Is infant baptism biblical?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#121
#121
Abiding said:
That text is something to ponder. Paul was rebuking their carnality with
the baptizing popularity game they had going and factions.

But i think it would have been less misleading if Paul hadnt said He wasnt
called to baptize, but preach the gospel. If water baptism was part of the gospel.
Click to expand...
He was fighting people claiming they were baptised by so and so so they must be better. It would be like today, I was baptised in the catholic church, so I am better than someone who was baptised in the church of Christ, or the such and such baptist church.

And yes, he said clearly, Baptism is not the gospel or part of it. But he never said we should not do it..
 
peacefulbeliever

peacefulbeliever

Senior Member
#122
Feb 21, 2012
3,794
199
63
#122
mark54 said:
Hi
But after Jesus ascension, the Apostles still baptised people in water.
Why did they do this if Baptism in water was to last only until Jesus ascension?
Or do you believe Baptism in water should still happen but it does not cleanse?
Click to expand...
I don't know if you read any of the earlier post but maybe they will explain your questions. . .if not, ask again!:)
Baptism in water is not for salvation. . .only faith in Jesus Christ can give salvation and eternal life. . . Jesus baptizes with the holy spirit which creates in man a new spirit. . .the new man, a new creature. .

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. .

I am by no means degrading water baptism. . . but water baptism does not in and of itself, actually spiritually cleanse anyone. . .it's like washing the outside of something and if I remember correctly Jesus had something to say about that to the Pharisees:)
 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#123
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#123
Elizabeth619 said:
Is baptism the New Covenant equivalent of circumcision?

Circumcision Proves the Necessity of Baptism

Infant Baptism


These are two sites I look at often when I post on CC. Here is what they say on the subject. Not saying I agree or disagree. I actually haven't fully read the articles yet. I am still not awake. Someone slap me.
Click to expand...
Bethy, i hoping to keep referencing these links is that okay?

from GotQuestions.org:

Question: "Is baptism the New Covenant equivalent of circumcision?"

"While there are parallels between baptism and circumcision, they symbolize two very different covenants. The Old Covenant had a physical means of entrance: one was born to Jewish parents or bought as a servant into a Jewish household (Genesis 17:10-13). One’s spiritual life was unconnected to the sign of circumcision. Every male was circumcised, whether he showed any devotion to God or not. However, even in the Old Testament, there was recognition that physical circumcision was not enough. Moses commanded the Israelites in Deuteronomy 10:16 to circumcise their hearts, and even promised that God would do the circumcising (Deuteronomy 30:6). Jeremiah also preached the need for a circumcision of the heart (Jeremiah 4:4).

In contrast, the New Covenant has a spiritual means of entrance: one must believe and be saved (Acts 16:31). Therefore, one’s spiritual life is closely connected to the sign of baptism. If baptism indicates an entrance into the New Covenant, then only those devoted to God and trusting in Jesus should be baptized.

~

huh?

does that have to logically follow?

hmmm.......i don't think so.

isn't the point that your family is in Covenant and believe?
what's the point of explicitly saying NO to baptism?
if people don't believe in baptismal regeneration, what's with the saying NO?

oh brother.
ppl want it both ways or no way seems like to me.
hmm...processing,,,,
 
Last edited:
peacefulbeliever

peacefulbeliever

Senior Member
#124
Feb 21, 2012
3,794
199
63
#124
Abiding said:
That text is something to ponder. Paul was rebuking their carnality with
the baptizing popularity game they had going and factions.

But i think it would have been less misleading if Paul hadnt said He wasnt
called to baptize, but preach the gospel. If water baptism was part of the gospel.
Click to expand...
Yep, Paul was sent to preach the Gospel, (as are we) not to baptize because people are saved by faith, not by faith and water.
 
A

Abiding

Guest
#125
#125
question if 5000 were baptized in the afternoon
how many milliseconds would each person get
before dark...oh wait they had fires..nevermind
jk
 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#126
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#126
peacefulbeliever said:
I don't know if you read any of the earlier post but maybe they will explain your questions. . .if not, ask again!:)
Baptism in water is not for salvation. . .only faith in Jesus Christ can give salvation and eternal life. . . Jesus baptizes with the holy spirit which creates in man a new spirit. . .the new man, a new creature. .

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. .

I am by no means degrading water baptism. . . but water baptism does not in and of itself, actually spiritually cleanse anyone. . .it's like washing the outside of something and if I remember correctly Jesus had something to say about that to the Pharisees:)
Click to expand...
thanks you:)
that helps.
sorry, i did read your posts. and they make a lot of sense.

but if water baptism is to have ceased, shouldn't we be telling people explicitly do not be baptized in water?
isn't this confusing for ppl?

the church has baptized all along, except for a few lately.
i wonder why?
 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#127
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#127
peacefulbeliever said:
Yep, Paul was sent to preach the Gospel, (as are we) not to baptize because people are saved by faith, not by faith and water.
Click to expand...
no, that's not quite what Paul said.
he said he did baptize.
but that he was glad he hadn't done more of it, for reasons noted....they were all "i'm of this guy and that guy"

that doesn't mean the people he preached to were not being baptized.
i don't see that at all.
 
A

Abiding

Guest
#128
#128
peacefulbeliever said:
I don't know if you read any of the earlier post but maybe they will explain your questions. . .if not, ask again!:)
Baptism in water is not for salvation. . .only faith in Jesus Christ can give salvation and eternal life. . . Jesus baptizes with the holy spirit which creates in man a new spirit. . .the new man, a new creature. .

