WHY BAPTISE BABIES?
By Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale (Mzuzu Diocese – MALAWI)
INTRODUCTION
“Fr Petros, why does the Catholic Church baptize babies (children)? Aren’t they too young to understand what is happening to them?” – Richard (Radio Maria Malawi – MANGOCHI)
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TOWARDS THE SOLUTION
Dear Richard, great objection often posed is that babies cannot personally make the commitment necessary for Baptism. Now let us respond in this way:
- A LESSON FROM JEWISH CUSTOM
Since the time of Abraham right to the present, Jews have circumcised infants and brought them into the Covenant on the eighth day after birth (Lk 2:21, Phil 3:5), based on the faith of the parents, just as we do now in Christian Baptism. Could you imagine the Apostles standing before the Jewish crowds, announcing the New Convents, but adding that their children were excluded, until they could make the decision for themselves? It would be unheard of!
- BIBLICAL SUPPORT.
A. THE FAITH OF PARENTS
Scripture is very clear that the faith of a believing parent or spouse can have great effect, and can literally make a child or unbelieving spouse, “holy”. In 1 Cor. 7:14, we read, “For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his (believing) wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy.” It is this faith of the parents, and Godparents that asks for the gifts of Baptism on behalf of the child, which God graciously responds to.
B. ON PENTECOST DAY
St. Peter settles the issue for us. As he gave the first great sermon of the Church on the day of Pentecost, converting some 3000 Jews at once, he would close, saying “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, ( i.e. babies too! ) 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 made to you and to your children” ~ Acts 2:38-39.
St. Peter makes it clear that children were included in this call to be baptized. While having no need to repent of personal sin, babies certainly do need the great, freely given, unmerited gifts of baptism – the stain of original sin washed from their souls, the indwelling of the Trinity restored, Sanctifying Grace poured into their souls – making them children of God and members of the Body of Christ (CCC 1250)
C. JESUS’ CONFIRMATION
In Mark 10:14, Jesus Himself gives further confirmation of all this. “People were bringing even infants (the Greek word βρέφη literally means infants, NOT older children) to Him that He might touch them…. ‘Let the children come to Me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…” And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands upon them.” Awesome!
D. A DOOR TO HEAVEN
Now according to Scripture, Baptism is the normal way of entering into the Kingdom of Heaven. “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (John 3:3-5). “Being born of water and Spirit” is Baptism. If Jesus says the Kingdom of God belongs to infants and children, it would make no sense if He then withheld the gift of Baptism that would give them entrance to this very Kingdom. Beautiful huh!
E. THE WHOLE HOUSEHOLD BAPTISED
Additionally, in 1 Cor. 1:16 and Acts 16:15, 33, we see baptism of “whole households”, with no mention of excluding babies. In fact, in all of Sacred Scripture, there is not a single place that says babies should not be baptized, not one. Period!
CONCLUSION
In his 215 A.D. letter, “Apostolic Tradition”, St. Hippolytus would write: “Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them.” St. Gregory of Nazianz summarizes the answer for us perfectly in his “Oration on Holy Baptism”: “Do you have an infant child? Allow sin no opportunity; rather, let the infant be sanctified from childhood. From his most tender age let him be consecrated by the Spirit.” Perfect!
Receive my Priestly Blessings from St. Cecilia Catholic Parish (Mzuzu Diocese – Mpherembe)
Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale – Feedback: +265884150185 (WhatsApp only)
SOURCES
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. Washington DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000
Deyoung, Kelvin,. A Brief defence of Infant Baptism, New York: Macmillan Publishing, 2002.
Porter, Bruce Douglas,. Gift of thed Holy Spirit, New York: Macmillan Publishing, 2000.
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