Changes

==Earliest historical mention of infant baptism: A.D. 185==

==Earliest historical mention of infant baptism: A.D. 185==

The earliest explicit mention of infant baptism is found A.D. 185 in [[Irenaeus]], ''Against Heresies'', Book II, Chapter 22:4. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103222.htm Against Heresies (Book II, Chapter 22) - Catholic Encyclopedia (newadvent.org)] ''scroll down to paragraph 4''.<br>The next earliest mention of infant baptism is A.D. 220 [[Tertullian]], ''On Baptism''. <br>See the article [http://shamelesspopery.com/does-tertullian-reject-infant-baptism/ Does Tertullian Reject Infant Baptism? Joe Heschmeyer - Shameless Popery (shamelesspopery.com)] —''a critical clarification of context.''<br>See the text: [http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0321.htm Tertullian: On Baptism (newadvent.org)]</ref>

The earliest explicit mention of infant baptism is found A.D. 185 in [[Irenaeus]], ''Against Heresies'', Book II, Chapter 22:4. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103222.htm Against Heresies (Book II, Chapter 22) - Catholic Encyclopedia (newadvent.org)] ''scroll down to paragraph 4''.<br>The next earliest mention of infant baptism is A.D. 220 [[Tertullian]], ''On Baptism''. <br>See the article [http://shamelesspopery.com/does-tertullian-reject-infant-baptism/ Does Tertullian Reject Infant Baptism? Joe Heschmeyer - Shameless Popery (shamelesspopery.com)] —''a critical clarification of the context of Tertullian's treatise.''<br>See the text: [http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0321.htm Tertullian: On Baptism (newadvent.org)]</ref>

:"For He came to save all through means of Himself — all, I say, who through Him are '''born again''' to God — '''infants''', and children, and boys, and youths, and old men." (<small>''boldface emphasis added''</small>)

:"For He came to save all through means of Himself — all, I say, who through Him are '''born again''' to God — '''infants''', and children, and boys, and youths, and old men." (<small>''boldface emphasis added''</small>)

This is a direct reference to John 3:3-5:{{cquote|³ 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.<br>⁴ 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?<br>⁵ 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. <br>—[[King James Bible]]}}

This is a direct reference to John 3:3-5:{{cquote|³ 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.<br>⁴ 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?<br>⁵ 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. <br>—[[King James Bible]]}}

Apologists for infant baptism respond that Jesus was countermanding his disciples' refusal of infants, babies, being brought to him for his blessing, and that even infants, babies, incapable of conscious choice, can receive the blessing of Jesus from heaven in baptism. They also point to [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A21&version=NRSVCE 1&nbsp;Peter 3:21] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A25-27&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 5:25b-27], teaching that according to the Bible baptism [[Salvation|saves]] us now, and that Jesus sanctifies and cleanses his church with the washing of water with the word, to present the whole church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. They point to the fact that Paul teaches that baptism replaces [[circumcision]], which is done when a child is only eight days old, which made that baby a member of the people of God, to be raised and taught the way of the Lord in truth. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A9-14&version=NRSVCE Colossians 2:9-14].  They say this has always been the "tradition" by "word" as handed down from the apostles of the Lord, that whole "households" and "all their families" with all "your children" were baptized.<ref>[https://preachersinstitute.com/2016/11/23/infant-baptism-biblical/ On Infant Baptism – Is it Biblical? Fr. John Peck - Preachers Institute: The World's Premier Online Orthodox Christian Homiletics Resource (preachersinstitute.com)]</ref> Those "household" passages of the New Testament do not exclude children and infants. No minimum age of accountability is mentioned in the New Testament as a requirement of eligibility for baptism into Christ. Nowhere do we read of children raised in believing households reaching the age of reason and then being baptized.

Apologists for infant baptism respond that Jesus was countermanding his disciples' refusal of infants, babies, being brought to him for his blessing, and that even infants, babies, incapable of conscious choice, can receive the blessing of Jesus from heaven in baptism. They also point to [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A21&version=NRSVCE 1&nbsp;Peter 3:21] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A25-27&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 5:25b-27], teaching that according to the Bible baptism [[Salvation|saves]] us now, and that Jesus sanctifies and cleanses his church with the washing of water with the word, to present the whole church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. They point to the fact that Paul teaches that baptism replaces [[circumcision]], which is done when a child is only eight days old, which made that baby a member of the people of God, to be raised and taught the way of the Lord in truth. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A9-14&version=NRSVCE Colossians 2:9-14].  They say this has always been the "tradition" by "word" as handed down from the apostles of the Lord, that whole "households" and "all their families" with all "your children" were baptized.<ref>[https://preachersinstitute.com/2016/11/23/infant-baptism-biblical/ On Infant Baptism – Is it Biblical? Fr. John Peck - Preachers Institute: The World's Premier Online Orthodox Christian Homiletics Resource (preachersinstitute.com)]</ref> Those "household" passages of the New Testament do not exclude children and infants. No minimum age of accountability is mentioned in the New Testament as a requirement of eligibility for baptism into Christ. Nowhere do we read of children raised in believing households reaching the age of reason and then being baptized.

:[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A3-11&version=KJV Romans 6:3-11]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A21&version=KJV 1 Peter 3:21]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A19-22&version=KJV Hebrews 10:19-22]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+22%3A16&version=KJV Acts 22:16]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A25-27&version=KJV Ephesians 5:25-27]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A15-17&version=KJV Luke 18:15-17]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+2%3A13-15&version=KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A17&version=KJV Hebrews 13:17]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A2&version=KJV 2 Timothy 2:2], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A23-25&version=KJV 23-25]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1%3A3&version=KJV Jude 3]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A14-18&version=KJV 2 Peter 3:14-18]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A39&version=KJV Acts 2:39]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+11%3A14&version=KJV 11:14]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A15&version=KJV 16:15], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A31&version=KJV 31], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A33&version=KJV 33]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+18%3A8&version=KJV 18:8].  

:[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A3-11&version=KJV Romans 6:3-11]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A21&version=KJV 1 Peter 3:21]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A19-22&version=KJV Hebrews 10:19-22]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+22%3A16&version=KJV Acts 22:16]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A25-27&version=KJV Ephesians 5:25-27]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A15-17&version=KJV Luke 18:15-17]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+2%3A13-15&version=KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A17&version=KJV Hebrews 13:17]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A2&version=KJV 2 Timothy 2:2], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A23-25&version=KJV 23-25]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1%3A3&version=KJV Jude 3]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A14-18&version=KJV 2 Peter 3:14-18]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A39&version=KJV Acts 2:39]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+11%3A14&version=KJV 11:14]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A15&version=KJV 16:15], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A31&version=KJV 31], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A33&version=KJV 33]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+18%3A8&version=KJV 18:8].  

