TODAY'S CATECHISM
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WE BEGIN OUR CATECHISM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
AMEN
TOPIC: INFANT BAPTISM
=> INTRODUCTION
=> INFANT BAPTISM
=> PROTESTANTS' VIEW
=> REASONS FOR INFANT BAPTISM
=> BIBLE REFRENCES TO INFANT BAPTISM
=> CONCLUSION
=> REFERENCE
INTRODUCTION
Infant baptism (according to wikipedia) is
the practice of baptising infants or young
children.
In theological discussions, the practice is
sometimes referred to as paedobaptism, or
pedobaptism, from the Greek pais meaning
"child".
This can be contrasted with what is called "
believer's baptism" (or credobaptism, from
the Latin word credo meaning "I believe"),
which is the religious practice of baptising
only individuals who personally confess faith
in Jesus, therefore excluding underage
children.
Opposition to infant baptism is
termed catabaptism.
INFANT BAPTISM
Infant baptism-is a mystery to those who do not have the clear understanding of the Word Baptism.
A simple meaning of the word BAPTISM is INITIATION ( adoption, admission, possessed or acquired something to function). In the old testament you would have been hearing about circumcision on the eight day which was a sign of spiritual cleansing of the new born from inherited impurity.
In the olden days if you are not circumcised, you are not counted as Jew or not illegible to partake in the worship of Yahweh.
In the new testament circumcision has been replaced with baptism. Baptism is a sacrament, because it is an "instrument instituted by Jesus Christ to impact Grace to it's recipients.
So infants are traditionally baptised on the eighteth day, recalling the biblical injunction to circumcision on the day.
PROTESTANTS' VIEW
The Catholic church is often been criticized
by protestants of the practice of baptizing
infants. According to them, baptism is for
adults and older children, because it is to be
administered only after one has undergone
a “born again” experience.
That is, after one has “accepted Jesus Christ
as his personal Lord and Saviour.”
Although the above objection might be clear
in scripture (Cf. Acts 2:28, 41; 8:16),
However, since the New Testament era &
based on the same scripture, the Catholic
Church has always understood baptism
differently, teaching that it is a sacrament
which accomplishes several things.
The first of which is the remission of sin,
both original sin and actual sin - only
original sin in the case of infants and young
children, since they are incapable of actual
sin; and both original and actual sin in the
case of older persons.
REASONS FOR INFANT BAPTISM
1. From Peter's Sermon On Baptism, he
explained what happens at baptism when
he said, “Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins; (...)” (Acts 2:38).
The phrase "Everyone of You" in the above
text means he (Peter) did not restrict this
teaching to Only adults.
This even becomes clear when he (Peter)
added, “For the promise is to you and to
your CHILDREN and to all that are far off,
EVERY ONE whom the Lord our God calls to
him” (Acts 2:39).
Now from the above text if baptism is
connected with salvation then it must be for
ALL since salvation is a universal
phenomenon.
2. Baptism Replaces Circumcision
Furthermore, Paul notes that baptism has
replaced circumcision (Col. 2:11–12).
In that passage, he refers to baptism as “the
circumcision of Christ” and “the
circumcision made without hands.”
If Paul meant to exclude infants, he would
not have chosen circumcision as a parallel
for baptism.
Since the time of Abraham right to the
present, Jews have circumcised infants and
brought them into the Covenant on the
eighth day after birth, based on the faith of
the parents, just as we do now in Christian
Baptism.
The pattern is the same.
BIBLE REFERENCES TO INFANT BAPTISM
But one might ask, does the Bible ever say
that infants can be baptized?
The indications are clear.
In the New Testament we read that Lydia
was converted by Paul’s preaching and that
“She was baptized, with her
household” (Acts 16:15).
Also, in his greetings to the Corinthians, Paul
recalled that, “I did baptize also the
household of Stephanas” (1 Cor. 1:16).
In all these cases, 'whole households' were
baptized. Therefore, the children must have
been baptized as well.
Again, according to Scripture, Baptism is the
an essential prerequisite for entering into
the Kingdom of Heaven. "(...) Amen, amen, I
say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of
God without being born of water and
Spirit" (John 3:3-5).
.
Now if Jesus says also that the Kingdom of
God belongs to infants and children, it
would make no sense if He then withheld
the gift of Baptism that would give them
entrance to this very Kingdom.
CONCLUSION
St Gregory of Nazianz summarizes the
answer for us perfectly in his "Oration on
Holy Baptism".
"Do you have an infant child? Allow sin no
opportunity; rather, let the infant be
sanctified from childhood. From his most
tender age let him be consecrated by the
Spirit."
Let Bible be the basement for our responses.........!!!!!!!
Infant baptisms is a mystery to those who do not have the clear understanding of the Word Baptism.
A simple meaning of the word BAPTISM is INITIATION ( adoption, admission, possessed or acquired something to function). In the old testament you would have been hearing about circumcision on the eight day which was a sign of spiritual cleansing of the new born from inherited impurity.
In the olden days if you are not circumcised, you are not counted as Jew or not illegible to partake in the worship of Yahweh.
In the new testament circumcision has been replaced with baptism. Baptism is a sacrament, because it is an "instrument instituted by Jesus Christ to impact Grace to it's recipients.
So infants are traditionally baptised on the eightieth day, recalling the biblical injunction to circumcision on the day.
READ THE FOLLOWING BIBLE PASSAGES.
Baptism is of spiritual mandate to every soul irrespective of the age if the soul must be cleansed of original sin and being impacted of grace, David said l was conceived of sin from my mother's womb and born of sin (Psalm 51:5 GNB) so with this how can we exempt children from congenital sin?
The will of God is to save every soul and Baptism is one of the first mandatory instrument instituted by Jesus Christ to make heaven. In John 3:5 Jesus replied Nicodemus " I am telling you the truth," "No one can enter ,the kingdom of God without being born of water and the spirit.
In Mark 16:16 Jesus said, " Whoever believes and is baptised Will be saved; Whoever does not believe Will be condemned ( a clear affirmative command of salvative requirement).
In Acts 2:39 For God's promise was made to you and your Children,and to all who are far away,all whom the Lord our God call to himself.
In Acts 16:29-33 "The jailer's entire house hold was baptised (that means included children).
In 1Cor 10:1-4 " 2,all the Israelites were Baptised as followers of Moses ( 'all' means,no one was left out).
So some one should read the above passages and digest it.
Catholic Church is not doing anything on their own but according to Christ's command.
REFERENCES
Osei-Bonsu, J. (2011). Catholic Beliefs &
Practices.Takoradi:
Franciscan Publishing.
Osborne, G. (2011). "Why does the Catholic
Church baptize babies?" The B.C. Catholic
press.
We have come to a conclusion on the topic INFANT BAPTISM.
Thanks for your participation, support and contributions. May the God in his infinite mercy continue to be bless and grant you more understanding of his words; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
PLEASE WE ARE ENCOURAGE TO CONTRIBUTE AND ASK QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO THIS GREAT TOPIC.
WE ARE CATHOLIC
By
Echofu FrancisMary Young & Michael Adoyi
