In the Eastern Church, babies receive baptism, first communion, and confirmation all at once. Confirmation, also known as chrismation, is administered to infants directly after their baptisms. The Code of Eastern Canon Law allows infant communion for this reason. However, infant communion is still practiced in Eastern Churches to preserve the child’s freedom.
The exact details of the baptismal ceremony vary among Christian denominations, with many following a prepared ceremony called a rite or liturgy. Parents or godparents bring their child to their church, and some aim for around 40 days after the child’s birth to mirror the Presentation in the Church. Children of catechetical age and adults will be brought to the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist through the development, promotion, and renewal of baptismal promises.
The Roman Catholic Church recognizes all of the sacraments of the Eastern rites, regardless of whether they are in communion with Rome or not. Members of Eastern rite churches who have been confirmed, even as infants, are never reconfirmed. For a child to be baptized into the Eastern rites, they are also free to do so according to canon law as this is within The Church.
In the Syro-Malabar Eastern Catholic Church, all sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) are conferred to infants. Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions practice total immersion and baptize babies in a font, which is also the first method listed in the Code of Eastern Canon Law. If one of the parents does not belong to the Latin Church, both parents agree that the child will be baptized in the Latin Church.
In some situations, the child has also received First Communion at the time of Baptism. Children who have celebrated the full initiation rite in the Eastern Church can continue to receive Communion in accordance with their own rite.
📹 This baptism in Georgia is enough to make your head spin – Orthodox Religion | euronews 🇬🇧
New parents in Tbilisi, Georgia queued up to have their children blessed at the Trinity Cathedral in celebration of the Epiphany on …
What are the Eastern Rite sacraments?
Eastern rite churches represent the pluralistic composition of the Roman Catholic tradition, allowing for a married clergy and immediate admission of baptized infants to Holy Communion and confirmation. The Roman pontiff reaffirmed the pledge of his predecessors to preserve the rites of the Eastern churches, stating that all members should know and be convinced to preserve their legitimate liturgical rite and established way of life. The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches was promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1990, complementing the 1983 Code of Canon Law for the Latin church.
The pope is the supreme earthly authority of Eastern rite churches, with the Congregation for the Oriental Churches as the central organ of the Holy See. The Congregation is competent for Eastern churches in all matters and has exclusive jurisdiction in certain countries in eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Patriarchates comprise dioceses of a single rite, under the jurisdiction of a patriarch. According to Eastern canon law, patriarchs have special rights and privileges, ranking with cardinals according to seniority and before all other bishops. There are six Eastern Catholic patriarchates: the Coptic Catholic Church, governed by the patriarch of Alexandria; three of Antioch, governed by the Syrians, Maronites, and Greek Melkites; the Chaldean Catholic Church, governed by the patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans; and the Armenian Catholic Church, governed by the katholikos of Sis, or Cilicia.
At what age are people Baptised in the Orthodox Church?
An Orthodox baptism is recommended for children between 40 days and 12 months to participate in the Church’s life and take Communion. Young baptisms are encouraged for emergencies and to ensure a strong-willed baby can be buried as an Orthodox Christian. There is no age limit for baptism, and the ceremony of dunking will be adjusted based on the child or adult’s age. The Orthodox church welcomes anyone into the church at any age, and the cross can be reused from one baptism to another. The church encourages young baptisms to ensure a safe burial in case of tragedy or as the baby grows older.
What is the difference between the Eastern Rite and the Catholic Church?
The main theological differences between the Catholic Church and neo-Palamism are papal primacy and the filioque clause. The spirituality of neo-Palamism is debated, with the essence-energy distinction and experiential vision of God being debated. Despite the growth of anti-western sentiments in the 21st century, the future of East-West rapprochement seems to be overcoming modern polemics. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has primarily viewed the schism as ecclesiological, stating that the doctrinal teachings of Eastern Orthodox churches are sound. Both churches accept the decisions of the first seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church.
Do Eastern Orthodox do infant baptism?
Infant baptism has been a significant part of Orthodox Christianity since the Apostolic Era, with early Church Fathers like Origen and St. Cyprian advocating for baptism of infants. Scriptural references in the New Testament support the idea that households likely included children and infants, indicating apostolic support for the practice. Theological developments during the Patristic Period further solidified the tradition of infant baptism, with St.
Augustine’s writings on original sin and the need for cleansing from birth contributing to theological rationales for baptizing infants. The concept was that baptism conferred divine grace essential for salvation, regardless of age.
What is the Eastern rite of baptism?
Baptism in the East, a religious practice that began in the 15th and 16th centuries, involves a person being “inscribed into the flock of God’s inheritance” by a priest. The act is marked by immersion, and the sacrament of Christmation is administered immediately after Baptism. The newly-baptized Christian is anointed with the “Holy Chrism”, a mixture of oils and balsam blessed on Holy Thursday, symbolizing the “seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit”. The Holy Eucharist is typically distributed during Divine Liturgy, with the priest using a spoon to place the “Holy Gifts” in the mouths of the communicants.
Is Russian Orthodox like Catholic?
Eastern-rite Catholics are part of the Catholic Church, despite differences in custom and liturgical practice from Western Catholics. Eastern Orthodox Christians share similarities with Catholics but are still in schism, separated from the pope’s authority. Pope John Paul II’s ecumenical agenda focuses on resolving the rift between the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodoxy. Praying for the Holy Spirit’s help in healing wounds and restoring full communion between the two churches.
Can you baptize a baby in two religions?
Baptism is a crucial spiritual act that instills a person’s indelible spiritual mark of belonging to Christ. It cannot be repeated and is inviolable, even if sin prevents it from bearing the fruits of salvation. Baptisms from other Christian communities are valid if administered using the Trinitarian formula, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop, priest, and deacon in the Latin Church.
In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, can baptize using the Trinitarian baptismal formula, provided they have the intention to do what the Church does when baptizing. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation. The 1983 Code of Canon Law addresses cases where the validity of a person’s baptism is in doubt.
Can you be baptized twice Orthodox?
The Eastern Orthodox Church has reported instances of re-baptizing converts from Protestant and Catholic churches, though this varies from diocese to diocese. Within the Orthodox Church in America, converts are chrismated rather than rebaptized. Rebaptism in Christianity is the baptism of a person who has previously been baptized, usually in association with a denomination that does not recognize the validity of the previous baptism. This is a sign of significant differences in theology.
