Why have the believers replaced baptism by immersion with infant baptism by sprinkling?

Question

Why have the believers replaced baptism by immersion with infant baptism by sprinkling?

Answer 1

This is from Smith's Bible Dictionary:



It is well known that ablution or bathing was common in most ancient nations as a preparation for prayers and sacrifice or as expiatory of sin. In warm countries this connection is probably even closer than in colder climates; and hence the frequency of ablution in the religious rites throughout the East. Baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is the rite or ordinance by which persons are admitted into the Church of Christ. It is the public profession of faith and discipleship. Baptism signifies--



A confession of faith in Christ;

A cleansing or washing of the soul from sin;

A death to sin and a new life in righteousness. The mode and subjects of baptism being much-controverted subjects, each one can best study them in the works devoted to those questions. The command to baptize was co-extensive with the command to preach the gospel. All nations were to be evangelized; and they were to be made disciples, admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, by baptism. (Matthew 28:19) It appears to have been a kind of transition from the Jewish baptism to the Christian. The distinction between John’s baptism and Christian baptism appears in the case of Apollos, (Acts 18:26,27) and of the disciples at Ephesus mentioned (Acts 19:1-6) We cannot but draw from this history the inference that in Christian baptism there was a deeper spiritual significance.



This comes from the Greek word "ba/ptisma" which is defined as "immersion, submersion". So, people have interpretted what it means and have changed it to fit what they believe. Tsk, tsk.

Answer 2

It's certainly debatable that it has happened this way and not the other way around. Anyway if water baptism is just a symbol then it cannot be that important. If however it is needed for salvation then the method could be important.



There is no point arguing from language as this is unclear. There is no point in arguing from scripture as this is also unclear and some denominations also cite church tradition.



Child baptism is usually defended on a covenantal basis whilst adult as a symbol of belief (those that pratise child baptism usually use confirmation (laying on of hands) to symbolise belief and receiving of the Holy Spirit.



The method immersion or sprinlkling again really depends on what is being symbolised death and rebirth or the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.



Who on earth understands the arguments whether it should be in the name of Jesus or in a triune formula?



My personal belief is who cares? Most of the arguments are just about show getting "new converts" to ones own little tribe. It's what is in the heart that counts.

Answer 3

In the time of Christ all Christains was completely immersed in water in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as time went on the Catholic religion, in about 312 AD made sprinkling a tradition to try to say this is the same thing as complete immersion, Baptized means put under completely, So we can see the Catholic taechings are wrong, because they began to change God's word. Baby baptism came in also from the Catholic Church. They claim that if a baby is baptize in their church, that the baby is now saved. But let see what the bible actually says, St. Mark 16:16 He that (BELIEVETH) & is Baptized shall be saved. Look closely Baptism does NOT save you, First you have to believe, How can a little baby believe. So this tradition came through the Catholic Church a pagan teaching.

Answer 4

Because baptism is in the water and the intent, NOT the amount of water or the position of the person being baptized. In a pinch, anyone, even a non-Christian, can baptize and any liquid will do. All that's necessary is the intent to baptize and a drop of liquid.



The Catholic Church regards as valid baptisms made by atheists with a drop of gin (no fooling) because the intent to baptize was there in both the atheist and the person wishing baptism. This is NOT the recommended procedure. Just an emergency case. The baptized died a few moments later of his injuries. (car accident). His atheist buddy related the details to the cops and then to a priest. The baptism was accepted.

Answer 5

Some have and some haven't. I was sprinkled as a youth, but later immersed. Baptism, to me, is an outward sign of faith. It is hard for me to understand infant baptism. I understand baby dedication. Some say it is a covering until the child is old enough to get baptized.

Some believe baptism is mandatory for salvation, but I don't believe it this way.

Answer 6

Each protestant religion chooses baptism in different ways. Some of them even allow you to be baptized numerous times while others believe that you are baptized for life with the first one.

Infant baptism - we agree to raise our children up in Christ - the children get the training right from the get go. Others choose when they want to be baptized from children all the way up to dying great grandparents. They are both acceptable. The Baptist faith and others believe in immersion while the Methodists believe in sprinkling (usually with holy water). Baptist say the only way you are baptized is through immersion any other way doesn't count. So in answer to your question - it really depends on which religion you participate in as to which way baptism is performed.

Answer 7

Your question cannot be taken as a blanket phrase for all Christians, for there are still those who practice baptism by immersion...



As for the practice of infant baptism (regardless of method), was only fully defined in the Decree for the Armenians, as part of the Exultate Deo of Pope Eugene IV in the Council of Trent. However, the acceptance of this doctrine is very questionable for many reasons, including the following...



- Many of the Biblical references used to justify infant baptism (such as Matthew 19: 14, Luke 18: 15, Acts 16: 15, Acts 16: 33 and 1 Corinthians 1: 16) are either speculating that infants were included or stretching the meaning of these verses too far.

