Question by Hatefultroll: Do the Methodist have a time limit on Christenings since I missed my child being in infant baptism?
I’m waiting on her father to get home, my babies, do the Christening.
Best answer:
Answer by JoeBama
The idea of infant baptism is related to the mistaken idea that babies are born with the guilt of inherited sin. If a baby is guilty of sin, the thought is that they should be baptized to wash away that sin.
The Bible however teaches that “sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4) If a baby is guilty of sin, what law have they transgressed? A baby is not capable of transgressing, or even understanding, any law.
But, what about inherited sin (guilt)?
This idea goes against many verses, including Ezekiel 18:20.
“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”
This verse clearly teaches that children do not inherit the guilt of sin.
Those who teach infant baptism many times point to the households that were baptized in the New Testament. They assume these households had infants and those young children were included in the baptism.
This, however is just an assumption. It is risky to base your doctrine on a guess that cannot be proven from the Scriptures!
In fact, the context of many of these scriptures DISPROVE infant baptism. Notice for example the household of the keeper of the prison in Acts 16.
He was baptized with his household (verse 33). But notice also, all his household was taught ( verse 32), and they all believed (verse 34). An infant cannot be taught, and an infant cannot believe. Therefore, “household” here does not include any infants.
In fact, to be baptized one must first believe and repent, therefore, baptism is not for infants. (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
Notice the eunuch in Acts 8. He asked, “What hinders me from being baptized?” (verse 36) “Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’” (verse 37)
A baby cannot believe, therefore a baby would not meet this requirement for one to be baptized.
Acts 8:12 says, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” Notice it says they were baptized “when they believed” and the ones being baptized were “men and women”!
Acts 18:8 says, “And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” Notice the order. They heard, they believed, then they were baptized.
An infant cannot believe, therefore they are not yet candidates for scriptural baptism!
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