Denominations that practice exclusive believer’s baptism, such as Baptists and Churches of Christ, rebaptize those who were baptized as infants because they do not consider infant baptism to be valid. The Catholic Church holds that rebaptism is not possible.
Do Russian Orthodox baptize?
The Russian Orthodox Church typically provides a baptismal cross, which should be of an Orthodox Christian style. If unable to obtain one, the parish rector should be consulted. Baptism outside Russia involves full immersion, with babies and small children being baptized without clothing. Older children and adults are baptized in a new white t-shirt and shorts. An Orthodox Christian name is customary, a saint’s name of the same gender as the candidate.
Candidates arrive at church in their usual clothes and receive a new white towel for drying after immersion. After the service, babies and small children are undressed and wrapped in the towel, while adults change into their white t-shirt and shorts.
Are Russian Orthodox baptized?
Children are baptized with the understanding that their parents and godparents will attend to their growth and eventual conversion to Orthodox Christianity. The family is encouraged to form an ongoing relationship with the parish and participate in church life. Adults wishing to be received into the Orthodox Church should attend services and become involved in parish life. There is no fixed period or formal program for reception, and the parish rector, in consultation with the Diocesan Bishop, makes decisions about each individual’s reception. The Holy Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation are performed in church during a 45-minute special service, which is good for family and friends to pray for the person being baptised.
Who can baptize in the Eastern Orthodox Church?
In the absence of an Orthodox clergyman, a layman or other Christian is permitted to baptize an infant by sprinkling water on the child and repeating the phrase “The servant of God (name), is baptized in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
📹 Why Baptizing Your Baby Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do
Why does the Catholic Church baptize babies rather than wait until they are older and capable of choosing this sacrament for …
My daughter was supposed to be baptized on 12/28/19 just before she turned 2 months old. On 12/27/19, however, she was ambulanced to our state’s major children’s hospital for seizures. I remember calling the priest crying, letting him know we wouldn’t be able to have the baptism the next day. I was heartbroken. After my daughter’s health continued to decline and it seemed like we were going backwards instead of forwards in terms of figuring everything out medically, I decided on 1/5/20 we would have her baptized in the hospital on the next day. (On Epiphany!) I was so sad because I had always envisioned a big celebration at the church where we attended and having tons of friends there, my daughter getting to wear a special baptismal gown, etc. and all of those dreams were dashed because of the issue of only allowed to have so many people in the NICU. Even though this was before the pandemic, everyone in the room had to wear masks and medical robes and only a few people could be physically in the room. Even though it wasn’t what I envisioned, her baptism was beautiful and special in its own way. The important thing was she was getting baptized. After her baptism, although she didn’t get better immediately, we started to get answers and things started improving from then. I am happy to say she is happy and healthy now and a beautiful 3-year old little girl. I am so happy with the decision I made to have her baptized in the hospital. Such a special gift.
Love baptism! I had an emergency baptism in the hospital the day I was born and I was a premie born around 3 months early at around 1 something pounds. So grateful for that gift. It was a miracle and I believe through baptism, all the prayers and God’s will that I am here today with no complications. I was born on my aunt’s birthday ^_^ Thank you God!^_^🙏❤
Im Protestant but I love your scriptural explanation of the importance of baptism. I feel this is a lacking of emphasis among Protestants. Even as an adult, baptism really does change things spiritually. It’s always beneficial to follow the precepts set forth in the Bible, and if Jesus did there certainly must be a profoundness to it. And I agree that as a parent your faith for your children is of importance. Thanks for your explanation. Love this and it’s so beautiful,
I genuinely feel like it’s up to a person to come to God in their time, when they decide . Because my mom had my sister do the repentance prayer a couple years back and nothing happened. But 2 weeks ago my sister asked and wanted to do the repentance prayer and she felt the Holy Spirit come into her . She cried as she felt something lift off of her and she hasn’t been the same since . Same with me a couple months back . One has to confess when they desire to do so . Babies do not understand what sin is . Baptized or not, whether they believe it will help them they will still fall and learn sin . But they need to still confess with their lips and understand what it means to give your life to God and turn away from sin . And that they need a savior . A baby does not know that . Even my sister didn’t fully know what it means to need a savior until she herself came and asked . And in their room . She was reborn .
I have been listening to your CIY after listening to much of your BIY – I am a cradle non-denominational Christian (which is starting to sound more silly the more I am learning) and always had this belief that baptism is something you do when you profess your faith- however, through reading ahead in the catechism, Scott Hahn’s book, and hearing you speak (crazy the timing of this article!) baptizing children makes so much sense and it has been heavy on my mind and heart for my 3 children…I just don’t know what to do at this point. I believe I read in the catechism – baptism is baptism, in or out of the catholic church… I am still learning so much more about the catholic church and areas of belief that I have engrained in me that are now being called into question- I appreciated how you said in an earlier CIY episode that God revealed Himself over time and I am taking that to heart personally- as He is revealing Himself and His truth to me over time…but as of this moment, my family is not ready to switch churches (we are committed to leadership roles and my husband is not on this same journey of learning about the Catholic church, however he did just start BIY this year!) but I feel a sense of urgency to act in regards to baptism of my children and am not sure the next steps to take. #askfrmike (I am also trying to understand the belief of the Holy Spirit working in children – and if baptism makes a difference in regards to the Holy Spirit helping my children through life)
This is a remarkable exegesis of Mark 2. How do we know that “their faith” refers only to the faith of the 4 friends who transported the paralyzed man? Wouldn’t “their faith” have included the faith of the paralyzed man? Does the Catholic Church really hold that the paralyzed man received forgiveness of sins despite having no personal faith of his own??
I am a Christian but not part of the Catholic faith but I love listening to Priest Mike to learn more about the Catholic faith. He is a great representation of Christianity as a whole and we need more men like him in God’s Army. I disagree with aspects of the Catholic religion but have nothing but love for them. We are all of the same team against Satan. Keep up the good work brothers and sisters. Much love 🙂
Baptism is a wonderful sacrament. It gives the best possible start in life to a child. It gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit and incorporates them into the mystical Body of Christ. Yes, as they grow up, they have to commit themselves afresh to Christ and His Church, which I think is what Confirmation is about. This is not to say that unbaptised people are outside the scope of salvation.
