1. the city Said,

   children dont know,they are sukkered into it by manipulative parents.
   References :

2. paddfoot Said,

   best to get them when their too young to know better
   References :

3. Rushevents Said,

   No – baptism does not get anyone into Heaven.

   So no – no one I know believes that. You are dedicating the child to Christ. One day they will have to make their own decision on accepting Christ or not.
   References :

4. Leslie H Said,

   Jesus, probable the most intelligent child ever born, wasn’t baptized until he reached the accepted age of maturity, in his culture-30 years old. Never in the bible does it mention the baptism of infants. Dedication is something each individual decides for himself, not something your parents can decide for you. Jesus said we must be baptized in spirit and truth. The only truth a baby knows is if he’s hungry, scared, or needs his pants changed. One theory is that children had a high mortality rate in generations gone by, and the church taught that they couldn’t get into heaven without being baptized. They also couldn’t be buried in consecrated ground unless they were. If it were necessary, Jesus surely would have informed us.
   References :
   No, it’s not bupkis. Jewish tradition at the time was that a man didn’t reach maturity until 30. The lifespan was 40??? Talk about bupkis! In the bible, at Psams 90: 10 says "Our years are 70, or if because of special mightiness, they are 80." Pretty much what it is today. And the bible writers should know-they were there!
   Salvation is indeed a free gift-but not one without any conditions at all. The scriptures say that it is he that endures till the end, that will be saved, and also that faith without works is dead. We have to show our worthiness to accept that gift, or else God can wipe our names out of the book of life. If you accepted Christ, and then became an unrepentant chld molester, are you still ’saved’? I think not.

5. Farsight (The anti-Chris) Said,

   Or course they don’t accept Christ consciously. The parents accept on the infant’s behalf. But scripture only says to believe and be baptized, it doesn’t say that those events must take place at the same time. The conscious acceptance of Christ comes years later at confirmation.

   The Catholic Church views baptism as the new circumcision, and since it was performed on infants, so can baptism.

   edit – accepted age of maturity as 30?! Where did you pull that from? The average life span was 40 and people got married in the early teens. 30 is a bupkis number…

   ???? is my God – read what I said again. I know Jesus was baptized at 30, but 30 was not considered the the age of maturity.
   References :

6. SpiritRoaming Said,

   The Catholic Church does affirm the necessity of believing in Jesus when one reaches the age of reason. However, the grace that is given in infant baptism makes it easier for him to come to the conclusion that Jesus is Lord, than one without that grace given at baptism. The child who is baptized as an infant should be nurtured in the faith, no doubt. All parents are commanded to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it”, Proverbs 22:6. Us Catholics must admit that many Catholic parents do not do what they were commanded to do this very thing at their infant’s baptism.

   In the Old Covenant, the principle of including babies in the covenant is established. God tells Abraham in his covenant, Genesis 17:9-14:
   9 And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.
   10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.
   12He that is eight days old among you shall be circumcised; every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house, or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,
   13 both he that is born in your house and he that is bought with your money, shall be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.
   14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant."

   11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ;
   12 and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
   13 And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
   Paul specifically declares that baptism replaces circumcision in the New Covenant. What does baptism do? Put off the body of flesh, forgives trespasses, and raises them up.

   In Colossians, Paul equates circumcision with baptism. Circumcision was done on the 8th day, and of course, without the infant’s consent or belief.

   "She was baptized, with her household" (Acts 16:15). The Philippian jailer whom Paul and Silas had converted to the faith, who had been about to commit suicide when they were miraculously freed from their imprisonment, was baptized that night along with his household. We are told that "the same hour of the night . . . he was baptized, with all his family" (Acts 16:33). And in his greetings to the Corinthians, Paul recalled that, "I did baptize also the household of Stephanas." In all these cases, whole households or families were baptized.

   Act 16:30, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (v31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, AND THY HOUSE." after an individual became a Christian the whole family becomes justified (or made holy/sanctified).

   1 Cor 7:14 Paul stated in Verse 14 that if one member was a believer and the other an unbeliever, that the unbeliever was justified by the believer. ELSE WERE YOUR CHILDREN UNCLEAN; BUT NOW ARE THEY HOLY."

   God touched Lydia’s heart and she became a believer after hearing the Word by and through Paul, and as a result, Paul baptized her household because of her belief. It does not say God touched the hearts of her family, neither whether the family were true believers, but baptism was given because of her faith.

