When I read in the bible in Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."  I read that you have to believe the word of God first the Gospel of Christ and be baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire.  Then dunked in water. A baby doesn't believe so how can they be baptized.  When I read in 1st Cor. 7:14 "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else where your children unclean but now are they holy."  I read that unless the parents believe what is written in the bible and do what it says (Sin not, righteousness, sanctification, holiness, perfection) then their children are clean. When the parents are not clean, (not doing what the bible says) through the word of God then the child is unclean. (Unholy).  Can God and Father of our Lord Jesus send a baby to the lake of fire and brimstone? Yes!! So long as the parents are unholy.
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Colossians 2:11-12. This verse tells us that baptism is the rite of initiation into the Christian family of God, just like circumcision was the rite of initiation into Gods family for the Hebrew male (Genesis 17:11). The circumcision of the flesh left a visible sign of the covenant for all to see, baptism is a circumcision of the heart which only God can see. Since the Hebrew male was circumcised on the 8th day of its life (Genesis 17:12), can we do less for our children?\n\nBorn 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. 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. \n\nChristian parents will recognize that this practice also accords with their role as nurturers of the life that God has entrusted to them.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop.\n\nThrough Baptism the Christian is sacramentally assimilated to Jesus, who in his own baptism anticipates his death and resurrection. The Christian must enter into this mystery of humble self-abasement and repentance, go down into the water with Jesus in order to rise with him, be reborn of water and the Spirit so as to become the Father's beloved son in the Son and walk in newness of life.\n\n1 Timothy 3:15 tells us that it is the Church, not the Bible, which gives us all the truth and provides the basis for determining truth or falsity (none of the Church teachings are in conflict with the Holy Scripture.) Matthew 18:17-19 AGAIN tells us that the Church is the final authority. \n\nSt. Paul reminds us to live in accordance with all the teachings which have been given to us. We are not to be distracted by those who would try to limit the teachings if the Church. (2 Thess 2:15; 3:6)\n\nWhen asked "Where in the Bible does it say that you are to ...?" perhaps we ought to counter "Where in the Bible does it say that we are not to...?"
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The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop.\n\nThrough Baptism the Christian is sacramentally assimilated to Jesus, who in his own baptism anticipates his death and resurrection. The Christian must enter into this mystery of humble self-abasement and repentance, go down into the water with Jesus in order to rise with him, be reborn of water and the Spirit so as to become the Father's beloved son in the Son and walk in newness of life.\n\nRom 6:23 tells is that it a free gift from God and 1 Cor 6:9-10 tells us that it’s an inheritance. When your parents have established an inheritance for you, you do not say that you earned that inheritance; however, by being bad long enough, you could lose that inheritance. We cannot earn our inheritance nor do we need to, but we could lose it. In 1 Cor 6:9-10, St. Paul gives us a list of sins and sinners and adds that they “will not inherit the kingdom. We are not saved as individuals, or by our own power, but we are saved inasmuch as we are members of Christ. That means we must be like Him; hence in Gal 5:13-26, St. Paul gives two lists: the fruits of the Spirit and the works of the flesh. If we follow the flesh, we will die. Rom 8:9 reads “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him”; that Spirit leads us to do as Christ did (avoid sin). We cannot say: “If we have taken Christ as our Savior we can sin as much as we want”, for faith includes obedience (Rom 1:5).\n\nSt. Paul surely thought salvation could be lost. “No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor 9:27) If anyone took Jesus Christ as his Savior, it was St. Paul; but he knew he could be eternally lost.\n\nAre we saved by faith alone?\n\nThere is only one location in the entire Bible where the words "faith" and "alone" are used in the context of justification. "See how a person is justified by works and NOT by faith alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead" (Jas 2:24-26).\n\n"Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works." (Jas 2:20-22)
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Nicodemus did not understand the things Jesus was telling him at the time, thus his question on can a man go back into his mothers womb.  Jesus was not talking about the physical birth but a spiritual one.  One must be born again of water and the Spirit.  In other words, we must be baptized by water signifying the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus whom you accept as your sacrifice for your sin.  Death of the old man of sin and the rebirth of the new man with the new heart.  Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which can be any of a number of gifts but He knows the one that is right for you and you may get more than one or just one or just one as you need it.  The Holy Spirit will lead you in the way He wants you to go so we just need to have faith and trust in Him to lead and be sure to follow the lead where He takes us.  Old Nic thought Jesus was talking about the physical, fleshly things but He was talking about the Spiritual, which is why you need the Holy Spirit to understand the Spiritual side of it all.  Hope this helps.. More info at the following site.
