GIVEN AN ANSWER

Infant Baptism, Acts 16:15

Victor M. Eskew

 

            The account of the conversion of Lydia ends with these words:  “And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have found me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.  And she constrained us” (Acts 16:15).  Not only was Lydia baptized into Christ, so also was her entire household.  Those who advocate infant baptism often use this verse as a proof-text.  Their contention is that within Lydia’s household there must have been infants (See also Acts 16:32-33).

            First, this proof-text involves a mere assumption.  It is assumed that infants were a part of this household.  Are there households that exist having several family members, yet none of them are infants?  Absolutely, there are many households like this.  Could we assume that Lydia’s household was filled with adults and older children and no infants at all?  We could assume this just as easily as we could assume the household had babies therein.  The fact is that an assumption proves nothing

            Second, those who support infant baptism seem to forget that there are prerequisites that must be met before one can be scripturally baptized.  A person must hear the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).  He must believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24).  He must repent of sins (Acts 2:38).  And, he must confess the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-38).  Infants are not capable of doing any of these things.  If they cannot do these things, they are not proper candidates for Bible baptism.

            Precious infants are not born with sin and corruption (Zech. 12:1; Ezek. 18:20).  God sees them as pure and holy.  In fact, Jesus said that to become a citizen of His kingdom, one must become as a little child (Matt. 18:3; 19:4).  Infants are not saved, but they are safe in the arms of Jesus.