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No, I am not exaggerating; I mean this. Child abuse is an act performed on a child where the child is harmed physically, emotionally, and I will add to this spiritually. How is infant Baptism child abuse? Why does a parent Baptize his or her child? They do so because they believe that this "saves" the child and he will go to Heaven. The Bible is clear that the only thing that we can do to get into Heaven is to accept Jesus' gift of his death as payment for our sin. If a child is led to believe that he is saved by Baptism then he may not accept Jesus' death as payment of his sins. Baptism does not remove your sins! It does not save you! Nowhere in the Bible does it say this. Only Jesus can cleanse you of your sins. If you lead a child to believe that he does not have to trust in Jesus for forgiveness of his sins then listen to what Jesus has to say: Mark 9:42 "And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea." Infant baptism is the result of not understanding two things: What Salvation is and what Baptism is. Salvation: Read more about salvation HERE. Baptism: To know what God's will is in this matter we must first understand what the word Baptism means. "Baptism" is derived from the noun baptisma, which means, "a dipping in water." It is found only in the Greek New Testament and later ecclesiastical writings. The verb "to baptize" comes from baptizein or baptizo (both of which are merely two conjugational forms of the same Greek verb stem), both of which have the meaning "to dip, to immerse, submerge," and have been in existence from at least the time of Plato (c. 400 B.C.) So, if Baptism means, "to dip, to immerse, submerge", it is clear that sprinkling is not Baptism, that is, sprinkling is not immersion. Immersion is immersion. Very simple. Not only does the word itself describe the physical action, but also the physical action describes the symbolism. When we are immersed it is as if we are buried, as Christ was buried, and when we are raised out, it is as when Christ was raised from the dead: for we too have be raised from the dead. Should infants be Baptized? No! Not only is this not Biblical, but in my opinion this is very dangerous and is leading a child astray. "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6 Here is one example in the Bible where a person, here a eunuch, first confesses that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was led as a sheep to the slaughter for our sins, and then the eunuch goes on to be Baptized. Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. First: Belief. Here is another example. Peter presents the Gospel to a centurion named Cornelius and some of Cornelius' friends and family. Acts 10:43 ...that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. First: Belief. Do not let the children be led astray! Say no infant Baptism! And one last thing: If you were Baptized as an infant then you have never personally taken the step of obedience to do God's will. You need to be Biblically Baptized. Jesus was an example for us by being Baptized as an adult. Matthew 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Jesus was Baptized as an adult and God was pleased. Best regards, |