72 replies to this topic

[Blake]

Hello everyone,

I've just have one question too ask that is if a child is unbaptize would their be serious prolbems?

[Axman]

Depends on your belief system. Many churches baptize babies and small children. Other churches feel that true baptism is performed when you receive Christ, usually as an adult. Then there are many that have other beliefs about when a baptism should occur. I think it just depends on which church you wish to follow.

[Blake]

Axman, on Jan 12 2008, 08:24 AM, said:

Depends on your belief system. Many churches baptize babies and small children. Other churches feel that true baptism is performed when you receive Christ, usually as an adult. Then there are many that have other beliefs about when a baptism should occur. I think it just depends on which church you wish to follow.

I've just wanted to say your right depend on belief system.

[Seeker]

I have a suspicion that your own personal beliefs are the power behind the consequences. Within reason of course.

[aloha_spirit]

When is someone old enough to be baptized?

Catholics read the Bible and conclude that one cannot enter heaven without receiving baptism; unbaptized children go to Purgatory. That is why they baptize infants.

Other denominations view baptism as an outward sign of accepting Jesus, so they wait until the individual is "old enough" to make such a decision (age requirements vary among denominations and sects). Some of the denominations view baptism as a prerequisite of being saved, while others declare it's possible to be saved without baptism.

Many sects which do older baptisms will still christen their infants - present them to the Lord and pronounce a blessing of protection.

I personally believe in a loving God and merciful Savior. So many people look at ways we are condemned, but I think God looks for ways to bless.

[peepers]

aloha_spirit, on Jan 12 2008, 01:54 PM, said:

When is someone old enough to be baptized?

Catholics read the Bible and conclude that one cannot enter heaven without receiving baptism; unbaptized children go to Purgatory. That is why they baptize infants.

Oh Aloha, you know I think the world of you..... but, I must clarify something for you..........

I am Roman Catholic and the reason we baptize our children so close to their birth is to wash them of the original sin that is inherited by the disobedience of Adam and Eve....... it is a cleansing of the soul that completes the gift of love that brought them into the world....... Our children, now filled by the light of the Holy Spirit, are given the gifts of faith, hope and love for their guidance through this world........

This is from doctrine and dogma, which has been past down since Christ walked the earth.... not from merely reading a book.....

Our children are not Baptized out of fear........... but out of pure love.....

peace...

[Puti]

I agree with Peepers on this. Also Catholic.
Can't think where the scripture is that talks about "whole households" being baptised after they accepted Jesus' message from the apostles. Parents, children, babies, servants.

[Blake]

peepers, on Jan 12 2008, 08:52 PM, said:

aloha_spirit, on Jan 12 2008, 01:54 PM, said:

When is someone old enough to be baptized?Catholics read the Bible and conclude that one cannot enter heaven without receiving baptism; unbaptized children go to Purgatory.  That is why they baptize infants.

Oh Aloha, you know I think the world of you..... but, I must clarify something for you.......... I am Roman Catholic and the reason we baptize our children so close to their birth is to wash them of the original sin that is inherited by the disobedience of Adam and Eve....... it is a cleansing of the soul that completes the gift of love that brought them into the world....... Our children, now filled by the light of the Holy Spirit, are given the gifts of faith, hope and love for their guidance through this world........This is from doctrine and dogma, which has been past down since Christ walked the earth.... not from merely reading a book.....Our children are not Baptized out of fear........... but out of pure love.....peace...

This is coming from a uncle heart worrie that if my niece is not baptize bad things would happen. The reason why neice is one years old my sister is practice Catholic an husban Rastafarianism faith they don't believe christ. A friend of my told me that baptizing a child in christ name an holy spirit would get the protect around the child. it's none of my business come to that.

Edited by Blake, 13 January 2008 - 06:56 AM.

[secretsign]

The Bible does not say you have to be baptized. It tells how Jesus was baptized but nowhere does it say the baptizim has anything to do with your salvation. It does not wash away sins. Jesus died on the cross for them.
It is an outward expresstion of faith. I'm not saying that it is not a good thing to do.

As a Christian I want to be Christ like and Christ was baptized. It shows that I'v accepted Christ.
I can only speak for how I beleive and I believe in the Bilbe and that is where my truths are found. If it is in the Bible, that word is all I need.
I hope this helps.

[peepers]

Blake, on Jan 13 2008, 06:55 AM, said:

peepers, on Jan 12 2008, 08:52 PM, said:

aloha_spirit, on Jan 12 2008, 01:54 PM, said:

When is someone old enough to be baptized?Catholics read the Bible and conclude that one cannot enter heaven without receiving baptism; unbaptized children go to Purgatory.  That is why they baptize infants.

