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I was just wondering what the general Christian view is on the baptising of babies? What actually is the point of it because it can't be to 'save' the child as how someone lives their life apparently determines that? I was baptised as a small child but have never been a Christian myself so I don't really see the point of it until someone is old enough to think for themselves.
Well, the first recored instances of believers baptism are from the 2nd century, and it was fairly controversial even then. Here's a breakdown of who baptizes babies
Paedobaptists: Infant Baptism
Catholic, Orthodox, and the Reformation Churches (Reformed, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Anglican)
Anabaptists: Believer's baptism
Baptist (it's where the name comes from) evangelical, fundamentalist, Mennonite, Amish, Pentacostal/Charismatic churches.
The Catholic (and, I think Orthodox) believe that baptism imparts grace onto the infant and ensures that if the baby dies, then the child will not go to hell. The Protestants don't share that view. They believe that baptism is a sign of the covenant between God and his people...As circumcision was to the infant jews, so baptism is to infant christians. See the analogy? In the Reformed churches the teens can go through a confirmation-like ritual where they affirm the baptism they received as infants.
I myself side with the Anabaptists. You should know what you're doing before you submit to baptism. Also, in my experience, many paedobaptists have a sense of "I've been baptized, so I'm in" without really understanding what it means to be a part of the church (ie, submit to christ, obey him, love him etc...) This is not true in all cases. I've met amazing christians on both sides of the debate, and it's not a major issue for me, but that's the overview of where different christians stand on it.
I tried to rep you, but it said I have to spread it around. Two thumbs up!
Repped on your behalf.
Thanks for the posts folks, it's cleared it up a bit for me.
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