Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Poll!! Are 8-year Olds Baptized "For the Remission of Sins?"

Does baptizing children at eight years really address the problem of infant baptism? Or does it just raise a new set of questions? Vote and leave you comments here. Baptism post to follow.

8 comments:

  1. I posted on the history of baptism a while back, including infant baptism. You might find it interesting.

    http://www.mormonheretic.org/2008/07/17/history-of-baptismmikvah/

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  2. I voted no, but I think it the real answer is "maybe." I understand that eight is the Lord's proscribed age of accountability, but I think that definition is more for practicality than it is for a precise date that someone becomes accountable.

    My take is this: accountability is based on understanding. Some 7 year olds are more mature, more prepared, and have a greater understanding than some 9 year olds. In this instance, I would say a 7 year old could be accountable and could sin before reaching the technical age of accountability. In this case, baptism would serve as remission of sins.

    In other cases, an 8 year old may have less understanding, preparation, maturity, etc. and may not be accountable even having reached the technical age of accountability. In these cases, I would say that the child has no sin and therefore baptism does not serve as remission of sins.

    Another way to ask the question, I think, is can a child under 8 sin.

    In general, when someone mentions a child being baptized for remission of sins, I usually cringe....I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

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  3. MH: Thanks, I will check it out.

    Jim: I cringe, too, when I hear talk of little kids committing sin. I think your analysis makes sense. I guess I see baptism of an 8-year old as a kind of bright line, after which the child will be accountable for sins. I don't really have any scriptural or doctrinal support for that, but that is what I think.

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  4. Genesis 17:11 And I will establish a covenant of circumcision with thee, and it shall be my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations; that thou mayest know for ever that children are not accountable before me until they are eight years old.

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  5. Exactly... I am an avid lover of the JST and the Old Testament! lol Evidently in a nut shell, they were getting screwed up in the teaching of baptism and baptizing infants...to let them understand that the age of baptism, and entering into the covenant is 8 years old, they were instructed to circumcise at 8 days old.

    Today the Jewish people still circumcise at 8 days old but have no idea why it is so. I love the JST!

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  6. One of the commenters on my post above said that we put too much emphasis on "remission of sins", and not enough emphasis on joining the church. I have to say that I agree.

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  7. Remember that Jesus wasn't baptized for the remission of sins, either. He was entering the gate which leads to eternal life, and obeying his own commandment. I think 2 Nephi 31:4-12 applies with almost perfect precision to children.

    I think we tend to consider the Articles of Faith (#4, in this case) a comprehensive statement of belief, when it wasn't ever intended as such. Baptism is a symbol and ordinance of more than just remission of sins.

    Stimulating topic, Teacher. Thanks!

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