Why Some Churches Practice Infant Baptism and others do not.

[MaxPC]

And another similarity is that both rely on there being no explicit prohibition on either. The New Testament instructs us what to do in these matters and God didn't see a need to get an explicit prohibition on record.

I think this tells us a bit about God.
God gives enough clear evidence for us to know that He exists and that He created the world, if we want to believe. But he does not force himself on us, and He has hidden himself sufficiently, that we could find reason to dis-believe if we wish. Someday every knee will bow, but not right now.

I think the same is true with matters like infant baptism, going to war, and self-defense.
Jesus gave clear enough instructions and an example for us that anyone who wants to follow him and chooses to follow him can know how He wants us to live. But He does not force Himself upon anyone who is looking for loopholes to justify disobedience to His clear teaching and example.

Agreed and amen. As the RCC interprets it, there are no explicit instructions against infant baptism either. Matthew 28:18-20 states that Jesus commanded His apostles to baptise all people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Orthodox likewise interprets it similarly.

The RCC definition of baptism is a sacrament that imparts God's grace upon the recipient. While the infant is too young to make a decision regarding faith, the parents extend their faith in God on the child's behalf just as Jesus healed the centurion's servant because of the faith of the centurion (Mark 2:3-5); Jesus exorcised a child's unclean spirit because of the father's faith that his child could be healed (Mark 9:22-25).

I am old enough to realise that sparring with Bible verses is not truly productive for anyone except those who are sparring. It does send one back to the Bible to explore the context and verses and in my perspective, that is always a good thing, even if the interpretation of one differs from another. Prayer and time provides the insight.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NCB)

Matthew 28:18-20
New Catholic Bible
18 Then Jesus approached them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the world.”

I find it interesting that no specific age was specified; do you?

Personally and for my own usage, I prefer the RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition). But then as long as the Bible is read, I am comfortable with the translation preferences of others.

[mike]

Agreed and amen. As the RCC interprets it, there are no explicit instructions against infant baptism either. Matthew 28:18-20 states that Jesus commanded His apostles to baptise all people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Orthodox likewise interprets it similarly.

The RCC definition of baptism is a sacrament that imparts God's grace upon the recipient. While the infant is too young to make a decision regarding faith, the parents extend their faith in God on the child's behalf just as Jesus healed the centurion's servant because of the faith of the centurion (Mark 2:3-5); Jesus exorcised a child's unclean spirit because of the father's faith that his child could be healed (Mark 9:22-25).

I am old enough to realise that sparring with Bible verses is not truly productive for anyone except those who are sparring. It does send one back to the Bible to explore the context and verses and in my perspective, that is always a good thing, even if the interpretation of one differs from another. Prayer and time provides the insight.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NCB)

Matthew 28:18-20
New Catholic Bible
18 Then Jesus approached them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the world.”

I find it interesting that no specific age was specified; do you?

Personally and for my own usage, I prefer the RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition). But then as long as the Bible is read, I am comfortable with the translation preferences of others.

How would one go about teaching an infant to observe all that Jesus commanded? It's obviously talking about persons who are able to hear, understand, and obey the gospel.

[MaxPC]

Matthew 28:18-20 (NCB)

I find it interesting that no specific age was specified; do you?

Personally and for my own usage, I prefer the RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition). But then as long as the Bible is read, I am comfortable with the translation preferences of others.

How would one go about teaching an infant to observe all that Jesus commanded? It's obviously talking about persons who are able to hear, understand, and obey the gospel.

From the RCC pov, Baptism is the sacramental vehicle for God's graces. The RCC sees parents as the primary faith educators of children and many Catholic parents seek God's graces for their children from the earliest age via Baptism. Per the Bible verses I have already given, the RCC recognises the parents' capability to seek this.

Whether infant, adult or in-between, the RCCs Baptism is just the first step of three in the path for membership and discipleship: the tripartite Rite of Christian Initiation. The next sacrament is Holy Communion in which the young are taught the meaning of the Eucharist and its place in Catholic spiritual life.

The third and final rite of this process is Confirmation in which the Holy Spirit is invoked and the young teens/adults are incorporated into the discipleship ministries of the Church. It parallels the ritual of bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah of the Jewish faith.

