SHOULD BABIES OR CHILDREN BE BAPTIZED?
Baptism is an important milestone in the life of a Christian and cannot be taken lightly. There are religions that baptize babies or children, but when we scrutinize the Bible, there is not a single passage where a child is baptized. The simple reason is that baptism is a personal decision that must be made in mature age and knowing very well what it is. But however, what decision can a child make? Does a child know the sacred scriptures, the gospel of Jesus, and what baptism is? Definitely not.
When Jesus speaks to Nicodemus (who was a ruler among the Jews) about baptism, Nicodemus says to him:
“Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” John 3:5
Another passage that confirms this is when John the Baptist was baptizing in the Jordan, and large crowds were coming to him. He spoke harshly to them (the adults) to turn away from their life of sin.
“And he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’” Luke 3:7
Soldiers, tax collectors, and all kinds of people came to him, and even Jesus Christ Himself, as an adult, went to be baptized by John the Baptist.
“Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.‘” Isaiah 28:15
PREREQUISITE: KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES AND THE GOSPEL OF JESUS
It is a fundamental prerequisite to know the Word of God and the gospel. When the Lord Jesus commissioned the apostles, He told them to preach the gospel, and if a person believed, they should be baptized:
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.‘” Mark 16:15-16
Therefore, a person (whether adult or child) cannot be brought to a church to be baptized if they have not first known the Word of God because it is a prerequisite.
Another passage confirming this is found in the book of Acts when Philip is guided by God to preach to an Ethiopian who was a high official:
“…he was returning and sitting in his chariot, reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.” Acts 8:29-31
In this passage, we can see how the Ethiopian was reading the Bible (specifically the prophet Isaiah) and how Philip goes with him to teach him the meaning of what is in the Holy Scriptures and the gospel of Jesus.
“So Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” Acts 8:31
When Paul was in Corinth, he went to the synagogue every Sabbath and as people believed, they were baptized.
“And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.” Acts 18:4
“Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8
PREREQUISITE: REPENTANCE OF SINS
“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.‘” Acts 2:37-38
“There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:21
HOW LONG SHOULD ONE WAIT TO BE BAPTIZED AFTER BELIEVING AND REPENTING?
The Word teaches us that if there is a full understanding of what baptism means and repentance of sins, one can be baptized immediately.
When Paul was baptized, he did so after God tested him severely. He did not have to wait months or years to be baptized.
“Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.” Acts 9:18
When Peter was giving a speech in Caesarea, the Holy Spirit fell upon those who heard the speech, and these people immediately baptized.
“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.” Acts 10:47-48
When Paul went to Philippi, a woman heard the gospel message and immediately was baptized:
“Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ So she persuaded us.” Acts 16:14-15
While in Philippi, Paul and Silas were imprisoned, and that night while they were in jail there was an earthquake and the jailer became a believer in Christ and was baptized immediately.
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Acts 16:30-33
The disciples in Ephesus knew the Word of God but did not know about baptism. Paul instructed them on this matter, and they were baptized immediately.
“Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19:3-5
WHERE DO I GET BAPTIZED? IN A RIVER, A POOL, OR A SWIMMING POOL?
When I converted to Christ, I was strongly urged to be baptized in a river. However, after many years and knowing the Word of God, I realized that the scriptures do not indicate it as a requirement. It is not easy to have a river at hand (as may have been the case in antiquity), since today’s big cities do not have nearby rivers, and if they do, they may not necessarily be suitable for baptism.
Going back to the passage of Philip and the Ethiopian, they were traveling on camels, and after Philip preached to him for a long time, the Ethiopian decided to be baptized. But they were on the road and there was no river.
“Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”” Acts 8:36-37
The Word indicates that there was “a certain water,” perhaps a pond or a pool, which they used for baptism.
Returning to the passage of the jailer, another passage on baptism is found when Paul and Silas were imprisoned:
“And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Acts 16:30-33
The Word does not indicate that they went in the middle of the night to look for a river or a special place to be baptized because they did it “immediately.“
What is clear in both passages is that the most important thing is not the form, but the substance behind baptism.
CONCLUSION
Baptism is something so important in the Bible that all baptisms were carried out promptly, after hearing, believing, repenting, and confessing Christ as the Son of God.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.‘” Mark 16:15-16
“But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” Luke 7:30
Conduct a self-examination and think about your attitude and your life in the face of these practices. If you want to change your life, we invite you to receive God in your heart, as only Jesus Christ can make you a new person. Visit our page KNOW CHRIST.