Oh Aloha, you know I think the world of you..... but, I must clarify something for you.......... I am Roman Catholic and the reason we baptize our children so close to their birth is to wash them of the original sin that is inherited by the disobedience of Adam and Eve....... it is a cleansing of the soul that completes the gift of love that brought them into the world....... Our children, now filled by the light of the Holy Spirit, are given the gifts of faith, hope and love for their guidance through this world........This is from doctrine and dogma, which has been past down since Christ walked the earth.... not from merely reading a book.....Our children are not Baptized out of fear........... but out of pure love.....peace...

This is coming from a uncle heart worrie that if my niece is not baptize bad things would happen. The reason why neice is one years old my sister is practice Catholic an husban Rastafarianism faith they don't believe christ. A friend of my told me that baptizing a child in christ name an holy spirit would get the protect around the child. it's none of my business come to that.

Worried Uncle, you can baptize your neice by using plain water and making the sign of the cross with your right thumb on the child's forehead saying, " I Baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." It's that simple. ;~}

[Puti]

I love that peepers! There's been many Grammas that have baptised their granchilden over the kitchen sink, when they saw that the parents didn't give it a thought. I'm one of them. I actually let the water slide down their forehead 3 times. once for the Father, once for the Son, and once for the Holy Spirit. Anyone can baptise. God gives the blessing.
So no need to worry...just do what needs to be done.

[peepers]

Puti, on Jan 13 2008, 11:36 PM, said:

I love that peepers! There's been many Grammas that have baptised their granchilden over the kitchen sink, when they saw that the parents didn't give it a thought. I'm one of them. I actually let the water slide down their forehead 3 times. once for the Father, once for the Son, and once for the Holy Spirit. Anyone can baptise. God gives the blessing.
So no need to worry...just do what needs to be done.

.... and I'm an Aunt who has baptized my unbaptized neices and nephew when they were infants...... and my non-denominational nephew, who would normally receive Batism as a young teen, requested to be baptized, and was, at the age of 5......

Edited by peepers, 14 January 2008 - 08:06 AM.

[jomarie]

ok i hope i dont start an arguement and it isnt what i intend, being as i am baptized as are my children, but i have to say that if anyone other than myself made that descision to do that to my children i dont think i would ever speak to them again. It may sound harsh and even hipercritical, but at the end of the day they are my children and therefore my desiscion how i wish to raise them. I would think very carefully before taking any actions that may cause irraversable damage. Whethre you think it is the right thing or not is totally irrelevant when it comes to making desicions like that without the parents consent or approval.
Maybe its just because of things my inlaws have done to me over the years, but it is just the way i feel, sorry if i have upset anyone.

[sororluna]

jomarie, on Jan 14 2008, 04:12 PM, said:

ok i hope i dont start an arguement and it isnt what i intend, being as i am baptized as are my children, but i have to say that if anyone other than myself made that descision to do that to my children i dont think i would ever speak to them again. It may sound harsh and even hipercritical, but at the end of the day they are my children and therefore my desiscion how i wish to raise them. I would think very carefully before taking any actions that may cause irraversable damage. Whethre you think it is the right thing or not is totally irrelevant when it comes to making desicions like that without the parents consent or approval.
Maybe its just because of things my inlaws have done to me over the years, but it is just the way i feel, sorry if i have upset anyone.

The following comment does NOT intend to represent ALL Baptists! Just the ones I came into contact with during my youth at school, church, Bible School, and "singings."

I was raised BAPTIST and in my local area (North Alabama) we were told you'd go to hell without being baptized (so it not just the Catholics that think it necessary for an immediate entry to Heaven). However you're ok as long as you have COCA COLA nearby.

I remember being instructed that technically, if somebody is dying near you, particularly a child, that even if there is no water around, that COCA COLA has a high enough WATER CONTENT that anybody nearby (it didn't have to be a minister or anything) could save that person's soul by baptizing them with Coke.

LOL! I heard that my whole life. There were other liquids we could use too - however not wine or beer!

We were all instructed to do this if the issue ever arose!

[aloha_spirit]

First, I'd like to apologize for my misunderstanding of Catholic dogma. I was just parroting what I'd heard elsewhere. Thanks for clarifying things.

I'm glad joomarie spoke up, because the suggestion of baptizing an infant behind its parents' backs seems shady. We all have our own religious beliefs, and in this life we cannot empirically define one as better. It is highly disrespectful to impose your religion on an infant against that infant's parents. My own sect requires written consent from the parents before baptizing anyone under 18 years old.

Soroluna,

One of the defining dogmas of the Baptist Church (at least as told to me by my bishop - a former Baptist) is that baptism should be by immersion. I don't think anyone carries around enough soda to properly immerse the person for the baptism.

Back on topic....

My sect teaches that if anyone dies before reaching the age of accountability, they are automatically granted exaltation. This age is generally believed to be 8 years old, but may vary due to individual circumstances. As an example, people with Downs Syndrome generally aren't baptized