All Bible texts are from the King James Version.
Infant baptism or Christening is one of the services required and conducted by most Christian churches today. But is this service in accordance with Scripture or is it just a tradition of man? To answer this question we need to look at the Word of God to see the requirements for baptism.
Baptism is for those that hear the Gospel message, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins. This must be done before a person can be baptised.
"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." Acts 2:38.
"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21.
Why do we need to repent to God?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.
Only those that receive the Word of God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are fit for baptism.
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15, 16.
"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12.
"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:36, 37.
The question must now be asked, "Can an infant understand the Gospel, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and repent of their sins?" Of cause they cannot. So, therefore, according to the Bible they cannot be baptised and any church that requires and condones infant baptism is following the traditions of men rather than the Word of God.
© S. D. Goeldner
© S. D. Goeldner, February, 2011. Last updated August, 2020.
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