Infant Baptism and CCC 1229

[Cattitude]

I am engaged in a discussion on another forum regarding infant baptism. I was asked about CCC paragraph 1229:

1229 From the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.

I just want to be sure I’ve got my answer down. He is asking about how an infant can show “acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion”.

My answer would be that this paragraph in particular is referring to the conversion of unbaptized adults, where infant baptism is detailed in other paragraphs. If the person is of the age and mental faculty that they can accept the Gospel, then they must do so prior to baptism. If the person is not of that age or reason, they are not held back from baptism, but rather they are baptized based on the faith of the parents.

Am I missing anything here? Thanks!

 

[fermat]

He is asking about how an infant can show “acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion”.

In addition to what you have listed, I would also challenge this person to show you were in scripture it says that you have to show acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion. Don’t be satisfied with a wishy-washy answer either. Make them prove that a conscious will is a requirement of baptism for everybody.

 

[JM3]

I am engaged in a discussion on another forum regarding infant baptism. I was asked about CCC paragraph 1229:

I just want to be sure I’ve got my answer down. He is asking about how an infant can show “acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion”.

My answer would be that this paragraph in particular is referring to the conversion of unbaptized adults, where infant baptism is detailed in other paragraphs. If the person is of the age and mental faculty that they can accept the Gospel, then they must do so prior to baptism. If the person is not of that age or reason, they are not held back from baptism, but rather they are baptized based on the faith of the parents.

Am I missing anything here? Thanks!

Paragraphs 1230 and 1231 should be used in context with 1229. you can also add 1255.

 

[Cattitude]

In addition to what you have listed, I would also challenge this person to show you were in scripture it says that you have to show acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion. Don’t be satisfied with a wishy-washy answer either. Make them prove that a conscious will is a requirement of baptism for everybody.

The following passages have been used by this person to try to prove this:

Romans 10:10-11
For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. For the scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”

Romans 10:17
Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.

And this one, I guess, to prove that unbaptized infants will not got to hell:

1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Another poster (KJV-only) has said:

There is clearly a PREREQUISITE for baptism. And that requirement is belief.

Acts 8
36 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

If belief was not a prerequisite, then Philip would not have said what he said.

 

[JM3]

Acts 16:30-31

“Men, what must I do to be saved?” And they said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 16:33

and he was baptized at once, with all his family.

In a time when the infant mortality rate was very high, what part of charity would deny an infant salvation, just because they were not born with the power of speech to say that they believe?