Posted on 09/25/2009 6:53:41 PM PDT by Colofornian
A friend of my daughter recently said she could not understand why Mormons baptize children at such a young age, 8 years old. This got me thinking.
...We do not baptize infants or little children because, as taught in section 29 of the Doctrine and Covenants, "little children are redeemed" through Christ and "cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children until they begin to become accountable before me."
But why do we baptize at the young and tender age of 8? Why not wait until they are older and, as some would argue, more competent to make such a momentous decision.
SNIP
In the home, in church meetings and functions, this is what we are to do. Then, after being thus prepared, "their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of hands."
SNIP
We baptize children at age 8 because it is the age of accountability. We baptize at age 8 because the Lord wants children to have the blessings, in this and the next life, that come through covenant relationships. We baptize at age 8 because in doing so we give children access to the power of righteousness and the power of God in their lives.
(Excerpt) Read more at mormontimes.com ...
Not to preach, but...
If you were baptized in my faith as an infant, and now profess to be an atheist, your mother will burn in hell, for the sin of not raising you right.
Or so the nuns told me.
You might also take into account that 100 years ago, children of 8 were quite mature. Probably the equivalent of 16yo or better compared to today’s youth.
I am a Cumberland Presbyterian, a small denomination that broke off from Presbyterian US in 1810 based on several tenants, including the Calvinistic beliefs (I do not know what their teaching is now) of predestination and that children dying in infancy are not saved. Our “Confession of Faith” section 5.19 reads as follows:
5.19 The sacrament of baptism is administered to infants, one or both of whose parents or guardians affirm faith in Jesus Christ and assume the responsibilities of the covenant, and to all persons who affirm personal faith in Jesus Christ who have not received the sacrament.
Scripture references talk about baptizing, not only the individual, but also their household. These references are Acts 16: 14-15,32-33; I Corinthians 1:16.
Also, I heard a Presbyterian PCA minister talk about infant baptism as an issue of “it depends on where you want to start”. Remember that babies were taken to the temple to be dedicated in the Old Testament, Samuel being the best example I can cite off the top of my head.
Children baptized in the CP church are baptized into the covenant community, but still must make their own decision and profession of faith. We believe in the doctrine that “whosoever will” repent of their sins and accept Christ as their savior will be saved.
My 5-year-old niece isn’t baptized neither does she attend church but she is polite and doesn’t use any profanity.She is well-behaved and you wouldn’t know if she was baptized or not.
I’m not saying I wont teach them any morals or values but I wouldn’t baptize my child(ren) or force them follow any religion.. If they find God good for them I will support them 100%.
Help me out here: you believe religiously in disparaging other religions? I suppose I am disparaging yours, then.
Well I’m agnostic I was an atheist when I was 13 years old.
I have tried to find god but i find my prayers useless, honestly, but I hope I’m wrong.I wouldn’t want to be against god.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)
Driftdriver & ActrFshr, What's the "washing" referencing here?
Why is "washing" directly linked to something "salvific?"
And if it's not baptism what makes you say it's not (such as looking @ Titus 3 in context)?
1 Peter 3:21: and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ...
If baptism has no "salvific" reference point, why does Peter come right and disagree with you? (actually you are disagreeing w/Peter -- something about him having spoken out first on this matter). How do you explain this passage away?
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)
Acts 2:38 -- which also links baptism to receiving the Holy Ghost -- and Acts 2:39 -- which stresses that baptism is a promise for children: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
Also, whole households were baptized simultaneously (Acts 16:14-15;: Acts 16:33; Acts 11:14-17).
Bible speaks of whole families being saved, never of anyone being too young.
Baptize them as infants.
Like I said, I look forward to all of the coming posts, but be careful...
5.56mm
Colofornian,
Chill!
Actually I think that it’s a great practice to baptise a child at an age after they understand the teachings of their parents on how to be a good person; and/or the teachings of their church on how to be a good Christian.
It will be much more meaningful to them as adults to remember the ceremony of their joining with God, than as a very young child who will not recall anything.
I’m not an LDS or even a good Christian, but I think that you need to take some more meds, and chill out a bit!
RB, we both know you seem to interpret taking issue with, disagreeing with, debating, etc. as "disparaging." (Therefore, since you take issue with, disagree with, and debate my comments, my your own applied definition, you "disparage" my comments. Since you apparently have some kind of loosely applied standard -- at least applied to others -- that you shouldn't disagree religiously, why don't you adhere to your own self-standard?)
If your child needed, say, insulin, would you deny it to him until he reached the “age of accountability”?
Where’s the sense in that?
Again, Jesus promised the criminal who died with him that he would join Him in heaven because the criminal professed his belief that Jesus was his savior. This criminal was never physically baptized, but by Jesus' own words, he is in heaven now.
I’m not familiar with LDS, but the Catholic Church, while it baptizes infants, doesn’t allow them to receive the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, (Communion) until they are 6, but up to 8. That is the age range when it is understood that children reach the ‘age of reason.’ That is, they can differentiate between right and wrong. Before that reasoning ability is achieved, their actions really can’t be called ‘sins.’ So on that score the Catholics and Mormons see eye to eye.
I take it you didn’t vote Romney?
Let me get this straight: My "religious teachings" from the apostle Paul & Apollos tell me it's OK to go into the synagogue and debate with fellow religious Jews (See Acts 16, 17, 18, 19). But your "religious teachings" of telling others to "mind" their "own business and keep your nose out of mine" supposedly shuts down and censors my "religious teachings" from the book of Acts?
On what grounds do you appeal to re: your religious teachings trumping mine? (I can at least appeal to the Bible, book of Acts). What authority do you appeal to?
Besides, if you're own personal standard is to "mind your own business and keep your nose out of mine" then please tell me why you're not keeping your nose out of the religious business I'm posting on this thread?
If this was such a great standard to adhere to, then you'd ignore me. Totally. 100%. Your nose would be elsewhere. As would your mind you're not suppose to "mind."
Instead. You're minding my business.
What are we suppose to believe? The words you're preaching at me? (Or the actions that betray your sermon?)
Romney changed his mind a dozen times on abortion, three times on embryonic stem cell research, and three times on protecting homosexuality as a workplace "civil rights" matter.
Aside from that, if Hillary Clinton said that when she died, she expected to become a god and that this life was an audition for godhood, do you think that'd inspire voters to vote for her?
You think it's loose because you don't understand it: you disparagingly call Mormonism a "cult" and think it is debate. That's ok, just admit it.
(And by the way, I don't know your religious persuasion and don't care--that's why I asked if your religion calls for you to refer to other religions as a "cult.")
Baptism at birth. Only way to go, as that gets the “original sin” out of the way. Then continue baptism over and over again each time the child sins.
That is why the coach sent offending players to the showers, right?
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