Now to muddy the explanation a bit, the sequences for these 3 sacraments may vary by dioceses around the world. Confusing I know, but it is the RCCs recognition that conditions vary by nation. With seven liturgical rites within the Catholic umbrella, that flexibility is necessary.

Is there a specific age limit for baptism in the Anabaptist tradition? How young can a person be baptised within an Anabaptist fellowship?

[mike]

Is there a specific age limit for baptism in the Anabaptist tradition? How young can a person be baptised within an Anabaptist fellowship?

It is not limited by a specific age, but it is limited to those who are old enough to be able to hear, understand, and obey the gospel. Those who are not able to do so do not need baptism, and are not benefited by it in any way. Thus, effectively it IS limited by age. An 8 day old infant doesn't qualify. An 8-year old, possibly, although it would be unusual. An 18-year old, certainly. The exception would be those who are not mentally capable, in which case the same standard applies as to infants. They don't need it, and would not benefit anything by it.

[MaxPC]

Is there a specific age limit for baptism in the Anabaptist tradition? How young can a person be baptised within an Anabaptist fellowship?

It is not limited by a specific age, but it is limited to those who are old enough to be able to hear, understand, and obey the gospel. Those who are not able to do so do not need baptism, and are not benefited by it in any way. Thus, effectively it IS limited by age. An 8 day old infant doesn't qualify. An 8-year old, possibly, although it would be unusual. An 18-year old, certainly. The exception would be those who are not mentally capable, in which case the same standard applies as to infants. They don't need it, and would not benefit anything by it.

Thank you; that gives me a better understanding of Anabaptist definition of baptism.

[Ernie]

I see a link between the choice to march to war and to baptize babies. Both are not comfortable with allowing the free will of others and wish to rule over them to produce the "correct" outcome.

And another similarity is that both rely on there being no explicit prohibition on either. The New Testament instructs us what to do in these matters and God didn't see a need to get an explicit prohibition on record.

I think this tells us a bit about God.
God gives enough clear evidence for us to know that He exists and that He created the world, if we want to believe. But he does not force himself on us, and He has hidden himself sufficiently, that we could find reason to dis-believe if we wish. Someday every knee will bow, but not right now.

I think the same is true with matters like infant baptism, going to war, and self-defense.
Jesus gave clear enough instructions and an example for us that anyone who wants to follow him and chooses to follow him can know how He wants us to live. But He does not force Himself upon anyone who is looking for loopholes to justify disobedience to His clear teaching and example.

Agreed and amen. As the RCC interprets it, there are no explicit instructions against infant baptism either. Matthew 28:18-20 states that Jesus commanded His apostles to baptise all people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Orthodox likewise interprets it similarly.

The RCC definition of baptism is a sacrament that imparts God's grace upon the recipient. While the infant is too young to make a decision regarding faith, the parents extend their faith in God on the child's behalf just as Jesus healed the centurion's servant because of the faith of the centurion (Mark 2:3-5); Jesus exorcised a child's unclean spirit because of the father's faith that his child could be healed (Mark 9:22-25).

1. Some of us believe that we should harmonize scriptures. Not just go with the one we like best. (I am aware that there are many people who don't believe this way.)
2. Some of us are not comfortable establishing doctrine beyond what is clearly taught in the scriptures. I am aware that there are many people who don't believe this way.
3. Some of us believe we should focus on all that the New Testament idealizes, and not look for what the Bible does not prohibit.

[MaxPC]

1. Some of us believe that we should harmonize scriptures. Not just go with the one we like best. (I am aware that there are many people who don't believe this way.)
2. Some of us are not comfortable establishing doctrine beyond what is clearly taught in the scriptures. I am aware that there are many people who don't believe this way.
3. Some of us believe we should focus on all that the New Testament idealizes, and not look for what the Bible does not prohibit.

Indeed. I have seen these perspectives and every shade of permutation of them within Catholicism alone. The goal of a unified, homogeneous approach to Scripture has been touted throughout the history of Judaism and Christianity and yet has never been achieved. I suspect the Holy Spirit has been able to protect the essential message of God through it all.