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| Q: | I have a question regarding the Baptism of children. I was recently talking with a friend of mine who is Baptist in faith and she said to me that people should be Baptized when they are of the age of "knowing" and that it is unnessary to baptize babies and children before they reach that age. She also said that Jesus was not Baptized until he was thirty years of age. My question, why was Jesus Baptized so late in his life and is there anywhere in the bible that speaks of infant or child Baptism? | ||||||
| A: | Because Jesus was born under the old covenant he was circumcized on the eighth day (Luke 2:21) rather than baptized. Baptism replaces cicumcision in the New Testament and was instituted by Christ for the New Testament Church after he rose fom the dead (Matthew 28:18-20, Colossians 2:11-12, Acts 15:5-21, Galatians 2:11-3:27). The Bible nowhere mentions any specific age or group for baptism. Our Savior simply says, "God and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthe 28:20). A general command must be taken generally unless the Bible somehow limits it. You might also ask where the Bible specifically says that we should baptize teenagers or women or Chinese or Americans. All of these are included in the general command. Besides the fact that babies are included in this general commanbd, we baptize them for these reasons: Scripture 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. The Bible also teaches that babies can believe (see Mark 9:42, 2 Timothy 3:15). In fact our Savior holds up infant faith as model faith -- "People were also bringing babies to jesus to have him touch them. When the disicples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it'" (Luke 18:15-17). Please note that the only way anyone enters the kingdom of God and is saved is by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). You might ask your friend where in the Bible you find any teaching about an age of knowing or an age of accountability 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 | ||||||
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