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Baptism method and meaning across denominations
- Thread starter Cathode
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The real question is what is the purpose of baptism.
It is NOT for salvation
It is a proclamation of a person to follow in the steps of the Lord.
Obviously - that is not something a baby can do.
So when you say "Show me one instance where it is taught that infants were to be refused baptism. It isn’t there."
That would be like saying "show me one instance where it is taught that everyone is to be a church pastor" -- it isnt there
and likewise - there is no reason to baptist a baby - sprinkle or otherwise - all it does is get them wet. Now some will say - well we dedicate our babies. Well, in reality - we are asking the parents to dedicate themselves.
It is NOT for salvation
It is a proclamation of a person to follow in the steps of the Lord.
Obviously - that is not something a baby can do.
So when you say "Show me one instance where it is taught that infants were to be refused baptism. It isn’t there."
That would be like saying "show me one instance where it is taught that everyone is to be a church pastor" -- it isnt there
and likewise - there is no reason to baptist a baby - sprinkle or otherwise - all it does is get them wet. Now some will say - well we dedicate our babies. Well, in reality - we are asking the parents to dedicate themselves.
So the differences are.
We see baptism as Salvific , bringing the Life of the Trinity to a Soul.
You guys see it as symbolic of an already established saving belief and faith in Christ. A work of a declaration of faith having to take place beforehand.
Babies and the mentally disabled can’t carry out that work of a declaration of faith. How do they get saved in that system?
God is more than capable of instilling faith into those whom He wills especially infants and the disabled
So why not Baptise them?
So why not assume He does, considering His words.
“13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”
Men are the ones who create hinderences between Infants and Christ, you won’t see Christ put any obstacles in their path.
There is no warrant in scripture
John 3:23
If sprinkling is ok why were they baptizing in a river?
baptism is for believers only.
If sprinkling is ok why were they baptizing in a river?
baptism is for believers only.
The warrant comes from Jesus Himself.
“ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for such as these belongs the kingdom of God”
If the kingdom of God belongs to these, why do people withhold the waters of baptism.
Man and even Jesus own disciples try to hinder them even today by legalism.
“ do not hinder them, for such as these belongs the kingdom of God”
Jesus bypasses the legalism, and gives those infants a warrant, saying that these are the owners, that the Kingdom of God belongs to them. “
You know the disciples must have felt like real idiots hindering the infants from Jesus, especially when He said that the Kingdom of God actually belonged to them.
It’s like trying to stop the owners of a house from entering it.
Infants, Jesus says ‘ Meet the owners ‘.
Later on Jesus warns people that “ Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of God “.
So it’s official from Christ that the Infants are the owners of the Kingdom of God. They have the run of the place, no doubt keeping the angels extremely busy.
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"Show me one instance in Scripture where infants were baptized..."
Possibly here:
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. Acts 16
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately.
34 And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God. Acts 16
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 1 Cor 1
Possibly here:
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. Acts 16
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately.
34 And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God. Acts 16
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 1 Cor 1
???
6 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. Mk 16
Anyone been to a patriarchal household in the Middle East, notice something ? Even today it’s alive with armies of children and babies flying everywhere.
Imagine ancient times when families were not nuclear but generations of families living together was the norm, and extended families of cousins etc living under the same roof, just part of the culture.
A household in the ancient Middle East would very likely have scores of infants and children below 7.
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
which is unbiblical heresy.
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
in no way does that verse say all infants are saved.
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
But the key is what it says there in verse 34 that all the house believed. Clearly this is not infants.
???
6 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. Mk 16
38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39
For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.
40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. Acts 2
20 that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:
21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; 1 Pet 3
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
And what does that have to do with baptism?
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
notice. It says little children, not infants. You write that into scripture.
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
So if someone believes in a foxhole and then gets shot, he's not saved.
'Saved'. From what?
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