Antipaedobaptism is a term used in theology to describe the belief that infant baptism is not valid and that only adult baptism is legitimate. This practice is commonly associated with certain Protestant denominations, such as Baptists and Pentecostals, who reject the idea of infant baptism and instead advocate for a “believer’s baptism” that is only performed on adults who have made a conscious decision to accept Jesus as their savior.
Definitions
Antipaedobaptism is defined as the rejection of infant baptism in favor of adult baptism. This belief is based on the idea that baptism is a symbolic act that represents a person’s decision to accept Jesus Christ as their savior, and that infants are not capable of making this decision. Therefore, antipaedobaptists argue that only adults who have made a conscious decision to follow Christ should be baptized.
Origin
The origins of antipaedobaptism can be traced back to the early days of the Christian church, when baptism was primarily performed on adults who had undergone a period of instruction and preparation before being baptized. However, as the church began to spread and more people were converted to Christianity, the practice of infant baptism became more common. This was partly due to the belief that baptism was necessary for salvation, and that infants who died without being baptized would be denied entry into heaven.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, antipaedobaptism is defined as “the doctrine or practice of rejecting infant baptism and baptizing only adults.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “the rejection of infant baptism in favour of baptism of adults only.”
Associations
Antipaedobaptism is commonly associated with certain Protestant denominations, such as Baptists, Pentecostals, and some Evangelical groups. These groups reject the idea of infant baptism and instead advocate for a “believer’s baptism” that is only performed on adults who have made a conscious decision to accept Jesus as their savior.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for antipaedobaptism include adult baptism, believer’s baptism, and credobaptism.
Antonyms
The antonym of antipaedobaptism is paedobaptism, which is the practice of baptizing infants.
The same root words
Antipaedobaptism is derived from the Greek words “anti” (meaning “against”) and “paedo” (meaning “child”), and “baptism” (meaning “to immerse in water”).
Example Sentences
- The Baptist church practices antipaedobaptism, meaning that they only baptize adults who have made a conscious decision to follow Christ.
- The Pentecostal denomination also rejects infant baptism and advocates for a believer’s baptism instead.
- Antipaedobaptism is a controversial issue within the Christian church, with some arguing that infant baptism is necessary for salvation, while others believe that only adult baptism is legitimate.
Antipaedobaptism is a term used in theology to describe the rejection of infant baptism in favor of adult baptism. This practice is commonly associated with certain Protestant denominations, such as Baptists and Pentecostals, who believe that only adults who have made a conscious decision to follow Christ should be baptized. While this practice is controversial within the Christian church, it remains an important aspect of many denominations’ beliefs and practices.