- Many of the early Christian leaders have written doctrines condemning the practice of infant baptism or of its inefficacy.

- The clearer Biblical references to baptism all refer to those who either chose to receive Christ, receive baptism or received the Holy Spirit prior to their inevitable baptism.



To date, the greatest proponent of infant baptism remains the Catholic Church. Of all Christians not aligned to Catholicism, majority are against infant baptism.

Answer 8

Infant baptism has never been mentioned in the Bible.Infant Baptism is not biblical.



Baptism should only take place after a person is born again by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Answer 9

All magnificent factors different than one. comprehensive immersion baptism replaced right into a prepare of the early Church and an apostolic custom. The very be conscious "Baptism" skill immersed and limitless early Church records consult with baptism with the help of immersion, one such occasion is the "Didache" additionally we've the archaeological evidence of Baptismal fonts in many early church homes, all of that are patently the dimensions appropriate for comprehensive physique immersion. Having stated this, comprehensive immersion isn't the only way a individual may be baptized, there are rather some exceptions and out of doorways of the "Catholic" faith, that being "wide-unfold", no longer "Roman Catholic", none have the authority in Christ to baptize as they have not have been given any anointed priesthood so of their case the act isn't something extra desirable than a gesture and public demonstrate. quote- "David, my factor is that the Bible does not checklist the approach of Baptism. specific the Catholic Church has practiced this from the beginning up yet we are no longer Bible purely instructors and this methodology or the different isn't interior the Bible. they do no longer look to be being actual to their heretical doctrine of Sola Scriptura. My question is why?" My apologies, I study your question to point you have been suggesting that it replaced into unbiblical for any to have comprehensive immersion baptisms. lower back my apologies.

Answer 10

denominations like the catholic church and others for some reason think that it the actual baptism that saves us and gives us eternal life so they baptise babies in the fear that they'll die before they grow up and they wont go to heaven... this is not the case. all children who havnt the capability to decide to follow christ for themselves go to heaven (even every adult who for example live in countries where they havnt been able to hear the good news about christ go automatically to heaven when they die) My church (baptist) refuse to baptise children under 12 because they cant make a proper decision as children... baptism, even though is is extemly specail, is just a public testimony to your faith and to show god and everyone else how important he is to you... being totally imersed is a symbol of your sins being washed away and forgotten by god because you have accepted him and accepted his son as lord of your life....

Answer 11

Not all have and I don't know why some churches do that. I was raised Baptist and I am now Assembly of God. Both of these denominations baptize by immersion when a person accepts Jesus as their savior.

Answer 12

Hi!



It is also interesting to note that the word "Baptism" itself means immersion according to Greek meaning of word "Baptizo".



But just to answer your question, that idea of sprinkling was facilitated by the Satan himself because he knew that God chose immersion as to signify your faith in Christ for the following reasons:



1. Babies cannot be baptized because they would die if they were immensed in water.God was basically affirming that "YOU NEED TO BE OLD ENOUGH TO EITHER REFUSE SALVATION OR ACCEPT IT!Satan wants people to live with the deception that their being "baptized" when they were babies will let them enter heaven, thereby living in sin with a false believe that their salvation has been dealt with when they were babies...that they need not work out their salvation with fear and trembling...but that's a lie of Satan.



2. By authorising immersion, God was also affirming that Children enter heaven by grace as Jesus said so you need not force them into the kingdom of God!They need to be waited for until they are old enough to make a conscious decision to accept or refuse to receive Christ...this coincides with FREE WILL POWER that God gave humanity.



3. Baptism calls attention of unbelievers:If for example, you walk in Iraq, and you came across Sadam Hussein being baptized for Jesus, it would surely strike your heart with awe because you knew what kind of a person he were...it would really make you be interested in knowing about Jesus Christ if you did not know Him.You would ask yourself, what kind of God was able to humble a proud man like him such that he even enters into water with his clothes on.Satan hates the idea of EVANGELISM!



4.Baptism also signifies the death of Jesus Christ, that we died with Him and we rose with Him. Satan hates the realistic topic of the death of Jesus Christ because he knows that he was defeated through the death of Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ took the keys of life and death from him during the three days He was dead. The death and the ressurrection of Jesus Christ released power for those who will believe in Him, thus being able to overcome sin and Satan.



5.

Answer 13

Not all of them.

We still immerse in my church [Assemblies of God]. Also, we do not baptize babies. The individual must have expressed publically that they have accepted Jesus as their savior, then they are baptized.



I was baptized as a baby in the Methodist church. But a child's parents cannot select salvation for them, the individual must do it themselves.

Answer 14

There are many varied ways to get wet...



Beats baptism by fire, in any case...

Answer 15

its simply because not everywhere is a place where you can perform immersion - here a places with no rivers or lakes around.

Answer 16

They wish their babies to have the metaphysical equivalent of an Achilles' heal so SATAN can eat their souls.

Answer 17

because infants dont know to hold their breath and could die.

Answer 18

liability