The Case For Infant Baptism: The Bible Does Not Say That We Should Baptize Babies?
Difficulty/Argument:
There is no warrant in Holy Writ for baptizing children. Not one command to baptize children can be found in all Scripture. Furthermore, it is never related in Scripture that children were baptized. True enough it says that upon several occasions some were baptized with their whole household (Acts 16:33, 1 Corinthians 1:16). But nothing is said to indicate that there were children in these households. Of course, some Jewish families may have been childless. But even though there were children, yet there is nothing, which says that they were little children.
Solution/Response:
Scripture does not enjoin the baptism of children neither does it tell of children being baptized. That is true. But when men say that they reject Infant Baptism for this reason, they are not absolutely truthful. In that case the same people would have to reject other things also. Women’s participation in the Lord’s Supper is nowhere commanded in the Scriptures. Neither is it related anywhere that women partook of the Sacrament of the Altar. If the opponents of Infant Baptism who thus feel themselves bound by the letter of Scripture were serious and sincere, they would also certainly be compelled to forbid women to go to the Table of the Lord. In other words… Jesus has instituted neither Adult Baptism, nor Infant Baptism rather He has instituted Baptism.
Source: O. Hallesby, Infant Baptism and Adult Conversion (The Messenger Press, 1924), 16-22.
Comments
'And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
PAX
The argument ignores baptism as a public declaration of faith in Christ. Where commanded in scripture, baptism is clearly linked with repentance, and an infant is not old enough to make that decision. So you're right; there's nothing wrong with infant baptism (or there would be something wrong with a lot of other things too). It's fine as a dedication of sorts, but it's no replacement for the baptism we find and are commanded to perform in scripture.