Is infant baptism from the Bible?

How about this:

In the Acts of the Apostles Peter's teachings on Pentecost included children in the promise of Baptism, "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. The promise is for you and your children".

Taken said:

Yes, Scripture does teach individuals make their own decisions to believe, and to confess their belief.

And no scriptural teaching for one person to make that decision for an other, which is what is happening at a Catholic baby baptism.

Glory to God,
Taken

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Thank you taken.

‘No scriptural teaching’ according to YOU and your ilk.

The 1st Century Christians who lived closest to the teachings/times of the Apostles see it different than you and your Reformaiton friends. I believe them...NOT YOU.

I know you are the type of person that always has to have the last word sooooooo go ahead...


Mary

Jane_Doe22 said:

Let me sum up this entire thread:

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Let me help explain why you are wrong.

You (the anti-infant baptizer) will say that there's no scriptural support for it and use verses ABC to support your position.

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This is true and there are plenty of passages to support that only those who hear and believe are to be baptized.

A pro-infant baptizer will say that there's scriptural support for it and use verses XYZ to support their position.

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The only passages they use talk of a household being baptized with no proof of any babies included. Acts 2:39 mentions children but I have a child that is grown. She is still my child and will always be no matter her age. So, still no proof of babies being included.

You will say that the early church didn't baptize infants.

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There is no evidence at all that babies were ever baptized. It was always those that could hear and believe. Can a baby call on the name of the lord? Rom 10:13 no. Then a baby can’t be saved.

Pro-infant baptizer will say that the early church did baptize infants.

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They will use the testimony of “church fathers”, none of whom were divinely inspired. Paul taught that false teachers, false doctrines, other gospels and all out apostasy was taking place while he was alive so no uninspired “church father” can be used for doctrinal support.

... and round and round it'll go, neither of you listening to each other, bashing out the same dead-horse argument for the millionth time.

It really doesn't have much point.

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Peter said....
1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;
You can’t quote uninspired men and claim truth

So what exactly are we talking about?

Result of search for "911":

907. baptizo bap-tid'-zo from a derivative of 911; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash.

911. bapto bap'-to a primary verb; to whelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; in the New Testament only in a qualified or special sense, i.e. (literally) to moisten (a part of one's person), or (by implication) to stain (as with dye):--dip.1686. embapto em-bap'-to from 1722 and 911; to whelm on, i.e. wet (a part of the person, etc.) by contact with a fluid:--dip.

"Baptize" means "to dip". People casually assume that means in water, but it does not: the dipping can be in anything. Jesus made that distinction in Acts 1:5.

Acts 1:5 King James Version (KJV)
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

"But", get it? That word sets one baptism in contrast to another. I have talked to baptizers who could not read that verse as it is printed because their church taught two baptisms, "co-equal and co-necessary". They would not pronounce that word, not even with coaching. They were literally rewriting the bible as they spoke to agree with what they preferred to believe.

People like to mention Peter's visit to the house of Cornelius in Acts chapter 10.

Acts 10:44-48 King James Version (KJV)
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

It's funny that they never read the rest of the story:

Acts 11:15-17 King James Version (KJV)
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

So when you discuss baptizing, you need to remember that water baptism is not a Christian concept, regardless of what you have heard from misinformed preachers.

Hobie said:

Some may say, what is wrong with baptizing an infant? Well we need to go to the word of God and to the requirements for baptism.

Baptism is for those that hear the Gospel message, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins. This must be done before a person can be baptized.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21.

Why do we need to repent to God?

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.

Only those that receive the Word of God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are fit for baptism.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15, 16.

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12.

"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?
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." Acts 8:36, 37.

The question must now be asked, ‘Can an infant understand the Gospel, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and repent of their sins?’ Of course they cannot, so therefore according to the Bible they cannot be baptized and any church that condones infant baptism is not following the Word of God.

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Scripture doesn't teach infant baptism. Some of the verses used to support this are taken out of context such as Acts 2:39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Note the promise is for you and your children - and all who are far off. Those 'who are far off' can't be baptized in that moment, can they? The promise is for everyone as the Lord draws (calls).

Peter told them to repent first and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, which along with the gift of the Holy Spirit, is the promise.

vs 38 "Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

illini1959 said:

Scripture doesn't teach infant baptism. Some of the verses used to support this are taken out of context such as Acts 2:39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Note the promise is for you and your children - and all who are far off. Those 'who are far off' can't be baptized in that moment, can they? The promise is for everyone as the Lord draws (calls).

Peter told them to repent first and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, which along with the gift of the Holy Spirit, is the promise.

vs 38 "Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

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Acts 2.41 makes it clear that baptism was done to those who had gladly received the preaching of the Gospel (not before then).

Hobie said:

Some may say, what is wrong with baptizing an infant? Well we need to go to the word of God and to the requirements for baptism.