   Infant Baptism is indeed Biblical, and one should never forbid the Children from entering the covenant established by Christ. After all, Jesus did say, Mt. 19:14:

   Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”(Mt. 19:14)
   References :

7. john w Said,

   Because Catholics (and many protestants too) see baptism as a sacrament. It is an act done by God, for the benefit of the child, whereby the the Holy Spirit (through the water) comes upon the child and confers forgiveness and faith.

   It is not an act done by the baptized to symbolize membership in the church after making some declaration of faith, as is understood by fundmentalist churches.
   References :

8. no fixed address Said,

   Mike, your doctrine on baptism is man made. There is no proof in the Bible or in Tradition that awareness is a requirement for baptism. since The reformers deny the doctrine of original sin. We have all sinned in Adam. We did this without being aware of it. Therefore no concious choice is required to have original sin removed, but since you reject the Apostolic Teaching of original sin, you have to accept man-made doctrines.

   Gen. 2:17 – the day you eat of that tree, you shall die. Adam and Eve ate of the tree, and they spiritually died. Some Protestant communities ignore or deny the reality of original sin. But if there is no original sin, then we do not need a Savior either. The horrors of our world testify to the reality of original sin.

   Gen. 3:14-19 – God’s punishment for eating of the tree was cursing satan, increasing women’s pain in childbirth, and condemning man to toil and labor for his whole life.

   Job 14:1,4 – man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? All humans are afflicted with original sin, and this includes babies as well. This is why the Catholic Church has baptized babies for 2,000 years.

   Gen. 17:12, Lev. 12:3 – these texts show the circumcision of eight-day old babies as the way of entering into the Old Covenant – Col 2:11-12 – however, baptism is the new "circumcision" for all people of the New Covenant. Therefore, baptism is for babies as well as adults. God did not make His new Covenant narrower than the old Covenant. To the contrary, He made it wider, for both Jews and Gentiles, infants and adults.

   Protestant reformers, especially Matin Luther, hated the Jews and did everything he could to remove as much Jewish heritage from his newly invented religion. Protestants today still reject the concept of baptism being a new "circumcision" for all people, and refuse to come to terms with Col. 2:11:12

   Mark 16:16 – Jesus says to the crowd, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved." But in reference to the same people, Jesus immediately follows with "He who does not believe will be condemned." This demonstrates that one can be baptized and still not be a believer. This disproves the Protestant argument that one must be a believer to be baptized. There is nothing in the Bible about a "believer’s baptism."

   Hey Mike, why don’t you be the first Protestant to find a verse supporting a "believer’s baptism."

   Luke 18:15 – Jesus says, “Let the children come to me.” The people brought infants to Jesus that he might touch them. This demonstrates that the receipt of grace is not dependent upon the age of reason.

   Acts 2:38 – Peter says to the multitude, "Repent and be baptized.." Protestants use this verse to prove one must be a believer (not an infant) to be baptized. But the Greek translation literally says, "If you repent, then each one who is a part of you and yours must each be baptized” (“Metanoesate kai bapistheto hekastos hymon.”) This, contrary to what Protestants argue, actually proves that babies are baptized based on their parents’ faith. This is confirmed in the next verse.

   Acts 2:39 – Peter then says baptism is specifically given to children as well as adults. “Those far off” refers to those who were at their “homes” (primarily infants and children). God’s covenant family includes children. The word "children" that Peter used comes from the Greek word "teknon" which also includes infants.

   Luke 1:59 – this proves that "teknon" includes infants. Here, John as a "teknon" (infant) was circumcised. See also Acts 21:21 which uses “teknon” for eight-day old babies. So baptism is for infants as well as adults.

   Too bad Mike, you have not one verse to support your man-made theory of a believers baptism.

   Acts 10:47-48 – Peter baptized the entire house of Cornelius, which generally included infants and young children. There is not one word in Scripture about baptism being limited to adults.

   Acts 16:15 – Paul baptized Lydia and her entire household. The word "household" comes from the Greek word "oikos" which is a household that includes infants and children.

   Acts 16:15 – further, Paul baptizes the household based on Lydia’s faith, not the faith of the members of the household. This demonstrates that parents can present their children for baptism based on the parents’ faith, not the children’s faith.

   Acts 16:30-33 – it was only the adults who were candidates for baptism that had to profess a belief in Jesus. This is consistent with the Church’s practice of instructing catechumens before baptism. But this verse does not support a "believer’s baptism" requirement for everyone. See Acts 16:15,33. The earlier one comes to baptism, the better. For those who come to baptism as adults, the Church has always required them to profess their belief in Christ. For babies who come to baptism, the Church has always required the parents to profess the belief in Christ on behalf of the baby
   References :
   http://www.scripturecatholic.com/baptism.html#baptism-V

9. ???? is my God Said,

   Farsight: I don’t have anything with me here at work to prove this answer, but yes it is true Jesus died at the age of 33 and had been baptised just 3 years before that at the age of 30.

