Original Sin, the second is the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. The doctrine of Original Sin claims that all come into the world at birth stained with the sin of Adam. That is blatantly false. Sin is the affliction, the corruption, of the spirit. God is the creator of each and every individual spirit. It is not corrupted or contaminated at birth. God does not impute the sin of one unto another. The child is sinless with a pure spirit untill such time that he willfully disobeys God. The doctrine of Original Sin is a travesty; it is false.

The doctrine of baptismal regeneration claims that it is the act of being baptized is what saves. That is not true. It is true that it is in baptism that God saves the one being baptized. It is the occasion, the point in time, when God forgives the repentant believer and gives him the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Fred J]

As a born again believer and according to the New Testament, where is it written infant baptism is required?

Jesus' parents peformed alone the 8 days old circumcision on Jesus, and yearly festives pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

This is apparently a man made doctrine and tradition of a false church. Where 'shortsighted' born again to the Word of GOD masters of denominational churches, soon have followed after.

Matthew 15:
7. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8. This people draweth nigh unto ME with their mouth, and honoreth ME with their lips; but their heart is far from ME.
9. But in vain they do worship ME, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.

 

[Cyd]

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 my 5 kids by near submersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when they were 8 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, there would be no need to be baptized again; but if not, feel free to have an official adult believer's baptism from a reputable local church.

Hi Tony,
For me my thoughts regarding it and why it started was like the book of Numbers and the counting of the children of Israel. Chapter 3 I think they count the infants on up in their counts of the house of Israel. Baby baptism counts the child as being Christs and besides that no age is ever mentioned in the sending to baptize. Just my opinion, they are counted a Christians and for Christ their training will be.

 

[DJT_47]

Hi Tony,
For me my thoughts regarding it and why it started was like the book of Numbers and the counting of the children of Israel. Chapter 3 I think they count the infants on up in their counts of the house of Israel. Baby baptism counts the child as being Christs and besides that no age is ever mentioned in the sending to baptize. Just my opinion, they are counted a Christians and for Christ their training will be.

There are no instances of infants being baptized in the bible, nor do such baptisms make scriptural sense, since the first requirement prior to being baptized, is belief which infants are incapable of. They also can't repent of sin nor have any sin to repent of. Infant baptism is a useless, man made-up idea which results in nothing and has zero benefit.

 

[Cyd]

There are no instances of infants being baptized in the bible, nor do such baptisms make scriptural sense, since the first requirement prior to being baptized, is belief which infants are incapable of. They also can't repent of sin nor have any sin to repent of. Infant baptism is a useless, man made-up idea which results in nothing and has zero benefit.

"house baptized"
BibleGateway - Keyword Search: house baptized

 

[DJT_47]

"house baptized"
BibleGateway - Keyword Search: house baptized

What does that mean or imply? You're reading into it something that's not there and that would be contrary to many other scriptures.

 

[Jude Thaddeus]

"house baptized"
BibleGateway - Keyword Search: house baptized

Good point. If infants are excluded from being in a household, then what are they??? Cattle???

If infant baptism is so wrong, why did no one object until the 17th century? (not counting the Anabaptists) Luther and Calvin baptized infants, why is there no objection to them?? And where, exactly, does the Bible spell out the method of baptism?? The liturgical formula is found in Matthew 28:19, that the Apostles must have obeyed. But the exact method is absent in Scripture. What was the earliest known recorded practice of the early church that went on consistently for 2000 years? To find out, you have to take an honest look at extra-biblical writings going back to the late 1st or early 2nd century, the Book of Didache. But that's no good because it's not in the Bible, therefore it must be censored.

 

[DJT_47]

Good point. If infants are excluded from being in a household, then what are they??? Cattle???

Not at all a good point but a very presumptive one that would go against many other scriptures.

 

[Cyd]

What does that mean or imply? You're reading into it something that's not there and that would be contrary to many other scriptures.

Mt 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Mt 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

I have given you plenty of scripture... I was infant baptized and had my sons baptized and raised them to believe in Messiah Jesus.

Give me scripture forbidding it?

 

[JBO]

Mt 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Mt 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

I have given you plenty of scripture... I was infant baptized and had my sons baptized and raised them to believe in Messiah Jesus.

Give me scripture forbidding it?

Why were you infant baptized? What purpose did it serve? If "it worked on infants" why would it not work on adults? In that case we could just force, even at gunpoint, to be baptized and solve the whole problem of the lost.