Why infant baptism?

OSV.com ^ | 08-01-18 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

Why infant baptism? Practices have shifted for some Christians, but Catholics are with those who hold to infant baptism

Msgr. Charles Pope 8/1/2018

Question: Since infant baptism is becoming controversial, why doesn’t the Church abandon the practice or emphasize individualized confirmation for older teens? —Robert Bonsignore,  Brooklyn, N.Y.

Answer: I am unaware of any recent controversy about infant baptism in the Church. There have been Protestant groups opposed to infant baptism, but their views stretch back more than 200 years. Ironically today, it is the Baptists and their evangelical offshoots that are most opposed to the practice. But for the record, most “mainline” Protestant denominations do baptize infants, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregationalists and other Reformed denominations, such as the Moravian Church. The Orthodox Churches also observe this ancient practice. In the Catholic Church we baptize infants because that is what we have always done. While Scripture doesn’t directly mention the practice, the reference to the baptism of “whole households” includes infants.

Further, St. Peter in Acts includes children when he requires baptism: “‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call’” (Acts 2:38-39).

St. Paul says: “In [Christ] you were circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ. You were buried with him in baptism …” (Col 2:11-12). Calling baptism the “circumcision of Christ” links it to a practice performed on the eighth day after birth. The analogy seems far less meaningful or sensible if only adults were baptized.

And, of course, Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mk 10:14). But later he adds, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (Jn 3:5). So the little children belong to the kingdom but must enter in the water of baptism and the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, as to the practice of the early Church, infant baptism is clearly attested in numerous places. Hippolytus wrote in 215 A.D. about baptizing households or large groups: “Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them” (“The Apostolic Tradition” 21:16). 

As for confirmation, there is a widespread practice today in the Latin rite of delaying it until the teenage years. But this practice is only in the last hundred years. When Pope St. Pius X moved the reception of first Communion to age 7, confirmation was not similarly adjusted. This created an unnatural alteration in the order of the sacraments. Yet, our ancient custom is that confirmation is to be received before First Communion. This order is preserved today in the baptism of adults. In some dioceses there has been a restoration of the ancient order of the sacraments. Thus confirmation is given just prior to first Communion. While there are debates about when to give confirmation and how to teach of it, it is inarguably true that we are currently out of sync with our own tradition in the Latin rite.

In the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, confirmation and communion are given to infants on the day of baptism. Thus, an infant is fully initiated at baptism.

[Salvation]

We have quotes from St. Peter, St. Paul and even Jesus himself.

Why doubt?

[Salvation]

Monsignor Pope Ping from his OSV column.

[trisham]

Excellent! Thank you, Salvation!

[Salvation]

You are welcome, trisham.

[bramps]

Why wouldn’t a Priest just walk around non stop (especially in Muslim communities) sprinkling people with water and ‘baptizing’ them if knowledge and consent of the one being baptized is not necessary (as is the case with an infant)?

[Ken Regis]

Umm...
Gives parents a false sense of eternal security.

Next question please.

[rickomatic]

We have quotes from St. Peter, St. Paul and even Jesus himself. Why doubt?

About infant baptism? Please elaborate.

[mylife]

Why not? We have to start somewhere.

I aint a very good Christian , but have been baptized 3 times as a adult

[Bulwyf]

They can’t elaborate because it doesn’t exist.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

❤because of how sweet babies look in their christening gowns that's enough justification for me.

I loved my First Communion dress. It was hand made and I remember how special the day felt.

The sacraments play such a vital and beautiful role in our journey with Christ. From infancy to death, they remind us and those watching, he is with us, to mark every step of the way. Keeping us sealed and secure till His coming.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Further, St. Peter in Acts includes children when he requires baptism: “‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call’” (Acts 2:38-39).

The promise is the Holy Spirit, not baptism. Nor are infants specified.

The context is you and generations and those who are far off. Meaning the Gospel is for everyone, as verified by the Holy Spirit.

St. Paul says: “In [Christ] you were circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ. You were buried with him in baptism …” (Col 2:11-12). Calling baptism the “circumcision of Christ” links it to a practice performed on the eighth day after birth. The analogy seems far less meaningful or sensible if only adults were baptized.

Arch-Pope Faux Interpretation. Take a fact, circumcision, and then attempt to link everything concerning circumcision to your preconceived idea of what should happen.

Paul is talking about adults who came to faith in Christ and not children.

And, of course, Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mk 10:14).

Not one wet infant present in the passage, except in the mind of Arch-Pope.

But later he adds, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (Jn 3:5). So the little children belong to the kingdom but must enter in the water of baptism and the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Later, in a different Gospel. Good try joining the passages to try to find wet infants.

Another logical fallacy and improper interpretation. It is the false connection of two different things. Wishogesis connecting them to a third idea not mentioned - wet infants.

Finally, as to the practice of the early Church, infant baptism is clearly attested in numerous places. Hippolytus wrote in 215 A.D. about baptizing households or large groups: “Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them” (“The Apostolic Tradition” 21:16).

Again, Arch-Pope has to go out 200 years, instead of seeing what the Apostles did in the actual early church.

All told, this is a fairly typical Arch-Pope article.

[TheZMan]

(Baptist) Because baptism is a public profession of faith, after one accepts Christ as savior. An infant/young child is not accountable for sins they can’t possibly understand, nor are they accountable for accepting Christ which is beyond their comprehension.

In my view it is purely symbolic, and harmless. As said, a tradition. To believe God would send a child to hell because it wasn’t baptised...? Not gonna happen.

[mylife]

The wider question to me is why use the church to indoctrinate infants and babes to homo stuff, trans stuff, racial stuff..

And you muslims that want our heads because you think the holy trinity is polytheism... well, we should have a chin wag.

If that aint agreeable to you, I am sorry for your suffering

[9YearLurker]

There was a time when many didn’t make it to a more informed and consented confirmation.

[ConservativeMind]

“But for the record, most “mainline” Protestant denominations do baptize infants, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregationalists...”

So, all the churches with overwhelmingly Democrat voters love the idea that no change has to be in one’s heart to be saved?

Yup, that’s evil for you.

[DesertRhino]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE_0F3EAyu4

Nacho Libre, baptism...

[mylife]

I prolly could use another bath.. :)

[mylife]

When ever I go to a new church I tell the padre an off color joke,

If he laugh’s he is a good Shepard.

If he scowls, he beats his flock

[mylife]

Now you know why I aint a preacher! LOL

[Salvation]

People must ask for Baptism. Or the parents ask for the Baptism of their child.