Fr. Panayiotis answers some of the basic questions that Protestants have when encountering Orthodox Christianity for the first time. In this episode, he discusses why the Orthodox Church baptizes infants. We hope that this series creates discussion. Please comment, rate, and subscribe for more videos. Subscribe and share!
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Baptism is the way the Soul is touched by the Holy Spirit and the way the Holy Spirit enters the Soul. And for regeneration to take place, for a man to be able to overcome temptation and worldliness, to turn from the spirits of the Flesh and being enslaved to them and turning to God, his Soul must have communion with the Holy Spirit and work with him and be guided by him. It is by his guidance within our Soul that we can even desire the Good, desire Love, desire God and desire to be obedient to God.
How can a Soul desire God if God is not within his Soul? Sure, the Soul, coming from God, has his touch, his essence and Love imprinted upon it. But against the bombardment of the Soul from the Flesh, it is no defence. The Soul desires that which touches and fills it. And Baptism fills his Soul with God.
So to withhold Baptism is to withhold the very thing that allows salvation. It is literally setting up children with no defence against worldliness and temptation for their Soul will be alone to resist the lusts of the Flesh. It is a tragedy.
Only the evil one doesn’t want infants baptized so he can have a chance at them.
Everything what he said in the beginning explains exactly the opposite of the question that he makes at the 1:33 minute. A baby can't fulfill all that things, is pointless.
I am Greek orthodox. Only thing I dont like is that I dont understand one thing in a Greek church as everything is about chanting. I want to hear and understand the word of God. The Bible. But there humming and chanting. Any advice?
Gratuitous assumption: the HOUSE baptized had babies in it. No proof whatsoever of that!
I am an ex-orthodox, I was baptized as a baby and had never known the depth of God's love because it can never be taught but can only be understood by the amazing grace of God, which is a mystery by itself, opened to one who knocks and seeks. I lived among hindus and muslims with such ungodly life showcased by orthodox and catholic people. Also most of orthodox including me was a universalist even though the orthodoxy denies it. I met Jesus at my later life came to know the truth that set me free then I got baptized which has transformed my life. The holy spirit can help us to discern things from both scripture and tradition. If a tradition contradict to the teaching of the scriptures(OT+NT), it is better to not do it. Also, a christian baby can be brought up with knowledge of God even without baptism. But, baptism is for believers- didache is clear on it which itself is a tradition and more orthodox.
In the words of the Lord himself – “Mark 10:13-16 English Standard Version (ESV)
Let the Children Come to Me
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Jesus was INDIGNANT because the disciples thought it correct to keep the children from him. That should say EVERYTHING to these Protestant groups. Personally I think that the 1054 schism was the first phase of this rebellion and the reformation set it in stone. But there is still time for all to come back to the knowledge of the true bride of Christ – the Holy Apostolic and Orthodox Church. May God bless her and preserve her FOREVER!
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It's called a Christening and i should think it's pretty straight forward. My 3 were , i was, my siblings were , I'm orthodox Christian 🙏
We Catholic are also baptized but with a little wet priests finger …we a are not all in like in the east
These videos have blessed me🙏✝️ Please give us more we need to learn more. We must die still learning Amen
Thank you so much, Father Panayiotis, for your excellent teaching here as in your other Orthodox videos available to us! As one who is an Orthodox convert, I have discovered everything from openly Barthian Gnosticism, Protestantized lessons, or even dismissing our differences between ourselves and the Papacy. Overall, there is an absence of proper catechesis for those interested in becoming Orthodox later in life. Also, in many parishes, children who have been baptized are not being taught about what the Orthodox Faith is and how to live it. It is vital to keep our children in the Faith as they become teenagers; we see that many are ignorant of foundational teachings of Orthodox Christianity. Therefore, through friendships, other Christian denominations are attractive to them. They may fall prey to the RC Church which is always ready to say "we're the same as Orthodox except for the Pope" which is far from the truth. We pray that influential priests – as yourself – who are excellent teachers can take up the challenge of writing catechetical works for our young people. The nice "glossy" publications from the well-meaning Greek Orthodox Archdiocese are sadly lacking in any real basic information on our Church… they are picturing the Pope alongside the Patriarch of Constantinople as if they are equal and without differences in doctrine. Surely the Faithful can be better served, in the light of the loss of so many Orthodox young people to the RC and Protestant churches – leaving the Treasure and Ground of all Christianity from Pentecost through the ages. Thank you and please forgive me for pointing out this lack in our parish resources, but this is ignored by many of our clergy in my experience entering into the Orthodox Church.
thank you for this i had this question for a long time and know i am happy thank you and im a proud orthodox
Same practice with the Holy Catholic Church whether Roman or Eastern rite.
House holds does not mean children! Paul preached to House holds, would Paul preach to a baby who doesn't understand him? No.
