O
Olee
Guest
A non Catholic friend of mine had this to explain about infant baptism:
Do we need to prepare for baptism? Yes, the Bible tells us that we do. We should:
A. Learn God’s requirements. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them … Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19, 20.
B. Believe the truth of God’s Word. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:16.
C. Repent of and turn away from sins and experience conversion. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Acts 2:38. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19.
One very important requirement is that of repenting. It’s very important that someone understand repentance before they are baptized. Can baby or small infant understand all of this?
Another question is: Why did Jesus get baptized at a much older age? Also, did Jesus need to be baptized?
In regards to Baptism, it is true that John was already baptizing people when Jesus came to him at the river Jordan. Since Jesus was without sin, He did not need baptism in order to wash away His sinfulness. However, His baptism served as an example to all of His followers. It was also a special time of outpouring of the Holy Spirit, initiating Him for His 3 ½ year ministry.
By choosing to be baptized by John, Christ gave us an example to follow and made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom, which is to acknowledge to the world that we are now under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and they now all work in our behalf. In Jesus case, His baptism represented the beginning of His public ministry.
When the Bible refers to a whole household being baptized, does this mean that everyone, including babies and small children, were baptized?
Because of the requirements for baptism mentioned previously, especially repentance and belief, there could have been exceptions. In addition to infants and small children, there could have been some who were mentally retarded or mentally incapacitated and not capable of understanding everything.
I believe there should be certain tangible changes evident before baptism. This is why John the Baptist stated, ?Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,? Matt 3:8. Baptism reflects new birth, new life and being liberated from a life of sin. Baptism is similar to marriage. For a man to marry a woman while still dating another would be hypocrisy. One shouldn?t get baptized while still ?dating the devil? in certain areas of one?s life, so to speak. Naturally, I am not suggesting that one needs to know everything or be perfect before being baptized. But I believe there needs to be evidence of Christ?s victory in the life and true fruits of repentance.
I do know that the eunuch that Philip baptized had quite an extensive knowledge of Scripture already, evidenced by the fact that he was studying the prophecies as he drove along. Philip evidently ascertained that the main thing missing was to introduce him to Christ as the Messiah. Also, those who were baptized at Pentecost were primarily Jews from many places who had convened at Jerusalem for the celebration of the Feast day. They would already have a basic understanding of the Scriptures as well, just as the Eunuch did, and Peter filled in the blanks as to their knowledge of Christ as the Messiah. At this point in the development of the Christian church there weren?t a lot of different doctrines to present, as there were later when they presented their message to the pagan world.
Do we need to prepare for baptism? Yes, the Bible tells us that we do. We should:
A. Learn God’s requirements. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them … Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19, 20.
B. Believe the truth of God’s Word. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:16.
C. Repent of and turn away from sins and experience conversion. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Acts 2:38. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19.
One very important requirement is that of repenting. It’s very important that someone understand repentance before they are baptized. Can baby or small infant understand all of this?
Another question is: Why did Jesus get baptized at a much older age? Also, did Jesus need to be baptized?
In regards to Baptism, it is true that John was already baptizing people when Jesus came to him at the river Jordan. Since Jesus was without sin, He did not need baptism in order to wash away His sinfulness. However, His baptism served as an example to all of His followers. It was also a special time of outpouring of the Holy Spirit, initiating Him for His 3 ½ year ministry.
By choosing to be baptized by John, Christ gave us an example to follow and made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom, which is to acknowledge to the world that we are now under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and they now all work in our behalf. In Jesus case, His baptism represented the beginning of His public ministry.
When the Bible refers to a whole household being baptized, does this mean that everyone, including babies and small children, were baptized?
Because of the requirements for baptism mentioned previously, especially repentance and belief, there could have been exceptions. In addition to infants and small children, there could have been some who were mentally retarded or mentally incapacitated and not capable of understanding everything.
I believe there should be certain tangible changes evident before baptism. This is why John the Baptist stated, ?Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,? Matt 3:8. Baptism reflects new birth, new life and being liberated from a life of sin. Baptism is similar to marriage. For a man to marry a woman while still dating another would be hypocrisy. One shouldn?t get baptized while still ?dating the devil? in certain areas of one?s life, so to speak. Naturally, I am not suggesting that one needs to know everything or be perfect before being baptized. But I believe there needs to be evidence of Christ?s victory in the life and true fruits of repentance.
I do know that the eunuch that Philip baptized had quite an extensive knowledge of Scripture already, evidenced by the fact that he was studying the prophecies as he drove along. Philip evidently ascertained that the main thing missing was to introduce him to Christ as the Messiah. Also, those who were baptized at Pentecost were primarily Jews from many places who had convened at Jerusalem for the celebration of the Feast day. They would already have a basic understanding of the Scriptures as well, just as the Eunuch did, and Peter filled in the blanks as to their knowledge of Christ as the Messiah. At this point in the development of the Christian church there weren?t a lot of different doctrines to present, as there were later when they presented their message to the pagan world.