I love this article. I’m in a lot of mom groups and someone said that they were waiting until their babies first birthday to get them baptized so that they could combine the birthday party and the baptism celebration. I told them that they really should try to get the baby baptized as soon as they can, since it’s such a dire thing, if you truly believe in the power of it, but she said “tHaT’s NoT wHaT i WaS aSkInG aBoUt!!!!” (in all fairness, she was asking about party decorations) Ugh. So many lukewarm Catholics and Catholics by name only who don’t understand why we do what we do (or don’t really believe in the things we do)
Mike, I know the love you have for the Father & the gospel of Jesus Christ & all the saints. I know you will one day come to the full knowledge of the truth that is hidden in Christ Jesus. On this day you will abandon all else for the sake of the gospel & bring many into the fold, Catholic & Protestant, Sinner & wandering Saints. In Christ Jesus let it be so. ❤️
Thank you. I needed to hear that. I go to a nondenominational church called Faith Promise. I learned a lot about scripture because of them but most of them don’t believe in infant baptisms because the infants don’t have full awareness of what is happening and haven’t made the conscious decision to follow Jesus. I got baptized as a baby in the United Methodist Church and was contemplating getting re-baptized but I always felt some pull away from it. Now I know why. It was my family’s faith that got me started as a baby and years later I made conscious decision to fully accept Jesus.
My wife and I are non religious and raised catholic. We are planning on sending him to a Catholic school and we’re considering baptism for him so he would be able to participate fully and grow in his faith if he chooses. My interpretation from the article is that he would not be allowed to be baptized because of his parents non belief. Is this correct?
My challenge to infant baptism is the process of adult baptism itself. Adults receive instruction before being allowed to be baptized. If the concept at play with infant baptism is true & correct, adult baptism would go something like this…1)Adult expresses interest in becoming a Christian, they would then 2)take a vow to receive training, instruction, and to continue in the faith (similar to the vow parents make regarding an infant, but for themselves), and then as soon as possible 3)be baptized. Wouldn’t spiritual instruction be better received by someone who has been made a child of God by baptism FIRST?
Hi! I just wanted to say that baptism is for those who believe in Christ, not for babies who haven’t had the chance yet. Baptism isn’t what saves us, God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ does. In the word, it’s clear that you are to be baptized after you believe. “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.” -Acts 8:36-37 KJV. The act of physical baptism isn’t what makes the Holy Spirit indwell in us either. In Acts chapter 10, it is demonstrated that the Holy Spirit comes to us when we believe, NOT when we are water baptized. “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” – Acts 10:47 KJV. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit when we believe. “In Christ ye also trusted after ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, in Whom also after ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” -Ephesians 1:13 KJV. I urge you to not be led astray by man made traditions and interpretations, but to instead let God lead you in truth. Don’t just go by others interpretations of scripture and what others say, read for yourself and allow our merciful God to guide you! Have a blessed day! 😊💕
I think we can both agree that baptism is only affective when accompanied by faith. Meaning that baptism is a seed that must be watered through the transmission of faith. Because of the absence of reason, a child’s faith cannot be measured. Rather we ask that of their parents and godparents and so they receive the holy charge of transmitting the faith to the child. What happens when we have parents that dont have faith and request baptism? Or when we have parents in this same situation who are unable to find any one in their entourage who has any faith to be their child’s godparent? Should baptism in that case be refused? I feel that if we were to baptise children in this situation, we would just be feeding the common notion as you yourself stated, that baptism is a mere cultural or magical act. Would love to hear back from you father!
My daughter was born May 16, 2019. I wanted to have her baptism at St. Patrick’s in New Orleans. It’s a very beautiful and old church who’s patron Saint is St. Michael the Archangel. When I started attending the baptism classes I learned about the Old Latin Rite baptism. One night I just got it into my head that I wanted my daughter baptized in the Old Latin Rite. The first availability for her baptism just so happened to fall on Sunday, September 29, 2019…St. Michael’s feast day. At the time I just thought it would be a beautiful ceremony to have in St. Patrick’s. Little did I know that decision would hold much more significance than I could have ever imagined. About 1 month after her birth we started experiencing demonic activity in our home, but I had no clue about what was happening until things started photobombing all my pictures 2 years later in March 2021 & the events which followed in the months after were horrific eventually leading to me running (literally) out of the house where we had been living with my child & we never returned. Things were so bad the archdiocese got involved & a team of exorcists began helping us which is when I learned the ugly truth of the situation I had been dealing with. I was in a state of shock & disbelief for a long time & it was hard to come to terms with it all & came what was happening but everything that I was experiencing started to make complete sense the more I was educated on the matter. The next year was spent trying to identify what the entry point(s) & causes were that had invited this evil into our lives.
How many times have we heard the gospel passage proclaimed of the paralyzed man whose friends lower him into Jesus’ presence, and haven’t paid attention to the verse that says when Jesus saw the faith of his friends he was moved to heal him? I know it took me years to comprehend that concept. I’m glad Fr. Mike brought that out besides the traditional argument to illustrate our practice.
Iam Catholic, Baptized, went to a Catholic School, I fell away for many years, but not My belief in the Lord, and lately there has been a urge to come back to my childhood Church, no matter how painful the memories, my Father recently passed, and we had lived when I was a child right down the street, my youngest 2 Children, 14 and 12 are not Baptized but want to be and become Catholic, especially my Daughter, and I would love this for her, I just don’t know how to go about doing this, as I was a baby when I was Baptized as was everyone in my childhood Family who are all with God now. Could someone please help me ? Thank you .
In order to baptize a child the parents had to give months’ notice, take classes, etc. In the first class I took, we were asked what baptism meant to us. No wrong answers. I said, well, the removal of original sin for one thing. Another parent told me he once thought that, also, but then he matured in his faith. No one said anything. In my second class I had to bring my kid with. I sat in a room with a lot of single moms while a young traditional couple lectured everyone about the Church’s teachings on birth control and sex outside marriage. All these women just trying to do the right thing by their children had to be scolded for weeks before they were allowed. The third class was taught by a nun who asked what we needed to do to “get into heaven” and then told us “do what the Church teaches”. I asked each time why I had to retake classes. Because things might have changed, I was told. Baptism changes? Our marriage prep classes taught us some artificial contraception was o.k. Our oldest daughter’s communion teacher made the parents come in for a lecture on what she had learned from her Masters from Loyola, then told us she had to “set aside” some of the Church’s teachings. Our middle daughter had a religious ed teacher talk about how the Eucharist wasn’t really the body and blood (maybe there was a misunderstanding there) My husband has been trying to get a conditional baptism for over 5 years. The bishop set us up with classes so we could sit with a priest and get “approved”.