   Friends: I starred this so you would see this, please help Farsight out with this fact.
   References :

10. JoeBama Said,

    The idea of infant baptism is related to the mistaken idea that babies are born with the guilt of inherited sin. If a baby is guilty of sin, the thought is that they should be baptized to wash away that sin.

    The Bible however teaches that "sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4) If a baby is guilty of sin, what law have they transgressed? A baby is not capable of transgressing, or even understanding, any law.

    But, what about inherited sin (guilt)?

    This idea goes against many verses, including Ezekiel 18:20.

    "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."

    This verse clearly teaches that children do not inherit the guilt of sin.

    Those who teach infant baptism many times point to the households that were baptized in the New Testament. They assume these households had infants and those young children were included in the baptism.

    This, however is just an assumption. It is risky to base your doctrine on a guess that cannot be proven from the Scriptures!

    In fact, the context of many of these scriptures DISPROVE infant baptism. Notice for example the household of the keeper of the prison in Acts 16.

    He was baptized with his household (verse 33). But notice also, all his household was taught ( verse 32), and they all believed (verse 34). An infant cannot be taught, and an infant cannot believe. Therefore, "household" here does not include any infants.

    In fact, to be baptized one must first believe and repent, therefore, baptism is not for infants. (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)

    Notice the eunuch in Acts 8. He asked, "What hinders me from being baptized?” (verse 36) "Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’" (verse 37)

    A baby cannot believe, therefore a baby would not meet this requirement for one to be baptized.

    Acts 8:12 says, "But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized." Notice it says they were baptized "when they believed"!

    Acts 18:8 says, "And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized." Notice the order. They heard, they believed, then they were baptized.

    An infant cannot believe, therefore they are not yet candidates for scriptural baptism!
    References :

11. promethius9594 Said,

    I think a better question is do protestants REALLY believe that grace and faith are a free gift of God (as the bible says) and not something that we do for ourselves? If that really is the case, I don’t see why they think that a child needs to be ultimately cognisant of the deeper meaning of the act for grace to flow through it.

    Another example of protestant doctrine causing inherent flaws in itself. God’s grace is a gift bestowed on us through the sacraments, even as children.
    References :
    Catholic of the Latin Rite
    Tiber Swim Team, Class of 1990

12. Sldgman Said,

    Of course not. Neither were the children that were members of the households that the Apostles baptized able to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. This did not prevent the Apostles from baptizing those children.
    References :

13. Boanerge Said,

    Crying!

    The only way they can have new members…
    References :

14. Dear Dogma Said,

    Here is a copy of my defense of my infant baptism I offered to some one who recently asked "Does being baptized make you a Christian?"
    and many respondents challenged the validity of the sacrament. It’s a bit long with the edit, but I think worth a read.

    some people believe that I, an active member and adamant supporter of Christian Orthodoxy, a teacher of Adult Catholic Catechism, reader and believer of the Bible, proclaiming it as God’s word, they believe that I am not a Christian because I was too young to repent and believe before I was Baptized.
    That or they believe I am a Christian but not because I was baptized,
    but because I believe.

    Both are wrong according to the Catholic Church, which incidentally has pre-bible proof texts from the Early Church Fathers fighting the heresy of proclaiming the inappropriateness of baptizing infants.

    The Church teaches the necessity of the sacrament, but that God is not bound by his sacraments. God can save the unbaptized, to say otherwise would be to challenge his omnipotence. Baptism is the normal means however of entering the Church. It’s also interesting to note that the efficacy of the sacrament is not affected by the "unbelief" of either the receiver or the administer.

    The sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace. The "form" of the sacrament is water, it signifies the washing away of original sin* and personal sin if one has it (*most people misunderstand original sin/personal sin) The flood pre-figured baptism, when the Lord wipped the earth of sin. The ark pre-figures the Church which delivers the sacrament and is the vessel (not the source or cause) of the saving grace of Baptism.

    YES !! Being baptized makes you a Christian. It always has since the beginning of Orthodoxy.

