INFANT BAPTISM OR ADULT BAPTISM?

Bautismo

The advisability of infant or adult baptism depends fundamentally on the theological beliefs of the religious community to which you belong. There is no single consensus among the various branches of Christianity, as each prioritizes different aspects of faith and sacrament.

INFANT baptism is the predominant practice in the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and some historic Protestant denominations (such as Lutheran or Anglican). They highlight:

Divine Grace: It is considered a free gift from God that does not depend on human merit or understanding.

Cleansing from Original Sin: In Catholic theology, baptism erases original sin and ensures eternal salvation from an early age.

Initiation into the Community: The child is incorporated into the family of the Church from the beginning of his life, based on the faith of his parents and godparents.

Biblical Foundation: It is based on passages where "whole families" were baptized (Acts 16:15) and on Jesus' invitation: "Let the children come to me" (Matthew 19:14).

ADULT baptism is the usual practice in Baptist, Pentecostal, and Evangelical churches, where personal decision and Conscious Decision are emphasized. It  is argued that baptism should be an act of personal faith and repentance, something that a baby cannot perform. Public Witness: Baptism is seen as a public declaration of conversion and commitment to follow Christ. Example of Jesus: Those who prefer this option point out that Jesus was baptized as an adult and that the New Testament often links belief with being baptized (Acts 2:38).

P. Claudio