The cleansing of the soul from sin and the supernatural faith implanted in the soul by baptism is, in the case of baptized infants, a "seed"remaining in the soul,<ref>[http://biblehub.com/1_john/3-9.htm 1 John 3:9 (KJV)</ref> to be nurtured and encouraged by the upbringing and teaching of the parents and the Christian doctrine of the church they belong to. Devout Christian parents who have their infants baptized, take upon themselves the duty to raise their children to understand that because of their baptism into Christ they are [[Duty|obligated]] to dedicate their whole lives to living the Christian life in obedience to Christ, and that to refuse to do so after they are old enough to understand is a very serious sin of rebellion against God himself, punishable by condemnation to [[hell]] for all eternity if, having known the truth, they do not repent of their conscious refusal to live a Christian life of holiness in obedience to Christ Jesus the Lord before they die.

The cleansing of the soul from sin and the supernatural faith implanted in the soul by baptism is, in the case of baptized infants, a "seed"remaining in the soul,<ref>[http://biblehub.com/1_john/3-9.htm 1 John 3:9 (KJV)]</ref> to be nurtured and encouraged by the upbringing and teaching of the parents and the Christian doctrine of the church they belong to. Devout Christian parents who have their infants baptized, take upon themselves the duty to raise their children to understand that because of their baptism into Christ they are [[Duty|obligated]] to dedicate their whole lives to living the Christian life in obedience to Christ, and that to refuse to do so after they are old enough to understand is a very serious sin of rebellion against God himself, punishable by condemnation to [[hell]] for all eternity if, having known the truth, they do not repent of their conscious refusal to live a Christian life of holiness in obedience to Christ Jesus the Lord before they die.

This doctrine of "regenerative baptism" which causes an [[Ontology|ontological change]] that actually cleanses and washes away sins, by effecting in the soul a new supernatural life directly infused by the "washing of water with the word", is found by apologists for infant baptism in the following scriptural texts:

This doctrine of "regenerative baptism" which causes an [[Ontology|ontological change]] that actually cleanses and washes away sins, by effecting in the soul a new supernatural life directly infused by the "washing of water with the word", is found by apologists for infant baptism in the following scriptural texts:

However, according to the Bible, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." [http://biblehub.com/2_peter/3-9.htm 2 Peter 3:9]. "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." [http://biblehub.com/john/3-17.htm John 3:17]. This indicates clearly that a sovereign willingness on the part of God to '''''not''''' provide for all souls in the world any possible opportunity for salvation, even ignorant pagans and infants, is not a doctrine supported by the Bible.<ref>See Revelation 22:17 "''whosoever will''"</ref>

However, according to the Bible, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." [http://biblehub.com/2_peter/3-9.htm 2 Peter 3:9]. "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." [http://biblehub.com/john/3-17.htm John 3:17]. This indicates clearly that a sovereign willingness on the part of God to '''''not''''' provide for all souls in the world any possible opportunity for salvation, even ignorant pagans and infants, is not a doctrine supported by the Bible.<ref>See Revelation 22:17 "''whosoever will''"</ref>

Many Christians reject the arbitrary doctrine that babies who have died, who have not been baptized, who did nothing, either good or bad, and did not believe, are automatically doomed to an eternity in the lake of fire.<ref>See [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A10&version=NRSVCE Revelation 20:10], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A13-15&version=NRSVCE 13-15]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A41-46&version=NRSVCE Matthew 25:41-46].</ref> Those Christians who at the same time also reject any need for infant baptism, who have been told that infants are ''[[ipso facto]]'' totally innocent of all sin, that there is an "age of innocence", and have heard cited the phrase "below the age of innocence" with reference to very young children, have searched in vain for this phrase in the Bible.<ref>A search of [[Strong's]] under the topic of [http://biblehub.net/searchtopical.php?q=innocence"innocence"] gives no examples of these phrases. <br> Online searches for the phrase [https://www.bing.com/search?q=bible+verse+%22age+of+innocence%22&form=EDGEAR&qs=PF&cvid=0ca3aae1f43b45139bb73e5b40a2869c&cc=US&setlang=en-US&plvar=0 "age of innocence"] and [https://www.bing.com/search?q=bible+verse+%22below+the+age+of+innocence%22&form=EDGEAR&qs=PF&cvid=7e33910d5a2c4df99886f48f82ca3f75&cc=US&setlang=en-US&plvar=0 "below the age of innocence"] in the Bible produce no result.</ref> Their doctrinal belief is not found in the New Testament, that the baptism of infants is utterly unnecessary, because they have accepted the belief that the Bible itself teaches that '''''all''''' babies in the womb and those infants and children "below the age of innocence" are already "covered by the saving blood of Jesus" because they are innocent of any sin, and are already saved up until the age of understanding and accountability, at which time they must choose on their own to make a decision for Christ to be saved. Theologians and apologists who have been challenged to defend this doctrine with support from scripture are not able to cite a single text that explicitly states that an unborn or a newborn child, infant, babe, child in arms, a child not yet able to walk, is saved by the covering blood of Christ apart from the baptism mentioned in the New Testament, [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A3-5&version=NRSVCE John 3:3-5]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A18-19&version=NRSVCE Matthew 28:18-19]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+16%3A15-16&version=NRSVCE Mark 16:15-16]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A38-39&version=NRSVCE Acts 2:38-39]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A25-27&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 5:25-27]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A21&version=NRSVCE 1&nbsp;Peter 3:21]. This is simply from reading the whole text of the New Testament alone ''[[sola scriptura]]''. Such a doctrine appears to be only a "tradition of men" outside of the Bible alone. They are unwilling to consign unbaptized infants to hell, yet "as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" Romans 5:12 (KJV). It is a belief in the universal compassionate mercy of God for all mankind, coupled with a doctrinal rejection of the apostolic tradition of infant baptism received by mainstream Christianity, [[Catholic Church|Catholics]], [[Orthodox Church|Eastern and Oriental Orthodox]], and among [[Protestantism|Protestants]], several [[denomination]]s: [[Anglican Communion|Anglicans]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Presbyterian]]s, [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and other [[Calvinism|Reformed]] denominations, [[Presbyterians]], [[Methodist]]s, some [[Church of the Nazarene|Nazarenes]], and the Moravian Church.

