tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post917093721558221180..comments2024-03-24T07:56:33.811-05:00Comments on Allan R. Bevere: To Baptize Infants or Not to Baptize Infants- That Is the QuestionAllan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-14312800253160055022011-11-28T10:40:39.102-05:002011-11-28T10:40:39.102-05:00I'm in a denomination that allows for both. My...I'm in a denomination that allows for both. My wife grew up in a tradition of infant baptism, while I grew up in a believer baptism tradition. So what to do with our daughter? While we had several considerations, one important one was what would our local congregation, one who had never baptized an infant, best understand. We chose to dedicate, and anoint with oil. Everyone appreciated that, not matter which tradition they grew up in. Since then other parents have requested to have their children anointed when dedicated.Paul Tillmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13828799256501318603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-39274227328698011892011-11-28T09:35:47.520-05:002011-11-28T09:35:47.520-05:00I was raised and ordained in a tradition that prac...I was raised and ordained in a tradition that practiced believer's baptism. I worked for about 10 years in the United Methodist tradition as a chaplain at a children's home and then in a local church. I left the tradition in which I grew up and was ordained, and went through the process with the Board of Ordained Ministry until I decided to go another direction. I am now a minister in standing with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). <br />Which means I have experienced this question from both sides. What is interesting to me is that the traditions who practice infant baptism have a process whereby the person embraces for themselves the grace recognized at baptism-confirmation and the other names it goes by. The tradition who practice believer's baptism have a process to recognize the grace present from birth-dedication. <br />I use the term "grace recognized" intentionally. I do not think of grace as something that is given or dispensed by the receiving of a sacrament. It is about recognizing and affirming the grace that abounds in and through the individual life. <br />Both of these practices seem to acknowledge basic parts of the spiritual journey: the recognition of God's grace from the beginning and a time to accept for oneself the grace that has been present from the beginning.Gary Lynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-70045575466059612232011-11-28T09:27:56.083-05:002011-11-28T09:27:56.083-05:00My take is this: Before Jesus, a person could beco...My take is this: Before Jesus, a person could become a Jew by one of two ways.<br /><br />You were born into a Jewish family, and marked by circumcision (if male) as an infant with no concern to your wishes. You were then raised in the faith and taught to live into your identity.<br /><br />Or, much less common, you converted as an adult. You were taught and then brought into the community after demonstrating a desire to do so.<br /><br />I believe the Christian church rightfully maintains both doors of entry to become the people of God. The scriptural evidence and practice of the early church appears to confirm this to me.<br /><br />My two cents.John Meunierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15640046073453219165noreply@blogger.com