Baptism is a sacrament that signifies purification and regeneration. While the tradition of infant baptism has been practiced by many Christian denominations, there is significant debate regarding its biblical basis. This compilation of scripture provides insights into the practice of baptism, with a focus on its application to children and infants. Journey through the scriptures to gain a deeper understanding of this significant rite and its implications for faith from an early age.
Bible Verse about Children baptism
1. Matthew 19:14 – Let the Children Come
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” – Matthew 19:14
Cross-References
Mark 10:14 – “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'”
Luke 18:16 – “But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'”
Matthew 18:3 – “And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'”
2. Acts 16:15 – Lydia’s Household Baptism
“When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.” – Acts 16:15
Cross-References
Acts 11:14 – “He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.”
3. Colossians 2:11-12 – Baptism and Circumcision
“In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” – Colossians 2:11-12
Cross-References
Romans 6:4 – “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Galatians 3:27 – “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Ephesians 4:5 – “One Lord, one faith, one baptism;”
4. Acts 2:38-39 – The Promise is For Your Children
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” – Acts 2:38-39
Cross-References
Genesis 17:7 – “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
5. 1 Corinthians 1:16 – Baptism of Households
“Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.” – 1 Corinthians 1:16
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 16:15 – “You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people.”
6. Genesis 17:12 – The Sign of the Covenant
“For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring.” – Genesis 17:12
Cross-References
Genesis 21:4 – “When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him.”
Luke 2:21 – “On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.”
7. Mark 10:16 – Jesus Blessing the Children
“And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” – Mark 10:16
Cross-References
Matthew 19:13 – “Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.”
Luke 18:15 – “People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.”
Psalm 127:3 – “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
8. Luke 1:59 – The Circumcision of John the Baptist
“On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.” – Luke 1:59
Cross-References
Genesis 17:11-12 – “You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.”
Philippians 3:5 – “Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;”
9. Acts 10:47-48 – Baptism and Receiving the Holy Spirit
“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.” – Acts 10:47-48
Cross-References
Matthew 3:11 – “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 – “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
John 1:33 – “And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'”
10. Romans 6:3-4 – Baptism into Death
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” – Romans 6:3-4
Cross-References
Colossians 2:12 – “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
11. 1 Peter 3:21 – Baptism That Saves
“And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” – 1 Peter 3:21
Cross-References
John 13:10 – “Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.'”
12. Ephesians 4:4-6 – Unity in Baptism
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:4-6
Cross-References
Colossians 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
John 17:21 – “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
13. Matthew 3:16 – The Baptism of Jesus
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” – Matthew 3:16
Cross-References
Mark 1:10 – “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”
John 1:32 – “Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.'”
14. Galatians 3:26-27 – Children of God Through Faith
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” – Galatians 3:26-27
Cross-References
Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
1 John 3:1 – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
15. Titus 3:5-6 – The Washing of Rebirth
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,” – Titus 3:5-6
Cross-References
Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
16. John 3:5 – Born of Water and the Spirit
“Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.’” – John 3:5
Cross-References
1 John 5:6 – “This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.”
Romans 8:9 – “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”
17. Mark 16:16 – Belief and Baptism
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” – Mark 16:16
Cross-References
John 3:18 – “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
Romans 10:9 – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
18. 1 Corinthians 10:2 – Baptism in the Cloud and Sea
“They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” – 1 Corinthians 10:2
Cross-References
Exodus 14:22 – “and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”
Exodus 14:29 – “But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”
Psalm 77:19 – “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”
19. John 4:1-2 – Jesus’ Disciples Baptizing
“Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.” – John 4:1-2
Cross-References
John 3:22 – “After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.”
John 3:23 – “Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.”
20. Matthew 28:19-20 – The Great Commission
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Cross-References
Mark 16:15 – “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”
Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Luke 24:47 – “and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
21. Luke 3:21-22 – Jesus’ Baptism and Anointing
“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” – Luke 3:21-22
Cross-References
Matthew 3:16-17 – “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”
Mark 1:11 – “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”
22. Acts 8:12 – Belief and Baptism in Samaria
“But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” – Acts 8:12
Cross-References
Acts 8:13 – “Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.”
Acts 19:4 – “Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.'”
23. Acts 19:5 – Baptism in the Name of the Lord
“On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” – Acts 19:5
Cross-References
Acts 8:16 – “because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 6:11 – “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
24. Ezekiel 36:25-27 – A New Heart and Spirit
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” – Ezekiel 36:25-27
Cross-References
Jeremiah 31:33 – “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'”
25. Acts 22:16 – Be Baptized and Wash Your Sins Away
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” – Acts 22:16
Cross-References
26. Hebrews 10:22 – Draw Near to God
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:22
Cross-References
Ephesians 5:26 – “to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,”
James 4:8 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
27. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – A New Creation in Christ
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Cross-References
Galatians 6:15 – “Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.”
Ephesians 4:24 – “and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
28. Leviticus 12:3 – The Eighth Day Circumcision
“On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised.” – Leviticus 12:3
Cross-References
29. Acts 16:33 – The Jailer’s Household Baptism
“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.” – Acts 16:33
Cross-References
Acts 18:8 – “Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.”
30. Isaiah 44:3 – Pouring of the Spirit on Descendants
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” – Isaiah 44:3
Cross-References
Joel 2:28 – “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
Acts 2:17 – “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
Zechariah 12:10 – “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”
31. Joel 2:32 – Call on the Name of the Lord
“And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.” – Joel 2:32
Cross-References
Acts 2:21 – “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13 – “for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”
Obadiah 1:17 – “But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.”
32. John 6:56 – Abiding in Christ
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.” – John 6:56
Cross-References
John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
1 John 3:24 – “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”
John 15:4 – “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
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Final Thought
In examining these passages, the practice of child baptism captures the continuum of faith across generations. Despite the absence of explicit instructions regarding infant baptism in Scripture, biblical scripture supports welcoming children into the faith community. The household baptisms in Acts and the linkage of circumcision as a sign of covenant community in the Old Testament present a theological foundation for embracing infant baptism.
The practice relies on the communal nature of faith, extending the covenant promises to children within the believing household. It is a visual proclamation of God’s grace extending to all ages, a practice that symbolizes inclusion in the faith journey while recognizing the need for personal faith as one matures. Ultimately, each family must prayerfully consider how they engage in these traditions, conscious of the symbol’s depth in declaring God’s promises upon their children. Baptism, for believers of any age, is a profound acknowledgment of grace and entry into the new life offered in Christ.