Baptism is an important act of faith. Today, we’ll see what the Bible says about this practice and its significance for babies.
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What Does The Bible Say About Baptising Babies
Acts 2:38
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of baptism as a means of receiving forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. It serves as a call to both repentance and baptism for believers.
While this verse does not specifically mention baptizing babies, it highlights the significance of baptism in the life of a believer, suggesting that it can be a meaningful sacrament for all who repent and turn to Christ.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
In these verses, Jesus instructs his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This command implies that baptism is an integral part of the disciple-making process.
While these verses do not specifically address whether babies should be baptized, they emphasize the importance of baptism in the life of a believer and the mandate to baptize disciples. This interpretation has led some Christians to baptize infants as a way of including them in the community of faith from a young age.
Mark 10:13-16
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
In this passage, Jesus shows his love and compassion for children, welcoming them into his presence and blessing them. His statement about the kingdom of God belonging to them highlights the significance of children in the kingdom.
While this passage does not specifically mention baptism, it underscores the value of children in the eyes of Jesus and their inclusion in the kingdom of God. This has led some Christians to see baptism as a way of formally recognizing and welcoming children into the family of believers.
Acts 16:14-15
“One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.”
In these verses, Lydia and the members of her household are baptized after responding to Paul’s message and having their hearts opened by the Lord. This suggests that baptism was extended to the entire household, including any children or infants present.
While this passage does not explicitly state whether there were infants or young children present, it implies the possible inclusion of the whole household in the act of baptism. This has led some Christians to infer that baptizing infants is consistent with the biblical example of household baptisms.
Colossians 2:11-12
“In him, you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self, ruled by the flesh, was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
In these verses, Paul draws a parallel between circumcision and baptism, highlighting the spiritual significance of both. Just as circumcision symbolized the cutting away of the old self, baptism represents being buried with Christ and raised to new life.
While this passage does not specifically address the issue of baptizing infants, it underscores the spiritual transformation that occurs through baptism. This has led some Christians to include infants in baptism as an act of surrendering them to God’s grace and initiating them into the community of faith.
Matthew 19:13-14
“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.””
In this passage, Jesus demonstrates his love and care for children, encouraging their presence and participation in his ministry. He affirms that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those with childlike faith.
While this passage does not specifically address the issue of infant baptism, it highlights the value Jesus places on children and their inclusion in the kingdom of heaven. This understanding has led some Christians to baptize infants as an act of entrusting them to God’s care and welcoming them into the community of faith.
Romans 6:3-4
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
In these verses, Paul explains that through baptism, believers are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. Baptism symbolizes the burial of the old self and the beginning of a new life in Christ.
While this passage does not specifically address the issue of infant baptism, it underscores the transformative nature of baptism and its connection to the believer’s identification with Christ. This has led some Christians to include infants in baptism as a way of initiating them into this new life in Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:29
“Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?”
In this verse, Paul mentions the practice of baptism for the dead, which was apparently happening in the Corinthian church. While the exact meaning and context of this passage is debated, it demonstrates the early Christian community’s familiarity with baptism as a practice.
While this verse does not directly inform the topic of infant baptism, it showcases the existence of baptism as a ritual in the early church. This historical context has contributed to the development of various baptismal practices, including infant baptism.
Galatians 3:27
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
In this verse, Paul declares that through baptism, believers are united with Christ, symbolically putting on Christ as a garment.
While this verse does not specifically address the matter of infant baptism, it highlights the symbolic act of being immersed in Christ through baptism. This understanding has led some Christians to include infants in baptism as a way of representing their identity in Christ from an early age.
Ephesians 4:5
“One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
This verse emphasizes the unity in the body of Christ, pointing to the shared experience of baptism among believers.
While this verse does not address the issue of infant baptism directly, it underscores the shared practice of baptism within the faith community. This has led some Christians to include infants in baptism as a means of affirming their inclusion in the larger body of believers.
Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
In this verse, Paul describes the saving work of God, emphasizing that it is not based on human merit but on God’s mercy. The washing of rebirth and renewal refers to the spiritual cleansing and transformation that occurs through the Holy Spirit.
