B-A-C
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
- Messages
- 12,067
I know some churches practice infant baptism. but I really see scripture that supports this.
I know some churches have something called "confirmation" that requires a profession of belief after a person
reaches an age of accountability.
This thread is not about baptism at all. Whether or not you need to be baptized to be saved is not the point here. The point is can you be saved as an infant that hasn't made a profession of faith?
I know some universalists take verses like 1 Cor 7:14; to say children are saved simply by virtue of the
parents being saved. Of course this is only true if at least one parent is a believer.
There are multiple items of debate here.
1. Are they saved just because the parents are saved... or are they more likely to be saved because of the
influence of the parents.
2. Are they saved for their entire life, or are they saved until they reach the age of accountability?
That last question raises a dilemma for those who believe in once saved always saved.
Is a baby is saved because of innocence, saved forever? (In that case is everyone saved?)
Or does OSAS not apply to infants?
This should not be confused with infant dedication... which is simply the parents and congregation of a church promising to bring a child up in the teachings of Jesus/Bible.
In a way, the title of this thread is a little misleading.. but the question is...
Can someone else make the choice of salvation for you, or do you have to make it for yourself.
(I'm not talking about predestination of the elect here). What I mean is, can a preacher or family member "claim" you to be saved.
If it is a decision that you have to make for yourself... is there a "line in the sand" you cross over. What I mean here is... I've heard some people say, I was always saved.
I never really made the decision to be saved, I just was. In some cases, they believe it was because of infant baptism, but in other cases, they believe it was just because they always went to church.
For me personally, I remember the day, the minute I received Jesus. I remember where I was, I distinctly remember making the choice. There was an "altar call" at a church, I walked up to the front
of the church in front of my family and friends, and asked Jesus into my heart and life. I confessed I was a sinner and I needed a savior. I wanted Him to be Lord of my life.
Some people say they never made the conscious decision, they never confessed their sins to Jesus, they never actually asked Him into their hearts, and invited Him to be their Lord and Savior.
But they believe they are saved. I don't know if I am 100% convinced of this.
There are verses about confessing with your mouth. There are verses about "asking" for the Holy Spirit. There are verses about proclaiming the Lord in your life (indeed there are verses about denying Christ before men).
So if you've never done any of these things, why not?
I know some churches have something called "confirmation" that requires a profession of belief after a person
reaches an age of accountability.
This thread is not about baptism at all. Whether or not you need to be baptized to be saved is not the point here. The point is can you be saved as an infant that hasn't made a profession of faith?
I know some universalists take verses like 1 Cor 7:14; to say children are saved simply by virtue of the
parents being saved. Of course this is only true if at least one parent is a believer.
There are multiple items of debate here.
1. Are they saved just because the parents are saved... or are they more likely to be saved because of the
influence of the parents.
2. Are they saved for their entire life, or are they saved until they reach the age of accountability?
That last question raises a dilemma for those who believe in once saved always saved.
Is a baby is saved because of innocence, saved forever? (In that case is everyone saved?)
Or does OSAS not apply to infants?
This should not be confused with infant dedication... which is simply the parents and congregation of a church promising to bring a child up in the teachings of Jesus/Bible.
In a way, the title of this thread is a little misleading.. but the question is...
Can someone else make the choice of salvation for you, or do you have to make it for yourself.
(I'm not talking about predestination of the elect here). What I mean is, can a preacher or family member "claim" you to be saved.
If it is a decision that you have to make for yourself... is there a "line in the sand" you cross over. What I mean here is... I've heard some people say, I was always saved.
I never really made the decision to be saved, I just was. In some cases, they believe it was because of infant baptism, but in other cases, they believe it was just because they always went to church.
For me personally, I remember the day, the minute I received Jesus. I remember where I was, I distinctly remember making the choice. There was an "altar call" at a church, I walked up to the front
of the church in front of my family and friends, and asked Jesus into my heart and life. I confessed I was a sinner and I needed a savior. I wanted Him to be Lord of my life.
Some people say they never made the conscious decision, they never confessed their sins to Jesus, they never actually asked Him into their hearts, and invited Him to be their Lord and Savior.
But they believe they are saved. I don't know if I am 100% convinced of this.
There are verses about confessing with your mouth. There are verses about "asking" for the Holy Spirit. There are verses about proclaiming the Lord in your life (indeed there are verses about denying Christ before men).
So if you've never done any of these things, why not?
