Born Again as An Infant

[guanophore]

One thing that I never quite understood is that we are told that we are born again at baptism - as an infant. What troubles me are the scriptures in 1 John where it says that people who are born agina will keep the commandments, practice righteousness, not practice sin, believe Christ is the Son of God, love the brethren…and not commit mortal sin…

(1 John 5:18) We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.

Yet - why do we see so many Catholics not fitting this description? It seems to be saying that those who are turly born of God will act a certain way…others including…

(Galatians 5:24) Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

(1 John 5:4) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.

Confused

I think you will find the answer to your question in Rom ch.7. We are a battleground. The Spirit and the Flesh are at war in our members constantly. Through baptism, we receive the grace to overcome sin, but this is only the beginning of the victory. the war must be fought until we are called home.

 

[guanophore]

Baptism does NOT forgive you of all sin ever commited, you commit, or ever will commit, though repentance for Adult Baptism is part of it, the purpose of Baptism is to remove ORIGINAL sin…

The soul goes into the water with the nature imposed upon it by the Sin of Adam, and it is Born again when it comes out, with no sign of that sin.

In Christ

Baptism does forgive all sins, those committed, and original sin. After baptism, the soul is entirely pure before God. this is why, in the olden days, people used to wait until death’s door to become baptized.

 

[guanophore]

Let’s clarify the question before we answer it.

I think that Cling2Cross is saying this:

1. Assume being born again means being baptized
2. One can be baptized as an infant
3. Yet the Bible seems to say that being born again is essentially an act of the will in the one being born again, (which may or may not involve baptism)
4. Yet such an act of the will is impossible for an infant
5. So either being born again does not mean being baptized, or it is wrong to baptize infants.

Is this correct?

No, I don’t think that is it. I think it is more like:

1. Assume being born again happens at baptism
2. catholics who are baptized as infants are supposedly “born-again”
3. Scripture shows us that “born-again” people act differently (flee from sin)
4. Many Catholics do not act according to what the Bible says “born-again” people should
5. Are these people really “born again”?