Lord’s Day 27
Q74. Should babies be baptized too?
Yes. Babies as well as grown-ups belong to God's covenant and are his people. They are promised forgiveness of sin through Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit who creates faith. So by baptism, the sign of the covenant, babies should be welcomed into the Christian church and set apart from children who do not belong to the church. In the Old Testament, this was done by circumcision, which was replaced by baptism in the New Testament.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Genesis 17:7
Matthew 19:14
Psalm 22:10
Isaiah 44:1–3
Acts 2:38–39
“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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
Acts 16:31
Acts 10:47
Genesis 17:9–14
Colossians 2:11–13
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does the catechism say babies should be baptized?
- 2
How does infant baptism connect to God's covenant with Abraham in the Old Testament?
- 3
What does it tell you about God that he includes whole families in his promises?
Illustration
When a country grants citizenship to parents who have a new baby, that baby is a citizen too. The baby did not apply or pass a test. The baby belongs because the family belongs. In God's covenant, children of believers are included in his promises and receive the sign of that covenant.
Application
If you were baptized as a baby, ask your parents what that day was like and what promises were made. If you were not, ask them to explain how your family thinks about baptism. Either way, thank God that he gathers families into his promises.