Again, the alternative view is that the Sacrament of Baptism is of no value, no benefit, meaning or effect. That’s the only alternative I can see; is there another?
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The alternative is that a God would not punish a baby that has no conscious will to make a decision about baptism.
I’m really curious and hoping to get a clear answer in practical, easy to understand terms:
Two babies that are not baptized are with their parents on a Sunday morning. One baby goes to church and is baptized. One baby goes to brunch. On the way home there is a car accident between the two families and both babies die.
Please be as clear and specific as possible and describe what happens to the two babies after they die.
Oops, here is a more pertinent passage:
“Dionysius says (Eccl. Hier. iii): “Our heavenly guides,” i.e. the Apostles, “approved of infants being admitted to Baptism.”
I answer that, As the Apostle says (Romans 5:17), “if by one man’s offense death reigned through one,” namely Adam, “much more they who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift, and of justice, shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ.” Now children contract original sin from the sin of Adam; which is made clear by the fact that they are under the ban of death, which “passed upon all” on account of the sin of the first man, as the Apostle says in the same passage (Romans 5:12). Much more, therefore, can children receive grace through Christ, so as to reign in eternal life. But our Lord Himself said (John 3:5): “Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Consequently it became necessary to baptize children, that, as in birth they incurred damnation through Adam so in a second birth they might obtain salvation through Christ. Moreover it was fitting that children should receive Baptism, in order that being reared from childhood in things pertaining to the Christian mode of life, they may the more easily persevere therein; according to Proverbs 22:5: “A young man according to his way, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This reason is also given by Dionysius (Eccl. Hier. iii). “
We don’t know what happens to them, we trust in a just and merciful God whose wisdom transcends our ability to comprehend. A God who has given us the Sacrament of Baptism to enter into the Body of Christ. And given us the choice to participate in it - or go to brunch. Do this choice matter? Do parent’s choices matter to their children?
Now a similar question for you, one I think more in line with your views.
Take the brunch family. Each Sunday they ask their child “God or brunch?” Each time he answers “McDonalds!”. Week after week, year after year, the same thing happens, the parents give him the choice, he makes the same choice. Can you tell me precisely which Sunday, should they have a fatal accident, would the parents actions and his choice make any difference to what happened to him after he died?