What happens if you don't baptize your baby?
Michael King
Updated on March 12, 2026
Church doctrine now states that unbaptized babies can go to heaven instead of getting stuck somewhere between heaven and hell.
Is baptism necessary for babies?
Not all Christians agree on whether babies born to believing parents should be baptized, but Christians do agree that it's a huge privilege and responsibility when a child is born into a Christian family.What do you call someone who is not baptised?
Definition of unbaptized: not baptized unbaptized infants also, dated : heathenish, profane …
Why is baptism important?
Baptism marks the personal identification with ChristWhen we come to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, our lives become united to Christ's life. We begin a journey of faith, united to Christ. We renounce service to sin and give our loyalty and service to Christ.
What does the Bible say about baptising babies?
Acts 2:38 says, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Baptists say repentance is a clear prerequisite to baptism here. An infant cannot repent, therefore an infant cannot be baptized.Why We Don't Baptize Babies
At what age should a baby be baptized?
In the same section mentioned above, the document notes clearly, “An infant should be baptized within the first weeks after birth” (No. 8.3). This teaching is also captured in canon law: “Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks” (Canon 867).Why do I want to baptize my baby?
The understanding is that baptism is a rebirth. By the spiritual cleansing of water and imparting of the Holy Spirit in baptism, one is reborn. This rebirth is required to both see and enter Heaven.Can you get baptized at any age?
There are no age restrictions for baptism. In Christianity, any human being who has not yet been baptized can receive the sacrament of baptism. It is said that baptism leaves a permanent mark on your soul, such that you never need to be "re-baptized."Do unbaptized babies go to limbo?
Limbo is the nether region where, according to Roman Catholic tradition, unbaptized babies go after death. It's a pleasant enough place, though devoid of the bliss of God's presence.Can a stillborn baby be buried in a Catholic cemetery?
Oponionated. One that died immediately after birth could have been baptized the moment they came out, and then would be allowed to be buried in a Catholic cemetary.Can an unbaptized baby be buried in a Catholic cemetery?
It was known variously as the "ground of the holy innocents" or as the children's section. Only baptized Catholics could be buried in consecrated ground. Even if a family had a plot in a Catholic cemetery, a baby who died without having been baptized had to be buried in the special section.Why do Catholic babies get baptized?
Because babies are born with original sin, they need baptism to cleanse them, so that they may become adopted sons and daughters of God and receive the grace of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that the kingdom of God also belongs to children (see Mt 18:4; Mk 10:14).Can my baby be baptized if I don't go to church?
It may take a little longer but it's absolutely doable. Most churches will welcome a request to baptise your child even if you are not a church member or do not regularly attend church. There may be a few extra steps, like meeting with the pastor or attending a class.Can you perform your own baptism?
According to most Christian religions, baptism can be performed anywhere. However, parishioners of the Catholic Church are required to seek permission from the church in order to perform a baptism at home.Is there a difference between baptism and christening?
And, although the two terms are interchangeable, there's a very subtle difference between the two types of events. The baptism is part of the ceremony representing one of seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, while the christening is the naming part of the ceremony.What does the Bible say about baptizing?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).What religions baptize babies?
Branches of Christianity that practice infant baptism include Catholics, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, and among Protestants, several denominations: Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists and other Reformed denominations, Methodists, Nazarenes, Moravians, and United Protestants.Do you have to have godparents to be christened?
"The only requirement for godparents is that they should have been baptised. A Muslim or a Hindu cannot strictly speaking be a godparent, nor can a secularist who has not been baptised." While the Church does insist on godparents being baptised, that may not be uniformly enforced across all parishes.What can I do instead of baptism?
5 touching alternatives if you're not too keen on christening...
- Humanist ceremony. Humanism is huge right now, for all sorts of events from weddings to welcoming ceremonies. ...
- Celtic Priests and practitioners. ...
- Unitarian Ceremony. ...
- Naming ceremony. ...
- Church Ceremony. ...
- Plant a tree.