Once baptised you can receive the other six sacraments. The child will be able to receive the sacraments of reconciliation at times when they need God’s forgiveness and they will also be able to receive the Eucharist.
It is believed that at baptism the child is removed of Original sin. Children inherit human nature from their parents part of this has a weakness which makes people most likely to sin, this is known as original sin. When the water is sprinkled on the child is thought of being the Holy Spirit entering the child’s life. The Holy Spirit gives them strength to resist these sins.
If a child is very sick and is struggling to live the parents may take great comfort in the child being baptised. This might take place in the hospital, and if the child survives a ceremony would also be held in the Church to welcome them properly into the church and the community.
Although while I believe that baptising babies is not pointless I can also consider why many people believe that adult baptism is the better method of baptism.
Adult baptism is the method found in the New Testament and the method in which Jesus was baptised. Many people want to follow by his example. It is a way of showing that you want to follow a Christian way of life.
Unlike infant baptism, here adults are old enough to make their own decision. This is a very important and life changing event so it should be considered carefully and taken seriously. They repent of their sins and want to start a new way of life. They personally repent of their sins and come to know Jesus in a personal way.
In an adult baptism service the person to be baptised makes a statement on his faith, and is immersed in a small pool or baptistery sunk into the floor of the church. This symbolises being dying to old way of life or buried in the waters of baptism before rising up to a new life as a Christian, this is very symbolic and meaningful.
I think that just because a person is baptised as a baby it doesn’t limit their choices or freedom. When the child grows up and becomes an adult he or she can choose to respond to the sacrament of baptism. I think that overall the child benefits from life in the church and learns to develop a relationship with God.
