INFANT BAPTISM

INFANT BAPTISM – There are numerous biblical passages which support the ancient Christian practice of infant baptism, which was universal in the Church until the Anabaptist reaction after the Protestant Reformation. Among these are: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” ^{(Matt. 19:14)}; the baptism of whole households and families, presumably including children ^{(Acts 16:14, 15, 25 33)}; and Paul’s comparison between circumcision, which was given to infants, and baptism ^{(Col. 2:11, 12).  (John 3:3-6; Rom. 6:3, 4; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet. 3:21.)}