From the early age of the holy apostles the Christian tradition has continued to our own time, unbroken and uninterrupted: the church baptized babies. Tertullian, born in North Africa about 150 a.d., was opposed to the baptism of infants, just as he departed from the teachings of the church in many other ways; nevertheless he witnesses to the fact that at his time the baptism of babies was in universal use. The learned church father Origen, born in the year 185 a.d. says that the baptism of infants was "apostolic tradition." Augustine, born in 354 a.d. wrote learned books against the heretics who disapproved of the baptism of children. The Lutheran Cyclopedia state: "From the apostolic age to the rise of Anabaptism in the sixteenth century the doctrine of infant Baptism was undisputed". This is correct. The erring Anabaptists could indeed dispute infant baptism, but they could not break the sacred tradition nor put a stop to the Baptism of babies, since that is Scriptural.

The objectors to the baptism of babies say: "Show me a single Scripture passage in which the baptism of infants is commanded, and we will baptize babies". But they cannot show us a single passage in Scripture where God is called the "Triune God" and yet the whole Christian Church believes in the Triune God. The doctrine is in the Bible, though not the word. So also it is with infant Baptism. There also is no passage that forbids infant baptism.

The Bible tells us very emphatically and in many places that the holy apostles baptized entire families, and that means very much. St. Paul thus baptized the household (family) of Stephanas (I Cor. 1:16). He likewise baptized Lydia and her household (Acts 16:15).. Again, he baptized the keeper of the prison at Philippi and all his (Acts 16:33). St. Peter baptized Cornelius and all who with him heard and believed the divine Word in his house (Acts 10:48). So what? Households commonly include children and so it is very probable that in the four families which the Bible mentions in connection with holy Baptism there were at least some infants. At any rate, the burden of proof to the contrary rests with those who deny the validity of infant Baptism, especially as it was the custom in those early days that when a father turned to the Jewish religion, he was circumcised with all males in his household. When Christianity spread and circumcision was abolished, the apostles baptized all members in a household whenever the ruler of the house became a Christian, not only males but also females, since there is neither male nor female in Christ. (Gal. 3:28)

The point just made in connection with circumcision is very important, because in the New Testament the Sacrament of Holy Baptism has taken the place of the Old Testament Sacrament of circumcision. How do we know? Look up Col. 2:11-12. In v. 11 St. Paul speaks of a circumcision made without hands, and then in v. 12 he tells us that what he means is Holy Baptism. In his Epistle to the Colossians, the apostle argues largely against Jewish defenders of the Old Testament ceremonial laws. Oh, no, he tells his readers, warning them against such false teachers: in the New Testament we have no longer any circumcision, but we have Holy Baptism as the Sacrament instituted by Christ. And with that we are spiritually circumcised.

To understand the apostle’s point of argument we must remember that there is a certain similarity between circumcision and Holy Baptism. Both Sacraments have certain outward signs, and both have the promise of God’s grace. Holy Baptism has the promise: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Circumcision had the promise "This is My covenant (of grace:) I will be their God v. 8 ... "Every man child among you shall be circumcised" (Gen. 17:8-10). Here, then we find the reason why in the days of the apostles not only the believing heads of the families were baptized, but also their households, or families. They wanted to secure for all their loved ones God’s covenant of grace in Christ Jesus, mediated to them by Holy Baptism.

Babies belong to the "all nations" of whom Christ says: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them. Now it is clear: if we are to baptize all nations, then we must baptize not only adults, but the infants as well. Christ’s great command does not indicate that children are to be excluded. When a government commands that a census should be taken of all nations in a dominion or empire, that certainly includes children, even the smallest ones. If the census clerk in such a case would count only the adults and omit the children, he would go counter to the commandment and be punished for his transgression of the law. This universal command to baptize all nations no doubt had much to do with the apostolic practice of baptizing households, or families, including children.

