Why do anglicans baptise children?

Answer 1

Different from what other practice? Baptism in the Anglican Church makes use of the three symbols, the cross, water and light. The Cross of Christ is made on the person's forehead to 'mark' him or her as a member of the Christian church. The application of water symbolises the washing out of sin - and beginning a new life in the Christian family worldwide. The giving of a lighted candle symbolises the passing from darkness into God's light as a new member of the Christian church. Note, that anyone baptised in the Anglican church is baptised a Christian not an Anglican, and, if they should attend another church denomination later in life, should be regarded by that new church as a baptised Christian. The above symbols are also used in many other denominations. The only main difference between the Anglican Church and, say, the Baptist church is that in the Anglican Church water is sprinkled on the head rather than the baptism candidate enduring full immersion under the water (as is the practice in the Baptist Church). This is simply for convenience, as the symbolism is in the cleansing water rather than whether or not someone is 'dunked' or not. Baptists prefer immersion because they regard this as more authentic because John the Baptist baptised in the River Jordan. However, there is no evience that even he fully immersed people - more likely is that he washed their heads with water held in cupped hands. The other difference, and another reason why Anglicans sprinkle, is that in the Anglican Church baptism is performed on both adults andchildren - and therefore fully immersing an infant is not only frightening but could be dangerous. Baptists, however, practice adult baptism exclusively, and so this would not apply. The Anglicans use a service of confirmation - similar to baptism - where the vows said on behalf of an infant at their baptism by the Godparents, is repeated as an adult later in life, when the child has grown up and is able to speak for him- or herself.

Answer 2

They use The Book of Common Prayer in their services.

It is formally the Established Church of England ie part of the State - a number of bishops sit in the "House of Lords".

------------------------------------------Firstly, the Anglican Church is not simply the Established Church of England , if it is connected at all! It is all the baptised people in that country who believe in the revelation of Christ, this, recorded in scripture and explained and interpreted by the Bishops in the Seven Councils. This it is that separates the Anglican Church , from the Christian Sects!

Answer 3

Anglican Catholic Answer!

My aunt used to reply in answer to that question,

"People of very rare taste and discernment".

A better description might be those people who have been called by the Holy Ghost to Salvation!

Answer 4

There isn't much difference because Anglicans split from the Catholic Church. Baptism is a means of entry into the Catholic Church and is gained by the use of Water and the right words!

Answer 5

The only difference is that the Catholic priest do not marry but the Anglican priest do marry