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Water is poured on the head of an infant held over the baptismal font of a Catholic church
Water is poured on the head of an infant held over the baptismal font of a Catholic church

In Christian religious practice, infant baptism is the baptism (the "christening") of young children or infants. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child. Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective " The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism," or credobaptism, from the Latin word credo meaning "I believe", which is the religious practice of baptizing only individuals who personally confess faith in Jesus, therefore excluding small children. Believer's baptism (occasionally called credobaptism, from the Latin word credo) is the Christian practice of Baptism as this is understood by Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE)

Most Christian churches practice infant baptism. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth [1] Among them are the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, the Anglican Communion, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, the Assyrian Church of the East, the Church of the Nazarene,[2] the Reformed Church in America,[3] the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the Continental Reformed. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East (ܥܕܬܐ ܩܕܝܫܬܐ ܘܫܠܝܚܝܬܐ ܩܬܘܠܝܩܝ ܕܡܕܢܚܐ ܕܐܬܘܪ̈ܝܐ ‘Ittā Qaddishtā wa-Shlikhāitā Qattoliqi The Church of the Nazarene, often referred to as the Nazarene Church is an International evangelical Christian denomination that began in The Reformed Church in America (RCA is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination that was formerly a part of the Dutch Reformed The United Church of Christ ( UCC) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination principally in the United States, The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant Denominations formally characterized by a similar Calvinist system of doctrine historically

Groups within the Protestant tradition that reject infant baptism include Baptists, most Pentecostals, Mennonites, Amish, Community of Christ,Plymouth Brethren, Seventh-day Adventists, most non-denominational churches and other Arminian denominations. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the Baptism The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496&ndash1561 though his teachings were a relatively The Amish (ˈɑːmɪʃ are members of an Anabaptist Christian denomination best known for Simple living, Plain dress and resisting modern conveniences The Plymouth Brethren is a Conservative, Evangelical Christian movement, whose history can be traced to Dublin, Ireland The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated " Adventist " Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished mainly by its observance In Christianity, the term non-denominational refers to those churches that have not formally aligned themselves with an established denomination, or remain otherwise Arminianism is a school of soteriological thought within Protestant Christianity based on the theological ideas of the Dutch Infant baptism is also excluded by Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians and Latter-day Saints. Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, millenialist Christian denomination Christadelphians (from the Greek for Brothers of Christ / Christ's Brethren: Christou Adelphoi; cf A Latter

Contents

Ceremony

The exact details of the baptismal ceremony vary among Christian denominations. A ceremony is an activity infused with Ritual significance performed on a special occasion List of Christian denominations (or Denominations self-identified as Christian) ordered by historical and doctrinal relationships Many follow a prepared ceremony, called a rite or liturgy. A rite is an established ceremonious usually Religious act or Process art. A liturgy is the customary public worship done by a specific religious group according to their particular traditions In a typical ceremony, parents bring their child to their congregation's priest or minister. A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites in particular rites of sacrifice to and propitiation of a deity or deities In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform clergy functions such as teaching of beliefs The minister then applies water to the child. As the water touches the child, the minister utters the words "I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (See Matthew 28:19). The Great Commission, in Christian tradition is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread his teachings

Most Christians baptize their baby by either pouring water (affusion) or by sprinkling water (aspersion) on the child. Affusion ( la affusio) is a method of Baptism where water is poured on the head of the person being baptized Aspersion ( la aspergere) in a Religious context is the act of sprinkling with Water, especially Holy water. Some Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions baptise their babies by totally immersing them in the font. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world A baptismal font is an article of church Furniture or a Fixture used for the Baptism of children and adults

Although it is not required, many parents and godparents chose to dress their baby in a white gown called a christening gown for the baptism ceremony. A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's Baptism. Christening Gowns often become treasured keepsakes that are used by many other children in the family and handed down from generation to generation. Traditionally, this gown is white or slightly off white and made with many laces, trims and intricate details. In the past, a gown was used for both baby boys and girls. In more modern times, it has become appropriate to baptize boys in christening outfits. Also made of white or off white fabric, the christening outfit consists of a romper with a vest or other accessories. A romper suit is a one-piece garment worn by children and sometimes women After the baptism ceremony, these articles of clothing are preserved as a memory of this very special and significant event in the child's life.

History

Scholars disagree on the date when infant baptism was first practiced. Some believe that first-century Christians did not practice it. [4] Others believe that they did,[5] understanding biblical references to individuals "and [their] whole household" being baptized (Acts 16:15, Acts 16:31-33, 1 Corinthians 1:16) as including small children and infants.