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Child baptism is a church tradition that was started somewhere in Middle Ages because of high infant mortality. Parents wanted to make sure their children were burried in a christian way and the church would not do that except they were baptised. Godparents were the ones who accepted the responsibility to raise the child in christian ways in case something happened to the parents.\n\nA brethren church believes in biblical baptism - the way John the Baptist did baptise. He baptised the adults, the babies were dedicated at the temple and the parents themselves had in charge to raise the children under jewish tradition.\n\nIt is based on the fact that the baby cannot decide himself if he/she wants to follow the christian faith, so the parents are charged during the dedication to raise the child in a christian way until the age when the child can decide for himself whether wants to live in a christian way: baptism is the outward sign of his decision (something similar with what the lutheran church has for teenagers, called confirmation, did you have it?).\n\nDedication has the same spiritual value as baptism and the parents are in the role of godparents.\n\nI also was baptised as a baby in a traditional church, then I had the confirmation and at 25 I joined a protestant church which had adult baptism and baby dedication - so I got baptised again. It was great.
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King James of bible fame executed a Baptist for preaching that babies do not go to hell.\n\nIt depends on who you ask. If the doctrine of "original sin" (foundation of Christianity) is correct, babies go to hell.  They are as evil as Adolf Hitler.\n\nComment:\n\nI am an atheist in large part because the bible is a book of mythology and Christianity is nonsense. But, that does not alter the fact I am well versed in theology and bible history.\n\nIf there is no "original sin," then that is proof Christianity is nonsense because that is the very foundation upon which it rests.
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Proverbs 22:6\nTrain up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.\n\nThis is a promise that, if we stand upon it in faith, says that if we do a good job getting the Word into a child when he is young that he will come back to that truth when he is older. I can personally attest that this is true in my life and in the life of my children.\n\nBut remember that this is in the Old Testament. If we are Born Again by accepting Jesus as our Lord, believing that God raised him from the dead, then we have a better covenant (testament) based on better promises in what we call the New Testament. There we have more powerful promises to work with than in the Old Testament.
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Here are the different religous rites to baptism as far as I know.  First, Baptism occurs only in the Christian based faiths. This is becuase it is an individual's belief that signifies the belief that Jesus rise from the dead to atone our sins.  Now, in the Catholic belief, baptism is done by the parents when their child is a baby and the Catholics believe that if the baby were to pass away, that baby would go to heaven due to the baptism.  As far as I can tell, Prebyterians and Lutherans also baptize as babies.  THe other branches of Christianity that I know about are Baptists and Pentecosts and most other branches of evangelical Christianity.  These branches baptize when the individual is old enough to understand what baptism is as seen in the Bible.  Which means that the person fully understands the significance of the baptism.  It can happen as young as 7 and as old as 90.  It all depends on the person.  The reason for this is because of Jesus' example.  He was not baptised as a baby and therefore, most branches of Christianity do not believe in baby baptism, they believe when the person is old enough to understand.  The rituals are simple:  Catholics, Presbys. and Lutherans, and also the Orthodox Chruches (Greek for example)  baptise with water in America, in Europe, Italy and Greece for example, they use olive oil.  I read about it in a National Geographic.  The evangelicals (Baptists, Pentecosts etc) all dunk the indivudual in water.  It can be done in a church, a lake, a river (which is common in Africa) and even a pool!  I hope this answers your question!
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Baptism, is a step in the right direction but not the end result of your efforts. If you die while being baptized you still have no hope of getting to heaven if your heart is evil. Likewise if you die with a pure heart right before you get baptized, God saw the intent of the heart, and you would be saved. He doesn't do the doctrinal nit-picking people do.
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I think it is rooted in the belief in original sin.  One is born tainted with the sin of Adam.  So baptism is to cleanse one from that.  Confirmation is done when the child is older, and that is when the child can decide for him or herself if he wishes to follow the faith.
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According to the Bible, a follower of Christ does not sin and cannot sin:\n\n1 John 5:18  We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.\n\n1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.\n\nRomans 8:8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.\n\nSo, if you're sinning, you are not born of God and you cannot please God. A Christian should never, ever sin. I mean, don't they have the Sacred Spook guiding them and telling them what to do? I guess they just don't pay attention, or the Spook is sleeping on the job--or they aren't really born of God.
