Q. Why do you baptize infants?

Because we want salvation for our children and 1 Peter 3:21 tells us that baptism saves us. Baptism washes away the stain of original sin, making the individual pure in the eyes of God, and places an indelible mark on the soul. This mark indicates that we belong to the Body of Christ. Colossians 2:11-12 tells us that baptism has replaced circumcision as the rite of initiation into God's family. Circumcision in the Old Testament was performed as a sign of the covenant between man and God at the age of 8 days (Genesis 17:12). Does God love infants and desire their salvation any less today than He did at the time of Abraham?

A conscious interaction does not have to take place between both parties in order for a personal relationship to exist. If it did, we would not have a personal relationship with our earthly family until several years after we were born. Babies, because they are God's children, have a very personal relationship with God. They may not have any concept of who God is, but this doesn't prevent God from caring for the child, protecting it, and sending His blessings upon it.

Infant baptism has been practiced since very early in the history of the Church. There are writings from the 2nd century which attest to this practice and the Bible itself refers to whole households which received baptism; no doubt including the infants therein (Acts 16:15; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16). There is nothing in Holy Scripture which erects barriers to or forbids infant baptism.

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