Many Christians reject the arbitrary doctrine that babies who have died, who have not been baptized, who did nothing, either good or bad, and did not believe, are automatically doomed to an eternity in the lake of fire.<ref>See [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A10&version=NRSVCE Revelation 20:10], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A13-15&version=NRSVCE 13-15]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A41-46&version=NRSVCE Matthew 25:41-46].</ref> Those Christians who at the same time also reject any need for infant baptism, who have been told that infants are ''[[ipso facto]]'' totally innocent of all sin, that there is an "age of innocence", and have heard cited the phrase "below the age of innocence" with reference to very young children, have searched in vain for this phrase in the Bible.<ref>A search of [[Strong's]] under the topic of [http://biblehub.net/searchtopical.php?q=innocence"innocence"] gives no examples of these phrases. <br> Online searches for the phrase [https://www.bing.com/search?q=bible+verse+%22age+of+innocence%22&form=EDGEAR&qs=PF&cvid=0ca3aae1f43b45139bb73e5b40a2869c&cc=US&setlang=en-US&plvar=0 "age of innocence"] and [https://www.bing.com/search?q=bible+verse+%22below+the+age+of+innocence%22&form=EDGEAR&qs=PF&cvid=7e33910d5a2c4df99886f48f82ca3f75&cc=US&setlang=en-US&plvar=0 "below the age of innocence"] in the Bible produce no result.</ref> Their doctrinal belief is not found in the New Testament, that the baptism of infants is utterly unnecessary, because they have accepted the belief that the Bible itself teaches that '''''all''''' babies in the womb and those infants and children "below the age of innocence" are already "covered by the saving blood of Jesus" because they are innocent of any sin, and are already saved up until the age of understanding and accountability, at which time they must choose on their own to make a decision for Christ to be saved. Theologians and apologists who have been challenged to defend this doctrine with support from scripture are not able to cite a single text that explicitly states that an unborn or a newborn child, infant, babe, child in arms, a child not yet able to walk, is saved by the covering blood of Christ apart from the baptism mentioned in the New Testament, [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A3-5&version=NRSVCE John 3:3-5]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A18-19&version=NRSVCE Matthew 28:18-19]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+16%3A15-16&version=NRSVCE Mark 16:15-16]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A38-39&version=NRSVCE Acts 2:38-39]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A25-27&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 5:25-27]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A21&version=NRSVCE 1&nbsp;Peter 3:21]. This is simply from reading the whole text of the New Testament alone ''[[sola scriptura]]''. Such a doctrine appears to be only a "tradition of men" outside of the Bible alone. They are unwilling to consign unbaptized infants to hell, yet "as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" Romans 5:12 (KJV). It is a belief in the universal compassionate mercy of God for all mankind, yet it is coupled with a doctrinal rejection of the apostolic tradition of infant baptism received by mainstream Christianity, [[Catholic Church|Catholics]], [[Orthodox Church|Eastern and Oriental Orthodox]], and among [[Protestantism|Protestants]], several [[denomination]]s: [[Anglican Communion|Anglicans]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Presbyterian]]s, [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and other [[Calvinism|Reformed]] denominations, [[Presbyterians]], [[Methodist]]s, some [[Church of the Nazarene|Nazarenes]], and the Moravian Church.

According to scripture the whole of mankind was defiled by the guilt of Adam and Eve ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A12&version=NRSVCE Romans 5:12]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Wisdom+2%3A23-24&version=NRSVCE Wisdom 2:23-24]) which broke off the intimate communion of their whole being with the Lord, severing them and the collective whole of the heritage of all their offspring from the spiritual life of God. Moreover, not only are we born as members of the whole community of the fallen race of man defiled by the terminal defect of this original sin—and for this reason every human being dies, even innocent babies in the womb—we also each of us as natural descendants of fallen man commit our own sins against God and our fellow human beings, against our own parents, children, friends, enemies, against truth, mercy and justice, and against ourselves whether we intend it or not ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23&version=NRSVCE Romans 3:23]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+7%3A15&version=NRSVCE 7:15], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+7%3A19&version=NRSVCE 19]). Even little children have regrets about what they have done, and tiny babies display anger and stubbornness when they don't get what they want. As we mature in age and come to know the holiness of God we become even more aware of our inherent imperfection and our guilt before Him. Even [[Atheism and health|atheists]], against their will, struggle with feelings of guilt, knowing that they are not what they should be, even by their own personal standards.  

According to scripture the whole of mankind was defiled by the guilt of Adam and Eve ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A12&version=NRSVCE Romans 5:12]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Wisdom+2%3A23-24&version=NRSVCE Wisdom 2:23-24]) which broke off the intimate communion of their whole being with the Lord, severing them and the collective whole of the heritage of all their offspring from the spiritual life of God. Moreover, not only are we born as members of the whole community of the fallen race of man defiled by the terminal defect of this original sin—and for this reason every human being dies, even innocent babies in the womb—we also each of us as natural descendants of fallen man commit our own sins against God and our fellow human beings, against our own parents, children, friends, enemies, against truth, mercy and justice, and against ourselves whether we intend it or not ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23&version=NRSVCE Romans 3:23]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+7%3A15&version=NRSVCE 7:15], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+7%3A19&version=NRSVCE 19]). Even little children have regrets about what they have done, and tiny babies display anger and stubbornness when they don't get what they want. As we mature in age and come to know the holiness of God we become even more aware of our inherent imperfection and our guilt before Him. Even [[Atheism and health|atheists]], against their will, struggle with feelings of guilt, knowing that they are not what they should be, even by their own personal standards.  

[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A1-2&version=NRSVCE Hebrews 10:1-2] clearly testifies that the sacrifices and washings of the Law of Moses can never make perfect the conscience of those who draw near to God, because even after offering sacrifices and cleansing their bodies according to the regulations and ordinances of the Torah blamelessly, without fault in their performance of them, they are still conscious of sin, for if they had actually been cleansed they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. But Christ through his blood in the washing of baptism with the word makes those who are members of his body sanctified, cleansed, without spot or wrinkle or any such defect, so that each one as members of the one body of Christ might be holy and without blemish, and this purity of a clean soul and clean conscience is the evidence of innocence in answer to the charge of guilt, "''the answer of a good conscience toward God''" (KJV). On the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] principle of ''[[sola scriptura]]'' itself, the belief that sin remains in the soul of every Christian cleansed and saved by the Lord contradicts the scriptures that say both that they are "in Christ", and that "in him is no sin".<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6&version=NRSVCE Romans 6]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12&3A12-26&version=NRSVCE 1 Corinthians 12:12-26]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5&3A17&version=NRSVCE 2 Corinthians 5:17]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3&3A28&version=NRSVCE Galatians 3:28]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6&3A15&version=NRSVCE Galatians 6:15]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&3A1&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 1:1]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&3A11-14&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 1:11-14]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2&3A10&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 2:10]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1&3A1&version=NRSVCE Philippians 1:1]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4&3A21&version=NRSVCE Philippians 4:21]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1&3A2&version=NRSVCE Colossians 1:2]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3&3A3&version=NRSVCE Colossians 3:3]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+2&3A14&version=NRSVCE 1 Thessalonians 2:14]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6&3A26&version=NRSVCE '''Hebrews 6:26''' "''holy, blameless, unstained''"]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3&3A5&version=NRSVCE '''1 John 3:5''' "''in him is no sin''"]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5&3A20&version=NRSVCE 1 John 5:20].</ref>

