Baptism for babies, duty to continue and preserve covenant, and responsible parenting are topics, today. For many Christian families hope for the future, a well-defined, disciplined, godly lifestyle, shared purpose, and the spiritual visions once passed down from their pioneers are now being refused by those embracing popular culture with its emphasis upon independence, and living for oneself. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Should Speech Hurt” (Level 7 with 27,153 points, a member since October 03, 2012) posted the following:
Religion & Spirituality: What good does it do to baptize a baby?
The baby isn't making the choice to dedicate its life to God.
Why would God even care about an act done to it, by another person?
My mom had me baptized as a baby, and I don't even remember it. I certainly didn't choose to have my head sprinkled with water.
So why would God want it done and why would he possibly reject a baby who died without experiencing this ritual?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (John 3: 1-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Sin Covered By Salvation? (12/28/2014); Mortality Is Required Because of Sin (12/29/2014); Sprinkled, Immersed, Named? (02/01/2014); Forgiveness Through GOD? (02/02/2014); Covenants and Relationships (01/29/2014); Salvation is Conditional? (01/30/2014); Origin of Baptism? (06/22/2013); Money-changers in The Temple? (06/23/2013)
“Should Speech Hurt”, here are a few points shared among those who are born again through Jesus Christ:
(1.) The parental choice to baptize ones children is based upon multiple aspects of their commitment to acknowledge and provide the best for their child including the purest elements within their own emotional, psychological, and spiritual makeup. Just as ones life and ones love are shared expressed as spiritual conviction, ones duty, ones hope, and ones comprehension of divine revelation must be part of the inheritance parents provide to their offspring.
(2.) As in circumcision, through their baptism children are entered into the covenants of their family line and parents, and are instructed, nourished, and prepared to continue the divine relationships established for their own benefit, and for that of future generations. Today, many are unwilling to be accountable to their ancestors and their forerunners; and effectively are the last of their line. Marriage is despised, abortion is practiced, and many intend to have no offspring. For such persons concepts like “family name” (we say, reputation), honor, and “inheritance” are often cast only in terms of belongings, disease or illness, money, and property.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) The sacred knowledge that explains baptism to Christian believers must be received through operations of their indwelling Spirit from Christ. The child or adult who is “born again” undergoes a permanent change in their spirit content. Their inborn spirit “dies”, is buried, and a rebirth occurs from a fresh deposit of substance from the makeup of GOD. The believer must become a vessel for aspects of divinity such as faith, forgiveness, holiness, longsuffering, and love. What you call a “ritual” is a standard or traditionally acceptable act witnessed by the community of believers that authenticates various unseen operations from Deity.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to the measure of your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment