The other day my 8 year old asked me if she had to be baptised to get into heaven. This question totally took me by surprise. Although I believe in God, I honestly do not know the answer to this question. I became baptised when this child was in my belly. Does that mean she was baptised then too? I feel like this may sound silly, but any answers would be greatly appreciated. Obviously, I am not fully educated on religion, but I do have it and I do believe in it. I just want to give her the right answer. I told her I would get back with her but not to worry because she is already a little angel.:)

There is depending on your denomination within Christianity a disagreement.

All of the older denominations, Catholic and Orthodox and even the older of the break off churches Anglican and Lutheran all teach infant baptism. In that the child "should" be baptised because of original sin. ( the sin of Adam we are each born with) This is also based on scritpure where entire households were baptsed.

What I refer as the newer churches ( those of the last 300 years or so) baptist, full gospel and others teach that baptism is only done after the person reaches an age of maturity ( and that is not a firm age either among those groups)

And no, she is not baptised unless she was specificly baptised after birth.

The problem is that people take one or two verses and then do not take others. The one ( repent and be baptised) one can not repent of course as an infant. But then it also says unless one is baptised they can not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

We all know that it says unless one accepts Christ as their savior they will not be saved, but children can't accept or understand.
So almost all believe (or at least hope) that children will be saved because they have not the opportunity to accept Christ yet. But there is no real bibical base, only mans opinoin of it. In general those churches that baptise infants do so, that the original sin would be washed away and making the child dedicated to God, with the child having the right later to accept or reject God.

So from my faith and teachings, you are baptised because Christ so instructed us to be baptised, it is a sign of faith, it is the accepting Christ that saves us.

It sounds like she is at a point where she is wanting salvation and to be saved.

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

There is depending on your denomination within Christianity a disagreement.

All of the older denominations, Catholic and Orthodox and even the older of the break off churches Anglican and Lutheran all teach infant baptism. In that the child "should" be baptised because of orginal sin. ( the sin of Adam we are each born with) This is also based on scritpure where entire households were baptsed.

What I refer as the newer churches ( those of the last 300 years or so) baptist, full gospel and others teach that baptism is only done after the person reaches an age of maturity ( and that is not a firm age either amoung those groups)

And no, she is not baptised unless she was specificly baptised after birth.

The problem is that people take one or two verses and then do not take others. The one ( repent and be baptised) one can not repent of course as an infant. But then it also says unless one is baptised they can not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

We all know that it says unless one accepts Christ as thier savior they will not be saved, but children can't accept or understand.
So almost all beleive (or at least hope) that children will be saved because they have not the opportunity to accept Christ yet. But there is no real bibical base, only mans opinoin of it. In general those churches that baptise infants do so, that the orginal sin would be washed away and making the child dedicated to God, with the child having the right later to accept or reject God.

So from my faith and teachings, you are baptised because Christ so instructed us to be baptised, it is a sign of faith, it is the accepting Christ that saves us.

It sounds like she is at a point where she is wanting salvation and to be saved.

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Yes, sorry to admit, but we don't go to church that often, except for maybe family holiday gatherings, or things along that nature. She hasn't really been exposed to church that much. I know she went to a catholic church on one event with her friend because she happened to stay the night with her the night before. We are of the Baptist religion. And I grew up pretty much being told that I had to be baptised to get into Heaven. And I must admit, I was very young when I was baptised (I was 16 yrs old when I was pregnant with my questioning daughter) and I don't even think I fully understood the whole process even then. In fact, I know that I didn't. Quite honestly, I was 16, pregnant, not married, I felt as thought I was in "trouble" so I wanted to try and get "right." Anyhow, what should I tell her in the meantime?

Of course I teach and believe in infant baptism, I look at it two ways, first if as they get older they decide to be "re-baptised" in a church that teaches adult baptism there is no harm, if on the other hand, all of those churches are wrong, well they are baptised.

Of course I understand that as Baptist, it is taught that true salvation comes from accepting Christ as your Savior ( that is the professional of faith) and believing in your heart, and it is sealed in baptism. Of course they also teach that if you did not understand it or really mean your professional of faith, then you are not really saved either. (just the outward motion does not give salvatoin)

So my overall opinon, I would tell it is not the physcial getting wet in baptism that saves us ( since it is not) it is the actual belief that Jesus died for our sins and that Jesus rose from the dead to defeat death. So if we trust in him and believe in him as our Savior we will be saved and go to heaven.
And of course Jesus wants us to show this choice to believe in him by being baptised.

Don't have to get into it too far, but for those that are baptised early as an infant, they show the acceptance of their baptism by what is called confirmation or bascily as they are a older child (12-14) they confirm or accept that baptism.

My child asks me all kinds of questions like... how do we know if there really is a god? I can't answer her. I've always wondered that myself. I want to believe there is, I want my children to believe in God. But I need to learn from the beginning how anyone ever learned of him, and I need proof that he is real. What about in other countries where people have other religions and don't know about god or only believe in their god. Are they going to hell? Not everyone believes in the same God. What do I need to do? Where do I go to find my answers. I often wonder that if I could feel secure in this part of my life, then it would be easier for me to get through my personal problems. Please help

FR Chuck, I tried to rate your answer but wouldn't let me.

Depressed in MO, I think Fr Chuck gave you a real good basis for what is taught about baptism. Your 8 yr old may not have the understanding but like Fr said she might be ready to accept if not now real soon.