Baptism in the Bible Households are Baptized Acts 16:15 Acts 16:33 1 Corinthians 1:16 Let the little children come to me Matthew 19:14 Baptism Replaces Circumcision Colossians 2:11–12 Baptism for the forgiveness of Sins and Gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:38-39 Baptism Now Saves 1 Peter 3:21 People Bringing Babies to Jesus Luke 18:15-16 Baptism Formula Ephesians 4:4-6 One Baptism Matthew 28:18-20 Can only adults be baptized? The Bible does not say that only adults should be baptized (Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, 1 Corinthians 1:16)? Are not babies and children part of a household (Luke 18:15-16, Matthew 19:14)? When you file your taxes, do you exclude your small children as dependents? If only those who have the intellectual capacity (age of reason) to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior can be baptized (saved), by this logic, those with cognitive disabilities cannot be baptized. Unfortunately, there are some Protestant churches who teach that children with Down syndrome and other types of cognitive disabilities cannot be baptized. The “Only children who reach the age of accountability can be baptized.” rule is a Protestant man-made rule that is unbiblical. Baptism replaced circumcision. In the Bible, Jewish people didn’t wait to circumcise their son’s until they grew up and decided for themselves that they wanted to become Jewish. Likewise, the children of Christians must be baptized (Colossians 2:11–12). There is no good reasons to place impediments. How many times can a person be baptized?
My son and his wife are expecting twins. Neither of them believe in God. Is it possible for a lay person to baptize these children? Must a Priest do it? I don’t know how to handle this situation. I’ve been praying for guidance. I don’t know if you answer any of these questions, but I sure would love to hear your wisdom here. Thanks.
Canon 868 §1. For an infant to be baptized licitly: 2/ there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed according to the prescripts of particular law after the parents have been advised about the reason.
Father mike, hello there I hope you’re doing good. I have a question, so I recently gave birth to my son and I got my placenta encapsulated. I never even thought of wether or not it’s ok to consume one’s placenta as a catholic, would you happen to know if it is ok to do so? I’m just worried that I might’ve spent $400 on getting this done for no reason 😓
I need advice, if you’re able to give it. My fiance is Catholic and heavy set on baptising our future children. I am not Catholic, or even especially Christian. I know God and Jesus to be true, but that has never been the path I followed and, as such, I’m uncomfortable with the idea of performing in this ceremony with my children. I am solid on my path and have never had any desire to change it, so to vow myself and my child to God would feel disingenuous, but I don’t want this to be a breaking point in my relationship. Do you have any advice that would help me feel more comfortable with this ceremony?
Baptism is a public declaration that you ( the person being baptized ) has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior. A child, especially an infant, cannot make the rational decision to to ask Jesus to forgive them. At least until that child reaches the “age of understanding. ” The act of being baptized does not get anyone in to heaven.
I used to make beautiful baptismal gowns for babies. But when I moved out west for a few years, they told me that I was making them in the wrong size. I was making them for newborns, and was told that parents out there are waiting till children are about 6 months old. Yikes! That’s a long time for your little baby to be without the protection of this beautiful sacrament!
The Eastern Churches also chrismate (confirm) and commune infants (Canon 697). In a recent book, a theologian wrote that to be baptized is to be divinized. However, taking into account the traditional stages of the Christian spiritual life, 1) Purification, 2) Illumination, and 3) Divinization, this account appears to be potentially mistaken, despite every legitimate point that Fr. Mike has made in this article. Another theologian I was recently reading equates baptism with the first stage, and Pentecost (the experience of which every saint has) with divinization. God bless, Fr. Mike! 😄✝
Greetings Father Mike, Thoughts :- – Message reflects with Distinguishing aspects of ‘Human Conception through Consummation’ and ‘Lord Jesus Christ Immaculate Conception’. – ‘Sacramental Infant Baptism’ is revealing moment of ‘Born in Holy Faith’ in the Path of Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks with Prayers, RanjithJoseph (R.J)
Thank you for this! I recently researched my sacraments because my birthday falls during Lent and it never felt appropriate to celebrate during Lent so I’ve decided to celebrate the days of my sacraments instead. Then I found out my Baptism was April 7, so this year Good Friday, what a blessing! I also found out who baptized me; Bishop Amos. I decided to write him a thank you note as I was too young as a baby to thank him then. Hopefully 1/2 a century later isn’t too long to give thanks. Truly, without my Catholic faith I would have nothing.
As Catholics, we have to live in the supernatural, too. We have to believe that there’s a whole lot more happening behind-the-scenes and beyond what our eyes can see so we can live our faith fully. Baptism does something. It protects the baby from demonic possession and oppression, and helps them enter heaven in any case of untimely demise. I recently got Confirmed, and what happens there is that the Holy Spirit the apostles received during Pentecost comes down on you–and I do feel a change. My habitual sins are starting to loosen their grip on me, and I hope it continues until I’m totally free. God bless you, my friends.
I have a question my mother is Methodist and my father is IFA or yoruba(their Mexican and Cuban btw) and since they have these different religions they never baptized me my mother believed I should decide for myself if I wanted to have a relationship with god and Jesus however she also presented the argument that the Catholic Church baptizes to remove the original sin however why would they need to do this if Jesus died for our sins any original sin that the baby would have had would have been automatically removed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ so why would their be a need for infant baptism be needed ?
The first infant baptisms didn’t happen until late into the third century. Around the same time that the sprinkling water on the head was considered baptism. Both of these were unheard of in the early church. Those who had the ability to choose were baptized strictly by immersion. Scripture tells us to go teach people to believe, then baptize. Christ’s last words on earth. Pretty important. Yet somehow we decided somewhere along the way it was okay to “baptize” without consent or the ability to believe. It goes against the principles taught by the apostles and it’s is a false teaching of the post Constantine Catholic church. I was sprinkled as an infant but realized that my salvation needed to be my choice. A gift I needed to willingly accept. So I was immersed into the waters of baptism at a consenting age.
The other perspective is that “born of water” refers to spiritual cleansing and that Nicodemus would have naturally understood it that way. According to this view, “born of water” and “born of the Spirit” are different ways of saying the same thing, once metaphorically and once literally. Jesus’ words “born of water and the Spirit” describe different aspects of the same spiritual birth, or of what it means to be “born again.” So, when Jesus told Nicodemus that he must “be born of water,” He was referring to his need for spiritual cleansing. Throughout the Old Testament, water is used figuratively of spiritual cleansing. For example, Ezekiel 36:25 says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities” (see also Numbers 19:17–19; and Psalm 51:2, 7). Nicodemus, a teacher of the law, would surely have been familiar with the concept of physical water representing spiritual purification. The New Testament, too, uses water as a figure of the new birth. Regeneration is called a “washing” brought about by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God at the moment of salvation (Titus 3:5; cf. Ephesians 5:26; John 13:10). Christians are “washed . . . sanctified . . . justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). The “washing” Paul speaks of here is a spiritual one. Whichever perspective is correct, one thing is certain: Jesus was not teaching that one must be baptized in water in order to be saved.