While the earliest extra-biblical directions for baptism,[6] which occurs in the Didache (c. The Didache ( Koine Greek:, Didachē, meaning "Teaching" ˈdɪdəkiː in English ðiðaˈxi in Modern Greek) is the common name of a brief 100),[7] seems to envisage the baptism of adults, rather than young children, since it requires that the person to be baptised should fast,[8] writings of the second and early third century indicate that Christians baptized infants too. [9] Irenaeus (c. Saint Irenaeus (Greek Ειρηναίος (2nd century AD - c 202 was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, Roman Empire (now Lyons France 130–202) speaks not only of children but even of infants being "born again to God"[10] and three passages of Origen (185–c. Origen ( Greek: Ōrigénēs, or Origen Adamantius, ca 185–ca 254)[11] mention infant baptism as traditional and customary. [12] Tertullian (c. Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, Anglicised as Tertullian, (ca 155–230) too, while advising postponement of baptism until after marriage, mentions that it was customary to baptise infants, with sponsors speaking on their behalf. [13] The Apostolic Tradition, attributed to Hippolytus of Rome (died 235), describes how to perform the ceremony of baptism; it states that children were baptised first, and if any of them could not answer for themselves, their parents or someone else from their family was to answer for them. For places named after the saint see Saint-Hippolyte Saint Hippolytus of Rome (c [14]

Some writers who believe that baptism of infants began to be practiced only after the first century - in the third century it was certainly the universal practice and was believed to be of apostolic origin[15] - posit a link between it and the use of baptism by methods other than immersion, methods which, in spite of the evidence of the Didache, some claim did not at all exist in the first century.

From at least the third century onward Christians baptized infants as standard practice, although some preferred to postpone baptism until late in life, so as to ensure forgiveness for all their preceding sins. The belief that people baptised as infants needed to be rebaptized arose only in the sixteenth century. [16]

Theology

The basic theology of Christian denominations often varies (see Material principle). Formal principle and material principle are two categories in Christian Theology to identify and distinguish the authoritative source of theology (formal For this reason, the meaning of baptism itself and infant baptism in particular depends greatly upon the Christian tradition to which the baptismal candidate belongs. The word tradition comes from the Latin traditionem acc of traditio which means "a giving up delivering up surrendering" and is used in a number of

Agreements among paedobaptists

The general consensus is that baptism is the New Testament form of circumcision. Male circumcision is the removal of some or all of the Foreskin (prepuce from the Penis. In the Old Testament, all male converts to Judaism, male infants born to Jewish parents, and male servants were circumcised as ceremony of initiation into the Jewish community[17]. Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Initiation is a Rite of passage Ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society A kehilla or kehillah (קהילה Hebrew: "community" is a Jewish Community. Paedobaptists believe that baptism has replaced Old Testament circumcision and is the religious ceremony of initiation into the Christian community. Beyond this, very little is agreed on the subject among Christian denominations.

During the medieval and Reformation eras, infant baptism was seen as a way to incorporate new-born babies into the secular community as well as inducting them into the Christian faith [18]. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time

Differences among paedobaptists

Paedobaptists disagree about the precise significance of infant baptism and the exact justification for it. These differences generally revolve around the following issues:

This disagreement is rooted in the interpretation of more fundamental areas of theology, such as the doctrine of salvation and the doctrine of the sacraments. In Theology, salvation can mean three related things being saved from or Liberation from something such as Suffering or the punishment of A sacrament, as defined in Hexam's Concise Dictionary of Religion is "a Rite in which God is uniquely active

Christian groups who practice infant baptism divide approximately into four groups of opinion:

Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church considers baptism, even for infants, so important that "parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptised within the first few weeks" and, "if the infant is in danger of death, it is to be baptised without any delay. "[19] It declares: "The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole 'households' received baptism, infants may also have been baptized. "[20] It notes that, "when the first direct evidence of infant Baptism appears in the second century, it is never presented as an innovation", that second-century Irenaeus[21] treated baptism of infants as a matter of course, and that, "at a Synod of African Bishops, St. Cyprian stated that 'God's mercy and grace should not be refused to anyone born', and the Synod, recalling that 'all human beings' are 'equal', whatever be 'their size or age', declared it lawful to baptize children 'by the second or third day after their birth'. "[22] Infant baptism is seen as showing very clearly that salvation is an unmerited favour from God, not the fruit of human effort. [23] "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called. . . The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth. "[24]

The Church has no official teaching regarding the fate of infants who die without Baptism, and theologians of the Church hold various views (for instance, some have asserted that they go to Limbo, which has never been official Catholic doctrine). See also Intermediate state Purgatory|Heaven|Sheol|Hades in Christianity|Hell in Christianity In Roman Catholic theology Limbo (Latin limbus "The Church entrusts these infants to the mercy of God. "[25]

Other ancient Christian Churches

Russian Orthodox priest greeting an infant and its godparents on the steps of the church.
Russian Orthodox priest greeting an infant and its godparents on the steps of the church. See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's Baptism.

The Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy and the Assyrian Church of the East also insist on the need to have infants baptized as soon as is practicable after birth. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East (ܥܕܬܐ ܩܕܝܫܬܐ ܘܫܠܝܚܝܬܐ ܩܬܘܠܝܩܝ ܕܡܕܢܚܐ ܕܐܬܘܪ̈ܝܐ ‘Ittā Qaddishtā wa-Shlikhāitā Qattoliqi For them too baptism is not merely a symbol but actually conveys grace. In Christianity, divine Grace refers to the sovereign favour of God for humankind — especially in regard to Salvation — irrespective of actions Baptism is a sacrament because it is a "tool" or "instrument" instituted by Jesus Christ to impart grace to its recipients. A sacrament, as defined in Hexam's Concise Dictionary of Religion is "a Rite in which God is uniquely active Infants are traditionally baptized on the eighth day, recalling the biblical injunction to circumcise on the eighth day. Male circumcision is the removal of some or all of the Foreskin (prepuce from the Penis. However, this is not mandatory. In many of these churches, the Sacred Mystery of Chrismation (Confirmation) is administered by the priest immediately after baptism, even of infants. The term sacred mysteries generally denotes the area of Supernatural phenomena associated with a Divinity or a religious ideology. Chrismation is the name given in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches as well as in the Assyrian Church of the East Confirmation is a Rite of initiation in many Christian Churches normally in the form of Laying on of hands and/or Anointing for Holy Communion, in the form of consecrated wine, is also given to infants after they are baptized. Infant Communion (also Paedocommunion) refers to the practice of giving the Eucharist, often in the form of Consecrated wine to infants and children Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service usually religious [26]

Lutherans

Lutherans practice infant baptism because they believe that God mandates it. They adduce biblical passages such as Matthew 28:19, Mark 10:13-15, 16:16, John 3:3-7, Acts 2:38-39, and Ephesians 6:4 in support of their position. The Great Commission, in Christian tradition is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread his teachings For them baptism is a "means of grace" through which God creates and strengthens "saving faith" as the "washing of regeneration" (Titus 3:5) in which infants and adults are reborn (John 3:3-7): "baptismal regeneration. The Means of Grace in Christian theology are those things (the means) through which God gives grace. " Since the creation of faith is exclusively God's work, it does not depend on the actions of the one baptized, whether infant or adult. Even though baptized infants cannot articulate that faith, Lutherans believe that it is present all the same. [27] Because it is faith alone that receives these divine gifts, Lutherans confess that baptism "works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. "[28] In the special section on infant baptism in his Large Catechism Luther argues that infant baptism is God-pleasing because persons so baptized were reborn and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Luther's Large Catechism consisted of works written by Martin Luther and compiled Christian canonical texts, published in April of 1529. [29]

Methodists

Methodists contend that infant baptism has spiritual value for the infant. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism maintained the Anglican view that baptism regenerates the infant. John Wesley (ˈwɛslɪ ( – March 2, 1791) was an Anglican cleric and Christian theologian who was the founder of the (Evangelical Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs He listed several ways that infants benefit from baptism:

However, Wesley's own views of infant baptism seem to shift over time as he put more and more emphasis on salvation by faith and new birth by faith alone. This has helped to fuel much debate within Methodism over just what infant baptism does, though almost all are agreed it should be continued.

Infant baptism is particularly illustrative of the Methodist doctrine of prevenient grace. Prevenient grace is a Christian theological concept rooted in Augustinian theology and embraced primarily by Arminian Christians who are influenced by the The principle is that The Fall of Man ruined the human soul to such an extent that nobody wants a relationship with God. The Fall of Man, or simply the Fall, in Christian doctrine refers to the transition of the first humans from a state of innocent obedience to God, In order for humans to even want to be able to choose God must empower their will (so that they may choose Christ) which he does by means of prevenient grace. Thus God takes the very first step in salvation, preceding any human effort or decision. Methodists justify infant baptism by this principle of prevenient grace, often arguing that infant baptism is God's promise or declaration to the infant that calls that infant to (eventually) believe in God's promises (God's Word) for salvation. When the individual believes in Jesus they will profess their faith before the church, often using a ritual called confirmation in which the Holy Spirit is invoked with the laying on of hands. Methodists also use infant baptism symbolically, as an illustration of God approaching the helpless. They see the ceremony additionally as a celebration of God's prevenient grace.

Presbyterian and Continental Reformed churches

Presbyterian and Reformed Christians contend that baptism is not a mere symbol, but actually conveys grace. The grace it conveys, however, is not justifying grace. It may convey sanctifying grace or some other kind of grace. Baptism, according to this tradition, does not produce Christians, but it identifies the child as a member of the covenant community. Some adherents of the Federal Vision theology disagree, however, regarding instead a Christian as one who is a member of the covenant community. The Federal Vision (also called Auburn Avenue Theology) is a Reformed Evangelical theological position that focuses on Covenant theology A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Yet all would agree that being a member of the covenant community does not guarantee salvation; though it does provide the child with many benefits, including that of one's particular congregation consenting to assist in the raising of that child in "the way he should go, [so that] when he is old he will not turn from it". [30]

Presbyterian and many Reformed Christians see infant baptism as the New Testament form of circumcision in the Jewish covenant (Joshua 24:15). The Book of Joshua ( Hebrew: Sefer Y'hoshua ספר יהושע is the sixth book in both the Hebrew Tanakh and the Old Testament of the Christian Circumcision did not create faith in the 8-day-old Jewish boy. It merely marked him as a member of God’s covenant people Israel. Likewise, baptism doesn’t create faith; it is a sign of membership in the covenant community. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted

Presbyterian and Reformed Christians consider children of professing Christians to be members of the visible Church (the covenant community). They do not necessarily consider them to be members of a particular church (a local congregation), nor of the universal Church (the set of all true believers). A profession of faith is required for the former, and true faith is required for the latter. [31]

Paedobaptism versus credobaptism

The main question which separates paedobaptists and credobaptists is this:

Who should be baptized?

