Baptism of Infants for Salvation
— A Biblical Examination Acts 2:38 (KJV)
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
The order given in this passage is clear: repentance precedes baptism. Repentance requires conscious acknowledgment of sin and a turning to God—something infants are not capable of doing. Baptism is consistently presented in Scripture as a response to personal faith and conviction, not as a ritual applied to those without understanding.
Baptism Requires Repentance and Faith
Mark 16:16 (KJV)
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Belief is required before baptism. The one who is baptized is first described as one who believes. There is no biblical support for baptizing someone who cannot first exercise personal faith.
Acts 8:36–37 (KJV)
“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Baptism was not permitted until belief was confessed. This requirement excludes infants, who are unable to believe or confess anything.
No Infant Baptism Found in Scripture
Throughout the New Testament, every recorded instance of baptism involves individuals who have personally responded to the preaching of the gospel. There are no examples of infants being baptized.
Acts 18:8 (KJV)
“And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”
Baptism followed belief. Even when entire households were baptized, the context shows that the individuals in those households believed.
Salvation Is Through Faith, Not Ritual
Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Salvation is by grace through faith, not by any ritual or ceremony performed without understanding. Baptizing infants without repentance or belief does not align with the gospel message of salvation by faith.
Summary of Key Passages
| Topic | Scripture Reference | Biblical Teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Repentance precedes baptism | Acts 2:38 | Baptism follows a conscious act of repentance |
| Belief required before baptism | Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36–37 | Only those who believe are baptized |
| No infant baptism recorded | Acts 18:8 | Baptism follows hearing and believing the gospel |
| Salvation is by faith, not ritual | Ephesians 2:8–9 | Faith is the basis of salvation—not ceremonial acts |
Conclusion
The Bible teaches that baptism is for those who have personally repented and believed the gospel. Infants are incapable of meeting these conditions, and no example of infant baptism is found in Scripture. The practice of baptizing infants for salvation is not supported by the Word of God.