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That's question number one.
Secondly, is there any meaningful difference between infant baptism and adult baptism; that is, does one confer something the other doesn't?.
That's question number one.
Secondly, is there any meaningful difference between infant baptism and adult baptism; that is, does one confer something the other doesn't?
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Intellectual curiosity?Not sure why you would care.
And I can't bring myself to care whether or not you're sure.Not sure why you would care.
Christian baptism has a significance that most people (even many Christians) do not fully understand. Some see it as a washing away of their sins but the Bible does not say that.
1 John 1:7 says..."....the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." So if Jesus was baptized and he had no sin...what did his baptism mean?
Baptism was not something practiced in Judaism except as a ceremonial cleaning of the utensils used by the priests. Because all Jews were born under law they were under obligation to uphold God's laws. They had no choice in that. Being Jewish obligated them to be obedient to all of God's laws under penalty. But, becoming a Christian was something that had to be done by choice. Even though Jesus was the son of God, he was still a free moral agent, so he too had to choose to enter the assignment that he was sent to perform. If he wasn't a free agent, then the devil's temptations would have been meaningless. Every temptation was an appeal to self interest....something that the devil himself succumbed to in Eden. (Luke 4:1-13)
Christ's baptism set the stage for all Christian baptism. Previous to this John the Baptist had been baptizing Jews as a symbol of their repentance over breaking God's laws...but those who underwent John's baptism had to be baptized again in order to become a disciple of Christ. Later, Gentiles also came to Christ and dedicated their lives to God as disciples of his son. All received the same baptism as part of that arrangement. It was a public display so that all would know that one was a Christian. It was a symbolic 'death, burial and resurrection' of the old self...dying to one's former course, (and religion) and being raised up to put God's will first in your life. (1 Peter 2:21)
Infant baptism is meaningless because it takes the act as being significant rather than the intent. No one can make a decision to serve God as a baby. It requites vows and educated decisions to fully accept the Christian way of life for yourself. Infant baptism is a proxy arrangement that finds no support whatsoever in the Bible. One has to be of an age where they can make that choice for themselves. There is no age limit but the one undergoing baptism must fully understand what it means.
grace
noun
\ ˈgrās
1a : unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification
Some days I just need a good bath.That's question number one.
Secondly, is there any meaningful difference between infant baptism and adult baptism; that is, does one confer something the other doesn't?
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Exactly where I'm coming from.I could never figure it out myself when I was a Christian. It was just another vague vapid ritual that nobody really knew what it was all about or what it meant.
I mean what's the point of Jesus getting baptized by John the Baptist?
Jesus hadn't 'died' yet and it all comes across as a pretty meaningless thing when you put the narratives into perspective.
Some people argue it as a requirement for salvation while others do not see it as a requirement for salvation.
Eventually I put it all down as nonsense.
Unfortunately, I have to disagree with you on a few points.
As you said, baptism with an atonement for sins. But the Jews did have an atonement ceremony. It was blood offering. A cloth was washed in the blood of a lamb and came out white. This is one of the miracles that the Talmud mentions having failed after Jesus (there were other ones that happened because of this, like the Temple doors swinging open every night and the lot always coming up as Azazel or "scapegoat").
Talmudic Evidence for the Messiah at 30 C.E.
Why? Because there was no longer any need for it. John baptised with water, but Jesus cleaned himself even if there was no need. That was precisely the point.
There is a need for infant baptism. I mean, you can accept baptism as part of your commitment too, but the reason for infant baptism is that you have done nothing at all to deserve it.
Unmerited. You didn't earn it. You get a free pass from being born into a family of devout Christians.
I was baptized when a young teenagerThat's question number one.
Secondly, is there any meaningful difference between infant baptism and adult baptism; that is, does one confer something the other doesn't?
.
That's question number one.
Secondly, is there any meaningful difference between infant baptism and adult baptism; that is, does one confer something the other doesn't?
.
Purpose of baptism [spoiler alert!]That's question number one.
Secondly, is there any meaningful difference between infant baptism and adult baptism; that is, does one confer something the other doesn't?
.
That's question number one.
Secondly, is there any meaningful difference between infant baptism and adult baptism; that is, does one confer something the other doesn't?.
So they're quite different. And, I assume then that any baby not baptized is not acceptable to god, and if it dies it will end up in hell(?).It seems to me infant baptism is a magical act that transforms a baby into a creature acceptable to God.
Adult baptism is a ceremony celebrating an oath or contract.
So, because an infant and young child are incapable of believing, then they're condemned (to hell I imagine).Meaningful difference of infant and adult baptism:
Mark 16:16 New International Version (NIV)
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
An infant should not be baptized because the infant is incapable of believing.
This is the wrong practice.
So they're quite different. And, I assume then that any baby not baptized is not acceptable to god, and if it dies it will end up in hell(?).
So, because an infant and young child are incapable of believing, then they're condemned (to hell I imagine).
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There is a need for infant baptism. I mean, you can accept baptism as part of your commitment too, but the reason for infant baptism is that you have done nothing at all to deserve it.
Unmerited. You didn't earn it. You get a free pass from being born into a family of devout Christians.