You did not present any solid argument. Nowhere does the Bible say that children were baptized.
Where does the Bible mention the word "baptized child"? Yes, the Bible speaks of family baptism, but it does not mention infant baptism. The baptism of the child based on the Bible verses you quoted can only be speculation. The baptism of the child contradicts everything presented to us in the Bible.
Would the Orthodox Baptise a spouse and children of a new Believer, even if they didnt believe?
Carthage 419:
Canon 110. (Greek cxii. bis)
That infants are baptized for the remission of sins
Likewise it seemed good that whosoever denies that infants newly from their mother's wombs should be baptized, or says that baptism is for remission of sins, but that they derive from Adam no original sin, which needs to be removed by the laver of regeneration, from whence the conclusion follows, that in them the form of baptism for the remission of sins, is to be understood as false and not true, let him be anathema.
That is why babies are baptized.
Unless the heart of a child (or adult) has heard the divine call "Come unto me" and in faith ask for baptism what is baptism of children but a ritualistic man made tradition?
Baptism that is not a voluntary individual decision is obviously not baptism into the Body of Christ.
Infants do not decide to be baptized so it follows in so far as the infant is concerned, the baptism is meaningless.
Bless the child by all means, have parents and God parents gather around the baby dedicate themselves to raising the child in a Christian way but baptism an infant whose brain and its cognitive and reasoning still in formation reduces baptism to an involuntary act upon the unaware. What use is that to child or the body of Christ?
Who cares why?! This is entertaining as all get out! Lol. The looks on these babies faces is killer! Lol. I'd convert just for this! Jk!
I want to become Orthodox but this is the only thing that I am questioning. I suppose it’s because I’ve been raised as a Protestant Christian.
Why did some early church traditions allowed only baptism at reaching an age.
@Trisagion Films Just a question though. Why is it that most Christians who are baptized as children either end up becoming lukewarm Christians when they get older and do not know the true gospel message or they dwell on relying on religious works like going to church once a week and etc. Cause I see baptism as more of a decision that one makes when they know they are sinners and decide to repent and receive Christ as Lord and saviour. Wouldn't it make more sense to just pray over infants and bless them in the church and then let them make the decision when they are older? Cause so many who are baptized as babies grow up and say they are orthodox or whatever but they do not truly know Christ and live for him and no evidence of the Spirit in their lives. Cause baptism is a sign of dying to your self and being made new in Christ. Would appreciate a response, Thanks
Oops;
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.””
John 3:8 NASB1995
Oops;
“Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:3-4 NASB1995
Oops;
“who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”
1 Peter 3:20-21 NASB1995
If one is making a pledge of a good conscious towards God, and is identification with Jesus death, burial and resurrection, shouldn’t one at least remember it? 🧐
The meaning of baptism by adults is very different than the meaning of baptism by babies.
Adults who get baptized know what it means
Dunking babies in a tub of water is not baptism.
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
What did Jesus say to John before he was baptized.
Very interesting. Thank you.
I dis have a question. Do I understand you to be teaching that baptism causes these infants to be in the body of Christ as "justification"? In other words are you saying that baptism washes away sins? I wouldnt think you would believe this but not sure. What so you mean by this causea them to be in the body of Christ?
You basically say "water baptism" causes someone to become one worh Christ, sanctified, died ro old man, created new and become a member of the body of Christ?
Thanks
…and we Lutherans baptize babies too. The reformed churches do it as well. Check out "Justandsinner" and "Bryan Wolfmueller" which are two Lutheran pastors who explain it biblically
One thing I’ve always wondered about this is what the stats are on children who rebel against the Church and belief in God in infant vs non infant baptism.
This could be fallacious, but it seems plausible that if they (the infants) receive the fullness of the Spirit in baptism , that apostasy would be lower in pedobaptists versus non-baptized children raised in a Christian environment.
WE ALL NEED to be baptized into the Church of Christ(Christ's Church) If you were baptized as a baby, all that happened was you got wet. Sorry. But it's the truth. How does being baptized as a infant save? There are NO biblical accounts of babies being baptized. Nor is their accounts of young children being baptized. Babies and young children are innocent in the eyes of God, and are not accountable. Once you reach an age of accountability then you need to make the conscience decision to be saved according to the scriptures. If a man tells you how to be saved, ask them to show that to me in the bible. In order to be saved, one MUST be able to 1)HEAR the word of God Romans 10:17 (2)BELIEVE the word of God John 8:24 (3) REPENT Luke 13:3 (4)CONFESS Jesus as the son of God Matthew 10:32 (5)THEN BE BAPTIZED Mark 16:16 (6) REMAIN FAITHFUL Revelation 2:10 Do NOT let a mere man fool you. Do and believe what the word of God says to do. God bless you.
His very last point about some of the tragic results of not baptizing our children and making them recipients of grace early on is very powerful.