The paedobaptists answer is: adult believers and the children of believers. Believer's baptism (occasionally called credobaptism, from the Latin word credo) is the Christian practice of Baptism as this is understood by

The credobaptists answer is: only those who have professed faith (believers). The credobaptist argument is often characterized as "adults only", but this is not an accurate representation. Simply being an adult does not qualify one for baptism; one must come to saving faith and profess Christ as Lord and Savior. This could happen for some in the earliest stages of life and still be valid according to credobaptists.

Roots of the disagreement

The two different answers to this question do not, by themselves, shed much light on the nature of the dispute between paedobaptists and credobaptists. To fully grasp the disagreement over infant baptism one needs to understand the roots of the disagreement.

Prior theological commitments

The disagreement about infant baptism is grounded in differing theological views at a more basic level. Christians disagree about infant baptism because they disagree about the nature of faith, the role of baptism, the means of salvation, the nature of grace, and the function of the sacraments. Pedobaptism and credobaptism are positions which bubble up from theological views at a more fundamental level of one’s theological system.

Fundamental theological questions

Christians answer the question Who should be baptized? differently because they give different answers to the more fundamental questions which lie beneath it. These more basic questions include:

Different answers to fundamental theological questions

Credobaptists answer these foundational questions this way:

Some of these answers would be given also by paedobaptists. A sponsor or sponsors (godparents) give a public profession of faith on behalf of the child being baptized, who is expected to ratify later the profession made on his or her behalf;[32] and paedobaptists have no doubt that by baptism a child is cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus and is symbolically buried with him and raised as a new person to life eternal. Original sin is according to a doctrine in Catholic theology, humanity's state of Sin resulting from the Fall of Man. [33] They do not accept that divine grace is not given in baptism, and they disagree that an explicit act of faith is necessary for being a member of the church. In Christianity, divine Grace refers to the sovereign favour of God for humankind — especially in regard to Salvation — irrespective of actions [34]

Paedobaptists think that baptism is more than would be indicated by these answers alone. They typically give the following additional answers:

Arguments for infant baptism

Paedobaptists do not completely agree on the reasons for baptizing infants, and offer different reasons in support of the practice. Among the arguments made in support of the practice are:

Argument based on parallel with circumcision

Some supporters of infant baptism argue that circumcision is the sign of the covenant God made with Abraham and should be received by all the members of his covenant. [39] The children of members of Abraham's covenant are themselves members of Abraham's covenant[40]. Christians are members of Abraham's covenant [41] Therefore, the children of Christians are members of Abraham's covenant [42]. Since baptism is the New Testament form of circumcision [43], the children of Christians should receive the sign of the covenant by being baptized.

Covenant theology

Presbyterian and Reformed Christians base their case for infant baptism on Covenant theology. Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant Denominations formally characterized by a similar Calvinist system of doctrine historically Covenant theology (also known as Covenantalism or Federal theology or Federalism) is a conceptual overview and interpretive framework for Covenant theology is a broad interpretative framework used to understand the Bible. Covenant theology (also known as Covenantalism or Federal theology or Federalism) is a conceptual overview and interpretive framework for Reformed Baptists are Reformed yet, as their name suggests, adhere to Believers Baptism. The name Reformed Baptist refers both to a distinct Christian denomination, and to a description of theological leaning The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant Denominations formally characterized by a similar Calvinist system of doctrine historically Believer's baptism (occasionally called credobaptism, from the Latin word credo) is the Christian practice of Baptism as this is understood by

According to Covenant theology God makes two basic covenants, or agreements, with humans. Covenant theology (also known as Covenantalism or Federal theology or Federalism) is a conceptual overview and interpretive framework for A covenant, in its most general sense is a solemn promise to engage in or refrain from a specified action The first one, the Covenant of Works is an agreement that bases man’s relationship with God on human obedience and morality. The covenant was made with Adam in the Garden of Eden. Adam (אָדָם ʼĀḏām, "dust man mankind" آدم; Ge'ez: አዳ and Eve (חַוָּה Ḥawwā, "living Not to be confused with Eden Gardens.The Garden of Eden ( Hebrew "pleasure" גַּן עֵדֶן Arabic: جنات عدن, Adam and Eve broke this covenant so God replaced it with a second more durable covenant--- the Covenant of Grace. The Covenant of Grace is an agreement that bases man’s relationship with God on God’s grace and generosity. The Covenant of Works failed because it was based on human performance. The Covenant of Grace is durable because it is based on God’s performance.