[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A1-2&version=NRSVCE Hebrews 10:1-2] clearly testifies that the sacrifices and washings of the Law of Moses can never make perfect the conscience of those who draw near to God, because even after offering sacrifices and cleansing their bodies according to the regulations and ordinances of the Torah blamelessly, without fault in their performance of them, they are still conscious of sin, for if they had actually been cleansed they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. But Christ through his blood in the washing of baptism with the word makes those who are members of his body sanctified, cleansed, without spot or wrinkle or any such defect, so that each one as members of the one body of Christ might be holy and without blemish, and this purity of a clean soul and clean conscience is the evidence of innocence in answer to the charge of guilt, "''the answer of a good conscience toward God''" (KJV). On the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] principle of ''[[sola scriptura]]'' itself, the belief that sin remains in the soul of every Christian cleansed and saved by the Lord contradicts the scriptures that say both that they are "in Christ", and that "in him is no sin".<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6&version=NRSVCE Romans 6]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12&3A12-26&version=NRSVCE 1 Corinthians 12:12-26]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5&3A17&version=NRSVCE 2 Corinthians 5:17]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3&3A28&version=NRSVCE Galatians 3:28]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6&3A15&version=NRSVCE Galatians 6:15]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&3A1&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 1:1]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&3A11-14&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 1:11-14]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2&3A10&version=NRSVCE Ephesians 2:10]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1&3A1&version=NRSVCE Philippians 1:1]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4&3A21&version=NRSVCE Philippians 4:21]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1&3A2&version=NRSVCE Colossians 1:2]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3&3A3&version=NRSVCE Colossians 3:3]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+2&3A14&version=NRSVCE 1 Thessalonians 2:14]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6&3A26&version=NRSVCE '''Hebrews 6:26''' "''holy, blameless, unstained''"]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3&3A5&version=NRSVCE '''1 John 3:5''' "''in him is no sin''"]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5&3A20&version=NRSVCE 1 John 5:20].</ref>

According to Catholic doctrine, baptism into Christ removes entirely the inherited defect of the original sin of the whole collective human race descended from Adam and of the individually personal guilt of all sins personally committed before being baptized. Thus the effect of sin and its removal is not merely ''juridical'' as a legal decision exonerating the guilty by a decree of [[amnesty]]. In an absolute reality affecting the whole person, the removal of sin through the blood of Christ in baptism is instead ''[[Ontology|ontological]]'', affecting the very being of the individual soul, the "creature" itself, as the cure of a deadly disease is a real healing of the whole physical body, the image of which in the New Testament was the cleansing of leprosy by Christ and the apostles ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9%3A2-8&version=NRSVCE Matthew 9:2-8]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6%3A13&version=NRSVCE Mark 6:13]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+5%3A14-16&version=NRSVCE Acts 5:14-16]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+19%3A11&version=NRSVCE 19:11]). The defiling disease is removed.  

According to Catholic doctrine, baptism into Christ removes entirely the inherited defect of the original sin of the whole collective human race descended from Adam and the individually personal guilt of all sins personally committed before being baptized. Thus the effect of sin and its removal is not merely ''juridical'' as a legal decision exonerating the guilty by a decree of [[amnesty]]. In an absolute reality affecting the whole person, the removal of sin through the blood of Christ in baptism is instead ''[[Ontology|ontological]]'', affecting the very being of the individual soul, the "creature" itself, as the cure of a deadly disease is a real healing of the whole physical body, the image of which in the New Testament was the cleansing of leprosy by Christ and the apostles ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9%3A2-8&version=NRSVCE Matthew 9:2-8]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6%3A13&version=NRSVCE Mark 6:13]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+5%3A14-16&version=NRSVCE Acts 5:14-16]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+19%3A11&version=NRSVCE 19:11]). The defiling disease is removed.  

:"Therefore if any man ''be'' in Christ, ''he is'' a '''new creature''': old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV, ''boldface emphasis added.) <br> "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a '''new creature'''." (Galatians 6:15 KJV, ''boldface emphasis added'')

:"Therefore if any man ''be'' in Christ, ''he is'' a '''new creature''': old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV, ''boldface emphasis added.) <br> "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a '''new creature'''." (Galatians 6:15 KJV, ''boldface emphasis added'')

A legal declaration of amnesty cannot cure the physical being of the guilty carrier of a deadly disease, only the medicine of the practicing physician administered properly can do that. Sin is not merely covered up,<ref>[http://www.judev3.co.uk/1SinsCoveredOrGone.htm '''Sins - Covered or Gone?''' (judev3.co.uk)]</ref> as in the sacrifices of the old covenant, which cannot take away sins, as the author of [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A1-22&version=NRSVCE Hebrews 10:1-22] clearly says, but is in reality washed away, removed, according to [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/ephesians/5-26.htm Ephesians 5:25-27] and [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/hebrews/10-22.htm Hebrews 10:22] and [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/2_peter/1-9.htm 2 Peter 1:9]; see [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/acts/22-16.htm Acts 22:16]. <br>All that remains is the leftover temporal damage caused by the disease of sin. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6-8&version=NRSVCE Romans 6–8]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A16-5%3A4&version=NRSVCE 2&nbsp;Corinthians 4:16–5:4]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A42-54&version=NRSVCE 1&nbsp;Corinthians 15:42-54]. According to the doctrine of the Catholic Church, those leftover temporal defects afflicting reconciled sinners who have been forgiven in Christ, remaining defects which they have not yet in justice fully rectified and overcome by grace-filled virtue during life on earth, will be purged away afterward to fully cleanse them of all unrighteousness in preparation for their entrance into heaven.  

A legal declaration of amnesty cannot cure the physical being of the guilty carrier of a deadly disease, only the medicine of the practicing physician administered properly can do that. Sin is not merely covered up,<ref>[http://www.judev3.co.uk/1SinsCoveredOrGone.htm '''Sins - Covered or Gone?''' (judev3.co.uk)]</ref> as in the sacrifices of the old covenant, which cannot take away sins, as the author of [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A1-22&version=NRSVCE Hebrews 10:1-22] clearly says, but is in reality washed away, removed, according to [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/ephesians/5-26.htm Ephesians 5:25-27] and [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/hebrews/10-22.htm Hebrews 10:22] and [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/2_peter/1-9.htm 2 Peter 1:9]; see [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/acts/22-16.htm Acts 22:16]. <br>All that remains is the leftover temporal damage caused by the disease of sin. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6-8&version=NRSVCE Romans 6–8]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A16-5%3A4&version=NRSVCE 2&nbsp;Corinthians 4:16–5:4]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A42-54&version=NRSVCE 1&nbsp;Corinthians 15:42-54]. According to the doctrine of the Catholic Church, those leftover temporal defects afflicting reconciled sinners who have been forgiven in Christ, remaining defects which they have not yet in justice fully rectified and overcome by grace-filled virtue during life on earth, will be purged away afterward to fully cleanse them of all unrighteousness in preparation for their entrance into heaven. Included is the doctrine that not all sins are fatal, as in [http://biblehub.com/john/19-11.htm John 19:11] and [http://biblehub.com/1_john/5-17.htm 1&nbsp;John 5:17].

According to Catholic doctrine, baptized infants and babies who have died innocent of personal sin are saved and enter immediately into heaven. Those who die in the womb or who have not been baptized before death took them, are commended to God, who alone knows what they would have done if they had lived to hear the Gospel, and whether in their souls and hearts they were resisting or not resisting the saving grace of salvation poured out on all the world through Jesus Christ alone. Their salvation can be assured by what is called, "baptism of desire", God knowing whether or not in their souls they would have been personally willing to do his will, whatever it is; and therefore the grace of baptism by the blood of Christ is imputed to them by the mercy of God, "who is not willing that any should perish" 2&nbsp;Peter 3:9. This "baptism of desire" is called an "extraordinary" means of salvation,<ref>Also "baptism of blood". See [https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/baptism-of-desire Baptism of Desire, Jimmy Akin (catholic.com)]<br> See also [http://www.newadvent.org/summa/4068.htm#article2 Summa Theologica iii:68:2], [http://www.newadvent.org/summa/4066.htm#article2 cf iii:66:1-2] - ''in other words,'' Summa Theologica: Third Part (''Tertia Pars''): 68:2, (cf ''compare'') Third Part (''Tertia Pars'') 66:1-2 - The Catholic Encyclopedia Text of Summa Theologica: Part III: Question 68:2, and Part III: Question 66:1-2. (newadvent.org)</ref> provided by God, baptism by water and the word being the ordinary means of salvation ordained by God through Christ by the Holy Spirit for all mankind, including baptism unto salvation of those the Gospel of Luke 18:15 calls '''βρέφη''' ''brephe'', "an unborn or a newborn child, infant, babe, child in arms", innocent children not yet able to walk.

