Q95. Who should be baptized?
Baptism should not be given to anyone outside the visible church until they declare their faith in Christ and obedience to him. But the children of church members should be baptized.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Acts 8:36–37
“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.”
Acts 2:38
“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.”
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.”
Genesis 17:10
“This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.”
Colossians 2:11–12
“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
1 Corinthians 7:14
“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
Who should be baptized?
- 2
Why does the catechism say that children of church members should be baptized?
- 3
What responsibilities come with being part of a church family?
Illustration
In the Old Testament, God told Abraham to circumcise every male in his household, including the babies. This was the sign that they belonged to God’s covenant people. Baptism replaces circumcision as the sign of belonging to God’s family. That is why the children of believers receive it too.
Application
Because God includes the children of his people in his covenant promises, take your place in the church family seriously. Go to worship with your family this week expecting God to meet you there. Ask him to make you faithful to the promises made at your baptism.