Our Beliefs : Infant Baptism

Seven Good Bible Reasons for Baptizing Infants

1. Jesus commanded infant baptism

Jesus' exact words to His disciples were, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." (Matthew 28:16-20, selected) His universal command includes all nations. Nowhere in the Bible is there anything written limiting His words all nations according to age, race, or sex. Note also in Matthew 28 that Jesus' command lists baptizing them as the first way to make disciples of all nations and teaching them as the second way. This is not in conflict with the Christian Church's practice of baptizing children first and then continuing to instruct them later as they grow in understanding.

2. Little children are born sinful and need baptism

Babies need God's forgiveness too. This teaching is clearly stated in the Bible:

Genesis 8:21 - The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth.
Psalm 51:5 - Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
John 3:6 - Flesh gives birth to flesh.
Romans 7:18 - I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
Ephesians 2:3 - Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

3. Baptism provides the forgiveness of sins and salvation

Baptism is not merely symbolic. The blessings that baptism brings are clearly listed in the Bible:

1 Peter 3:21 - Baptism ... now also saves you.
Acts 22:16 - Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.
Acts 2:38 - Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

Other sections of Scripture which teach the effectiveness of baptism: Mark 16:16; Colossians 2:11-13; Ephesians 5:25-27; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:27

4. Infants can believe

The Bible often connects faith and repentance with the mention of baptism. For this reason, many deny infants baptism, because they say that infants cannot believe. Jesus warned about offending "These little ones who believe in me ..." (Matthew 18:6) Faith is entirely the gift of the Holy Spirit in the heart of an adult or an infant. It is God's power, not ours, that creates saving faith. It does not depend upon the cooperation or the reason of the human being involved. If we are going to be raised from death in sin (Ephesians 2:1), then God himself must do the raising (Ephesians 2:4,5). Jesus warns adults not to let their reason and understanding to get in the way of believing like a little child.

Mark 10:15 - I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

5. Baptism is the way of salvation God has revealed for infants

God has the power to do anything he wants; he can bring infants to faith in any way he chooses. But he has given us only one way, and he commands us to use it. We do not have His promise for any other way. Prayer cannot save. Prayer is simply our communication to God, not what God does to save man. Saving faith is created through God's use of tools, Means of Grace, through which God conveys His forgiveness. These Means of Grace are the gospel in word and sacraments:

Romans 10:17 - Consequently faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
1 Peter 3:21 - Baptism ... now also saves you.

A parent's faith cannot save a child; each person alone must stand accountable to God:

Ezekiel 18:4 - For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son - both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

A baby cannot take Communion, because that is only for those who can examine themselves:

1 Corinthians 11:29 - For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Only baptism has God's command and promise for the blessings of the cross of Christ to all people.

6. The Bible has examples of entire families being baptized

It bothers many people that most of the instances of baptism in the Bible are of adults. It is not hard to understand why most recorded baptisms were of adults. The church was young, and adults were converted many times without their families even being present. The baptism of families (which would include any children) is mentioned. Lydia's family was present, so the Bible says, "She and the members of her household were baptized." (Acts 16:15) So was the jailer's family present, so it is mentioned of him, "He and all his family were baptized." (Acts 16:33) On Pentecost Day, St. Peter reminded the holiday travelers that the promise was for them and for their children. (Acts 2:39)

7. The Bible compares baptism to circumcision, which was performed on infants

Colossians 2:11,12 - In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men, but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

There are several comparisons with circumcision which encourage us to baptize our children as infants. First, there is the matter of age. In the Old Testament God commanded circumcision on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12). God also warned that a person who despised circumcision could be considered lost (Genesis 17:14). St. Paul reminds us that through baptism our sinful nature is buried with Christ, and we are brought into the family of God.

What a powerful and compelling word of God we have for having our children baptized as infants!

We'd like to share more about the blessings of Baptism with you. For more information, please contact Living Word.

Arguments Against Infant Baptism

"God doesn't consider children guilty of sin until they reach the age of accountability."

If you can find scriptural support for this notion, please show us!

Romans 6:23a - "The wages of sin is death." The Bible consistently repeats that sin and death go together. Where there is sin there is death; conversely, where there is no sin, there is no death. We know that little babies and unborn children also die. If they were sinless, how could a just God require death of them?

"God would not be fair if he were to condemn little children just because they had not been baptized."

Can we really tell God what is fair? Only His mercy keeps any of us from eternal death. A person who holds to this argument does not fully understand the damning nature of sin that separates all of us from God. Sin destroys completely the relationship between humans and God, and a holy God will not allow sin in His presence. We know that babies are also sinful. This means they, too, are conceived and born under the wrath of God. If we dare to impose upon God our ideas of what is just and fair, then God help us!

"Once you are saved, you cannot lose your salvation. If baptism saves, then why are so many baptized people now unbelievers?"

The Bible doesn't teach "once saved, always saved." The Bible teaches that neither Satan, nor his hosts, nor the world, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39) or snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28). The Bible does teach that we ourselves can reject the work of truth planted in our hearts and fall from grace:

1 Corinthians 10:12 - So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
Galatians 1:6 - I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ.
1 Timothy 1:19 - Some ... have shipwrecked their faith.
Hebrews 6:4-6 - It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance while to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

"Baptism is just symbolic water."

Baptism is powerful water, because it is connected with God's word and used according to Jesus' command. Its use in conjunction with God's word makes baptism more than just simple water.

"Babies can't understand God's plan of salvation."

As far as we can tell, we agree with this statement 100%! Why is that a problem? Churches that equate faith with reason usually believe that people themselves must make the decision for Christ and logically understand what's taking place. The Bible says that if grace is to be grace, then God must do all the work!

Romans 11:6 - And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Infant baptism is the purest application of God's grace, the perfect example of a guilty sinner doing absolutely nothing to receive full and free salvation.