Do babies go to Heaven?

[PFKEY]

Hope no one minds the vanity too much.

I was thinking last night about this idea and was trying to make it jive somewhat with the notion of predeterminationalism if that is the correct word.

Also was curious regarding what the various Christian denominations taught on this subject.

[JesseShurun]

Why would you baptize a non-believer or why would a non-believer be baptized? It doesn't save you.

[xzins]

Jesse, are you a baptist?? I've never asked your denom before.

In any case, what is the support (logical/biblical) that baptists use for their position of believer's only baptism?

[xzins]

also....you must compare my question with #112 to see the issue.

[drstevej]

The Great Commission... "make disciples, baptizing them."

Disciples (believers) are to be baptized. Unbelievers are not disciples and therefore are not to be baptized.

=====

BTW, I found this argument in the writings of John Smyth (1609).

[JesseShurun]

I was baptized as an adult after reading the scriptures and understanding what being baptized is all about. It is a very holy experience that is best undertaken when one has complete understanding of the implications. I believe that there should only be one baptism and that when the soul fully agrees to it and is able to comprehend what it is truly about. You cheat a soul out of the experience if you do not let it make the decision, just like communion. For me, it was mind-blowing and should be for everyone. That;s my understanding. Nothing like it.

[Jael]

How exactly does this aid the Arminianist position?

I am a Bible Believer. I am not part of any branch of Protestantism. My church or beliefs never came from Mother Rome.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

How exactly does this aid the Arminianist position? ~~ I am a Bible Believer. I am not part of any branch of Protestantism. My church or beliefs never came from Mother Rome. 126 posted on 12/31/2002 3:33 PM PST by Jael

Sure they did. Arminianism was introduced into the Protestant Church by Jesuit Romanist design.

You must remember, prior to the Jesuit introduction of Arminianism into the Protestant Church (circa 1600), all of the Protestant Reformers (Martin Luther, John Calvin, George Morel, etc.) were Absolute Predestinarians.

Only after the Jesuit introduction of Arminianism into the Halls of Protestantism, did Protestants again begin to profess the unbiblical Ba'al-Religion that an unregenerate Man will "choose in favor" of God.

[sinkspur]

The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Are the good estranged from the womb?

You are free to pull obscure Old Testament quotations to try to prove that unbaptized infants are in hell.

That is the god you believe in, who would bring a creature to life to condemn it to hell, through no fault of its own.

It is nonsensical, on its face, and contrary to the Mercy and Justice of God, but, hey, it's what I expect from all of you.

Have a Happy New Year, in fear and trembling.

[rwfromkansas]

Baptists do not understand the continuity of the covenant and therefore, reject paedobaptism.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

I am not part of any branch of Protestantism.

Outta curiosity... Is your meaning, by this statement, that you're a Baptist?

If so, then your heritage descends from one of two sources.

• The English Baptists (which is more probably the heritage from which you hail) are in fact a 17th-Century branch of Protestantism.
• The Continental Anabaptists and Independents (Waldenses and the like), OTOH, may legitimately claim to pre-date 16th-Century "Protestantism" by centuries. However, you must remember that the pre-protestant Continental Anabaptists were absolute predestinarians.

There is indeed a venerable Non-Romanist heritage -- of absolute predestinarians -- stretching back through the Centuries; just as there (was) a venerable heritage of absolute predestinarians even within Rome (at one time).

However, there is no such Non-Romanist heritage of Anti-Predestinarians whatsoever.

[JesseShurun]

make disciples, baptizing them For once, we agree on something

[the_doc]

I was just getting ready to post a comment about the historical-theological lineage of the Baptists when you made the point nicely.

[drstevej]

See #124. John Smyth was a pioneer of the general (anti-Calvinistic) baptists. He indeed did distinguish between Old and New Testament first in worship and then in church membership. He moved from Anglican to a separatist (rejecting OT worship patterns) and finally to a baptist (rejecting OT circumcision's parallel to baptism).

[drstevej]

Let's enjoy the moment!

[RnMomof7]

John 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Finish it Jael..unregenerate man loves the darkness more than the light

Jhn 3:21   But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Phl 2:13   For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

[JesseShurun]

Okay! Ring in the New!!

[drstevej]

Think we can go 6 hours without disagreeing? You optomist!

[RnMomof7]

I don't know if babies go to heaven. I do know the Lord is all merciful, good, and just. So I know whatever happens to them, it will be ok.

Amen A just God makes just judgements

[JesseShurun]

Yes, because I have to go soon.:)

[drstevej]

Have a great new year, JS!