We don’t need to be divided over the topic of baptism. Biblically, there is room for our preferences without disunity, if we ask simple questions. What does the Bible really require? What does the Bible leave up to us? Let’s look more deeply into baptism than narrow ideas may allow.
Age of Baptism
Should we follow Jesus and be baptized at age 30? His example was not a mandate.
“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and … Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age …” (Luke 3:21-23 ESV)
When we understand the broader implications of baptism, we will later see that Jesus was actually fulfilling an ordination rite, partly. Should we legalistically follow Peter and be baptized at an age when we can repent?
“ ‘Repent,’ Peter said to them, ‘and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ” (Acts 2:38 HCSB)
Should we do like many Christians and ignore the next verse?
“This promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far away—as many as the Lord our God invites.” (Acts 2:39 CEB)
Whole Households
Should we ignore the possibility of an infant being baptized in at least one of several whole families?
“I did baptize the family of Stephanas, but I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.” (1 Corinthians 1:16 CEV)
“And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ ” (Acts 11:13-14 ESV)
“After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us… So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’ … He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized.” (Acts 16:15, 31, 33 HCSB)
Is the Bible completely silent on infant baptism or are there precedents?
All Israel
What about everyone, including infants, being baptized into Moses in the Red Sea?
“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1-2 KJV)
What about the association of circumcision with baptism? Circumcision was performed both on adults and infants.
“In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:11-12 NIV)
Discipleship
Many parents treat baptism superstitiously, their children are baptized and they never come back to church. They ignore Christ’s mandate for discipleship after baptism. In the Great Commission, Jesus mentioned the importance of teaching. A main part of church life after baptism and church services ought to be primarily teaching.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)
Does Jesus care about including little children in church life? Would this include teaching them too?
“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13–16 NKJV)
Did God deliberately avoid any age mandate for baptism, so that it becomes a ceremony of grace rather than law? Nowhere is a specific age required or banned from baptism. Repentance is required somewhere along the journey, but not necessarily prior to an infant baptism. It is an option that Jesus did not specifically ban or endorse.
If you have never been baptized, will you have a change of heart and mind, believe the good news about the reign of God, and be baptized with the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit. You decide!