All the covenants that God makes with humans after the Fall, (e. The Fall of Man, or simply the Fall, in Christian doctrine refers to the transition of the first humans from a state of innocent obedience to God, g. with Abraham, Moses, and David) are really just different forms of the Covenant of Grace. They may appear to be different but are fundamentally the same covenant. The underlying Covenant of Grace stays the same even though the external forms changes. Consequently, Covenant theologians see in Old Testament Israel the people of God (the church) before Christ was born. For the Covenant theologian, therefore, there is only one people of God - the church.

According to Presbyterian and Reformed Christians, this theological framework is important to the Biblical case for infant baptism because it provides a reason for thinking there is strong continuity between the Old and New Testaments. Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant Denominations formally characterized by a similar Calvinist system of doctrine historically It provides a bridge linking the two Testaments together.

Covenant Theologians claim that the New Testament book of Hebrews demonstrates that much of Israel's cultic worship has been replaced by the person and work of Christ. Hebrews (or Hebertes, Eberites, Hebreians, " Habiru " or " Habiri " Hebrew: עברים The result is that some important forms of worship in the Old Testament have New Testament equivalents. The Passover festival, for example, was replaced by the Lord's Supper (or Eucharist).

It is across the bridge of Covenant Theology that the sign of Abraham’s covenant, circumcision, walks into the New Testament. The sign of the Covenant changes its external form to reflect new spiritual realties. It was a bloody sign in the Old Testament but because Christ has shed his blood, it has been transformed into a bloodless sign, i. e. washing with water. Passover was a bloody form of Old Testament worship and also transitions into the New Testament in the bloodless form of bread and wine.

Covenant theologians point out that the external sign of the covenant in the Old Testament was circumcision. Circumcision was performed upon the male children of Israelites to signify their external membership in God's people, not as a guarantee of true faith; the Old Testament records many Israelites who turned from God and were punished, showing that their hearts were not truly set on serving God. So while all male Israelites had the sign of the covenant performed on them in a once off ceremony soon after birth, such a signifier was external only and not a true indicator of whether or not they would later exhibit true faith in Yahweh.

In the New Testament, circumcision is no longer seen as mandatory for God's people. However there is compelling evidence to suggest that the Old Testament circumcision rite has been replaced by baptism. For instance: "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism. " (Colossians 2:11-12a)

Some paedobaptists, then, think the analogy of baptism to circumcision correctly points to children, since the historic Israelite application of circumcision was to infants, not to adult converts, of which there were few. Covenant theology, then, identifies baptism less as statement of faith than as an assumption of identity; that is to say that infant baptism is a sign of covenantal inclusion.

Corroborating evidence

Paedobaptists point to a number of passages in the New Testament which seem to corroborate the above argument.

Household baptisms

In the Old Testament, if the head of a household converted to Judaism, all the males in the house, even the infants, were circumcised. Paedobaptists argue this pattern continues into the New Testament. Reference is made, for example, to baptizing a person and their whole household – the households of Lydia, Crispus, and Stephanas are mentioned by name Acts 16:14-15, 18:8; 1 Cor 1:16.

Paedobaptists challenge credobaptists on this point: Why would a whole household be baptized just because the head of the house had faith? Shouldn’t they baptize each member of the family as they come to individual faith? Household baptism implies that the rules for membership in Abraham's covenant have continued into the New Testament, the main difference is the sign of the covenant.

Credobaptists counter with verses such as John 4:53, Acts 16:34 and Acts 18:8 in which entire households are said to have "believed". As such, the paedobaptist assumption is that household baptisms mentioned in the Bible involved infants, presumably incapable of personal belief.

Original sin

Paedobaptists also point to Psalm 51, which reads, in part, "surely I was sinful from birth," as indication that infants are sinful (vid. original sin) and are thus in need of forgiveness that they too might have salvation. Original sin is according to a doctrine in Catholic theology, humanity's state of Sin resulting from the Fall of Man.

Credobaptists would admit that infants are in need of salvation but paedobaptists push the point a step further by arguing that it makes no theological sense for infants to need salvation but for God to make no provision for them to be saved. Some Credobaptists who agree to the Psalm 51 interpretation, argue that even though infants are sinful they are not accountable, because of the "age of accountability". Although many theologians would argue that an "age of accountability" is nowhere mentioned in the Bible.

An alternative viewpoint of some credobaptists is that since all Christians are predestined to salvation (John 15:16, 1Cor 1:27, Eph 1:4, 1Pet 2:4), God will not allow His elect to die before receiving their need, even if they are in old age (Luke 2:25-35), an argument whose relation to baptism whether of infants or adults is unclear, unless it means that infants who die without coming to explicit belief and baptism are not among God's elect.