While this verse does not specifically discuss the topic of infant baptism, it highlights the transformative nature of baptism and the involvement of the Holy Spirit in the process. This has led some Christians to include infants in baptism as a way of affirming God’s saving work in their lives from an early age.
1 Peter 3:21
“And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
In this verse, Peter explains that baptism is a symbolic act that represents a pledge of a clear conscience toward God and the salvation brought about by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While this verse does not directly address the issue of infant baptism, it emphasizes the symbolism and significance of baptism in the life of a believer. This understanding has led some Christians to include infants in baptism as a way of symbolizing their commitment to God and the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:36-38
“As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”
In this passage, Philip baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch after he expresses his desire to be baptized upon encountering a body of water.
While this passage does not specifically address infant baptism, it highlights the act of baptism following a personal confession of faith. This understanding has led some Christians to baptize believers who can make a personal confession of faith, while waiting to baptize infants until they can express their own faith commitment.
Acts 22:16
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
In this verse, Ananias instructs Saul (later known as Paul) to be baptized as a means of washing away his sins.
While this verse does not directly speak to the issue of infant baptism, it underscores the understanding of baptism as a symbol of cleansing and forgiveness. This has led some Christians to wait to baptize infants until they are able to comprehend their need for forgiveness and make a personal commitment to follow Christ.
Acts 10:47-48
“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.”
In this passage, Peter witnesses the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles and immediately orders their baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
While this passage does not directly address infant baptism, it emphasizes the importance of baptism as a response to receiving the Holy Spirit. This understanding has led some Christians to wait to baptize infants until they can experience the presence and working of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Matthew 3:13-17
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.'”
In this passage, Jesus himself is baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of his public ministry.
While this passage does not explicitly address infant baptism, it highlights the example of Jesus being baptized as an act of obedience and identification with humanity. This understanding has led some Christians to include infants in baptism, seeing it as a way of following the example of Christ and initiating them into the community of faith.
Acts 18:8
“Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.”
In this verse, we see that Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord and were baptized.
While this verse does not specifically mention the baptism of infants, it implies that entire households were included in the act of baptism when the head of the household believed. This has led some Christians to baptize infants within believing households as a reflection of this biblical example.
Acts 9:18
“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.”
In this verse, Paul (previously known as Saul) is baptized following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
While this verse does not directly address infant baptism, it serves as an example of baptism following a personal conversion experience. This has led some Christians to wait to baptize infants until they are old enough to understand and make a personal decision to follow Christ.
Acts 16:33
“At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.”
In this passage, the jailer and his entire household are baptized following their conversion experience.
While this verse does not specifically mention the baptism of infants, it implies the inclusion of the entire household in the act of baptism. This has led some Christians to baptize infants when a parent or guardian within the household makes a profession of faith.
John 1:33
“I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’”
In this verse, John the Baptist states that the purpose of his water baptism is to identify the one on whom the Spirit of God will come down and remain.
While this verse does not directly address infant baptism, it highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in baptism. This understanding has led some Christians to delay infant baptism until the child can personally experience the Holy Spirit’s work in their life.
John 3:5
“Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.'”
In this verse, Jesus tells Nicodemus that being born of water and the Spirit is necessary to enter the kingdom of God.
While this verse does not directly address the topic of infant baptism, it highlights the need for both water baptism and spiritual rebirth. This understanding has led some Christians to baptize infants as a sign of their initiation into the community of faith and anticipation of their future spiritual rebirth.
Acts 19:2-5
“and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’ ‘John’s baptism,’ they replied. Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
In this passage, Paul encounters some disciples in Ephesus who had only received John’s baptism. He then instructs them about the baptism in the name of Jesus, and they are baptized anew.
While this passage does not directly address the issue of infant baptism, it highlights the significance of baptism in the name of Jesus as distinct from John’s baptism. This understanding has led some Christians to wait to baptize infants until they can receive the sacrament in the name of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:16
“I baptized also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.”
In this verse, Paul mentions baptizing the household of Stephanas, suggesting the inclusion of both adults and potentially children or infants.
While this verse does not explicitly mention infant baptism, it implies that the household of Stephanas was baptized as a unit. This has led some Christians to include infants in baptism as a way of incorporating them into the faith community.