According to Catholic doctrine, baptized infants and babies who have died innocent of personal sin are saved and enter immediately into heaven. Those who die in the womb or who have not been baptized before death took them, are commended to God, who alone knows what they would have done if they had lived to hear the Gospel, and whether in their souls and hearts they were resisting or not resisting the saving grace of salvation poured out on all the world through Jesus Christ alone. Their salvation can be assured by what is called, "baptism of desire", God knowing whether or not in their souls they would have been personally willing to do his will, whatever it is; and therefore the grace of baptism by the blood of Christ is imputed to them by the mercy of God, "who is not willing that any should perish" 2&nbsp;Peter 3:9. This "baptism of desire" is called an "extraordinary" means of salvation,<ref>Also "baptism of blood". See [https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/baptism-of-desire Baptism of Desire, Jimmy Akin (catholic.com)]<br> See also [http://www.newadvent.org/summa/4068.htm#article2 Summa Theologica iii:'''68:2'''], [http://www.newadvent.org/summa/4066.htm#article2 cf iii:'''66:1-2'''] - ''in other words,'' Summa Theologica: Third Part (''Tertia Pars''): 68:2, (cf ''compare'') Third Part (''Tertia Pars'') 66:1-2 - The Catholic Encyclopedia Text of Summa Theologica: Part III: Question 68:2, and Part III: Question 66:1-2. (newadvent.org)</ref> provided by God, baptism by water and the word being the ordinary means of salvation ordained by God through Christ by the Holy Spirit for all mankind, including baptism unto salvation of those the Gospel of Luke 18:15 calls '''βρέφη''' ''brephe'', "an unborn or a newborn child, infant, babe, child in arms", innocent children not yet able to walk.

==Doctrine of Satan and the Antichrist==

==Doctrine of Satan and the Antichrist==

===Sixteenth century===

===Sixteenth century===

This practice of infant baptism together with all elements of [[apostolic tradition]] not found explicitly taught by the Bible alone according to the Reformation principle of ''[[sola scriptura]]'' is unequivocably condemned as a Catholic doctrine, and therefore as being manifestly a [[satan]]ic lie promulgated and promoted by the [[Antichrist]], most evidently evil and obviously destructive to anyone with eyes to see, a deceptive doctrine of devils straight out of the pits of hell.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A1&version=NRSVCE 1 Timothy 4:1]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+1%3A6-9&version=NRSVCE Galatians 1:6-9]. See [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1%3A17-19&version=NRSVCE Jude 17-19]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+2%3A9-11&version=NRSVCE 2 Peter 2:9-11]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A15-18&version=NRSVCE 3:15-18]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A18-19&version=NRSVCE 1 John 2:18-19].</ref> This warning clearly condemns to hell all who accept infant baptism as necessary: all of mainstream Christianity, Catholics, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, and among Protestants, several denominations: Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists and other Reformed denominations, Presbyterians, Methodists, some Nazarenes, and the Moravian Church.

While Zwingli, Luther and Calvin accepted and defended infant baptism, this practice of infant baptism together with all elements of [[apostolic tradition]] not found explicitly taught by the Bible alone according to the Reformation principle of ''[[sola scriptura]]'' was unequivocably condemned by Anabaptist and Baptist groups and [[Mennonite]]s as a Catholic doctrine, and therefore as being manifestly a [[satan]]ic lie promulgated and promoted by the [[Antichrist]], most evidently evil and obviously destructive to anyone with eyes to see, a deceptive doctrine of devils straight out of the pits of hell.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A1&version=NRSVCE 1 Timothy 4:1]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+1%3A6-9&version=NRSVCE Galatians 1:6-9]. See [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1%3A17-19&version=NRSVCE Jude 17-19]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+2%3A9-11&version=NRSVCE 2 Peter 2:9-11]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A15-18&version=NRSVCE 3:15-18]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A18-19&version=NRSVCE 1 John 2:18-19].</ref> This warning clearly condemns to hell all who accept infant baptism as necessary: all of mainstream Christianity, Catholics, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, and among Protestants, several denominations: Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists and other Reformed denominations, Presbyterians, Methodists, some Nazarenes, and the Moravian Church.

Foremost with their strong objection to infant baptism were the [[Anabaptists]], who were persecuted and condemned as [[Heresy|heretics]] by the majority of Christian believers, Catholic and Protestant.<ref>[https://thoughtsofalivingchristian.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/the-persecution-of-anabaptism-16th-century-catholic-lutheran-and-calvinist-perspectives-2/ The Persecution of Anabaptism: 16th Century Catholic, Lutheran and Calvinist Perspectives (thoughtsofalivingchristian.wordpress.com)] <br> [https://themennonite.org/feature/the-birth-of-anabaptism The Birth of Anabaptism, Valerie G. Remple (themennonite.org)].</ref> Zwingli found their theologies to be contradictory, Luther found their entire organization confusing, Calvin labeled them as “poor fools”, “scatterbrains”, “ignoramuses” and “enemies of government”, and the Catholics associated them with the Devil, labeling them “messengers of the Antichrist”.

Foremost with their strong objection to infant baptism were the [[Anabaptists]], who were persecuted and condemned as [[Heresy|heretics]] by the majority of Christian believers, Catholic and Protestant.<ref>[https://thoughtsofalivingchristian.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/the-persecution-of-anabaptism-16th-century-catholic-lutheran-and-calvinist-perspectives-2/ The Persecution of Anabaptism: 16th Century Catholic, Lutheran and Calvinist Perspectives (thoughtsofalivingchristian.wordpress.com)] <br> [https://themennonite.org/feature/the-birth-of-anabaptism The Birth of Anabaptism, Valerie G. Remple (themennonite.org)].</ref> Zwingli found their theologies to be contradictory, Luther found their entire organization confusing, Calvin labeled them as “poor fools”, “scatterbrains”, “ignoramuses” and “enemies of government”, and the Catholics associated them with the Devil, labeling them “messengers of the Antichrist”.

