Should Infants Be Baptized — Meaning Explained

This is one of the oldest debates in Christianity. Those who practice infant baptism (paedobaptists) — including Reformed, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Anglican, and Catholic traditions — point to household baptisms in Acts (Acts 16:15, 16:33, 1 Corinthians 1:16), the parallel with circumcision as a covenant sign given to infants (Colossians 2:11-12), and Jesus welcoming children (Mark 10:14). Those who practice believer's baptism (credobaptists) — Baptists, many evangelicals, and Pentecostals — argue that every clear example of baptism in the New Testament follows conscious faith and repentance: 'They that gladly received his word were baptized' (Acts 2:41). They note that baptism symbolizes personal identification with Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). Both sides agree that baptism does not save (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that children are precious to God. The disagreement is about the proper recipients of the sign, not its importance.