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| Q: | My son was raised WELS, but is now reformed and the grandson is not baptized. He writes that there is never a direct example of an infant being baptized and that work being explicitly attributed to the infants salvation in scripture. Proponents often cite Matthew 18:1-6 in defense. However, it should be noted that infants [especially those only days old] cannot come to anyone or stand as the child in the passage did. The child in the passage was likely of age, with ability to understand, that he/she could personally accept Christ's offer of salvation [it only requires child-like faith]. When the above passages are placed into context with the rest of scripture regarding baptism, it becomes clear that they are referring to baptizing all who believe. I am asking for a correct translation of Matt 18:1-6 using as much Greek explanation as you can possibly drop on a lay person, because I have been told that the word for child in this passage means infant that is carried in the arms. This has been an on going conversation and I am aware that he believes that the unbeliever can choose Christ and the nonaccountability of children, which are both false. I have given him passages proving him wrong on these two teachings. He has given me no passages proving them, but comes up with the Matt 18 passage. The translation of the passage is my main concern, but if you want to add other advice feel free to do so. | ||||||
| A: | In Matthew 18:2-5, the word used for child is "paidion" which means "little child". The basic word for "child" is "pais". The "ion" ending on "paidion" indicates that the speaker is talking about little children. Exactly how old such a child is cannot be determined from the word itself. Normally, the word "pais" means a child who is able to feed and dress itself (child four to six years old or older). A "paidion" would normally mean a child able to walk and talk but still in need of help to feed and dress itself (i.e. from two to four years old). The Greek word "brefos" means a little infant unable to walk and so carried by one of its parents. This is the word used in Luke 18:15 to describe the children being brought to Jesus for him to touch. In verse 16, when Jesus refers to these children he uses the term "paidion". Jesus words in Luke 18:15-18 teach us two things.
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