Peter's Speech

According to the Book of Acts in the New Testament, Peter declared in his sermon to the Jews that they should all be baptized. They and their children, and everyone whom God calls, no matter how far away.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call. ” (Acts 2:38-39, NIV)

Arguments against infant baptism

Opponents of paedobaptism point out that Jesus himself was baptized at the age of 30. They also point to the two (out of five) Great Commission passages that speak of baptism. The Great Commission, in Christian tradition is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread his teachings They see Matthew 28:18-20 as giving exclusive instructions about who is to be baptized: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (verses 19-20, NKJV). They interpret this as referring to three successive stages, with baptism following on becoming a disciple (which is beyond the power of an infant), and instruction following on baptism, not preceding it. Pedobaptists point out that the passage is ambiguous enough to interpret that a person becomes a disciple directly through baptism, meaning children could be baptized.

The Mark 16:15-18 Great Commission passage speaks of believing: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (verse 16, NKJV). This, they say, excludes infants, whom they see as incapable of believing.
Pedobaptists point out that the second clause mentions believing, but not baptism. Therefore, one could be baptized and still not be a believer. They argue that this may not exclude infant baptism, but rather corroborate it. In return, opposers declare that baptism is for those who already believe and are able to state their belief, which infants cannot do. In Peter's address to adults, "Repent and be baptized" Acts 2:38, they see repentance as a prerequisite, and this requires a mature understanding of sin and a decision to turn away from sin. Some point to Deuteronomy 24:16 or 1 Peter 3:21 as evidence that each individual must make a mature decision regarding baptism. See Believer's Baptism. Believer's baptism (occasionally called credobaptism, from the Latin word credo) is the Christian practice of Baptism as this is understood by

Some oppose baptism of children as incorporating them into the church without their own consent.

Denominations that do not accept infant baptism as valid generally require those who join them, after being baptized as infants elsewhere, to be "rebaptized", or rather to be baptized for the first time. They deny that they in fact rebaptize, saying that Christians are to be baptized only once, but as believers, and they reject the term "Anabaptist" (i. e. Rebaptizer) as a description of them.

Denominations and religious groups opposed to paedobaptism

Trinitarian Christian denominations that oppose infant baptism include Baptists, churches of Christ, Mennonites, Amish, Brethren, and most Pentecostal groups. Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. The Churches of Christ discussed The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496&ndash1561 though his teachings were a relatively The Amish (ˈɑːmɪʃ are members of an Anabaptist Christian denomination best known for Simple living, Plain dress and resisting modern conveniences The Brethren are a number of Protestant Christian religious bodies using the word "brethren" in their names Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the Baptism Several non-Trinitarian religious groups also oppose infant baptism, including Apostolics, Christadelphians, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Latter-day Saints. Christadelphians (from the Greek for Brothers of Christ / Christ's Brethren: Christou Adelphoi; cf Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, millenialist Christian denomination A Latter Quakers and the Salvation Army generally do not observe either baptism, in any form, or communion. The Salvation Army is a Christian charity and church that is internally organised like a military service.

Religious groups that oppose infant baptism have sometimes been persecuted by paedobaptist churches. During the Reformation, anabaptists were persecuted by Protestant, Anglican, and Catholic regimes. The English government imposed restrictions on Baptists and Quakers in Britain and Ireland during the 17th century. The Russian Orthodox Church repressed Baptists prior to the 1917 revolution, and sought restrictions on Baptists and Pentecostals after being re-established after the fall of Communism.

B. R. White describes the motivations behind persecution of the anabaptists during the Reformation as follows:

Other Christians saw the baptism of each new-born baby into the secular parish community and close links between church and state as the divinely-ordained means of holding society together. Hence many other Christians saw the Anabaptists as subversive of all order. Consequently, from the earliest days, they were sharply persecuted and leaders were soon executed. [44]

Jehovah's Witnesses do not practise infant baptism on the basis that Jesus is assumed to have had faith in God throughout his life, but did not get baptised until immediately prior to beginning his mission to do God's will. Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, millenialist Christian denomination It is therefore considered that baptism is a sign of presenting oneself to do God's will, a decision which must be made at an age at which one is capable of understanding what a commitment it is. No particular age is set, but it is unusual for a Witness to be baptised under the age of 16. Before a person is approved for baptism, they must have a regular share in field service, and are asked a series of questions on the basic teachings of the faith by the congregation elders. The beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of its founder Charles Taze Russell and his successors Joseph Franklin The Organisational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses is a religious Hierarchy. The purpose of these questions is to ensure that the person has a correct understanding of the decision they are making.