This is based primarily on [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mark/16-16.htm Mark 16:16] "'''He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.'''" (KJV) An unborn or a newborn child, infant, babe, child in arms, who does not and cannot understand, does not believe. And that little child shall most certainly be damned by dying because that child did not believe and was not baptized. "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." John 3:5. Therefore, according to a literalist "plain, simple and obvious" reading of the Bible ''[[sola scriptura]]'', unbaptized infants are damned.<ref>Compare [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A25-29&version=NRSVCE John 5:25-29.]</ref>

This is based primarily on [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mark/16-16.htm Mark 16:16] "'''He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.'''" (KJV) An unborn or a newborn child, infant, babe, child in arms, who does not and cannot understand, does not believe. And that little child shall most certainly be damned by dying because that child did not believe and was not baptized. "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." John 3:5. Therefore, according to a literalist "plain, simple and obvious" reading of the Bible ''[[sola scriptura]]'', unbaptized infants are damned.<ref>Compare [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A25-29&version=NRSVCE John 5:25-29.]</ref>

[[John Calvin]] in his ''[[Institutes of the Christian Religion]]'' <ref>[https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/calvin-institutes-christianity/ Institutes of the Christian Religion (biblestudytools.com)</ref> states most clearly that only those [[Predestination|predestinate]] souls [[Eternal security (salvation)|elected irrevocably]] to the blessed glory of salvation by the irresistible grace of the Sovereign Will of God alone will attain heaven and stand in the presence of Almighty God. All others, men, women, children, babies, infants, the unborn in the womb, who die, are destined by their unregenerate wicked nature of total depravity for the ruin of hell apart from the presence of God, because "''Thou art'' of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity". [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/habakkuk/1-13.htm Habakkuk 1:13]{{cquote|Original sin, then, may be defined a hereditary corruption and depravity of our nature, extending to all the parts of the soul, which first makes us obnoxious to the wrath of God, and then produces in us works which in Scripture are termed works of the flesh. This corruption is repeatedly designated by Paul by the term sin (Gal. 5:19); while the works which proceed from it, such as adultery, fornication, theft, hatred, murder, revellings, he terms, in the same way, the fruits of sin, though in various passages of Scripture, and even by Paul himself, they are also termed sins. The two things, therefore, are to be distinctly observed--viz. that being thus perverted and corrupted in all the parts of our nature, we are, merely on account of such corruption, deservedly condemned by God, to whom nothing is acceptable but righteousness, innocence, and purity. This is not liability for another's fault. For when it is said, that the sin of Adam has made us obnoxious to the justice of God, the meaning is not, that we, who are in ourselves innocent and blameless, are bearing his guilt, but that since by his transgression we are all placed under the curse, he is said to have brought us under obligation. Through him, however, not only has punishment been derived, but pollution instilled, for which punishment is justly due. Hence Augustine, though he often terms it another's sin (that he may more clearly show how it comes to us by descent), at the same time asserts that it is each individual's own sin. And the Apostle most distinctly testifies, that "death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned," (Rom. 5:12); that is, are involved in original sin, and polluted by its stain. Hence, even infants bringing their condemnation with them from their mother's womb, suffer not for another's, but for their own defect. For although they have not yet produced the fruits of their own unrighteousness, they have the seed implanted in them. Nay, their whole nature is, as it were, a seed-bed of sin, and therefore cannot but be odious and abominable to God. Hence it follows, that it is properly deemed sinful in the sight of God; for there could be no condemnation without guilt.<br>—Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 2, Chapter 1, Section 5.8 Definition of original sin.<ref>[https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/calvin-institutes-christianity/book2/chapter-1.html Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 2, Chapter 1 (biblestudytools.com)]</ref>}}Thus, the [[ordinance]] of baptism avails nothing for those who are not already appointed unto salvation and do not believe, "and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/acts/13-48.htm Acts 13:48 (KJV)], "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_thessalonians/5-9.htm 1&nbsp;Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV)]. [[Saint Paul]] says in his ''Epistle to the Romans'', chapter 9:{{cquote|¹⁸ Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will ''have mercy'', and whom he will he hardeneth.<br>¹⁹ Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?<br>²⁰ Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed ''it'', Why hast thou made me thus?<br>²¹ Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonor?<br>²² ''What'' if God, willing to shew ''his'' wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:<br>²³ And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,<br>²⁴ Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?<br>²⁵ As he saith also in [[Book of Hosea|Osee]], I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.<br>²⁶ And it shall come to pass, ''that'' in the place where it was said, unto them, Ye ''are'' not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.<br>—Romans 9:18-26 (KJV)}}

[[John Calvin]] in his ''[[Institutes of the Christian Religion]]'' <ref>[https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/calvin-institutes-christianity/ Institutes of the Christian Religion (biblestudytools.com)]</ref> states most clearly that only those [[Predestination|predestinate]] souls [[Eternal security (salvation)|elected irrevocably]] to the blessed glory of salvation by the irresistible grace of the Sovereign Will of God alone will attain heaven and stand in the presence of Almighty God. All others, men, women, children, babies, infants, the unborn in the womb, who die, are destined by their unregenerate wicked nature of total depravity for the ruin of hell apart from the presence of God, because "''Thou art'' of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity". [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/habakkuk/1-13.htm Habakkuk 1:13]{{cquote|Original sin, then, may be defined a hereditary corruption and depravity of our nature, extending to all the parts of the soul, which first makes us obnoxious to the wrath of God, and then produces in us works which in Scripture are termed works of the flesh. This corruption is repeatedly designated by Paul by the term sin (Gal. 5:19); while the works which proceed from it, such as adultery, fornication, theft, hatred, murder, revellings, he terms, in the same way, the fruits of sin, though in various passages of Scripture, and even by Paul himself, they are also termed sins. The two things, therefore, are to be distinctly observed--viz. that being thus perverted and corrupted in all the parts of our nature, we are, merely on account of such corruption, deservedly condemned by God, to whom nothing is acceptable but righteousness, innocence, and purity. This is not liability for another's fault. For when it is said, that the sin of Adam has made us obnoxious to the justice of God, the meaning is not, that we, who are in ourselves innocent and blameless, are bearing his guilt, but that since by his transgression we are all placed under the curse, he is said to have brought us under obligation. Through him, however, not only has punishment been derived, but pollution instilled, for which punishment is justly due. Hence Augustine, though he often terms it another's sin (that he may more clearly show how it comes to us by descent), at the same time asserts that it is each individual's own sin. And the Apostle most distinctly testifies, that "death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned," (Rom. 5:12); that is, are involved in original sin, and polluted by its stain. Hence, even infants bringing their condemnation with them from their mother's womb, suffer not for another's, but for their own defect. For although they have not yet produced the fruits of their own unrighteousness, they have the seed implanted in them. Nay, their whole nature is, as it were, a seed-bed of sin, and therefore cannot but be odious and abominable to God. Hence it follows, that it is properly deemed sinful in the sight of God; for there could be no condemnation without guilt.<br>—Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 2, Chapter 1, Section 5.8 Definition of original sin.<ref>[https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/calvin-institutes-christianity/book2/chapter-1.html Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 2, Chapter 1 (biblestudytools.com)]</ref>}}Thus, the [[ordinance]] of baptism avails nothing for those who are not already appointed unto salvation and do not believe, "and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/acts/13-48.htm Acts 13:48 (KJV)], "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_thessalonians/5-9.htm 1&nbsp;Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV)]. [[Saint Paul]] says in his ''Epistle to the Romans'', chapter 9:{{cquote|¹⁸ Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will ''have mercy'', and whom he will he hardeneth.<br>¹⁹ Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?<br>²⁰ Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed ''it'', Why hast thou made me thus?<br>²¹ Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonor?<br>²² ''What'' if God, willing to shew ''his'' wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:<br>²³ And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,<br>²⁴ Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?<br>²⁵ As he saith also in [[Book of Hosea|Osee]], I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.<br>²⁶ And it shall come to pass, ''that'' in the place where it was said, unto them, Ye ''are'' not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.<br>—Romans 9:18-26 (KJV)}}