Father Mike, good morning, your question from the belonging series about the twins and baptism is used as the main talking point when our parents gather to help prepare for them for their child’s baptism…thank for the example of the paralytic! Mind blown…or how did I not see that? You are a blessing!
How does Acts 10 or acts 16 work? Belief and baptized. That’s the order. And really where does it say in the Bible that water baptism, water, say that it makes you a child of God? 1 Peter 3 is not talking about water baptism. Being baptized into the spirit. There’s at least 4 different types of baptism, 3 of which have nothing to do with water. Baptism does not mean water automatically. Please show where water baptism changes you and makes you a child of God. Thank you
Just a question; I read in the Bible that Jesus chose to be baptized as a grownup even when he did not have any sins. There are other mentions about baptism mentioned in the book of acts, but to say that baptism saves is carrying it too far doesn’t it? I understand that faith in Jesus is the saving factor.
It’s interesting that just yesterday Catholic Answers Live speaks of a parent who is not a practicing Catholic who promises to raise the child in the faith by keeping the works of the church can have a child baptized. By whose faith is the child receiving salvation? If the parent is not required to have any faith but is performing the required works of the church, wouldn’t that make the child’s baptism worthless? Following Fr. Mike’s reasoning, anyone can be baptized in the church as long as someone anywhere on the planet has faith. This makes no sense. God bless.
My parents have always told me I was emergency baptised (as non Catholic Christian) as a newborn because Drs said I would not live to see the sunrise, which would be about 6 hrs after my birth. Drs were a little off…I am 60 plus years old now. I have never seen any formal record of my baptism, though. Does that matter?
It is the coming together of the family and friends on earth with the Holy Trinity, communion of saints in Heaven to watch over and protect this child. A parent doesn’t have but 2 eyes to see but God parents, family and friends have many eyes, and in many more places to watch over the child should they be walking in the wrong direction, let them know that what they are truly looking for, is at the end of the other way. Good going on another home run article Fr. Mike 😊🌹🍀
If you read the entirety of John 3, it is literally speaking of natural birth(flesh)and to be born again is of the Spirit(rebirth). Each verse expounds on the previous verse. How can you be born again unless you confess your faith knowing full well what that is? I was baptized as a baby too, but later on I was baptized as an adult after accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I was born again as in the Spirit in which John 3 is speeking of. We are born in the flesh through water, and we are born again by the Spirit through our testimony, we get baptized as an act of obedience as mentioned in Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” So it is an outward symbol of an inward change(repentance happens 1st), it was meant to be a witness to those around us perusal the baptism. Also, while the Bible doesn’t directly say this it is implied that children of at least one believing parent is sanctified under them before the “age of accountability ” or before they know the difference between right and wrong where they are contious of there sins. This is spoken of in 1 Corinthians 7:14! Contexts folks, is everything! Otherwise we can be led astray by false teachers!
Then why wasn’t John baptizing infants, he was saying repent, turn away from doing bad things My grandparents took me to be christened when I was a baby that’s what they called it at their parish I think you made some good points we believe in some of the same things. As a child with my grandparents took me to their church and I went through first holy communion and confirmation in which I chose the name Michael by the way. I as an adult got baptized in what we call a believer’s baptism I enjoyed your message.
Great explanation – it makes tremendous sense. I’ve always loved how baptisms performed during Mass allow the entire congregation to renew their own baptismal vows, too. The vows that the parents and godparents make on the infant’s behalf should strengthen their own convictions to raise the child in God’s graces.
Many Protestant denominations seem to see baptism as a sacrament, something metaphysically holy and to be set apart for the Lord, they just (some of them, like anabaptists) think that you need to be almost grown to make that decision (it needs to be an act of faith and willingly and wantingly entering into the new covenant through Jesus). The Bible doesn’t talk about children and babies getting baptized (although it does mention households getting baptized which could include children), It does however talk about having faith, wanting to follow God and believing Jesus was the perfect sacrificial lamb to cleans our sins, then getting baptized.
I was not baptized as in infant (I am also adopted) I must take a classes for a year to be able to be baptized as an adult, I feel so strong about becoming a catholic I have no problem with this, however, my health is poor at this time and I am unable to drive at the moment to attend classes. Hoping through grace I will be able to start my journey soon.
Father Mike, what do you think I should do if I don’t feel a connection with my priest? Our daughter’s baptism was supposed to be such a highlight in our lives. However, the priest seemed unprepared and kept forgetting her name or calling her the wrong name. We’ve been a part of the parish for a number of years, before he was appointed to our parish for our late Father Jerry. We are thankful our daughter received the sacrament and are excited for our future children to receive it as well. But, we want the experience to be enjoyable as well.
The Jews circumcise their sons within about 8 days to bring them into their Covenant. Would the Jews and gentiles expect that their children would be Baptised to bring them into the New Covenant? I don’t think there would have been 3,000 saved in one day if their children couldn’t come as well. When Peter visited Cornelius the Roman the whole family was brought into the church.
This is some serious extrapolation to justify infant baptism. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” You are assuming that Jesus didn’t mean the paralyzed man as part of “their faith.” Also, I would argue the paralyzed man obviously had faith otherwise I doubt he would have allowed his friends to do that. This is also some serious mental gymnastics to arrive at your conclusion.
