by Fr. John HainsworthAbout What Happens to the Child in BaptismIS BAPTISM JUST A SIGN?Everything I have said assumes that baptism is more than just an outward expression of an inward acceptance of Christ. Of course, baptism is an outward expression in that physical hands are laid on a physical … [Read more...]
Will Unbaptized Children Go To Hell if they Die?
by Fr. John HainsworthOften on the heart and mind - will unbaptized children go to hell?No. The Orthodox Church does not believe that children are born guilty of Adam’s sin and that unless freed of that guilt through baptism and communion they will die without God’s mercy. Such a notion is … [Read more...]
Baptism: But Children Don’t Understand the Faith!
by Fr. John HainsworthChildren don't understand the faith - does that make them 'second class citizens' of the Body of Christ - is that a reason not to baptism them into the Church?The assumption behind this objection to infant baptism, one which did not exist in the early Church or in the centuries … [Read more...]
