There are always many discussions going on in churches. One of these discussions is about infant baptism (christening). Many Christians wonder whether infant baptism is the same as adult baptism. Should we baptize infants in the church? What does the Bible say about infant baptism?
Is What does the Bible say about infant baptism?
According to God’s Word, christening; the baptism of babies is not the same as the water baptism (or adult baptism). There is no mention in the Bible of babies being sprinkled with water. Because that’s what christening, the infant baptism, is: a sprinkling of water.
What does the word baptism mean?
Let us have a look at the meaning of the Greek word ‘baptízõ’ (baptize) (G907 in SC): the word derives from no. 911 and means: to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: Baptist, baptize, wash
Baptism is a full immersion in water
When did the act of baptism begin?
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4)
John the Baptist was the prophet, who was sent by God to baptize people. From that time on, many people were baptized in water. John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins. Many people accepted the words of John the Baptist, who called the people to repentance and they repented. While they were baptized, they confessed their sins.
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins (Matthew 3:5-6)
They were cleansed in the water and were raised into newness of life; a life devoted to God. As a result, their lifestyle changed and their acts lined up with their repentance.
But not everyone was willing to be baptized. Therefore many people rejected the water baptism. Many Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God and were not baptized.
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him (Luke 7:29-30)
Is infant baptism the same as circumcision?
Christening aka infant baptism is not a substitute for circumcision. The circumcision was meant for God’s first covenant people; the Jews and was an act and a token of their covenant with God. The Gentiles are not Jews, nor will they ever become Jews. The Gentiles are grafted upon Jesus Christ and have become the New Covenant people. The New Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant. That means, that the Old Covenant has become obsolete.
Circumcision is not part of the New Covenant, but circumcision is part of the Old Covenant, which is passed away.
The only circumcision, which is mentioned in the New Testament is the circumcision in Christ (Read also: What does the circumcision in Jesus Christ mean?).
But let’s say, that christening aka infant baptism has indeed replaced circumcision, then why was Jesus baptized?
Jesus Christ was circumcised, when He was eight days old. And so Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day.
When Jesus was about 30 years, Jesus was baptized in water. Jesus wasn’t baptized as a child, but Jesus was baptized as an adult.
The ministry of Jesus began after Jesus was baptized in water and received the Holy Ghost, and spent 40 days and nights fasting in the wilderness. After that, Jesus began His ministry and preached, and brought the Kingdom of God to the people, and called the people to repentance.
Jesus is our Example, so if Jesus, as an adult was baptized in water, shouldn’t we follow His example?
Do infants have already a conscience? Are infants aware of sin? Can infants make a choice to be baptized?
There is only one baptism
There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5)
There is only one baptism and that’s the baptism in Christ. The baptism in Christ is not only a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, but it is a baptism in His death. In Him, you lay down your old sinful nature and bury your flesh, but that’s not all. When you come out of the water, you are raised in the newness of life in Jesus Christ.
You are baptized in Jesus Christ; circumcised in Jesus Christ by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, and burying that sinful nature of the flesh, in water baptism and raised with Him.
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead (Colossians 2:11-12)
Can an infant make such a significant choice?
As a parent, the only thing you can do is dedicate your child to the Lord and raise your child in the fear of the Lord. This means that you raise your child in His Word, the Bible, so that your child will get to know the Lord and His will. You shall teach your child to listen and yield to God and obey His commandments, which represent His will.
When your child is old enough, (s)he can make a choice, to serve Jesus Christ and follow Him and be baptized, so that s(he) will be raised in Jesus Christ and walk after the Spirit or to keep walking after the flesh and live like the world.
If you would like to know more about the water baptism, you may want to read: What is baptism?
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