    EDIT: I understand that I became a Christian the day I was Baptized. I understand that on that day although I may not have been able to rationalize the profound truths and mysteries that are the teachings of the Church. I recognize that regardless of that, at the time I did posess a certain dignity (even with a slightly fallen nature). Still the same, created in the image and likeness of God, I definately had/was a soul that could be saved. A unique gift from "the Lord the giver of life"
    I recognize the efficacy and the indellible mark of the sacrament of Baptism. It is just one of the signs that Christ left us. The command is from him to go forth to the nations "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".
    I used to question the legitimacy of the sacrament of my own Confirmation. Like a lot of Catholics I was about 13yrs old. Was I really born of water at baptism and of the spirit at that ceremony? Did I really believe and accept the plan? Did I even know fully what it means to accept Christianity? Did I doubt?
    But I think the coolest thing about the power of the sacraments of the Church that Christ left is what I stated earlier; doubt of it’s efficacy by either the receiver or the administer of the sacrament are inconsequential.

    I’m glad I was Baptized and I’m glad I remain a believer. That’s the flaw with "believer’s Baptism" IMO
    The adult Baptized can fall away as well.
    References :

15. JamesH Said,

    There is not a single instance of infant baptism in the New Testament.
    References :
    http://www.jimfeeney.org/waterbaptism.html

16. Daver Said,

    Infant Baptism
    Gen. 17:12, Lev. 12:3 – these texts show the circumcision of eight-day old babies as the way of entering into the Old Covenant – Col 2:11-12 – however, baptism is the new "circumcision" for all people of the New Covenant. Therefore, baptism is for babies as well as adults. God did not make His new Covenant narrower than the old Covenant. To the contrary, He made it wider, for both Jews and Gentiles, infants and adults.

    Job 14:1-4 – man that is born of woman is full of trouble and unclean. Baptism is required for all human beings because of our sinful human nature.

    Psalm 51:5 – we are conceived in the iniquity of sin. This shows the necessity of baptism from conception.

    Matt. 18:2-5 – Jesus says unless we become like children, we cannot enter into heaven. So why would children be excluded from baptism?

    Matt 19:14 – Jesus clearly says the kingdom of heaven also belongs to children. There is no age limit on entering the kingdom, and no age limit for being eligible for baptism.

    Mark 10:14 – Jesus says to let the children come to Him for the kingdom of God also belongs to them. Jesus says nothing about being too young to come into the kingdom of God.

    Mark 16:16 – Jesus says to the crowd, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved." But in reference to the same people, Jesus immediately follows with "He who does not believe will be condemned." This demonstrates that one can be baptized and still not be a believer. This disproves the Protestant argument that one must be a believer to be baptized. There is nothing in the Bible about a "believer’s baptism."

    Luke 18:15 – Jesus says, “Let the children come to me.” The people brought infants to Jesus that he might touch them. This demonstrates that the receipt of grace is not dependent upon the age of reason.

    Acts 2:38 – Peter says to the multitude, "Repent and be baptized.." Protestants use this verse to prove one must be a believer (not an infant) to be baptized. But the Greek translation literally says, "If you repent, then each one who is a part of you and yours must each be baptized” (“Metanoesate kai bapistheto hekastos hymon.”) This, contrary to what Protestants argue, actually proves that babies are baptized based on their parents’ faith. This is confirmed in the next verse.

    Acts 2:39 – Peter then says baptism is specifically given to children as well as adults. “Those far off” refers to those who were at their “homes” (primarily infants and children). God’s covenant family includes children. The word "children" that Peter used comes from the Greek word "teknon" which also includes infants.

    Luke 1:59 – this proves that "teknon" includes infants. Here, John as a "teknon" (infant) was circumcised. See also Acts 21:21 which uses “teknon” for eight-day old babies. So baptism is for infants as well as adults.

    Acts 10:47-48 – Peter baptized the entire house of Cornelius, which generally included infants and young children. There is not one word in Scripture about baptism being limited to adults.

    Acts 16:15 – Paul baptized Lydia and her entire household. The word "household" comes from the Greek word "oikos" which is a household that includes infants and children.

    Acts 16:15 – further, Paul baptizes the household based on Lydia’s faith, not the faith of the members of the household. This demonstrates that parents can present their children for baptism based on the parents’ faith, not the children’s faith.

    Acts 16:30-33 – it was only the adults who were candidates for baptism that had to profess a belief in Jesus. This is consistent with the Church’s practice of instructing catechumens before baptism. But this verse does not support a "believer’s baptism" requirement for everyone. See Acts 16:15,33. The earlier one comes to baptism, the better. For those who come to baptism as adults, the Church has always required them to profess their belief in Christ. For babies who come to baptism, the Church has always required the parents to profess the belief in Christ on behalf of the baby. But there is nothing in the Scriptures about a requirement for ALL baptism candidates to profess their own belief in Christ (because the Church has baptized babies for 2,000 years).

