Sometimes people will ask, why should babies and young children be baptized when they have no understanding of the process? The answer is this: Lutherans believe we are born with original sin as part of our makeup. Therefore, even babies are sinful.
There are biblical reasons as well. Jesus commanded the church to baptize all nations. Evey nation includes children. In Chapter 2 of Acts, Peter said:
"Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself."
In these sentences, Peter uses the Greek word "teknon" for children. This means "babes in arms."
In the New Testament many entire households were baptized, and babies would be part of the household.
Those who argue for a "believers' baptism and reject the baptism of infants maintain that:
!. Infants are not guilty or accountable for sin or able to commit sinful acts
2. Faith is a human decision that infants cannot make
3. Baptism is primarily our promise to God, not the promise of God to us.
Lutherans do not believe these opinions are supported by Scripture. Baptism is a work of God, not dependent upon intellectual ability or human understanding.
Stay tuned for more tomorrow....
For more about baptism see these posts:
Martin Luther on Baptism
The Freedom of Baptism
A Prayer in Remembrance of Baptism
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