Bible Discussion Thread

What does the bible say about infants and small children being baptised, I cant find any thing??

Hello Scott4Him,

There are a few places in Acts that speak of the whole household being baptized. it doesn't explicitly exclude babies and children. For those who adhere to infant baptism, it is seen as entering into a covenant with God an His community of faith-filled believers. Infant baptism is seen as bringing upon an infant the saving work of God in Christ as parents obey the command of Jesus to baptize ALL nations and instruct these who are baptized in the life of faith in Jesus. Those who practice infant baptism recognized that all are born dead to God and need to be made alive in Christ, which they believe happens through baptism of infants and children because their parents' consent to obey this command of Christ. These believe that the Holy Spirit implants faith in the infant or child in baptism, whereas before they had not faith to believe. They believe in such baptism all the work is done by God in the infant or child. He gives the faith, He gives the forgiveness of sins with the washing of His Word (the gospel) spoken over the child. Denominations that practice infant baptism besides Catholicism are Orthodox, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian/Anglican, and perhaps others.

Others, who do not embrace infant baptism, allow for children to be baptized upon an open confession of faith in Christ by the child. Some have an age limit, others do not because Jesus said that we are not to hinder children from coming unto him.

Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16; Acts 2:3; , Acts 16:15; Acts 16:33 Acts 22:16

Others only allow what is called "believer's baptism" where one must believe the gospel in order to be baptized. Jesus says in Mark 16:16 to believe and be baptized. See also: Acts 2:41; Acts 16:18:8

I think that there is Biblical merit to all of these teachings about Baptism. Each person must pray for the Holy Spirit to lead them as to whether or not their children should be baptized when very young.

It says NOTHING about infants being baptised. That , of course, is a "tradition" brought about from catholicism.

Hi Scott4Him,

Baptism is a sacrament, and besides God blessing children and categorically advocating "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven,",-notwithstanding for those who make baptism as a personal commitment, it may not be enough. That is literalism for you.

They enforce but do they follow its spiritual significance? Let us consider what baptism intends to achieve: dying to the world in order to be hid in Christ it is abiding in Christ. So faith coupled with works would mean whatever we do or speak is as though Christ did in us speak or did. So it is not I but Christ in me. In such a case we do for the glory of God and for his kingdom building. What hypocrisy is then to divide the body of Christ on ethnic fault lines , set by culture wars or subscribe to political causes?

Infant baptism is stepping into the breach just as Jesus did. "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."(Is.59:16). We were dead in sins and helpless where Jesus as an intercessor succeeded. Parents standing as an intercess which in case saw through Samuel to serve the Lord. In a manner of speaking Samuel was His service while he was in Hannah's womb. God heard her prayer when she lent her unborn son to Him. Birth of Samuel was accordingly, " And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground." (1 Sa.3:19)