Is the Doctine of Infant Baptism biblical?

Yes, the doctrine of infant baptism is biblical and historically rooted in the practice of the early Church. While the Bible does not explicitly say, “baptize infants,” the biblical evidence, historical practice, and theological reasoning all support the legitimacy of infant baptism.

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📖 Biblical Foundations of Infant Baptism

1. Household Baptisms

In the New Testament, entire households were baptized. These would most likely include children and infants.

• Acts 16:15 – “She and her household were baptized.” (referring to Lydia)

• Acts 16:33 – “He was baptized at once, he and all his family.” (the Philippian jailer)

• 1 Corinthians 1:16 – “I did baptize also the household of Stephanas.”

The word "household" (Greek: oikos) typically includes everyone in the family, including infants and children.

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2. Baptism as the New Circumcision

• Colossians 2:11–12 – “In him you were also circumcised… having been buried with him in baptism.”

In the Old Covenant, circumcision was performed on infants as a sign of God’s covenant (Genesis 17:12). Paul teaches that baptism has replaced circumcision under the New Covenant — and if infants were circumcised, they can likewise be baptized.

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3. Jesus Welcomes Children

• Mark 10:14 – “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Though Jesus Himself did not baptize (John 4:2), His clear command not to hinder children supports their full inclusion in the life of faith.

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🕊️ Early Church Fathers on Infant Baptism

🔹 Origen (c. 185–254 AD)

“The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants.”
(Commentary on Romans 5:9)

🔹 St. Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250 AD)

“We all judge that the mercy and grace of God should be denied to no one born of man… from baptism and the grace of God, who is more merciful and loving than all men.”
(Letter to Fidus)

🔹 St. Augustine (c. 400 AD)

“The custom of Mother Church in baptizing infants must not be scorned… it is not to be believed that she instituted it without the authority of the Apostles.”
(On the Literal Interpretation of Genesis 10:23)

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🪔 Summary Table

Basis	Evidence
Household Baptisms	Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, 1 Cor 1:16
New Circumcision	Colossians 2:11–12
Jesus’ Welcome of Children	Mark 10:14
Apostolic Tradition	Affirmed by Origen, Cyprian, Augustine

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✅ Conclusion

The doctrine of infant baptism is biblical, apostolic, and consistent with Christian tradition. It reflects the Church’s understanding of baptism as a means of grace — not just a symbol of faith, but a real participation in Christ's death and resurrection, even for infants who are brought into the covenant community by the faith of their parents.