Why do parents who don't go to church baptize/dedicate their baby? Must attend?

[1still_waters]

This is not a debate about the biblicalness of baptizing babies.
I'll say it again..

This is not a debate about the biblicalness of baptizing babies....

Let me say it one more time...

THIS IS NOT A DEBATE ABOUT THE BIBLICALNESS OF BAPTIZING BABIES!


Here's the topic. Why do parents who have no history of attending church (Not gathering regularly in person with fellow believers. For those who want to do the church isn't a building speech.), why do they baptize their baby or dedicate their baby to the God in a ceremony at church?

Why do they do this if they honestly have no intent of going to church/gathering with believers, or raising their kid with the teachings of Christ?

If the parents fit the parameters of the above, are you obligated to attend considering the parents have no intent of actually raising the kid in the teachings of Jesus?

Also please fill me in on the motives of said parents. Is it just so they can have the pretty ceremony and pretty pictures?

 

[Agricola]

Tradition and expectations of rest of family.

IN UK for hundreds of years all babies had to be baptised. Fortunately this practice has been great for family history research.

 

[Richie_2uk]

This is not a debate about the biblicalness of baptizing babies.
I'll say it again..

This is not a debate about the biblicalness of baptizing babies....

Let me say it one more time...

THIS IS NOT A DEBATE ABOUT THE BIBLICALNESS OF BAPTIZING BABIES!


Here's the topic. Why do parents who have no history of attending church (Not gathering regularly in person with fellow believers. For those who want to do the church isn't a building speech.), why do they baptize their baby or dedicate their baby to the God in a ceremony at church?

Why do they do this if they honestly have no intent of going to church/gathering with believers, or raising their kid with the teachings of Christ?

If the parents fit the parameters of the above, are you obligated to attend considering the parents have no intent of actually raising the kid in the teachings of Jesus?

Also please fill me in on the motives of said parents. Is it just so they can have the pretty ceremony and pretty pictures?

Also people will use a church to get married in, even though they have no interest going to church, its funny how people mock the church all year round, yet use them to marry, or to dedicate there children/babies? I have always wonder why lol.

 

[Simona25]

Tradition and expectations of rest of family.

IN UK for hundreds of years all babies had to be baptised. Fortunately this practice has been great for family history research.

Same goes for the marriage like Richie_2uk pointed out.

 

[BeeD]

I know a couple that fits this exact description. The mother and father have God nowhere in their minds nor plans for life. When their baby was born they called all of their family together....who also does not attend church and they went and had the baby baptized. As a matter of fact the father of the child is married to someone else other than the woman he had the baby with. He and his wife were separated at the time and he was living in sin with this woman with whom he had the child. As far as I can figure, the reason they did this was because the guy has an Aunt who is a self proclaimed Christian and she is the one who suggested they have this done. This particular family do things mainly by the tradition passed on from their parents and great grand parents even though they aren't saved, nor understand why they even do certain things other then by being told to do it. They bless their food before they eat. Turn their music down in their cars when they pass a church building...things such as this. But as far as for going to church or actually giving their lives to God....that is totally out for them.

 

[Nautilus]

Its just tradition. Though unless they are throwing in refreshments I don't see a need to go sit through a random church service of their choosing just to watch someone sprinkle water on an infant. I can do that in my kitchen if thats how serious the parents are.

 

[Simona25]

It doesn't bother me that people who don't go often to church decide to marry in the church and to baptize their babies. It's not ideal, I agree, but it's better than completely rejecting God (like atheists do). I think people who do so have a form of belief or religiosity and they feel that by getting married in church and baptizing their child, they are putting a good start to their life as a family.

 

[kennethcadwell]

We all have different levels of faith, and therefor plays in how one believes in going to church or not going.

Even Apostle Peter, and the other apostles were called at one point or more, men of little faith.

Some believe you have to go to church ( building ), some believe that as long as you worship at home with two or more people then you still are doing right.

Remember the bible says not to be against the gathering together, but does not say you have to go to your denominations building to worship.

The reason, and this will upset some that others take their kids to church just for the baptism or for marriage as well is the documentation ( appeasement ) reason that man has put on things.

How many people will say where is your proof that you were baptized ?

Your not truly married unless you go in front of a preacher or justice of peace and have the marriage certificate ?

or even pastor's ( people want to see a degree to prove you can be a pastor )

God and our Lord Jesus has no need in those certificates. If you can prove anybody from the old testament had a marriage certificate before Moses, I will listen. Does the bible say anything about receiving certificates for baptism, no, and Jesus and John the Baptist were not ordained by other men ( documentation ). This is why the Pharisees questioned them, saying by what authority do you have to preach.

Here is a question to ponder:

Jesus is our High Priest, so if a man and woman truly commit themselves to each other as in marriage in prayer to our Lord Jesus are they married ?

Or do you believe you have to appease men instead of God by getting the man made certificate ?

 

[notuptome]

All people by their nature are religious. Many have a religion based on superstition rather than truth but they are at heart religious. They have a natural faith and trust in things that are not trustworthy.

True religion and pure is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ according to the teachings found in the bible.

Unchurched people are still religious just not in any useful or profitable way.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[didymos]

'I don't need to go to church; I'm Church of England.'

~Richie Richard~

 

[didymos]

There's an expression in dutch (I'm not sure if it's in english too):
'Christianity on Four Wheels,' people who only attend church when they
are baptized: pram
get married: bridal carriage
are burried: hurse.

