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Some "brands" of Christianity believe that one needs to be baptized as a baby. Meaning becoming a christian from a VERY young age.
However... the word "baptism" means to immerse, to plunge under water, to completely submerge. It does NOT mean "to sprinkle the head". Now who is going to completely submerge a baby? Nobody in their right mind.
Baptism is to represent being "buried with Jesus"...thus the plunging underwater. And then coming out of the water is parallel to Jesus' being raised to life again.
So, clearly baptism is a decision to be made by a young person or adult. A baby can not make the decison to become a christian or not. While it is a noble thing for parents to want the best for their baby, this one is a bit off the mark.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoThis term is more commonly called a Christening in some traditions.
An infant baptism is when parents take their baby (usually days old) to a priest to receive the sacrament of baptism where holy water is poured over the infant and the priest pronounces the words, "I baptise you, N., in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." It cleanses the infant of the original sin (the sin of Adam and Eve all humans are said to be born with) and any actual sin and incorporates the child into the Body of Christ making him a Christian and able to receive grace from the other sacraments.
Roman Catholic AnswerBaptism, the first of the seven sacraments, and the "door" which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died and rose for our justification. Baptism involves renouncing Satan and sin and making promises to lead a Christian life. Infant baptism is when the individual being baptised cannot make those promises for himself so his parents and sponsors answer for him and promise to bring him up in the faith. Extracted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.Wiki User
∙ 7y agoBaptism, the first of the seven sacraments, and the "door" which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died and rose for our justification. Baptism involves renouncing Satan and sin and making promises to lead a Christian life. Infant baptism is when the individual being baptized cannot make those promises for himself so his parents and sponsors answer for him and promise to bring him up in the faith. Extracted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
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What is children's baptism?
Here infants are baptized in the church.
Did catholics reject the idea of infant baptism?
Catholics did not reject the idea of infant baptism. Catholics have been baptizing eight-day old infants for a very long time.
Why do some christians baptize their young and not others?
The reason that some churches baptize infants and some do not depends upon what their understanding of baptism is and upon what conditions it is offered. Speaking generally.... The churches who not baptize infants practice "believers baptism", that is, the recipient must be of an age where they can choose to be baptized or not by themselves. They see baptism as a sign of the Christian's public profession of faith. Baptism in turn is primarily seen as a dying to sin and a rising with Christ, which is why these same churches frequently baptized by immersion. Churches who baptize infants see baptism as a mark of God's grace freely offered to us without any preconditions on on own (such as a renunciation of sin and a choosing of Christ). It is a mark of God's love, God's claim, on the infant, and is a visible sign that the infant is included in God's family. In many churches the infants parents must be Christians and promise to bring the child up in the Christian faith.
What is the first sacrament that Catholic Christians receive?
Baptism. It is required before any other sacrament is received. All sacraments give grace.
What is a baptismal font?
A small basin. Usually in the front of a Catholic or a different denomination of a Christian church that believes in water baptism for infants. Note: to the best of my knowledge, Protestants believe in dedicating services so this is not used. They believe that after a person comes to the age of concent that a full baptism immersion baptism is done.
What is the reletionship between baptism and comfirmation?
In the Catholic and Anglican churches, infants are baptized, but not confirmed until they have reached the age of reason. In the Orthodox Church, confirmation immediately follows baptism. In Protestant churches, confirmation is not considered a sacrament and is usually not performed.
What role does baptism play in the lives of Catholics?
Catholics are often baptized as infants so it plays no real role in their life because it was not a conscious decision by the child to get baptized. (Compare Acts 2:14-41)
Why do some christians not agree with only adults being baptised?
Baptism is considered a sign of God's covenant, a continuation of circumcision. The Abrahamic covenant was with a nation of people: the 'believers' and their household. Likewise baptism is administered to the infants in a household by many Christian denominations.
Did the Puritans baptized infants?
Yes, in general Puritan groups did baptize infants under the assumption that early baptism was a "half-way covenant" with God that included the child in the Faith community much the same way Circumcision was a mark of community membership in the Old Testament. Baptism of an infant was not considered a final seal of salvation however, as each individual was expected to have a later "conversion experience" that would bring them into a personal covenant with Christ in addition to the community covenant that took place at Baptism.
Why is Baptism a sacrement?
Catholic sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's love.For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.This is the first of all seven sacraments.See the reference for more details on Baptism and Sacraments.
How does baptism link to christian life?
Baptism is a sign of repentance, washing and renewing. It signifies repenting of one's sin, being cleansed by God of that sin, and a visual sign and testimony of faith in Christ Jesus. Why certain denominations therefore baptise as infants beats me...
What are the similarities between the bar mitzvah and the baptise?
Both churches recognize the other's baptism as a relevant Christian baptism. Both churches practice the baptism of people of all ages (including infants) and believe the water is made Holy by God. Both baptize in the name of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit). Both believe baptism is an essential part of being ''saved'', or becoming a Christian. Parents and Godparents are present at the baptism. Holy Baptism is recognized as a Holy Sacrament in both churches. Baptism should only be performed by an ordained person, unless an ordained person cannot be reached and the person awaiting baptism is in the danger of dying.
