"Why Baptize Infants?”

Acts 2:38-39

(A Bible Study)

GOD'S WORD SAYS: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:38-39). Even though this passage of Scripture commands “every one” to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the promise is also “to your children,” there are many who believe and teach that infants and small children should not be brought to Christ through Holy Baptism. We look at their arguments against infant baptism and the answer of God's Word. And, we look at the reasons why, according to the Word of God, infants and small children indeed should be baptized.

I. Arguments against infant baptism answered by God's Word.

A. Babies are not sinful or are not accountable for their sins.

Romans 3:23 says: "All have sinned." This includes infants and children.

Romans 5:12 says that sin and death is passed on to all because of Adam's sin.

Ephesians 2:1-3 teaches that we were all dead in sin by our natural birth.

Psalm 51:5 teaches that we were sinful (without true fear, love, and trust in God) from the time of our conception and formation in the womb. As a result, acts of sin soon followed.

Genesis 8:21 says: "The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth."

Nowhere does Scripture teach that a person is not accountable for his sins until he reaches a certain age. Rather, the Scriptures do say: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20).

B. Infants and Small Children cannot believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Matthew 18:6 - Jesus says: “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me....”

Luke 18:15-17 says that when "infants" were brought to Jesus, He said, "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."

Jesus wants infants and children brought to Him. Through faith in Jesus, they too become a part of God's kingdom. If one will not, like a little child, humbly trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation from sin and eternal death, he will not enter God's kingdom or be saved.

John 1:12-13 teaches that no one--not even adults--can come to faith in Christ of their own will or decision. One must be born of God.

John 3:5-6 teaches that one must be born again of water and the Spirit (Holy Baptism) to enter the kingdom of God. Natural birth leaves one dead in sin (Eph. 2:1-3). Being born of the Holy Spirit through "the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5), which is Holy Baptism, makes one alive to God. Children too need this spiritual rebirth to enter God's kingdom.

C. Baptism is only an outward confession of what has already taken place inwardly (done in obedience to God's Word in Matthew 28:19).

Acts 2:38-39 teaches that baptism is for "the remission of sins," and that the Holy Ghost is given in Christian Baptism.

Acts 22:16 teaches that one's sins are washed away in his baptism.

Titus 3:5 teaches that regeneration (new spiritual life) and salvation are given in Baptism (Cf. 1 Peter 3:21).

Matthew 28:19 teaches that God works through Baptism, for it is done in His name.

Baptism is a means whereby God offers and gives the forgiveness of sins and eternal life which Christ won on the cross to people.

D. Jesus doesn't want infants and small children brought to Him in Baptism.

Luke 18:15-17 teaches that Jesus wants infants and small children brought to Him and into His kingdom.

John 3:5 teaches that being born of water and the Spirit in Baptism is God's means to bring a person into His kingdom.

E. Scripture never says that infants and small children are to be baptized or that they were baptized.

Acts 2:38-39 commands "every one" to be baptized and says the promise is also to your children.

Matthew 28:19 says all nations are to be baptized.

Infants and Small Children are nowhere excluded from these commands.

Colossians 2:11-12 says that Baptism is the circumcision made without hands, and,according to Genesis 17:9-14, circumcision was performed at eight days old.

Acts 16:15, 33; 1 Corinthians 1:16 tell of whole households (very likely including children) being baptized.

F. Matthew 28:19-20 says to "teach" first and then "baptize."

The Word translated "teach" in verse 19 literally means "to disciple," and is different from the word "teach" in verse 20 (cf. the translation in the New King James Version and other translations). The Greek indicates that we are to disciple (or make disciples) of all nations by going out, baptizing, and teaching. Baptizing is actually mentioned before the teaching or thorough indoctrination.

G. Infant Baptism was not practiced in the days of the apostles, but was later introduced into the church.

This too is false. Tertullian (b. 150 AD) opposed infant baptism but acknowledged its universal practice; Origen (b. 185 AD) says that infant baptism was an "apostolic tradition"; and Augustine (b. 354 AD) wrote books against heretics who disapproved of the Baptism of children. History makes it clear that infant baptism was practiced from the apostles onward (cf. Eph. 2:20).

H. The rejection of infant baptism is not a serious matter.

While one cannot be saved--even if baptized--apart from faith in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16), to reject infant baptism is serious. Luke 7:30 tells us that the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God's counsel when they rejected John's Baptism.

John 3:5 teaches that one who rejects Baptism cannot enter God's kingdom.

Matthew 18:6 says: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." It is no small matter if one brings about the eternal ruin of a child by preventing him from being baptized. Only in Christ is there forgiveness! (1 John 1:9; 2:1-2).

II. Why, according to God's Word, Infants and Small Children should be Baptized.

A. They are sinners in need of forgiveness and salvation (Romans 3:23; Psalm 51:5).

B. Scripture commands that they too be baptized (Acts 2:38-39; Matthew 28:19; Luke 18:15-17).

C. Fathers are commanded to bring up their children in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4), and this includes bringing them to Baptism.

D. In Holy Baptism, the Holy Ghost works to create saving faith in Jesus Christ and to regenerate (Acts 2:38-39; Titus 3:5; John 3:5-6). Baptism is the means which God has appointed to do this saving work in infants and small children.

E. In Holy Baptism, they are offered and given forgiveness of sins for the sake of Jesus' innocent sufferings and death on the cross (Acts 2:38-39; 22:16; Colossians 2:11-14).

F. In Holy Baptism, they are given new life and are empowered to live for Jesus Christ, their Savior (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12-14; 3:1).

G. In Holy Baptism, eternal salvation is given to all who believe (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26-29).

Conclusion

This then is why we baptize infants and small children as is comanded in Acts 2:38-39. This is also why our baptism is valid and we are blessed through it today--even if we were baptized many years ago as infants or small children. For Christ's sake, God, in our baptism, has given us forgiveness for all our sins, His Holy Spirit, and eternal salvation. God grant that we treasure our Baptism and what God has worked in us through it. Amen.

Randy Moll

The Still Small Voice