 

[RedTent]

There is a spiritual connection between what we do and our spirit. In the Old Testament many times scripture said to do something without telling them why, like blood for sacrifice. They didn't understand Christ, yet they were asked to use blood to represent Him. If someone understands marriage in God's eyes and think of themselves as married, but say they won't get the certificate, usually there also isn't the sincerity. If they are married, they would be glad to say so.

It is the same way with dedicating the baby. We aren't to judge, but doing the work of it even without the spirit is better than not doing anything.

 

[AdamTheWatchful]

I believe it is a noble and right thing to dedicate your baby to Christ Jesus and to anoint the baby in the name of The Father The Son Jesus and The Holy Spirit in the presence of REAL BELIEVERS who can pray for the child as well. Yeah some things might just be for a show or something that's for sure. But I would be more concerned about the state of that child's soul later on in life, so therefore it may be good that the baby is anointed and prayed for in the name of Jesus Christ as soon as possible but I WOULD BE AWARE OF RAVENOUS WOLVES IN THE CHURCH (WITCHES AND OTHERS) WHO MAY TRY TO CURSE THE CHILD OR TEMPT THE PARENTS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT TRULY BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST THAT THEY BE SAVED THROUGH TRUTH) Otherwise I see nothing wrong with dedicating the child and being Happy whether or not it looks like a repetitive ceremony!

Do you see my reasoning? We may do many things because we feel obliged not of the Holy Spirit but rather of MEN, if it is in Holiness Truth and Love so that the baby may be protected of GOD then I'd say it is for the right reason, because it does speak of anointing people with oil in the New Testament and we are now the Temple of the Living God for when Jesus gave up the ghost on the cross- the veil in the temple was torn, we should keep our body spirit and soul clean before the Lord so that he may dwell in us and us in HIM!

 

[lncy]

This is not a debate about the biblicalness of baptizing babies.
I'll say it again..

This is not a debate about the biblicalness of baptizing babies....

Let me say it one more time...

THIS IS NOT A DEBATE ABOUT THE BIBLICALNESS OF BAPTIZING BABIES!


Here's the topic. Why do parents who have no history of attending church (Not gathering regularly in person with fellow believers. For those who want to do the church isn't a building speech.), why do they baptize their baby or dedicate their baby to the God in a ceremony at church?

Why do they do this if they honestly have no intent of going to church/gathering with believers, or raising their kid with the teachings of Christ?

If the parents fit the parameters of the above, are you obligated to attend considering the parents have no intent of actually raising the kid in the teachings of Jesus?

Also please fill me in on the motives of said parents. Is it just so they can have the pretty ceremony and pretty pictures?

In Ireland it's still carried out as something that a child must go through before they go to Primary school. Plenty of families that I know are not practicing Catholics but will still have their baby baptised before they start school...before they're even 1 year old, because it's the thing to do. There are only a few non-denominational schools outside of Dublin so if your child is in a Primary school...it's more than likely a Catholic one, where 99% of the children are baptised before they're 1....what I'm trying to say is, it's kinda like "keeping up with the Jones's" a bit.

 

[JustAnotherUser]

My parents baptized my brother and I and they were hardly church attenders.

I think it all just comes down to tradition. We come from Irish ancestry and many who are tend to do the same, as someone said. Apparently it's done so the child is considered saved if anything were to happen.

 

[lncy]

My parents baptized my brother and I and they were hardly church attenders.

I think it all just comes down to tradition. We come from Irish ancestry and many who are tend to do the same, as someone said. Apparently it's done so the child is considered saved if anything were to happen.

That's it in a nutshell JustAnotherUser. Years ago unbaptized babies who died were buried on unconsecrated ground because it was believed they couldn't go to heaven because they still possessed original sin.

 

[JustAnotherUser]

That's it in a nutshell JustAnotherUser. Years ago unbaptized babies who died were buried on unconsecrated ground because it was believed they couldn't go to heaven because they still possessed original sin.

You'd know best since you're actually from Ireland. Kind of jealous.

Nevertheless, that's sad.

 

[lncy]

You'd know best since you're actually from Ireland. Kind of jealous.

Nevertheless, that's sad.

Yeah there's a bit of a "scandal" going on over here at the moment with alot of history surrounding this literally coming to the surface. It's not nice. But it's our history.

 

[dabodab]

I was baptized Presbyterian. Think Lloyd Ogilvie, Fred Rogers, and Ronald Reagan. <smile>

I see nothing at all wrong with baptizing children. It literally does no good spiritually, unless someone becomes interested in their own baby-baptism and seeks out a church in that vein to attend. At least the parents have made a good will gesture, even if they are keeping up with the Joneses. I thought that parallel lwas hilarious but probably too true! I am all for supporting families who go to church for any reason.

I'm thinking the OP was possibly looking for a ticket to pass !?! Totally understandable but not practical in the supporting of family or friends, IMHO.

Now if you want to talk baby showers, well that is a different subject altogether.

 

[lncy]

Now if you want to talk baby showers, well that is a different subject altogether.

hmm......none of my friends have had baby showers.....they look like fun though! There was a lot of chat online last night in the Bible room about baptism and it was pretty interesting to read. I like what you said though about the parents seeking out a church because they're actually interested in their baby's baptism. That makes sense. It's like starting them off on the right foot and then when they're old enough to make the decision to be baptised, or not, they can.