    Acts 16:33 – Paul baptized the jailer (an adult) and his entire household (which had to include children). Baptism is never limited to adults and those of the age of reason. See also Luke 19:9; John 4:53; Acts 11:14; 1 Cor. 1:16; and 1 Tim. 3:12; Gen. 31:41; 36:6; 41:51; Joshua 24:15; 2 Sam. 7:11, 1 Chron. 10:6 which shows “oikos” generally includes children.

    Rom. 5:12 – sin came through Adam and death through sin. Babies’ souls are affected by Adam’s sin and need baptism just like adult souls.

    Rom. 5:15 – the grace of Jesus Christ surpasses that of the Old Covenant. So children can also enter the new Covenant in baptism. From a Jewish perspective, it would have been unthinkable to exclude infants and children from God’s Covena
    References :

17. http://www.bible-reviews.com Said,

    You are assuming that baptism *demands* acceptance of Christ first, Scripture makes it plain that such acceptance is a requirement for **adults**. It does NOT address the case of infants. In *every* Scriptural example in which acceptance of Christ is a prerequisite of baptism, it is an adult being baptized. In fact – in every single case, it is a **male adult** being baptized.

    Logically, one of the apostles is not going to address an infant and say, "you must first believe in Jesus before you can be baptized". There is no indication in Scripture that infants were expected to believe in Jesus as a requirement of baptism.

    Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/topics_rc_vs_pr.html
    References :

18. lyn1136 Said,

    There is no good reason to exclude infants from Baptism. Our Lord did not answer St. John the Baptist when He, as representing humanity, was baptized by John, ONLY that "we must satisfy ALL JUSTICE." It would be UNJUST to not baptize anyone, even a child.

    Funny that Protestants never think of God’s Divine Justice !

    It is a Protestant misnomer to assume that any soul does not need Baptism before the Age of Reason, for Christ has given us the Sacraments to remove Original Sin, which we are BORN WITH and to also provide sanctifying grace to the infant soul that he may grow in peace and enlightenment. Evil Spirit shall not snatch him from us, as he is wont to linger and do for his own kingdom.

    It is the Protestant baiting game again, with the Protestant version of what Our Lord did not teach.

    The Catholic sponsors answer for the child until he confirms his full knowledge, receives the gifts of the Holy Ghost of Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord at Confirmation.

    What do Protestant receive? Nothing for sure. Maybe Baptism, if the words of the Holy Roman Catholic Church are used, and if the exact formula for the Baptismal ceremony are performed. Maybe.
    References :

19. imacatholic2 Said,

    How did an infant like Jesus accept Judaism when he was circumcized as a baby?

    St. Paul wrote that baptism has replaced circumcision (Col 2:11-12), and in Judaism circumcision was performed primarily on infants.

    The Catholic Church teaches, "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called."

    Infant baptism is not a new thing. There are non-biblical documented sources starting in the second century telling of infant Baptism.

    There are even several passages in the Bible where whole households were baptized. This would include everyone who lived there, men, women, children, and infants.

    Acts 16:15, "After she and her household had been baptized"

    Acts 16:33, "then he and all his family were baptized at once."

    Acts 18:8, "came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized."

    1 Corinthians 1:16, "I baptized the household of Stephanas"

    By the way, infant baptism is also practiced by the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Church of the Nazarene, Reformed Church in America, Episcopalians, United Church of Christ (UCC), Presbyterians, Continental Reformed, and others. Together, these constitute over 80% of all those who call themselves Christians.

    That said, infant or adult baptism is not the end of one’s spiritual journey. It is but a new beginning. This young Catholic will have a lifetime to accept Jesus Christ as her or his Lord and Savior, or not as she decides.

    For more information, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1250: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.shtml#1250
    and http://www.catholic.com/library/Early_Teachings_of_Infant_Baptism.asp

    With love in Christ.
    References :

20. Richard C. Said,

    No, baptism id more of a symbolic act, and is more for the parents really. Its kind of a way to show the community that the parents are going to raise the child as a catholic. However, baptism does not bind infants to the religion, its the starting point of the religion. Confirmation is more so a binding ceremony, in which people proclaim their belief in God.
    References :

21. Gene W Said,

    he doesn’t…..to young
    References :

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