I know it is real hard to know what to do. You might want to check around and see some of the churches around. It will be a long search but one well worth it. Since she is asking about baptism, I would look for a church that isn't hung up on the fact that you need to be baptised to be saved. As Fr again said, it really is only a sign of your faith but it is an important one. I think it is a sign of obedience that this is what Christ said to do.

You want proof? Just ask Him. He is not the impersonal God that some bring Him to be. He is powerful enough and almighty enough to show you He is real. If you are sincere and want to know the truth, He will show it. I hope this helps and doesn't confuse you more. If you have any questions just ask. You can also send me a PM if you like.

Hi, Depressed,
You have received some good answers.
I would like to add that John the Baptist baptized Jesus. He was baptized to show us what we should also do.
Now, comes the differences in beliefs.
The Church of Christ, in which I support, believes that one must be baptized to be saved... repent all your sins, accept Christ as your Savior and be baptized.
Other denominations, such as some Baptist Churches, don't believe you need to be Baptized. Some others, such as some of the New Christian Church, don't believe it either.
It will eventually be up to the child, and really the only way to decide is to attend the Church of your choice.
I do wish you the best.

I would like to show that it is not nessary to be baptized to be saved.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It does not mention baptism.
John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Again no mention of baptism need to be saved.
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the
gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Again no mention of baptism
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." again no mention of baptism need to be saved.
Luke 23:39-43
[39] One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
[40] But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? [41] We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
[42] Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
[43] Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Again no need for baptism to reach the kingdom of heaven.

These are Gods words not mine.

Baptism is only a outward sign of belief and Faith it is not salvation, This can only be achieved through the holly spirit living in you and your repentance to god, not to man.

Good heavens... well, for starters, let me first say that I have already invested well-over 3000 hours into researching these and other related subjects/categories. Despite that, however, I know for a fact that the vast majority of the world will disagree with me or automatically hold me in derision for giving you the answer as to the real way to get into the real heaven where nobody suffers (due to being under God`s Divine Protection).

I will claim that my answer is the only 100% accurate answer. Entrance into heaven requires being pure of heart (i.e.: sin-free) and being completely free of any and all negative karmic-debts that may have been incurred throughout our eternal existence. The correct definition of sin refers to the forbidden energy of God which people use to cause suffering or destruction upon others. Once you are able to love and accept everyone and everything, unconditionally, for whom and what they are, then you are on your way towards reaching or returning home to heaven.

A person whose heart and soul is full of hatred or desire to punish others is an indication of a person who still has sin within. Only when that sin is purged completely, only when they are able to forgive, regardless of what others do to them, and only when they stop incurring further negative what-goes-around-comes-around, are they able to enter into heaven once all negative karmic sin-debts have been rendered unto God via THEIR forgiveness.

Please think about this carefully. Any institutions that promise entrance into heaven does not change what you feel in your heart towards by the mere act of paying them money for membership. Sprinkling so-called Holy Water or being dipped into the Ganges River does not automatically change a person`s heart to desire goodness unto all if he`s been deep-seeded with hatred. Only a pure soul is able to see how far humanity has truly fallen.

Fallen humanity... they have truly fallen far from grace for humans as a collective whole believe in war-fare to destroy or force others into submission for what-ever reason. Fallen Humanity is always seeking revenge for a variety of reasons and have obviously NOT learned to be forgiving. Can humans not see the insanity of fighting for revenge because «your great great grand-father killed my great great grand-father from over 9000 years ago !».. Just imagine how silly it would sound if someone decided to steal from you because your great great grand-mother stole from their great great grand-mother from over 9000 years ago.

The past is the past and that is where it belongs. Forgive and stop perpetuating punishments and violence upon others, stop funding any institutions which are hell-bent on bring others to punishment, and you will eventually learn how to find your way into the real heaven. Not those other realms/universes/dimensions which may indeed be better than this earth-life, and good people who arrive there believe at first that they have arrived in heaven, but are then disappointed, frustrated, confused and angry once they realise that suffering still exists in their universe, and thus, all become lost in despair as all the others who are there who also did not know the real and correct way to get into heaven.

I will tell you this... when I say purity of heart and soul, I really do mean a PURE heart and soul, for not even a SPECK of sin is permitted within heaven, yes, entering heaven is not as easy as many people are lead to believe. Ask yourself why Jesus would ever preach that it would be easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a large percentage of the world to enter heaven or was it a simply a waste of his breath to even speak of it being better to cut off one`s own limbs if they cause one to sin rather than to cast one`s entire soul into the abyss of hell for an eternity or two of eternities and a day ?

I can only but try and guide you in the right direction and, keep in mind, this is after I had spent/invested over 3000+ hours worth of research/reading and field-testing into these and other related subjects/topics/categories. Your freedom of choice to accept what I say as being valid or not. Some people want proof of this or that, but this is not something I can prove to anybody, only offer reference to the evidence which they may or may not accept as evidence (thus we waste not time on gymnastics with semantics). Salvation is a personal-responsibility... just like I cannot do another`s push-ups if they want their own muscles to get stronger. Keep learning as much as you can for that is one of the main purposes of life... with the other main purpose being to learn to be able to love and accept everyone and everything, regardless and no matter what happens, for whom and what they are, even if they drag us to our crucifixion. For those who are offensive... education and non-punitive rehabilitation is they way to help steer them away from their mental-disturbance which is caused by the weight of the sin that exists within their soul (i.e.: punishments are not the answer... only education and caring treatment to help them eventually overcome their psychotic tendencies for good).

I wish you well on your way to becoming a Christ-like soul... perfect in every spiritual way.