Baptism is for those that hear the Gospel message, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins. This must be done before a person can be baptized.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21.

Why do we need to repent to God?

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.

Only those that receive the Word of God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are fit for baptism.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15, 16.

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12.

"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?
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." Acts 8:36, 37.

The question must now be asked, ‘Can an infant understand the Gospel, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and repent of their sins?’ Of course they cannot, so therefore according to the Bible they cannot be baptized and any church that condones infant baptism is not following the Word of God.

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"Baptize" means "to submerge/dip/dunk". And I've never seen anyone dunk a baby, so despite what they call it, no babies are actually getting baptized. They're just getting sprinkled.

Jon Mathews said:

And I've never seen anyone dunk a baby...

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Actually the Orthodox do dunk babies.

'What happens during the Baptism?

(1) The child is presented to the church

(2) The child is immersed in the baptismal font three times, symbolizing the three days Christ spent in the tomb. This event is a reenactment of Christ's baptism, death and Resurrection.

(3) After immersion, the priest places the child in the open arms of the godparent, who holds a new white sheet as a symbol of the soul's purity.

(4) Immediately following the baptism in the font, the priest administers a second sacrament: Chrismation, where the child receives the gift of the Holy Spirit with miron, a special oil blessed by the Ecumenical Patriarch. Three locks are tonsured (cut) from the child's hair in the form of a cross.

(5) The child is taken into a dressing room in the church and put into his/her baptismal outfit by the Godparents or the grandparents.

(6) While the child is being changed, the baptismal candles are lit.

(7) The dressed child is brought back into the church and the priest, Godparents, baptized child, and chosen children walk around the baptismal font three times.

(8) The reading of scriptures takes place and the priest administers a third sacrament, communion, to the child.'

Traditions of Orthodox Baptisms happens during the Baptism?

Enoch111 said:

Actually the Orthodox do dunk babies.

'What happens during the Baptism?

(1) The child is presented to the church

(2) The child is immersed in the baptismal font three times, symbolizing the three days Christ spent in the tomb. This event is a reenactment of Christ's baptism, death and Resurrection.

(3) After immersion, the priest places the child in the open arms of the godparent, who holds a new white sheet as a symbol of the soul's purity.

(4) Immediately following the baptism in the font, the priest administers a second sacrament: Chrismation, where the child receives the gift of the Holy Spirit with miron, a special oil blessed by the Ecumenical Patriarch. Three locks are tonsured (cut) from the child's hair in the form of a cross.

(5) The child is taken into a dressing room in the church and put into his/her baptismal outfit by the Godparents or the grandparents.

(6) While the child is being changed, the baptismal candles are lit.

(7) The dressed child is brought back into the church and the priest, Godparents, baptized child, and chosen children walk around the baptismal font three times.

(8) The reading of scriptures takes place and the priest administers a third sacrament, communion, to the child.'

Traditions of Orthodox Baptisms happens during the Baptism?

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Well I'll be! Now they's dunkin' babies! LOL. There's not a thing that does for a baby but make him wet. He's got no idea what's happening to him and he's not responding to God when they do that. That baby hasn't believed and repented like all the disciples of John the Baptist did. He's not placing his faith in Jesus like all the new testament believers did. They're just making a religious show of things. Baby dedication is one thing. But dunking a baby is ridiculous. It means nothing for that child, and usually just gives people a false assurance of their personal salvation.

Hobie said:

Some may say, what is wrong with baptizing an infant? Well we need to go to the word of God and to the requirements for baptism.

Baptism is for those that hear the Gospel message, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins. This must be done before a person can be baptized.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21.

Why do we need to repent to God?

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.

Only those that receive the Word of God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are fit for baptism.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15, 16.

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12.

"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?
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." Acts 8:36, 37.

The question must now be asked, ‘Can an infant understand the Gospel, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and repent of their sins?’ Of course they cannot, so therefore according to the Bible they cannot be baptized and any church that condones infant baptism is not following the Word of God.

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Nothing is wrong with dunking a baby. But when those false prophets tell you the child is now "In God's family, the Church" because they dunked it in water, they're lying to you. That child is no more Born of God than a baby otter coming out of the river.

Jon Mathews said:

"Baptize" means "to submerge/dip/dunk". And I've never seen anyone dunk a baby, so despite what they call it, no babies are actually getting baptized. They're just getting sprinkled.

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The Biblical mode is clear. Dip, is what the word means. And the point is, it's what is received by those who have already believed (Acts 2.41).

Jon Mathews said:

Nothing is wrong with dunking a baby. But when those false prophets tell you the child is now "In God's family, the Church" because they dunked it in water, they're lying to you. That child is no more Born of God than a baby otter coming out of the river.

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Doing gives false expectations.

farouk said:

Doing gives false expectations.

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Eggs-actly!

John the Baptist was baptized in his mother's womb.