I have a two year old and a three month old. I was baptized as a baby in the Lutheran church, but didn’t remember it or feel involved with it so I chose to be baptized again as an adult. In our current church, people get baptized when they choose to later in life. My husband was baptized when he was 10 or so. We are attending the church he grew up in now.
baptism should be reserved for those who first make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. This view is known as believer’s baptism, or “credobaptism.” Jesus was baptized by John (Matthew 3:13–17; Luke 3:21) and taught His disciples to baptize those who repented of their sins, believed in Him, and received salvation in His name (Acts 2:4, 38; 9:17–18; Matthew 28:19). Those who hold to believer’s baptism see it as an important initial act of obedience that a person makes after accepting Jesus as Lord—baptism is a public testimony of faith. And baptism by immersion clearly shows one’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (see Acts 2:38–41; 16:29–34; and Romans 6:3–4). Pouring or sprinkling, the method used in infant baptism, fails to illustrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Babbies don’t know right from wrong! They are not to be baptized!!!! They are innocent and if they die young they go to Heaven. Peter himself said that you need to believe, repent of your sins and then get water baptized( body fully in the water) and then you’ll receive the Holy Spirit. Why do we twist and change what Jesus and the apostles taught???Children can and should be baptized only after believing in Jesus’ gospel of salvation, then they repent, and are baptized in water and receive the Holy Spirit. ( children who know right from wrong!) Please look up Dan Corner or Soul Refuge) Please, please pray to God the Father in Jesus’ name with all your heart for truth! Remember that Satan has deceived so many throughout the ages. People forget that Jesus himself said that he could come in many forms! One being an angel. Test the spirits we are told! Why do we forget😢 Grace be with you
Why not do both?? It seems that both infant Baptism and Baptism at an age when the person being baptized can remember the beautiful ceremony are Both very important. PLUS…. on another issue related to baptism, in the “olden days” the Catholic Church’s Baptism Ritual included an exorcism “prayer” – yet in recent decades the full rite has been omitted – therefore “watered down”. The full Baptismal Rite should be brought back – It has more power. (Why would it be weakened in the first place???). – Lynda Power
Most Protestant denominations also practice infant baptism. It’s only the denominations that arose in America (Baptists, Evangelicals, etc) that don’t hold to the theology on Original Sin. The Lutherans, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Reformed, and Methodists all practice infant baptism, and those baptisms are recognized as valid by the Roman Catholic Church if you have documentation.
No no no no, here we are with Catholics again mishandling the words of God. Y’all need to take heed the warnings of Christ in the book of Revelations (Deut 4:2, Rev 22:18-19). If you are using the term “children of God’ you are operating under a paradigm that phrase refers alone to those who have accepted Christ. All are created in His image (Gen 1:27, James 3:7-9), not all bear the distinction of “child of God” (John 1:9-13). When you tell people that when they were baptized as a baby they become a child of God, you are misleading them in thinking they were at that point saved. John clearly draws the distinction that “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” It is through accepting of Christ’s propitiation for our sin (1John 2:1-2, 5:13) that we are made a child of God. You cannot do that as a baby. If there have been generations of Catholics raised in this belief, then there will be millions of people believing and teaching falsely an alternate doctrine of salvation, which you are at least alluding to here. You are greatly deceiving people, giving them a false sense of hope for themselves or loved ones, instead of spending the time in fellowship with God, especially to fear Him and heed properly his word. Receiving Jesus is clearly laid out as a conscience choice, and for the sake of unity with God (John 17). Works only prove salvation, they do not grant it (James 2). Romans says it all, and Martin Luther tried to remind you, but we may need a new set of thesis for the Catholics.
Did John the Baptist commit theological malpractice? At the time John the Baptist was baptizing Jews in the Jordan River the mechanism for the forgiveness of sins involved animal sacrifices under the Mosaic law. The sacrifice of Jesus in atonement for our sins had not yet happened but the time was near. We read in Mark 1:4 about a new mechanism for the forgiveness of sins, “so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. What are we to say if we believe that the baptisms of John were only symbolic? If the repentance and baptism did not forgive sins then John was a liar! The Jews would have been better to stick with the law God gave Moses! John the Baptist committed theological malpractice!!! Indeed none of that is true because the baptism did remove sin during the transition period between Mosaic law and The Law of Christ. As Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). Indeed the mechanism of baptism remains one tool for the forgiveness of sins today. Acts 2:38, Peter 3:21.
The historical Protestant view agrees: Baptism is essential for the divine Covenant with the national community. But not only does keeping the Covenant help preserve the nation, but it also becomes whereby God begets his believers from above. Baptism, the sign and seal of the Covenant, brings the individual into the community where he receives other means of grace and learns from preaching who God is and why we must have in Jesus Christ alone. Ancient Greek church architecture and art show both infant baptism and baptism of youth under a stream of cool, fresh water pouring out from scuttles or spigots. These can be found long AFTER infant baptism was Imperial law! There is only one baptism, so perhaps the architecture and art reflect some kind of realization of the baptismal Covenant they received as infants and after the youth were recently catechized and confirmed in a living faith.
Fundamentalists always debate over this topic & act like the 4th commandment doesn’t co-op with this. You should honor thy father & mother, in which many of our parents are responsible for our introduction to God. Saying baptism exclusively has to be an act of personal redemption is just extreme, it’s almost like banning children from exposure to god. Glad I was raised in faith at a young age for which I’d likely would’ve never followed God if it wasn’t up for my upbringing.
Four conditions for salvation? Baptism, Eucharist, faith, and doing the Father’s will? We can add nothing to our salvation. It is through Christ and Christ alone. As far as infant baptism there is no record of that anywhere in Scripture. Babies and children were dedicated to the Lord. Not baptized. And to somehow equate the story in Mark and tie it into infant baptism is a stretch beyond belief. There is much confusion about baptism in the various Christian denominations. However, this is not a result of the Bible presenting a confusing message on baptism. The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes. In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized – as a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4). Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ. It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. With this in view, infant baptism is not a Biblical practice. An infant cannot place his or her faith in Christ. An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ. An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes. The Bible does not record any infants being baptized. Infant baptism is the origin of the sprinkling and pouring methods of baptism – as it is unwise and unsafe to immerse an infant under water. Even the method of infant baptism fails to agree with the Bible.
“It’s the parents’ faith that saves and not the baby’s” feels like kind of a weak arguement to me… Trying to find a convincing arguement for my athiest friend. “It’s a free gift” however feels SO much more profound. It really speaks to the generous nature of God’s grace. Abundant it is! Mass and Confession are free after all!!! I’ll run this by my friend and see if it touches her at all. Please pray heavily for her re-conversion ❤️❤️
My wife and I had a complicated pregnancy, to which after 11 days in the NICU, our precious daughter came home to us. A few weeks ago, we got her baptized. With great sorrow, just shy of 4 months, we lost her a week ago, and buried her yesterday. Her name is Lydia, and we were blessed to have Father come and also give her confirmation before she passed. Her confirmation Saint is St. Philomena. We will miss her greatly, but we also know through faith, that she immediately entered the kingdom of heaven unblemished and became a Saint herself. Now, she is up there looking over us, a Saint we can pray TO and also another Saint to assist in caring for curing infants like St. Philomena.
