Baptism

[Ora et Labora]

Why is it better to baptize a child as soon as possible if has not even reached the age of reason?

I dont really get it... Info would be helpful!

Kristina

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

this is from the CCC

[quote]RTICLE 1 - THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),[4] and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. T[b]hrough Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."[/b][5]
I. WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED?

1214 This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature."[6]

1215 This sacrament is also called "the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit," for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which [b]no one "can enter the kingdom of God[/b]."[7]

1216 "This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding
. . . ."[b][8] Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed, he becomes "light" himself:[9][/b]
Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift....We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship.[10]

[b]The Baptism of infants

1250 Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called.[50] The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth.[51]

1251 Christian parents will recognize that this practice also accords with their role as nurturers of the life that God has entrusted to them.[52]

1252 The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole "households" received baptism, infants may also have been baptized.[53][/b]
[/quote]

Baptism gets rid of original sin. it makes it possibile for someone to be saved

Baltimore cathechism:

[quote]315. What is Baptism? 
Baptism is the sacrament that gives our souls the new life of sanctifying grace by which we become children of God and heirs of heaven.
Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) 

316. What sins does Baptism take away? 
Baptism takes away original sin; and also actual sin and all the punishment due to them, if the person baptized be guilty of any actual sins and truly sorry for them.
Get up and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on his name. (Acts 22:16) 

317. What are the effects of the character imprinted on the soul by Baptism? 
The effects of the character imprinted on the soul by Baptism are that we become members of the Church, subject to its laws, and capable of receiving other sacraments. 

320. Why is Baptism necessary for the salvation of all men? 
Baptism is necessary for the salvation of all men because Christ has said: "Unless a man be born again of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Now they who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41) 

324. When should children be baptized? 
Children should be baptized as soon as possible after birth.
[b]
325. What sin do Catholic parents commit who put off for a long time, or entirely neglect, the Baptism of their children? 
Catholic parents who put off for a long time, or entirely neglect, the Baptism of their children, commit a mortal sin.  [/b][/quote]

[Guest T-Bone]

Why would they have to be of the age of reason?

I don't get that logic...

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

in the protestant relegion they are not baptized unitl the age of reason. they put much more emphasis on accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior when baptized.

[God's Errand Girl]

When someone uses "age of reason" in reference to baptism, they mean that a person has to be able to recognize their sin to be cleansed from it.

I'd like to hear further discussion about that.

Edited November 29, 2005 by God's Errand Girl

[Guest T-Bone]

I understand the concept of the age of reason, just not the logic behind waiting untill that point.

[Ora et Labora]

Okay, so, if your a protosant you cant go to heaven if your baptized Catholic? I just dont really understand.....

But thanks for the info! I get that a lil bit now.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

protesants can go to heaven.

lets start like this: Everyone who is baptized in the name of the Father, son and Holy Ghost has a valid baptism. If one rejects the Catholic church then they are outside of it. If one is a protestant and one is invincibly ignorant than one can be saved. but it also depends on how this person lives their life according to their conscience.

[Ora et Labora]

thats what i thought.....

[PadreSantiago]

yeah see I was baptised as an infant and this angers me. I had no choice in the matter what so ever. It makes so much more sense to do it later in life when someone actually knows what that choice means.

[Guest T-Bone]

Why would you care?

[tojo]

[quote name='Extra ecclesiam nulla salus' date='Nov 28 2005, 06:54 PM']in the protestant relegion they are not baptized unitl the age of reason. they put much more emphasis on accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior when baptized.
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[/quote]

Careful with the blanket statements. Lutherans, Episcopalians (Anglicans), and most Reformed, Presbyterians, and Methodists baptize infants, and they are all "Mainline" Protestants, as opposed to "Evangelical Protestants," most of which do not baptize infants.

Anyways, in the Evangelical Protestant mindset, baptism doesn't confer grace or wash awat sin, but is a public "re-enactment" of what Christ did (wash away their sin) when ther were saved (fully trusted in Him as their Lord and Savior for salvation).

The idea is that since they believe that children under the age of reason cannot truly, fully trust in Christ for salvation and submit to His Lordship, their sins haven't been wash away, so a (baptism) public declaration of faith and re-enactment of their sins washing away cannot be done, since it hasn't happened.

To Evangelicals, infant baptisms are meaningless, since their baptisms derive meaning from a previous choice to follow Christ, which infants cannot make. Thi sis why ex-Catholic Evangelicals are usually rebaptized, along with the curious notion that this inherently meaningless symbol must be done by full immersion, to properly symbolize the washing away of sin which isn't happening then anyways.

[N/A Gone]

Baptism is an interesting debate. In my ecumenism classes we cover it often.

First we discuss when, then what and how. Ironically they all become blooding arguments.

the "when" is interesting. For the common evangelical protestant they will have a "believers baptism" at the age of reason when one either "has a born again experience" or "when they accept christ as their savior" This is a 1 time event and then you are a christian.

For a catholic the process starts at birth with baptism, but does not truly end til confirmation. Infant baptism is to clear original sin, as well as having the parents accept responsability to raise the child in the church. Thru the sacrements and education up until confirmation the child is "in process" or "a catechium" then when confirmation is done they make the choice for themselves to accept the faith. So, in essence catholics do wait until the age of reason.

Ironically I know many protestants who will "dedicate" a child at birth, which is a ceremony in which the child is dedicated as part of the church family and the parents accept their roles to raise the child as a christian.

In essence, the debate breaks down to "original sin" and the concept of sacrements. Some will argue sprinkle vs dunk, but the main thing is the concept of original sin and the need for sacrements.

Hope it helps, sorry for the spelling, im up late working on greek

[N/A Gone]

oh, btw...many evangelical churches will not accept the infant baptism as a valid baptism. The "church of christ" and other restoration movement churches, as well as many baptist churches(BGC mostly) do not consider it a valid baptism. I, Personally, was in a very hurtful conversation with a Church of Christ professior earlier this year about this issue.

[Guest Rick777]

thats kind of sad actually