===They go to Limbo===

===They go to Limbo===

According to Revelation 20:10, 14-15 everything in hell (Hades) and everything in it will finally and irrevocably suffer burning in the lake of fire.{{cquote|And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet ''are'', and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.<ref>Compare [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/14-11.htm Revelation 14:11] "''And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night''".</ref>

According to Revelation 20:10, 14-15 everything in hell (Hades) and everything in it will finally and irrevocably suffer burning in the lake of fire.{{cquote|And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet ''are'', and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.<ref>Compare [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/14-11.htm Revelation 14:11] "''And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night''".</ref>

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.<br>—Revelation 20:10 and 14-15 (KJV)}}This would certainly include all of the innocent unbaptized children speculatively relegated by some Medieval theologians to a proposed state of the lightest possible suffering on the very outer edge (''limbo'') of hell.<ref>Compare Matthew 10:14-15; 11:22-24; Luke 10:12; 12:47-48.</ref>

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.<br>—Revelation 20:10 and 14-15 (KJV)}}This would certainly include all of the innocent unbaptized children speculatively relegated by some Medieval theologians to a proposed state of the lightest possible suffering on the very outer edge (''limbo'') of hell.<ref>Compare Matthew 10:14-15; 11:22-24; Luke 10:12; 12:47-48.</ref> However, some point out that Revelation 20:13 says, "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." Thus, none of the dead remained in hell when death and hell were cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, and according to Revelation 20:15, only those not found written in the book of life were cast into the lake of fire.

According to the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'', in an affirmation of the [[Council of Trent]] on the question of the fate of unbaptized infants:{{cquote|'''1261''' As regards ''children who have died without Baptism,'' the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. 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,″ [''Mk'' 10:14; cf. ''1 Tim.'' 2:4.] 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.<ref>Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Section Two: The Seven Sacraments of the Church, Chapter One: The Sacraments of Christian Initiation, Article 1: The Sacrament of Baptism, VI. The Necessity of Baptism, '''[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1261 1261]''', Libreria Editrice Vaticana, English translation of the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' for the United States of America copyright 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. English translation of the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church: Modifications from the Editio Typica'' copyright 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. page 321. ISBN 1-57455-109-4 </ref>}}

According to the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'', in an affirmation of the [[Council of Trent]] on the question of the fate of unbaptized infants:{{cquote|'''1261''' As regards ''children who have died without Baptism,'' the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. 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,″ [''Mk'' 10:14; cf. ''1 Tim.'' 2:4.] 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.<ref>Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Section Two: The Seven Sacraments of the Church, Chapter One: The Sacraments of Christian Initiation, Article 1: The Sacrament of Baptism, VI. The Necessity of Baptism, '''[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1261 1261]''', Libreria Editrice Vaticana, English translation of the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' for the United States of America copyright 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. English translation of the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church: Modifications from the Editio Typica'' copyright 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. page 321. ISBN 1-57455-109-4 </ref>}}

Mormon Apostle Mark E. Petersen explained this in just two short sentences. A just and righteous God would not punish the millions of people who have lived on the earth who never had the opportunity to learn of the gospel and baptism.  

Mormon Apostle Mark E. Petersen explained this in just two short sentences. A just and righteous God would not punish the millions of people who have lived on the earth who never had the opportunity to learn of the gospel and baptism.  

:“The Savior himself declared that he was God of both the living and the dead, ‘for all live unto him’ (Luke 20:38), showing that he regards them all in the same light.”  

:“The Savior himself declared that he was God of both the living and the dead, ‘for all live unto him’ (Luke 20:38), showing that he regards them all in the same light.”  

Baptism for the dead gives those who would have embraced Christ and His Church the opportunity to do so after death. Elder Mark E. Petersen went on to explain this fact:  

Baptism for the dead gives those who would have embraced Christ and His Church the opportunity to do so after death. Mark E. Petersen went on to explain this fact:  

:People who die without having been taught the gospel may yet be saved in the presence of God. This is made clear in the scriptures. But, how? That is the question. Jesus preached to the dead. The Apostle Peter taught this in his day, saying that after the death of the Savior, and while his body lay in the tomb, the Lord, as a spirit, went to the realm of the dead and there preached to the spirits of the people who previously had lived on the earth (1 Peter 3:18–20). Then he gives us the reason for this preaching: “For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit (1 Peter 4:6).

:People who die without having been taught the gospel may yet be saved in the presence of God. This is made clear in the scriptures. But, how? That is the question. Jesus preached to the dead. The Apostle Peter taught this in his day, saying that after the death of the Savior, and while his body lay in the tomb, the Lord, as a spirit, went to the realm of the dead and there preached to the spirits of the people who previously had lived on the earth (1 Peter 3:18–20). Then he gives us the reason for this preaching: “For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit (1 Peter 4:6).

==="They" not "We"===

==="They" not "We"===

Those who deny that baptism on behalf of the dead was ever part of Christian doctrine and apostolic tradition point out that Paul says, "''they''", in reference to others who believe in the resurrection of the dead. He does not say, "Else what shall '''we''' do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are '''we''' then baptized for the dead?" He does not say this. If baptism for the dead had been Christian doctrine they reason that Paul would have included it as a practice that "we" Christians perform on behalf of the dead as a [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy|work of mercy]]. There is no evidence from the first centuries of Christianity in the writings of the [[Apostolic Fathers]], the [[Ante-Nicene Fathers]], and the first seven [[Ecumenical council]]s of any mention of the practice of being baptized for the dead as being part of Christian [[doctrine]] and [[dogma]]. According to the [[Orthodox Church]] and the [[Catholic Church]] this practice was never a part of [[Apostolic Tradition]]. No Protestant denomination practices baptism for the dead. It is unknown in the [[Church of Christ]]. For this reason the Mormon doctrine of baptizing for the dead is not Christian.

Those who deny that baptism on behalf of the dead was ever part of Christian doctrine and apostolic tradition point out that Paul says, "''they''", in reference to others who believe in the resurrection of the dead. He does not say, "Else what shall '''we''' do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are '''we''' then baptized for the dead?" He does not say this. If baptism for the dead had been Christian doctrine they reason that Paul would have included it as a practice that "we" Christians perform on behalf of the dead as a [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy|work of mercy]]. There is no evidence from the first centuries of Christianity in the writings of the [[Apostolic Fathers]], the [[Ante-Nicene Fathers]], and the first seven [[Ecumenical council]]s of any mention of the practice of being baptized for the dead as being part of Christian [[doctrine]] and [[dogma]]. According to the [[Orthodox Church]] and the [[Catholic Church]] this practice was never a part of [[Apostolic Tradition]]. No Protestant denomination practices baptism for the dead. It is unknown in the [[Church of Christ]]. For this reason the Mormon doctrine of baptizing for the dead is not Christian.

