Baptism

Baptism #45896 Thu Feb 10, 2011 3:17 PM
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 22 South Africa Peytonator OP Plebeian
OP Peytonator Plebeian Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 22 South Africa	Hello, I am a newcomer to this great topic of Baptism, and would just like to seek some council relating to what I read in Augustine (from this source): Quote 42. This is the meaning of the great sacrament of baptism, which is celebrated among us. All who attain to this grace die thereby to sin—as he himself is said to have died to sin because he died in the flesh, that is, "in the likeness of sin"—and they are thereby alive by being reborn in the baptismal font, just as he rose again from the sepulcher. This is the case no matter what the age of the body. 43. For whether it be a newborn infant or a decrepit old man—since no one should be barred from baptism—just so, there is no one who does not die to sin in baptism. Infants die to original sin only; adults, to all those sins which they have added, through their evil living, to the burden they brought with them at birth. Clearly he believed that Baptism is a sign/symbol, and carefully warned elsewhere not "to take signs for the things that are signified by them." Then why does he say original sin is cleansed in infants, even before they have believed? Or that in Baptism adults die to all sin? Perhaps I should ask, what is the theological backdrop to what he is saying (in brief of course!)? Many thanks

Re: Baptism Peytonator #45901 Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:55 AM
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 379 NJ AC. Enthusiast
AC. Enthusiast Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 379 NJ	I thought Augustine did whole-heartedly believe in baptismal regeneration (a very roman catholic doctrine). Although his anti-pelagian writings seem to contradict the necessity of baptism for salvation. The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine

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