Latter-day Saints do not practice infant baptism. A Latter Mormons believe that "Men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression"(see the Second Article of Faith), and they believe that children are not accountable for sin until the age of eight. Within the Latter Day Saint movement, the Articles of Faith are a Creed composed by Joseph Smith Jr The Book of Moroni (from the Book of Mormon), Moroni 8:4-23, describes infant baptism as a "gross error" and a "solemn mockery. For people and places also called Moroni see Moroni The Book of Moroni is the last of the books that make up the Book The Book of Mormon is a Sacred text of the churches in the Latter Day Saint movement. " The chapter contends that they are not capable of committing sin, but are "alive in Christ. "

Confirmation

For Roman Catholics, Confirmation is a sacrament that "confirms" or "strengthens" (the original meaning of the word "confirm")[45] the grace of Baptism, by conferring an increase and deepening of that grace. Confirmation is a Rite of initiation in many Christian Churches normally in the form of Laying on of hands and/or Anointing for In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted [46]

For some other Christians the ceremony of Confirmation is a matter not of "being confirmed" but of "confirming" the baptismal vows taken on one's behalf when an infant. This is the essential significance of the Lutheran non-sacramental ceremony called in German "Konfirmation", but in English "affirmation of baptism" (see Confirmation). Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther Confirmation is a Rite of initiation in many Christian Churches normally in the form of Laying on of hands and/or Anointing for

In Eastern Christianity, including the Eastern Catholic Churches, the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred immediately after baptism, and there is obviously no renewal of baptismal promises. Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See In the Latin-Rite (i. The Latin Rite is one of the 23 Sui iuris Particular Churches within the Catholic Church. e. Western) Catholic Church, the sacrament is to be conferred at about the age of discretion (generally taken to be about 7), unless the Episcopal Conference has decided on a different age, or there is danger of death or, in the judgement of the minister, a grave reason suggests otherwise (canon 891 of the Code of Canon Law). In the Roman Catholic Church, an Episcopal Conference, Conference of Bishops, or National Conference of Bishops is an official assembly of all the The renewal of baptismal promises by those receiving the sacrament in the Western Catholic Church is incidental to the rite and not essentially different from the solemn renewal of their baptismal promises that is asked of all members of this Church each year at the Easter Vigil service. The Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter, is a service held in many Christian churches as the first official celebration Only in French-speaking countries has there been a development of ceremonies, quite distinct from the sacrament of Confirmation, for young Catholics to profess their faith publicly, in line with their age. [47]

The Anglican Book of Common Prayer requires that all who are to be confirmed should first know and understand the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and be able to answer the other questions in the Church Catechism. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs The Book of Common Prayer is the common title of a number of prayer books of the Church of England and used throughout the Anglican Communion. A creed is a statement of Belief — usually Religious belief — or Faith often recited as part of a religious service The Lord's Prayer, also known as the Our Father or Pater noster, is probably the best-known Prayer in Christianity. The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a list of religious and moral imperatives that according to Judeo-Christian tradition were authored by God and given A catechism (ˈkætəkɪzəm κατηχισμός is a summary or exposition of Doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament Confirmation enables those who have been baptized as infants, when they are of age to do so, openly before the church, to take upon themselves and confirm the promises made on their behalf by their godparents.

