Why Baptize Babies?
by Rev. Jack Cascione

 

Members of Redeemer Lutheran Church are well informed and in favor of infant Baptism. However, they are often challenged by members of other denominations about the necessity of infant Baptism. Many denominations incorrectly teach that babies can't choose to believe in Christ; therefore, we must wait until the baby can make up its own mind.

However, Christ clearly says John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

The critics of infant Baptism also claim babies don't sin, so they don't need to be baptized. It is true that babies don't practice sin, but they are born with sin. We all inherit our degenerate nature from Adam. The Bible says Eze. 18:4 & 20 "...the soul that sinneth it shall die."

To compound the confusion many denominations substitute dedication for Baptism. Yet, nowhere in the New Testament is dedication commanded. It is true that Christ was dedicated on the fortieth day at the temple according to Old Testament law. His parents also had to offer an animal sacrifice to accompany the Old Testament dedication. Those who want to appeal to Old Testament law must also have their child circumcised and make animal sacrifices if they think that dedication is necessary, otherwise the child can’t possibly be dedicated. Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

In the Old Testament, God commanded that babies be circumcised by the eighth day if they were to have eternal life, otherwise they would lose their salvation. As the Savior, Christ was circumcised on the eighth day to validate all circumcised babies in the Old Testament for eternal life. Gen: 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations..., must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Girl babies were saved through their circumcised fathers. As in circumcision in the Old Testament, Christ commanded Baptism for all people in the New Testament for the salvation of their souls. John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Christ was speaking to Nicodemus here but, obviously, we would not expect Christ to carry out this conversation with a baby.

Christ commanded that all nations be baptized, which includes babies. Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: There are many other places in the Bible where it says all were baptized, which must necessarily include babies. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household,

Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed [their] stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

1Cor, 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

Notice the command in Acts 2:38 is to every one of you. There must have been men, women, children, and babies in the crowd when Peter gave this command at Pentecost.

Surely the most important statement about infant Baptism is, the promise is ... to all of your children.

Neither adults nor children can save themselves. The purpose of Baptism is salvation from hell. Acts 2:38 above says the purpose of Baptism is for the remission of sins. Baptism saves us. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

1Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Titus 2:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Critics say these passages are all addressed to adults. This is true, for we all know that babies can't read. Parents are to carry out God's will for themselves and their children. An adult must believe what God says or else he wouldn't want to be baptized. The adult then has the child baptized before it understands what it needs, just like everything else parents do for babies. We don’t ask children if they need vaccinations nor do we ask them if they need Baptism.

The critics of infant Baptism today often speak just like the Pharisees of Christ's day. They don't believe that Baptism is from heaven nor does it have God's power to forgive sins, give faith and the Holy Ghost.

Just a week before his crucifixion Christ asked the Pharisees in the temple: Mat 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? Just like the Baptists, Pentecostals, Nazarenes, Assemblies of God, Churches of God and hundreds of others today, the Pharisees refused to believe that water Baptism had any power from heaven.

They may go so far as to say Baptism is from heaven but then deny that heaven has power to save. This is nothing more than hatred of the Gospel and the desire to save one's self without total reliance on Christ and His Word. If John's Baptism was from heaven, Christ’s Baptism must be at least as powerful as John’s. Baptism is the gateway to heaven for everyone, including babies. What a comforting thought when you put your head on the pillow tonight.

From Luther’s Large Catechism on Infant Baptism.

Now, if God did not accept the Baptism of infants, he would not have given any of them the Holy Spirit nor any part of him; in short, all this time down to the present day no man on earth could have been a Christian.

Further, we are not primarily concerned whether the baptized person believes or not, for in the latter case Baptism does not become invalid. This, perhaps, is a rather subtle point, but it is based upon what I have already said, that Baptism is simply water and God’s Word in and with each other; that is, when the Word accompanies the water, Baptism is valid, even though faith be lacking. For my faith does not constitute Baptism but receives it. Baptism does not become invalid even if it is wrongly received or used, for it is bound not to our faith but to the Word.

We bring the child with the purpose and hope that he may believe, and we pray God to grant him faith. But we do not baptize him on that account, but solely on the command of God. Why? Because we know that God does not lie. My neighbor and I--in short, all men--may err and deceive, but God’s Word cannot err.
Therefore only presumptuous and stupid persons draw the conclusion that where there is no true faith, there also can be no true Baptism. Likewise I might argue, "If I have no faith, then Christ is nothing." Or again, "If I am not obedient, then father, mother, and magistrates are nothing."
Baptism doth now save us 1Peter 3:21.


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

January 14, 1999