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. .

I am by no means degrading water baptism. . . but water baptism does not in and of itself, actually spiritually cleanse anyone. . .it's like washing the outside of something and if I remember correctly Jesus had something to say about that to the Pharisees:)
Click to expand...
John himself said one would come after him and baptize in the Holyspirit and its
repeated in Acts 1:5 with a big "but"
 
SarahM777

SarahM777

Banned
#129
Dec 26, 2012
5,853
137
0
#129
Abiding said:
question if 5000 were baptized in the afternoon
how many milliseconds would each person get
before dark...oh wait they had fires..nevermind
jk
Click to expand...
Depends on how many people were doing the baptizing,how many hours of daylight,was that just the men included in the count,and where it was done,was it done in a river,pond or by the sea shore? :)
 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#130
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#130
Abiding said:
That text is something to ponder. Paul was rebuking their carnality with
the baptizing popularity game they had going and factions.

But i think it would have been less misleading if Paul hadnt said He wasnt
called to baptize, but preach the gospel. If water baptism was part of the gospel.
Click to expand...
did he say he wasn't called to baptize because it was to stop?
or because he had another job to do?

he said in other places they were apostles and shouldn't have to wait tables or some such.
like...come on now:cool:....i would want to see where Paul actually said "i am not called to baptize because it's supposed to stop and isn't part of the Gospel".

he never said anything like that:D
 
A

Abiding

Guest
#131
#131
SarahM777 said:
Depends on how many people were doing the baptizing,how many hours of daylight,was that just the men included in the count,and where it was done,was it done in a river,pond or by the sea shore? :)
Click to expand...
Maybe they had a monster squirtgun:p
 
A

Abiding

Guest
#133
#133
zone said:
did he say he wasn't called to baptize because it was to stop?
or because he had another job to do?

he said in other places they were apostles and shouldn't have to wait tables or some such.
like...come on now:cool:....i would want to see where Paul actually said "i am not called to baptize because it's supposed to stop and isn't part of the Gospel".

he never said anything like that:D
Click to expand...
I understand, im all for people getting baptized but lets be consistent here just for fun.
Lets go into a Pente church and they want everyone to line up and get Baptized in the
Holyspirit with the laying on of hands with signs, and wonders and tongues following:p

Now show me a verse where Paul says We are not to do that.:cool:
 
M

mark54

Banned
#135
Jan 11, 2013
2,256
17
0
#135
peacefulbeliever said:
I don't know if you read any of the earlier post but maybe they will explain your questions. . .if not, ask again!:)
Baptism in water is not for salvation. . .only faith in Jesus Christ can give salvation and eternal life. . . Jesus baptizes with the holy spirit which creates in man a new spirit. . .the new man, a new creature. .

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. .

I am by no means degrading water baptism. . . but water baptism does not in and of itself, actually spiritually cleanse anyone. . .it's like washing the outside of something and if I remember correctly Jesus had something to say about that to the Pharisees:)
Click to expand...
I agree absolutely with what you have written regarding water Baptism, it does not save, only faith in Christ can save and I agree also the new man comes through the Holy Spirit entering a persons life, this is what brings the new creation. But though this is undoubtedly true, the Apostles still Baptised the new converts in water, they did not obviously believe this practise should not continue after Christ's ascension
To me, if they continued vit, so should we now. And just before Christ's ascension he did command the disciples to baptise the converts who came to him through their witness.
 
Last edited:
zone

zone

Senior Member
#137
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#137
Abiding said:
I understand, im all for people getting baptized but lets be consistent here just for fun.
Lets go into a Pente church and they want everyone to line up and get Baptized in the
Holyspirit with the laying on of hands with signs, and wonders and tongues following:p

Now show me a verse where Paul says We are not to do that.:cool:
Click to expand...
wha? lol

but whatchu mean consistent?

Paul was actually baptizing ppl in water. and preaching the Gospel and getting beaten and shipwrecked and stuff.
he was busy.

and he was also baptized.

where did they ever say stop baptizing with water?
if i could see that, then i'll know.

trying to use his comment about not being of Paulus and stuff isn't convincing.
 
peacefulbeliever

peacefulbeliever

Senior Member
#138
Feb 21, 2012
3,794
199
63
#138
zone said:
thanks you:)
that helps.
sorry, i did read your posts. and they make a lot of sense.

but if water baptism is to have ceased, shouldn't we be telling people explicitly do not be baptized in water?
isn't this confusing for ppl?

the church has baptized all along, except for a few lately.
i wonder why?
Click to expand...
Well, think about how hard it is to break a habit. . . The church had been baptizing for approximately 1500 years!!!!
 
peacefulbeliever

peacefulbeliever

Senior Member
#139
Feb 21, 2012
3,794
199
63
#139
zone said:
no, that's not quite what Paul said.
he said he did baptize.
but that he was glad he hadn't done more of it, for reasons noted....they were all "i'm of this guy and that guy"

that doesn't mean the people he preached to were not being baptized.
i don't see that at all.
Click to expand...
For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel. . .you could be right - I may have read more into it.
 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#140
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#140
peacefulbeliever said:
Well, think about how hard it is to break a habit. . . The church had been baptizing for approximately 1500 years!!!!
Click to expand...
hmmm.....well, if you're right, we've been behaving very foolishly for nearly 2000 years.
this is pretty serious.

i guess i have to go to the drawingboard and see if water baptism was to cease.

back later.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.