You cannot be baptized if you have no faith. I was saved a few years ago after receiving salvation through the Holy Spirit. I had never even read the Bible completely because the Old Testament was very hard to read and understand. I was compelled by the Holy Spirit to Read the New Testament first. After I came to an understanding that salvation comes through the belief in Christ and then being baptized through my belief in Christ, I was truly saved. While baptism is a very important part of Christianity, you must know why you are being baptized. Baptism without belief in Christ will not give you salvation. Understanding Christ and his message is the FIRST step to becoming a Christian. I was baptized as a baby but I was never saved until I ACCEPTED him as my savior. You cannot do that as a baby.
He keeps saying this word grace, but then goes on to describe something that isn’t grace at all. So does infant baptism save or not? According to him, if infant baptism is efficacious you still must maintain your salvation through works such as taking communion (how often do you need to though, just once?) and by vaguely “doing the will of the Father,” and I don’t remember the 4th thing he mentioned. “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” – Romans 11:5-6
Thanks Fr. Mike. I think of Jesus saying to John the Baptist when He wanted to be baptized (even though He is God), “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” (Mat 3: 15). That Baptism is a righteous thing to do, it’s something done not out of reason alone but because it is necessary and good by itself. And so to baptize a baby is a righteous thing to do, just as saving a baby from falling from a height is a righteous thing to do, and not a consent-conditioned action (that is if the baby wants to be saved from falling).
You’re wrong… You will have to answer one day for deceiving so many souls… No where in the Bible does it say to do this to children, nor to worship idols… You are working straight for the devil… Maybe the Catholic Bible says to do this but it’s so sad that you are so blind and blinding so many… The blind can’t lead the blind… I say this in the love of Christ… Please wake up
I was close to getting baptized as an infant. The problem was my parents weren’t believing or faithful and the priest ended up being rude to them. They left in the middle of it. I really wish I was baptized so I can experience God and Jesus Christ more. It kind of sucks to be in a household where nobody else really believes in God, but I trust that me giving him my all will let God create an awesome story for me and for others.
Your an awesome priest. And I love your reasoning, the faith of someone else, a parent cant push the baby into the faith through baptism. My challenge is, you must repent and be saved. It’s a conscious understanding. Baptism is a choice. Babies don’t have that logic. Babies are perfect, thus not needed. I love your example though makes me think. Can’t get around repent and be baptized. How can a baby do that.
Lots of Protestants here likely did not watch the article! And the common error: “If it’s not in the Bible, it can’t possibly be true/Sacrament/a practice.” Tradition and Scripture are equal. The Bible didn’t exist until 400 years after Christ. Read Clement and Matyr. And just so you think I didn’t cite Scripture. Truth & Life App 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21 RSV-CE
Catholicism has never made sense to me we have a direct line to God through Jesus we don’t need a priest to talk to him. Catholicism feels like Jewish people that wanted a free pass to Heven without changing their habits and rituals. If anyone can help me understand why Catholicism above Protestantism I will seriously consider.
This is false teaching. To say that there are 4 things necessary for salvation is to say that’s Jesus’ death was not enough to cleanse us of our sins. There is no biblical support for infant baptism. Jesus himself gave us the example of baptism. Why wasn’t he baptized as an infant if this is the way it is to be done?
Christain children born are already clean & holy 1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. So baptism is ONLY via the person’s faith alone not the parents or guardian
God gives us physical life through our parents and through our parents obeying the call of God we are given the gift of baptism which erases the only sin an infant can have – original sin. So they are now perfected and fit for heaven, while they learn and grow in faith. Baptism is a calling from God to us, not an action by us to God which is a “work” that the fundamentalists so rail against.
Please pray for my babies and I so I can have them baptized. The fam and friends that are “taking care” of them don’t know how much they need that baptism and prayer, people hate me and want to hurt us, simply because God blessed me with many talents and they aren’t and haven’t asked. Daemons hurt our babies at the M base. Our enemies are praying to Satan.
No, baptism is NOT necessary for salvation. It is a public expression. There is only 1 thing that saves you: accepting Jesus. That is it. A baby cannot be washed of their sins through baptism because they haven’t even committed any sins yet. And the nail in the coffin is the sinner nailed on the cross alongside Jesus. He believed and accepted Jesus and Jesus told Him “TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.” The sinner didnt come down off the cross to be baptized. He died and then went straight to heaven. Catholics have this all wrong
GOD’s prophet speaks: Baptizing a baby is entirely meaningless. But raising a child with love and to be aware of GOD is meaningful. I am the prophesied return of Elijah, whom the Bible tells you also came as John the Baptist. People must learn to think for themselves and learn to DESIRE Truth; not social acceptance. Orthodox Christianity is incorrect concerning ALL of its “sacraments,” and doesn’t even understand the “Good News” (“Gospel”) of He Who said: “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of GOD…because that is why I was sent,” and “THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU.” And THAT is why I was sent. I communicate only through my sites.
Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus gives us the example of Baptism. We must come to God humbly, making the choice to follow the Lord. Babies simply cannot do this. Babies do not need to do this as they are born innocent. Baptizing a baby is like sprinkling an unconscious person with water. It serves no purpose. Baptism is really immersion anyway, remember Jesus went to John and was baptized in the river. He was not sprinkled at the well. Our Lord came up out of the water. I would encourage everyone to read the Bible and follow the Lord Jesus Christ’s example. He set the example to “fulfill all righteousness”.
Hi. Thank you for speaking clearly, but your understanding of the paralytic fails to recognize that he might have had something to do with it as well. The pronoun in greek is a 3rd person plural so an argument could be made for all of them (the four friends and he) exercising the faith. Additionally, when the Philippean Jailor asked “what must I do to be saved” Paul’s (and the others) response was “believe on the lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, you and your household. (Acts 16:31). Later on they were baptized. So you are right their are multiple things involved in a person’s salvation. Thank you for trying to bring clarity to a difficult subject.
No. Baptism (Hebrew Mikveh/Full submersion) is for ritual cleansing of the body, performed by the individual, not by another. Baptizing a baby is not in Scripture. Performing this act does nothing for them. We all make our own individual choices to accept or refuse Salvation by Grace and can do literally nothing to earn it.
