Baptists

[Humph Warden Bennett]

I had yesterday a politely ill tempered argument with the local Baptist Church stall in the High Street. I have always found Baptists to be fanatical types who are intolerant of anything that they consider to be "deviant", they are the opposite of the Anglicans, who bend with the wind.

My argument with the Baptists was essentially that infant baptism replaces the Jewish tradition of circumcision (and is of course, more inclusive!). Their argument is that one cannot be a Christian unless one makes a conscious decision.

Any views?

[SteveH]

I'm an Anglican, brought up a Methodist, but I think that believer's (not necessarily adult) baptism should be the norm, for the reason above, and because there is no warrant for infant baptism in the NT. I also, though, think it is decidedly unimportant issue. (My local Baptists are all nice, non-fanatical tyes, as far as I know, though there are breakaway and independent groups who are somewhat fundamentalistically-inclined. Google Jesus Army.)

[Anchorman]

I had yesterday a politely ill tempered argument with the local Baptist Church stall in the High Street. I have always found Baptists to be fanatical types who are intolerant of anything that they consider to be "deviant", they are the opposite of the Anglicans, who bend with the wind.

My argument with the Baptists was essentially that infant baptism replaces the Jewish tradition of circumcision (and is of course, more inclusive!). Their argument is that one cannot be a Christian unless one makes a conscious decision.

Any views?

Baptism is only asymbol, a seal and sign of repentance.
Baptism does not make one a Christian; after all, sprinkling salt and vinegar don one does not make one a fish supper.
I can live with infant baptism; though personally, with my minister's consent, I rejected mine and took a believers' baptism after coming to accept Christ after years of atheism.

[ad_orientem]

Through baptism we become part of the Church. Why any Christian parent would want to deny their child the means of salvation is beyond me.

[Harrowby Hall]

My understanding is that traditional Christian view (ie  Roman - inc Anglican, Orthodox) is that infant baptism ensures the "Christianity" of the child and that the child's own affirmation of this state occurs with confirmation.

[Anchorman]

Through baptism we become part of the Church. Why any Christian parent would want to deny their child the means of salvation is beyond me.

We have a small Orthodox church in Ayrshire.
Their priest claims baptism, whilst a great introduction to the life of the church, is an outward sign of the inward change...and as such not a prerequisite for either salvation or fellowship -though, like my own denomination and others, a prequisite for receiving Communion.
The O.C recognises the baptism of other believers as just as relevent as their own.

[Humph Warden Bennett]

I'm an Anglican, brought up a Methodist, but I think that believer's (not necessarily adult) baptism should be the norm, for the reason above, and because there is no warrant for infant baptism in the NT. I also, though, think it is decidedly unimportant issue. (My local Baptists are all nice, non-fanatical tyes, as far as I know, though there are breakaway and independent groups who are somewhat fundamentalistically-inclined. Google Jesus Army.)

FTR this particular church are strict baptists rather than sharing baptists. They have a good relationship with another strict church in Bexley, but are not on speaking terms with a sharing Baptist church in Bromley, about a mile and a half from them.

In all fairness their company I found preferable to the bloke running a used record stall, who gave me the impression that he likes records, but not music.

[Roses]

Not really on topic, but this incident still makes me giggle all these years later. Our Pentecostal church went in for adult baptism, I was about 14 when it was my turn to be dunked in the tank, with several others of a similar age, and also a woman who was getting on in years. I wore my swimsuit under my baptismal gown as did the other young people. The woman went first as befitted her seniority, the pastor immersed her and when she emerged it was clear to all that she had nothing on beneath her robe. Several women rushed forward with towels to cover her up. The rest of us were shaking with suppressed laughter when it was our turn to be soaked. I suspect it was the most memorable baptismal event anyone had ever attended. It was a subject of conversation for a good while afterwards. 

[jeremyp]

Their argument is that one cannot be a Christian unless one makes a conscious decision.

That statement seem pretty obviously true to me.

On the other hand, I don't see anything wrong with having a little ceremony to mark the arrival of a new baby. At least infant baptism is not permanently disfiguring.

[Anchorman]

That statement seem pretty obviously true to me.

On the other hand, I don't see anything wrong with having a little ceremony to mark the arrival of a new baby. At least infant baptism is not permanently disfiguring.

In the CofS, a 'baby blessing' service has, in many cases, replaced infant baptism.
The parents take vows to bring their children up, just as they would in baptism; the congregation affirms their commitment to nurture all in their care....and, if and when the child accepts the Christian faith as an adult, he/she can choose whether or not they wish bapism.