Why do Catholics baptize infants (are there verses in the Bible-I’ve never read any) and are there verses in the Bible that say baptism is needed for salvation?. .
komeeks18,
Southern Baptists believe Baptism is purely symbolic, takes place after salvation, and is an act of obedience. There are conditions that must be met prior to Baptism in a Southern Baptist Church, as noted by the International Mission Board (IMB):
Position Paper Concerning the IMB Guideline on Baptism
. . . .Four key parameters derived from Scripture and consistent with historic Baptist ecclesiology inform and shape the IMB policy. First, that the
only biblical mode for baptism is immersion. Second, that the
only proper candidate for immersion is a regenerate believer in Jesus Christ. Third, that the
act is purely symbolic and distinct from salvation itself and has no saving merit. Fourth, that
baptism is a church ordinance and therefore the only proper administrator of it is a local New Testament church that holds to a proper view of salvation. . . . .
"
a. Baptism is a church ordinance.
**Baptism must take place in a church that practices believer’s baptism by immersion alone, does not view baptism as sacramental or regenerative, and a church that embraces the doctrine of the security of the believer.
**
b. A candidate who has not been baptized in a Southern Baptist church or in a church which meets the standards listed above is expected to request baptism in his/her Southern Baptist church as a testimony of identification with the system of belief held by Southern Baptist churches."
imb.org/main/news/details.asp?LanguageID=1709&StoryID=3840
Ironically, none of these requirements for Baptism can be found in Holy Scripture, even though Southern Baptists claim to hold Scripture as the sole authority.
There are Scriptures that point to infant Baptism. Baptism is the
Circumcision made without hands. Through Baptism our sins are forgiven and we are brought into the New Covenant through Christ, just as Circumcision of 8-day-old male infants brought the people of Israel into the Old Covenant. So, why would infants be excluded from Baptism? Why would infants be excluded from the New Covenant?
Colossians 2:
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
The Baptism of Christ is more inclusive than the Circumcision of the Old Covenant:
Galatians 3:
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
As others have already stated, whole households were Baptized, as in the conversion of Lydia :
Acts 16:
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15
And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Infants and children were brought to Jesus:
Luke 18:
15
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
This link is a great Catholic resource regarding infant Baptism:
Early Teaching on Infant Baptism
catholic.com/tracts/early-teachings-on-infant-baptism
Our sins are forgiven through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Acts 2: 38 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.
1 Peter speaks of the
Baptism that now saves you:
1 Peter 3:
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21
Baptism, which corresponds to this,
now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Peace,
Anna
