Purification and consecration are two important concepts in Christianity that reveals the type of relationship and expectations that God has toward his followers. Baptisms began with John the Baptist in the Bible. John the Baptist was the first evangelist in the history of Christianity, who preached the coming of Christ. He was gifted with the ability to preach, and he had drawn thousands of people from around the countryside of Judah with his message of repentance and salvation in Jesus. John baptized many people as they accepted faith in Christ and even Jesus himself was baptized by him as well.
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The concept of a child being baptized isn’t a far-fetched idea since many early Christians also converted their whole entire households into the faith of Christ (see Christian verses). In the book of Proverbs, a passage of scripture reads “even a child is known by his deeds whether his way is evil or good”. Upon careful inspection, the Bible reveals many references to children being saved by God and showing faith in Jesus as well. Even Christ himself was seen acknowledging God at the temple when he was but a 12-year-old boy. Hebrew people were more than aware of the fact that their children could be evil and that not all children will automatically go to heaven when they die. Also noted, the Hebrews performed the practice of circumcision that was used to identify a person as a Jew. Since the first Christians were former Jewish believers, the idea of baptizing Christian youth definitely meant the same outward expression of their newfound faith in Christ.
As the early church began to grow and expand, the first believers began to develop doctrinal truths to stop heresy and false doctrine from infiltrating the church. One of the doctrines that they started was related to infant baptism. This particular ritual wasn’t documented until the 2nd century A.D. It is located on the Bible Timeline Chart between 50 A.D. and 250 A.D. Then early believers started to keep written records for children who were baptized.
The practice of infant baptism evolved over time before it became a standard practice within the Catholic Church. Some of the most notable members of the early Catholic Church were Polycarp and Justin Martyr. Both these famous Christian leaders were baptized when they were young children. A noted Church Father was named Irenaeus, and he stated that “Jesus came to save all men… including infants, children and youth”(see Against the Heresies II 22:4; the quote is paraphrased). His views were taken into consideration when the church began to develop doctrine on the matter. Origen another popular figure during the era of the early church also claimed that infants were to be baptized for the remission of sins. Ultimately, the concept of baptizing children was a natural part of a believer’s faith that began to take on some prominence when Christianity was first being developed. In the time, it has become a modern practice within many Catholic Churches.
Bible References:
Proverbs 20: 11 Even a child is known by his deeds
Colossians 2: 11 – 12 The New Circumcision
Acts 2: 39 Peter makes a reference to baptizing children
Acts 16: 15 Lydia converted with her household
Colossians 2: 11 – 12 The New Circumcision of the heart. Paul contrasts this with the former Jewish circumcision rituals.
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://www.mtio.com/articles/aissar40.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_baptism
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/infant-baptism
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/early-teachings-on-infant-baptism
http://www.gotquestions.org/infant-baptism.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_Baptism
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1st: Infant baptism is not biblical.
2nd: Baptism cannot and will not wash away sins. (Jesus Christ was baptized and yet we know He had no sins to be washed).
3rd: Baptism is the first step of obedience to Christ by way of showing to the world that a person being baptize is a follower of Jesus.
4th: Baptism comes from the Greek word “Baptizo” which means immersion (to be submerge in water)
5th: Baptism is like declaring just as Christ died was buried and resurrected the third day, the person being baptize is also showing he is dead in Christ and buried (submerge in water) just as Christ resurrected the person upon coming out of the water is likewise showing his faith that he will be resurrected someday (coming out from immersion in water representing resurrection).
6th: There is only One mediator between God and man and there is only One Savior of man’s soul and His name is Jesus Christ (this is non-negotiable).
What I asked was have we to be fully immersed to go to heaven
Yes. In Mark 16 from verse 15 Jesus says, “Those that believe and are baptised shall be saved but those who believe not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall cast out devils, thet shall speak with new tongues, ….” see Acts 2 : 1 to 4
Thank you Dominic. You are blessed. This is the Truth.
Dominic cool off. Damn.
I was baptised as a baby and when I was 18 both were sprinkled if I am not fully immersed will that mean I can’t go to heaven .i always thought that believing and confessing my sins and asking for forgiveness would be the things that would save me to go and live with God in heaven,I am a very old lady now.
Baptism means fully immersed in water and coming out as our Lord Jesus did. No servant is greater than his master, do as your master did. it’s a outward symbol of inward change. infant babtism is wrong because baby won’t realise it. ask forgiveness and live a holy lifestyle thereafter. you are qualified to enter heaven.
This what I have to say, If Ruth is too old and her pastor confirms that she is too old to be immersed in water, I believe she can go to hell because of that, if she fulfilled all other requirements of salvation (believing with her heart and confessing with her mouth the Lordship of Jesus Christ in her life) and leaving a life of holiness.
I made a mistake in my typing, I meant that she can’t go to hell because of that, if ….
I am bleave in Christ from childhood I want to take baptism to same my life from sins ,I am victim of child abuse and sexual harassment, and I am from childhood growing up with this things and feelings,, – I feels like I am homosexual and have no life but when I pray and read bible I feel I can change my life only trusting in Jesus Christ and there is no any other way
Hi Kuldeep if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ you are born again and a new creation in Christ according to these verses (John 3:16,17)(2Corinthians 5:17) . Next step follow Jesus Christ, who is our example, by being baptized. The bible says when you are baptized in Jesus you are baptized into His death and when you come up out of the water you are risen into a new life your old life died with Christ you become a new person in Jesus. This is just the beginning for Jesus promised to send a Helper to help with this new life(John 14:16,17,18)(John16). God bless.
All sins are forgivable except the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is confess your sins to God, repent of theme, those of the past and with the intent of never sinning again as best you can, confessing your sins to God and Being baptized in water for the forgiveness of those sins. If you are sincere then God will keep His word and forgive you.
Hi Kuldeep Just believing in Jesus is not enough. In the Gospel of John 3 : 1 to 7 Jesus explains to Nicodemus that he must be born again to “see” to kingdom of God and repeats the statement and says ” …. unless you are born of water and from above (receive the Holy Ghost) you cannot enter the kingdom of God. ” but a baby is sanctified by the believing parents/ parent.
Acts 2 : 1 : 38 Immediately after Peter and the 119 others received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost…He answered the thousands who heard the sound of the Tongues and asked, “What shall we do? ” He said, “Repent and be baptised every one for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost for the promise is unto you and as many as the Lord our God shall call.” All the Truth is in the Word of God.
Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
God’s grace is greater than any baptismal requirements imposed by man. No one who is brought to, or comes to, the waters of baptism is worthy of God’s immeasurable grace & mercy.
So if God has called you to come, if he has called you to bring your child, just come. God’s love is beyond any man-imposed-doctrine.
I’ve immersed people, I’ve poured water over people, all in the name of the Father, The Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. God’s love covers them all.