See also

References

  1. ^ Major Branches of Religions Ranked by Number of Adherents
  2. ^ So…You Want to Be Baptized? Leaders’ Guide. Anabaptists ( Greek ανα (again twice + βαπτιζω (baptize thus "re-baptizers" are Christians of the Radical Reformation In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted Believer's baptism (occasionally called credobaptism, from the Latin word credo) is the Christian practice of Baptism as this is understood by The Sacraments of Initiation are those Rituals by which one comes to be one of Christ's Faithful. Infant Communion (also Paedocommunion) refers to the practice of giving the Eucharist, often in the form of Consecrated wine to infants and children William Wall ( January 6, 1647 - November 13, 1728) was a British Priest in the Church of England who wrote extensively
  3. ^ The Sacraments
  4. ^ Stanley J. Grenz, Theology for the Community of God (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000), 528
  5. ^ John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion; Gregg Strawbridge, Ph.D.; Jordan Bajis,
  6. ^ "the Didache, the earliest surviving 'pastoral manual' of the Christian church" (Fuller Seminary Bookstore)
  7. ^ "Chapter 7, "Concerning Baptism. "
  8. ^ "Before the baptism let the baptiser fast, and the baptised, and whoever else can; but you shall order the baptised to fast one or two days before" (Didache, 7)
  9. ^ Apart from quoting books of the second and third centuries mentioned here, the 1980 Instruction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith states that "Many inscriptions from as early as the second century give little children the title of "children of God," a title given only to the baptised, or explicitly mention that they were baptised: cf. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF ( Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei) previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, , for example, Corpus Inscriptionum Graecarum, 9727, 9801, 9817; E. Diehl, Inscriptiones Latinae Christianae Veteres (Berlin 1961), nos. 1523(3), 4429A. "
  10. ^ Against Hereses, 2. 22. 4]).
  11. ^ The three passages identified by scholars are Homilies on Leviticus 8. 3. 11; Commentary on Romans 5. 9; and Homily on Luke 14.5. They are mentioned, for instance, in the following sites: 1, 2, 3 4, 5, 6 and, of course, in the sites that give the full texts of Origen on Leviticus and Luke.
  12. ^ The first passage cited has: "Baptism according to the practice of the Church is given even to infants"; the second has: "The Church had a tradition from the Apostles, to give baptism even to infants"; the third has: "Infants are baptized for the remission of sins . . . That is the reason why infants too are baptised. "
  13. ^ "The delay of baptism is preferable; principally, however, in the case of little children. For why is it necessary . . . that the sponsors likewise should be thrust into danger? . . . For no less cause must the unwedded also be deferred - in whom the ground of temptation is prepared, alike in such as never were wedded by means of their maturity, and in the widowed by means of their freedom - until they either marry, or else be more fully strengthened for continence" (On Baptism 18).
  14. ^ "The children shall be baptised first. All of the children who can answer for themselves, let them answer. If there are any children who cannot answer for themselves, let their parents answer for them, or someone else from their family. After this, the men will be baptised. Finally, the women" (The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus of Rome 21. 4-5).
  15. ^ "The practice of infant baptism was unknown at this period (the first century). . . . That not till so late a period as Irenaeus [c. Saint Irenaeus (Greek Ειρηναίος (2nd century AD - c 202 was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, Roman Empire (now Lyons France 140-203 C. E. ], a trace of infant baptism appears, and that it first became recognized as an apostolic tradition in the course of the third century, is evidence rather against than for the admission of its apostolic origin" (Augustus Neander, History of the Planting and Training of the Christian Church by the Apostles, 1864, p. 162
  16. ^ Infant Baptism: Scriptural and Reasonable; What does the Bible teach about the subject of baptizing of infants? by Don Matzat; Infant Baptism in Early Church History; Christian Heresies of the Sixteenth Century
  17. ^ See Genesis 17:10-14
  18. ^ White, B. R. , Eerdmans' Handbook to Christian Belief, Eerdman's Publishing, p. 443
  19. ^ Code of Canon Law, canon 867
  20. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1252
  21. ^ Against Heresies, 2.22.4
  22. ^ Instruction on Infant Baptism
  23. ^ "The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism" (http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1250]).
  24. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1250
  25. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1261
  26. ^ Ware, Bishop Kallistos (Timothy) (1964), The Orthodox Church, New York: Penguin Books, pp. 284 
  27. ^ See "Baptism and Its Purpose"
  28. ^ See "Luther's Small Catechism" [1]
  29. ^ See "Luther's Large Catechism" subsection "Of Infant Baptism" [2]
  30. ^ Proverbs 22:6
  31. ^ Westminster Confession of Faith, chapters 25, 28
  32. ^ The Baptism Service
  33. ^ "Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte "a new creature", an adopted son of God, who has become a "partaker of the divine nature", member of Christ and coheir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1265).
  34. ^ If baptism were given on the basis of certainty that a person has faith, they say, we could baptize no one, including adults [cf. Luther's Works, American Edition, 55 volumes, edited by J. Pelikan and H. T. Lehmann (St. Louis: Concordia and Philadelphia: Fortress, 1955-1986), 40:240]; David P. Scaer: Luther, Baptism, and the Church Today, in Concordia Theological Quarterly, October 1998, p. 251
  35. ^ Calvin asked: "If the children of believers are partakers of the covenant without the help of understanding, there is no reason why they should be barred from the sign merely because they cannot swear to the provisions of the covenant"(Inst. 4, 16, 24, quoted in John Calvin: Infant Baptism)
  36. ^ "If baptism was demanded of the Jews as a prerequisite of church membership, we may reasonably conclude that the Gentiles were not admitted to the privilege except on the same condition" (Baptism a Condition of Church Membership).
  37. ^ "When an infant is baptized God creates faith in the heart of that infant. This faith cannot yet, of course, be expressed or articulated, yet it is real and present all the same (see e. g. , Acts 2:38-39; Titus 3:5-6; Matt. 18:6; Luke 1:15; 2 Tim. 3:15)" ([http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2607 The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod).
  38. ^ "The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:
    • enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues;
    • giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
    • allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1268)
  39. ^ Gen. 17:10-11
  40. ^ Gen 17:7, Dt. 7:9, 30:6, 1Ch 16:15, Psa 103:17, 105:8
  41. ^ Galatians 3:6-9 & Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 11. 17-24; Rom. 4:16; Eph. 2:11-13; Eph. 3:3-6; Rom 2:28-29; 1 Peter 2:9; Gal. 6:16; Phil 3:2-3).
  42. ^ 1 Cor. 7:14; Acts 2:38
  43. ^ Col. 2:11-12
  44. ^ Eerdman's Handbook to Christian Belief, William B. Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1982.
  45. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition (2000)
  46. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1302-1303
  47. ^ cf. article entitled Redonner tout son sens à l'initiation chrétienne : un défi à relever in Lumière et Vie 270 (June 2006), proposing the establishment of as many as seven such occasions

External links

Support

Opposition

Brunson, Hal. 2007 The Rickety Bridge and the Broken Mirror: Two Parables of Paedobaptism and One Parable of the Death of Jesus Christ. ISBN 0-595-43816-4 [3]

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