Posted on 06/15/2014 12:52:19 PM PDT by Laissez-faire capitalist
1.) An infant is baptized, is raised by believing parents and later when older turns from the faith.
2.) An infant is baptized, has no believing parents to be raised by, and when older doesn't turn from the faith.
Given that the antithesis exists for 1 & 2, wouldn't it be prudent for the priest to baptize the fortunate infant as well as the unfortunate, as either could remain faithful when older, show perseverance against high odds, and no priest knows the future - only God Almighty?
Given that only God knows the future, perhaps withholding baptism isn't an option at all for the priest. If the priest is unsure about 1, 2 or the antithesis for both, should they let God do their baptizing for them if they lack faith?
I personally know of priest who knew that two RC’s (a married Catholic man and Catholic woman) who signed to be Godparents would, in actuality, not be the real Godparents, as these two agreed with two others that were married (the wife was Roman Catholic and the husband wasn’t) that they would be the real Godparents should the need arise.
The priest said that the ones who were married (one RC the other not) would not be acceptable to the RCC.
A relative of mine told the priest this was a sham.
And once again no pictures. No Tax-chick in a wedding dress, no classic sports car, what is the world coming to?
Hello, scribe!
Post 46.
A priest is not required for baptism. Any one can baptize in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. It is a sacrament within the Catholic Church which affirms faith in Our Father and the trinity through which we understand Him. They are celebrations.
“The Latin word sacramentum means “a sign of the sacred.” The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for (Catholic)Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God’s saving presence. That’s what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God’s grace.”
In addition to Baptism there are, Communion, Confession, Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination and, Anointment of the dying. None of these lead to salvation.
The Baptism of infants is the, “presentation” of a child to a Christian life and a symbolic cleansing of original sin with which we are all born. The later sacraments reaffirm our relationship with our faith but are not required nor essential for salvation. Salvation is by the Grace of God through ones seeking to live and declare yourself as a follower of Christ.
I pray all Christians would humble themselves in our Lord and not judge each other in how imperfectly we seek Him.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I would point out that Luther stood with the Catholic and Orthodox, that infants can and should be baptized, as a sacramental act.
The question of baptism hinges upon the question of the sacrament: is baptism something we do for God, a sacrificial act demonstrating our entry into His Kingdom, or is it something God does for us, a sacramental act where He intervenes against the power of sin? If it is the former, then baptizing infants is a waste of time and water; if it is the latter, however, then not baptizing infants is an injustice against the infant. The risk of loss is therefore greater by not baptizing, than by baptizing, unless it can be proven that baptism is not an act where God intervenes—except that all acts commanded by God (cf. Matthew 28:19) are acts which lead to intervention by God, so baptism is certainly a sacramental rather than a sacrificial act.
Is salvation possible without baptism? God, who is capable of all things, is capable of saving by the blood of Jesus alone—but that evidently is not God’s “Plan A,” since baptism is commanded in numerous places in Scripture.
Somewhere usually near the teenage years knowledge of what is sin grows within us. When we receive conviction in our spirit to come to the cross and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior are we from then on accountable.
A child's parents can not do this for them nor a spouse for their spouse. It is a choice we all must face and make of our own free will. A non Baptized child will be with GOD the same as a Baptized because they know not sin nor can yet comprehend salvation.
Rather those folks who are Bible only based Christians simply forgot one thing, towards the end of Mathew’s Gospel, in what became known as “the great commision”.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:16-20
“Matthew 28:16-20
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
The Commissioning of the Disciples
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[a]
What is the “accountable” age?
An absolutely set and defined age, or relative to observer?
The only absolute criteria, one signified and verifiable, is one preceded by an acceptance of Christ as savior and Lord.
Saw it, very nice.
I did post a reference to Mathew 28:16-20 as a reference, but thank-you anyways!
Thanks. It’s not worth a lot of money - that one was going for under $8,000 - but it has a lot of sentimental value, and it’s COOOOOOOL.
....And when they grow up, confirmation renews the pledge first made at baptism.
Thank-you and God Bless.
My belief/view/faith is that faith is not something that can be turned away from. It may be denied, as Peter denied his faith just prior to Christ’s crucifixion. Faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). To some it is given early in life, while others must search it out and seek the gift of faith.
Faith is more than making a decision to believe; in fact, I don’t know how “choosing to believe” would work. I pray to God to deepen my faith in Him because I can’t do that for myself.
For this reason I find it hard to judge those who do not believe. Instead, I ask God to give them the gift of faith, or I ask them to consider what their belief is, and why. I ask them to consider what the Bible says and to seek guidance from God (praying to God “if You exist” as I believe God understands the issues of faith we all face.)
For this same reason I have problems with some people’s “decision to convert” to Catholicism or Protestantism, or Judaism or another religion. We may change our religious practices, our denominations, etc. but in the end we believe what we believe. I guess it is possible to renounce the gift of faith, or maybe even to lose it if it is not properly cared for, but we cannot turn from our faith, unless by that one just means that one rebels against God, knowing that He is in fact God.
As you can see, I continue to struggle with this issue, although I feel that my own faith remains strong. I’m going to have a lot of questions when get to heaven (which, by faith, I believe in as well.).
Sentimental value, is the most important value. I have several tools that I bought from an uncle and several that my father left me. I wouldn’t part with any of them for any amount of money.
Is there only one priest in all the rolling hills and lands that surround?
No.
Does the priest have to hang around for any lengthy set of time?
No.
Does a priest “hang around” all homes simultaneously?
No. If no for the third, then priests can’t possibly travel to various locations in the course of their ministry to give Last Rites.
By your statement if several priests or even one cannot possible hang around to perform baptism for these infants/babies,then they shouldn’t try/have tried to perform Last Rites for any adult.
I don’t care anything about cars, except this one. I have nine children at home ... I drive a 15-passenger van everywhere.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, meet the mass burial, mass grave known as the Tomb of the Unknown Baby.
Money to erect churches, buy wine, adorn churches, but no money for individual graves...
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That is ridiculous, faith In Jesus Christ saves. It goes against the whole counsel Word of God to believe otherwise.
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