==Discernment of Truth: Seekers, Converts, and Christian Apologetics==

==Discernment of Truth: Seekers, Converts, and Christian Apologetics==

Independent seekers of truth who are not Christians, but are attracted to the person of the historical [[Jesus Christ|Jesus of Nazareth]], struggle with [[discernment]] of what is right in accordance with [[reason]] and their [[conscience]]. This is especially true for those persons with an unborn or newborn child, infant, babe, child in arms, a child not yet able to walk, faced with the question of the eternal soul and the [[Last Judgment]]. Those who have recourse to [[Christian apologetics]] for help are offered arguments from scripture and tradition to help them decide. Those who are persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God and become converts to [[Christianity]] will rely on what seems to them to be the truth of the matter of infant baptism according to the various and differing apologists they read and hear, with whom they agree or disagree. Some of them may or may not be found to use [[specious reasoning]], which may or may not be exposed by the arguments of other apologists discussing infant baptism. Some use [[polemic]]. Accordingly they will choose to become a Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant, Independent, non-denominational, or [[Cafeteria Christianity|"cafeteria Christian"]], and, on their own personal judgment, on their own personal authority, as being answerable solely to their own conscience alone, they decide what to believe about the matter. Any one of them can become closed-minded and firmly entrenched in their [[opinion]] because of [[Sloth (sin)|mental and spiritual sloth]]. There are those who seek to be more and more informed about the matter and sometimes change their minds. Then, after careful discernment and much "soul-searching" with prayer to God for guidance, they often move to a different [[church]] or [[denomination]] as being more in accord with [[truth]] and the [[Bible]], fully assured that they are doing what is right. Their friends and associates may strongly disagree, some even warning that they could possibly, or most certainly will, go to [[hell]] unless they [[Repentance|repent]] their decision.

Independent seekers of truth who are not Christians, but are attracted to the person of the historical [[Jesus Christ|Jesus of Nazareth]], struggle with [[discernment]] of what is right in accordance with [[reason]] and their [[conscience]]. This is especially true for those persons with an unborn or newborn child, infant, babe, child in arms, a child not yet able to walk, faced with the question of the eternal soul and the [[Last Judgment]].  

 

Those who have recourse to [[Christian apologetics]] for help are offered arguments from scripture and tradition to help them decide. Those who are persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God and become converts to [[Christianity]] will rely on what seems to them to be the truth of the matter of infant baptism according to the various and differing apologists they read and hear, with whom they agree or disagree. Some of them may or may not be found to use [[specious reasoning]], which may or may not be exposed as fallacies by the arguments of other apologists discussing infant baptism. Some use [[polemic]]. Accordingly they will choose to become a Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant, Independent, non-denominational, or [[Cafeteria Christianity|"cafeteria Christian"]], and, on the basis of their own personal judgment, on their own personal authority, as being answerable solely to their own conscience alone, they decide for themselves what to believe about the matter. Any one of them can become closed-minded and firmly entrenched in their [[opinion]] because of [[Sloth (sin)|mental and spiritual sloth]]. There are those who seek to be more and more informed about the matter and sometimes change their minds. Then, after careful discernment and much "soul-searching" with prayer to God for guidance, they often move to a different [[church]] or [[denomination]] as being more in accord with [[truth]] and the [[Bible]], fully assured that they are doing what is right. Their friends and associates may strongly disagree, some even warning that they could possibly, or most certainly will, go to [[hell]] unless they [[Repentance|repent]] their decision. There are men of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, deceivers and deceived,<ref>[http://biblehub.com/2_timothy/3-8.htm 2 Timothy 3:8]</ref> those who twist the scriptures to their own destruction.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A15-18&version=NRSVCE 2 Peter 3:15-18.]</ref>

Catholics rely on [[Petrine Primacy]], the authority of the [[Pope]] and the whole of Scripture and Tradition as the one deposit of the divine faith authentically interpreted by the Catholic [[Magisterium]].

Catholics rely on [[Petrine Primacy]], the authority of the [[Pope]] and the whole of Scripture and Tradition as the one deposit of the divine faith authentically interpreted by the Catholic [[Magisterium]].

[[Cafeteria Christianity|Cafeteria Christians]] and [[Cafeteria Catholic]]s decide for themselves if infant baptism is right.

[[Cafeteria Christianity|Cafeteria Christians]] and [[Cafeteria Catholic]]s decide for themselves if infant baptism is right.

Others decide for or against infant baptism based on the principle of ''[[sola spiritu]]'', relying solely on what they discern to be the will of the [[Holy Spirit]] and their prayerful reading of the Bible apart from any other guidance or authority.

Others decide for or against infant baptism based on the principle of ''[[sola spiritu]]'', relying solely on what they discern to be the will of the [[Holy Spirit]] and their own prayerful reading of the Bible apart from any other guidance or authority.

[[Saint Peter]] counselled restraint and respect with courtesy regarding defense of Christian doctrine in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A15-16&version=KJV 1 Peter 3:15-16].

[[Saint Peter]] counselled restraint and respect with courtesy regarding defense of Christian doctrine in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A15-16&version=KJV 1 Peter 3:15-16].

[[Saint Paul]] counselled patience toward those weak in the faith in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A1-15%3A7&version=KJV Romans 14:1–15:7].

[[Saint Paul]] said the same in [http://biblehub.com/2_timothy/2-25.htm 2&nbsp;Timothy 2:25] and [http://biblehub.com/romans/12-14.htm Romans 12:14], and counselled patience toward those weak in the faith in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A1-15%3A7&version=KJV Romans 14:1–15:7] and especially to practice avoidance of those who argue about words in [http://biblehub.com/1_timothy/6-4.htm 1&nbsp;Timothy 6:4]; [http://biblehub.com/2_timothy/2-23.htm 2&nbsp;Timothy 2:23].

According to the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'' paragraph '''1776''' <ref>Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ, Section One: Man's Vocation Life in the Spirit, Chapter One: The Dignity of the Human Person, Article 6: Moral Conscience, '''[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1776 1776]'''</ref>{{cquote|Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sound in his heart at the right moment.... For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God.... His conscience is man's most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths. [''GS'' 16.] <ref>"GS". The [[Second Vatican Council|Vatican II]] document Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World ''Gaudium et Spes'' 16.</ref>}}

According to the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'' paragraph '''1776''' <ref>Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ, Section One: Man's Vocation Life in the Spirit, Chapter One: The Dignity of the Human Person, Article 6: Moral Conscience, '''[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1776 1776]'''</ref>{{cquote|Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sound in his heart at the right moment.... For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God.... His conscience is man's most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths. [''GS'' 16.] <ref>"GS". The [[Second Vatican Council|Vatican II]] document Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World ''Gaudium et Spes'' 16.</ref>}}

[[Society of St. Pius X]]

[[Society of St. Pius X]]

[[Ecumenical movement]]

[[Ecumenical movement]]

==References==

==References==