Arguments for and against infant baptism

• For:

  Baptism is a sacrament that is entirely a gift of God's grace, so even babies can receive it
• For:

  Baptism is a sacred mystery: the way it works cannot be understood by humans, so it is not just for those who understand
• For:

  Baptism removed original sin and gives the gift of eternal life, so it should be available to babies
• For:

  The story of Jesus welcoming children supports the idea of infant baptism
• For:

  When the New Testament refers to whole households being baptised, this would have included any children
• Against:

  Baptism is an ordinance based on the command of Jesus
• Against:

  Baptism is just a symbol of the believer's desire to start a new life as a member of the Christian community. Only teenagers and adults are able to understand penitence for sin and what they are committing to
• Against:

  Baptists reject the doctrine of original sin. Faith, not baptism, is the start of the Christian life
• Against:

  Jesus did not baptise the children who he welcomes
• Against:

  The households baptised probably referred to all adults, including any enslaved people