There certainly was a good reason why Christ commanded that all nations should be baptized. The fact is that all nations are sinners. This is something which we need not try to deny. It simply requires no proof. But if proof is demanded, there is more than enough of it in Scripture. Scripture teaches that sin is universal and not only actual sin but also original sin. Here is what the Bible has to say with regard to the universality of sin: "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God: (Rom. 3:23) Again: "As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Rom. 5:12). Or: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh” (John 3:6) Likewise: "The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth" (Gen. 8:21) Also "And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:3) Or: "I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Ps. 51:5) These are only a few of the many bible passages which condemn all men as sinners.

Now since all men are sinners and therefore under wrath from their very birth they must be born again in order that they may enter into the kingdom of God, as Jesus teaches in John 3:5. But Holy Baptism is the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, by which the new birth is wrought. This is the clear and unmistakable teaching of St. Paul in Titus 3:5. Furthermore, according to Eph. 5:26, Christ sanctifies and cleanses His church, that is, His elect, with the washing of water by the Word, that is, by Holy Baptism. This of course is not a mechanical act. Nor is this glorious work of the new birth wrought by the mere washing of water. But with the water there is connected the Gospel promise of Christ, and through the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth (Rom. 1:16), the Holy Ghost engenders faith in the baptized person. In other words, through the Gospel, which is in Holy Baptism, the Holy Ghost works regeneration, or the new birth. It is for this reason that St. Paul can write the beautiful, comforting words in Gal. 3:26-27: "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus". For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. In Holy Baptism babies also put on Christ.

Now, here is something that may startle you: Babies can believe. This is true, as the Word of God is true. Take, for example, Matt. 18:6. There Jesus says: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Here Jesus says, directly and in so many words, that little children, so small that He took one of them up and set it in the midst of His disciples can believe. The Greek word paidion means, just as the KJV version puts it, a "little child". In Matt. 21:16 Jesus, following Ps. 8:2 says: "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Thou has perfected praise." So even babes and sucklings can believe in God and magnify His praise. If the objection is raised that little children cannot believe because they are not yet conscious of the Christian faith, how about adult believers when they sleep or adult believers when they are in a coma? Sleep certainly does not destroy a believer’s faith, not does a coma. So also baptized babies can believe, even though they cannot recite the Lord’s Prayer or the Apostle’s Creed. Let us honestly believe our precious Savior when He says that the little ones can believe, and not follow our perverted, conceited reason, as did Thomas when he doubted Christ’s resurrection.

We should bring our little ones to Jesus. That is just what the Bible tells us. Read Mark 10:13-16. There we are told that pious, believing Jews brought little children to Jesus that He should bless them. When the disciples rebuked those that brought the little ones to Christ, our Lord became very much displeased and said: "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall hot enter therein." What an earnest admonition addressed also to us today! We, of course, cannot bring our children to Jesus in the way in which these pious Jews did, for He is no longer visibly with and among us. But He is truly in His Word and His Sacraments. There the Holy Ghost regenerates them by faith in Christ, and there Jesus takes them up in His arms and blesses them. Those who refuse their children Holy Baptism commit a great wrong, for not only do they disbelieve the Word of their Lord and disobey Him, but on their part they also keep their little ones, who are flesh born of flesh and therefore sinners, from the blessings of Baptism as is promised in I Peter 3:21 "Baptism doth also now save us."

Yes, we baptize babies and these are the reasons why we do so. As you see, we stand on solid Scripture ground and have clear, unmistakable Scripture proof for our doctrine and practice. But there is one more thought. As Christians we must not delay the Baptism of our babies. Since Baptism is a means of grace and salvation, we must not delay their Baptism, but hasten with them to the blessed Lord, that they may receive the gift of regeneration. (Acts 2:38-39 / Eph. 6:4)

He that believes and is baptized shall see the Lord’s salvation; Baptized into the death of Christ, He is a new creation, Through Christ’s redemption he shall stand - among the glorious heavenly band of every tribe and nation.