Baptism is purely symbolic, but it is also the first outward step of obedience to Jesus. Baptism REPRESENTS the death and burial of the old man, which is repentance, as one is submerged under water. Coming out of the water REPRESENTS the new life in the Spirit through faith (repentance + obedience) in Jesus. There is no magic in the water. Baptism, like the Lord’s supper is an ordinance rather than a sacrament. A sacrament is a means of receiving grace. No grace is received in baptism. One is made a part of the Lord Jesus’ Church when they truly believe, repent, and follow Jesus. At that moment one receives the Gift of the Holy Spirit and one is born again. Baptism merely represents this and is a public proclamation of one’s faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Salvation CANNOT be earned of achieved through any act or effort. Salvation comes purely through faith in Jesus Christ.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God according to Roman’s 10:17 so how can a baby have faith if it can’t even understand language let alone the Bible. 1 Peter 3:21 says “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” Can a baby answer its own conscience to get baptized?
Baptism is a consequence of hearing the Word of God. It is by hearing of The Word that faith is increased which is attested into a Believer through baptism into Christ Jesus. Babies do not have the ability to Believe, therefore, babies should not be baptized until they can judge for themselves. Baptism must be a willing act each individual makes by themselves to repent, and babies do not have the discernment to do so for even Christ Jesus got baptized at the age of 30, not at birth.
There is also one great scripture line that confirms that, and that is when Paul said on 2 Col 2,11-12: “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” So if baptism is like new circumcision which was perfoemed 8th day after birth to be received in God’s nation, then there is no reason to do baptism as soon as possible after birth to be clensed of sin and become child of God.
What we need to remember is that Jesus “was not baptized at birth” ! He was dedicated at the temple but not baptized as an infant. That is not scriptural. He was baptized when he decided to commit to his father will and begin his journey. He was 30 years old when John the Baptist- baptized him. Think about it?
Wow. Conditions for salvation. Belief that a priest sprinkling water on a baby saves the baby’s soul. The first is works, the second is hubris. Tragic. A priest leading sinners to believe that all they needed was a spritz of water when they were a baby to get to heaven. You will have much to answer for one future day in eternity…….
Jesus said that you must be “born again” in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven. So let me point out the word “again” which clearly indicates that there was a “first” which of course was the natural birth of the flesh and through the mother’s water. (read John chapter 3) And according to Scripture, the second birth is accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, which results in us “dying with Him and being raised to New Life”. (see Romans chapter 6) This is why Jesus referred to salvation as being “born again”, which Scripture also says that when we accept Christ we are baptized into and with the Holy Spirit. The Catholic Church is determined to take the spiritual and make it into the physical. But salvation doesn’t work that way and that is not the true Gospel of Salvation. There is not one example of babies being baptized in Scripture, and the act of water baptism should come AFTER salvation, not before. (read Acts chapter 8) Water baptism is a public act of Faith…that you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior..and that you are a Child of God. It’s not magic, and the water does nothing…it’s just an act..but an act of extreme importance since Jesus asks for us to do this. But we should only do this when the person being baptized understands what is going on and has accepted Christ. Babies can’t do this. 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
I have a few questions, how then did the man next to Jesus on the cross go to the kingdom of God. And two why wasn’t Jesus baptized or any baby by John the baptists. Why did the first one who came before Christ to baptize not baptize infants with a sprinkle of water but instead baptize people who declared their faith in a river.
1. INFANT CHRISTENING. If infants could be ‘baptized’ then they should be served Holy Communion (“Mass”) too, thus demonstrating the absurdity of infant christenings. If they are not served Holy Communion too, it would constitute doctrinal duplicity, i.e., hypocrisy. 2. BAPTISM vs. CHRISTENING. I say ‘christening’ because, if by “baptism” is meant the “sprinkling” of babies, then they are not being ‘baptised’ in the true sense of the Word of God. The original Greek in this context (‘Baptizo’) means ‘to immerse in’ or ‘dip under’, symbolic of the spiritual funeral of the baptism candidate, and not as a rite for him to inducted into the Church. The sprinkling of babies would have demanded the word ‘Rantizo’ which is not used in the context of baptism (maybe in other contexts). 3. NO FORMAL INITIATION RITES IN THE CHURCH FOR INFANTS IN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITY. Why anyone would want to baptize infants is quite baffling because: – of infants Jesus has taught that “to such belongs the Kingdom of God”. – The Bible does not prescribe any ‘initiation rites” for infants for the very reason that to such belongs the Kingdom of God anyway. The habit of parents bringing infants to be devoted to the Lord (not to be ‘christened’) is another beautiful tradition but is not an initiation rite for infants, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God anyway. Evangelicals acknowledge two sacraments, i.e., the baptism (‘Baptizo’) of believers regardless of age (but on confession of faith) and Holy Communion (not Mass) because with Holy Communion the bread as well as the wine are served to believers.
Baptism by Grace of adults and children of all categories : The clearest: Psalm 51.7 to 9 linked to Genesis 6.5 and Psalm 58.3 – Numbers 12.11 to 12 – ACTS 2.38 to 39 (in upper room and not in water) linked to JOEL 2.12 to 16 – Hebrews 11.27 to 28 – Acts 10.47 (in the house of Cornelius) 1 Thessalonians 1.10 – Acts 1.5 linked to John 3.5 linked to Romans 3.21 to 31 and 6 .4 – Ephesians 5.26 and John 19.34 – Acts 2.3 – 19.3 – Proverb 4.23 – Titus 3.5 – Luke 12.49 to 50 linked to John 19.33 to 36 Matthew 19.14 – Ephesians 2.8 – 2 Timothy 1.9 – Ezekiel 36.25 – Zechariah 13.1 – John 7.38 – John 19.30 to 37 – 1 John 5.5 to 9 – Isaiah 44.3 (compare with 53 .2 ) linked to Hebrews 10.1 to 2 – 6.1 to 8 more precisely v7 and 8 – Revelation 12.4 – Deuteronomy 10.16 linked to Jeremiah 4.4 and Hosea 10.12
How sad some folks think that when Jesus said : we must be born of water and spirit They think Jesus is talking about water at human birth How dumb to think our Lord would say : You must be born naturally Then born of the spirit Of course we have to be born in the first place Jesus said : we must be BORN AGAIN 2 things required for second birth Water and spirit PERIOD
But isn’t baptism supposed to be an act of conscious faith? One that one takes to publicly present their faith and a conscious choice to be born again? A child cannot make such a choice or decide for themselves to be baptized, not can they sin or even understand the conscept of sin to be purified. It seems redundant to be baptized without understanding the implications.