I often get the question as a pastor, “why does your church not baptize infants?” A lot of people see that we will baptize children or adults, but note that they never see us baptizing toddlers or infants. It’s a great question and can be confusing because of how different denominations handle things. Let me explain why we do what we do.

First, in scripture we see the pattern or sequential order of people receiving Christ as their Savior then getting baptized. They would go hand in hand and are close together time wise. The apostle Peter himself says, “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38).” We never see someone being baptized and then coming to faith in Scripture.

It’s hard for babies to repent of their sin when they don’t even know what sin is…or in reality, their own name. This is why I practice what is called “believer’s baptism.” This means that those who believe in Jesus for salvation, who have come to faith, are the ones who are to be baptized. For infants and small children, we practice baby dedication.

Second, baptism is a storytelling declaration. It is a declaration to others that Jesus has forgiven us of our sins. It tells the story of how Jesus died, was burried, and rose again. When we see someone be baptized where they are laid back, put under the water, and brought back, it reminds us of what Christ did for us. It tells the story of what was done for that person by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. 

In baptism, a person is declaring that Jesus died for their sins, was buried for them, and rose again to pay for their sins. Romans 6:1-6 talks about this, along with Colossians 2:12 which says, “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Lastly, Jesus was dedicated as a baby and baptized as an adult. Now this can be confusing to us, because of what baptism means for us as sinners. So why would Jesus want to be baptized at all? John the Baptist asked Jesus this question when Jesus asked John to baptize Him.

Baptism is a storytelling declaration.

Jesus answered John, “to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).” Jesus wasn’t being baptized because He had repented of His sins. Jesus was baptized to show that this is what God wanted everyone to do publicly to show that they were united with Him. This was what was right to do. Jesus’ baptism showed also that, while He had not sinned and never would, He was identifying with sinners.

What is also important for us to note is that Jesus was dedicated as an infant in the temple (church) by his parents. In Luke 2:21-24, Joseph and Mary dedicate Jesus at the temple. Note that Jesus did not dedicate Himself, His parents did. They were committing Him to God and His ways. While Jesus was dedicated at the temple as an infant, He chose to take part in baptism later in life by being submerged in the Jordan river and brought back out again.

These are three reasons we believe that children and infants should be dedicated by their parents, and older children and adults who come to faith in Christ and profess Him should be baptized. Because of the sequential order we see in Scripture, because of the meaning of baptism, and because of the example of Jesus dedicated as an infant and baptized as an adult.

Parents who wish to raise their children in God’s way can stand before the church and dedicate their infant or small child to God. They, like Joseph and Mary, can make a public declaration by committing to God and the church saying they will raise their child God’s way.

Those who have professed faith in Christ and repented of their sins are welcomed to be baptized. They are called to proclaim to others around them, through believers’ baptism, that they are in a relationship with God through faith in Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross.

Think About It

Do you want to raise your child God’s way? If so, will you commit them in child dedication before the Lord and the church?

Are you a follower of Christ and have put your faith in Him for salvation?

If so, will you make a declaration of your faith by believers baptism?