If someone would say that infants are not specifically mentioned in this command, I would answer that we have no specific command to baptize women or teenagers or old men or young ladies or Americans, Germans, Chinese, Africans or the British. A general command is to be taken generally unless Scripture somehow limits it.

Scripture, however, not only does not exclude infants from baptism but also indicates that they need to be baptized because they are conceived and born in sin. They need to be born again to enter the kingdom of God (Psalm 51:5, John 3:5-6). Through Baptism the Holy Spirit works to create or strengthen faith and brings the gifts of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation (Titus, 3:4-7, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38-39).

Please note that on the day of Pentecost when Peter told the gathered crowd, "Repent and be baptized" he also said, "The promise is for you and your children" (Acts 2:38-39). Children were included in the command and promise Peter spoke. Please also note that St. Paul draws a parallel between Old Testament circumcision and baptism (Colossians 2:11-12). Babies in the Old Testament were to be circumcized on the 8th day after birth.

For more information on infant baptism you might want to read Baptized into God's Family: The Doctrine of Infant Baptism for Today by A. Andrew Das and Baptism: My Adoption into God's Family by Prof. Gaylin R. Schmeling. The latter book is part of the People's Bible Teachings Series. Both books are available from Northwestern Publishing House - www.nph.net