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Another answer pointed to the verse “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”  To call on his name, means to rely on his authority.  According to the authority (instructions) of Christ, Belief + Baptism = Saved (Mark 16:16)  Note Saul was told “be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord”.  Obviously this calling was more than saying His name or praying since he had been praying for 3 days.  “Calling on the name of the Lord” is relying on his authority and doing what he instructs.  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matt 7:21)\n \nIn 1 Peter 3, it talks about the salvation of Noah from the flood.  The flood washed away the wickedness in the world and allowed those in the ark to begin a new life in a new world.  Verse 21 says, “And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of filth of the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”\n\nWe are saved by the blood of Christ that was shed at His death (Romans 5:9-10).  In baptism, we are “baptized into his death”, therefore, that is when we come into contact with His saving blood and we “rise to walk in newness of life”, or we are “born again”.  (Romans 6:3-13)  You must be born again to be saved.\n\nSalvation is not by belief only.  The devils believe, but are not saved. (James 2:19)  Some in Jesus’ time believed, but would not confess (John 12:42-43).  Jesus must not only be acknowledged, but he must be lord of our life.  We must be willing to do what he says.\n\nOne more point, EVERY example of conversion in Acts specifically mentions baptism.  None of these converts ate, drank or slept until they were baptized.  It was always immediate.  Saul had been fasting for 3 days (Acts 9:9). He was baptized and then took food (Acts 9:18-19).  The jailer was baptized about midnight (Acts 16:25, 33).  In Acts 2, about 3000 were baptized “that day” (verse 41).  Surely it would have been more convenient to schedule this many baptisms over a period of time, but this shows the importance (urgency) of baptism.  \n\nBelief, confession, repentance, and baptism are all important!  If any one of these is omitted, the plan of salvation is incomplete.\n\nBaptism:\n\nSaves \nMark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21\n\nFor remission of sins\nActs 2:38\n\nPuts one "into Christ"\n Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27\n\nPuts one into contact with his death/saving blood \nRomans 6:3-13, Col. 2:12\n\nWashes away sins\nActs 22:16\n\nIs by Christ's authority\nMark 16:16, Matt 28:19, Acts 19:1-5
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Those people would be hypocrites. Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the WILL of my Father in Heaven."  He also says, "You will know them by their fruits."  If they claim to be Christian but outwardly are indistinguishable from an atheist in their behavior, then they are not truly Christian. It's one thing to claim it, but another thing entirely to act it. Those who have been saved will proclaim it publicly by being baptized (by immersion only). When that happens, the person has been cleansed of all previous sin, but is now expected to refrain from ALL old sins (and new ones!). If a person is baptized but goes immediately back to smoking and drinking, they will need to recommit and be re-baptized. \nGoing to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to the garage makes you a car.
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That line, 'once saved always saved' is an incorrect teaching. One can lose their salvation by turning away from God and denying Him, which many people who have tasted both baptisms of fire and water have done because the occult draws them back to their old behaviors. But one does not have to be in the occult to have this experience. If you look at the parable of the five soils, it demonstrates how the word of God flourishes or not in the Christian. It depends on how one is cultivated and nurtured with the things of God. Comes down to obedience. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling and not sit back and believe that one is safe completely without further growth. A tree must grow and bear fruit so must a Christian.
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Children who have died without Baptism, can only be entrusted to the mercy of God. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them," allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism. \n\na baby is a person created by God and a baby who's died did have a soul. God, if He is truly the God of love every Christian believes he is, would never forsake one who cannot argue for themselves. \n\nSt. Therese once said "Knowing the loving God that I know, I believe hell is empty"\n\nBy the way, what I've mentioned above is actually Catholic Doctrine. Whatever people may say about limbo is the doctrine stretched to extremes, usually catechists who're not sure about things just exaggerate...I'm a student of theology and this has been one of the topics I'm doing in my thesis...
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There are differing opinions on what Holy Spirit Baptism is, but basically, it is when Jesus enters into your heart.  You must believe in Jesus, and that he died for your sins, rising on the third day defeating (spiritual)death.  Once you have asked God to forgive your sins and you accept Jesus into your heart, you are baptized by the Holy Spirit.  Some religions believe that it happens when you are baptized in water because of the example of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist where the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove.  Some preachers say that only the Apostles could receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but most of them just don't want you to know that God can work through ANY believer.  They selfishly want you to believe that only a preacher can be baptized in the Spirit.  There are many outlooks on this subject, but I believe you will know it when the Holy Spirit comes into your heart.  If you want to look it up yourself, either get a concordance, or invest about $10 in a CD called The Bible Library Deluxe.  It has easy to use search engines, and you can read the scriptures related to the subject and decide for yourself.  You really can't learn the truth in your head, though.  It is something you have to feel in your heart for yourself... then it will be clear to you.\n\ncaljen386
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You can come to the Lord's church, the church of Christ is and has been around since it's beginingand is there for those who want salvation. We are not a denomination and never have been. We in the church don't baptize babies since it is not needed. Children are innocent just as Christ said and as the Bible proclaims(Deuteronomy 24:16, Ezekiel 18:20, Matthew 18:3, 6, 19: 13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17, Romans 14:12). Below are a couple of links to help you I hope they help. Please take a good look at the link called evangilism update. \n\nGod Bless,\n\nChris
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Because they are dumb and don't understand why Jesus told us to baptise:\n\n1Pe 3:21  Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,