Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church has historically practised infant baptism, which is also observed by the Orthodox Church and some Protestant denominations. The Catholic Church teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation, and that infants are born with original sin, requiring baptism to cleanse them. This is based on the belief that baptism is a sacrament that accomplishes the remission of sin, and that Jesus intended for children to be baptised, as they belong to the kingdom of heaven. The practice of infant baptism is believed to have originated in the early Church, with some evidence suggesting it began in the late 2nd century and gained widespread acceptance by the mid-3rd century. However, there has been opposition to infant baptism throughout history, with some groups arguing that infants cannot be validly baptised as they are incapable of making a personal decision or understanding the sacrament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Infant baptism in the Catholic Church | Practiced |
| Infant baptism in the Orthodox Church | Practiced |
| Infant baptism in Protestant Churches | Practiced by some |
| Opposition to infant baptism | Anabaptists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Oneness Pentecostals, Christadelphians, Jehovah's Witnesses, United Church of God, LDS Church |
| Reason for infant baptism | To cleanse original sin |
| Infant baptism in early Christianity | Practiced by some |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's stance on infant baptism
The Catholic Church has been baptizing infants since the time of Christ. According to the Church, Christ commanded his apostles to "baptize all people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:18-20). The Church interprets this as including infants and young children born to believing parents.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, baptism is recommended within the first few weeks of a child's birth or without delay if the infant is in danger of death. This is outlined in the Code of Canon Law (867 §1-§2), with parents responsible for arranging the sacrament. The Catholic Church teaches that baptism is a sacrament that accomplishes several things, the first of which is the remission of sin, both original sin and actual sin—only original sin in the case of infants and young children, as they are incapable of actual sin.
Supporters of infant baptism within the Catholic Church cite biblical references to the baptism of entire households in the New Testament, as well as Jesus' teachings on welcoming children. For example, in the Book of Acts, St. Peter preached:
> "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, whomever the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:38-39).
The Greek word used for "children" in this passage is "teknon," which includes infants. The Catholic Church also points to the correlation between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, babies were circumcised when they were eight days old (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3). St. Paul calls baptism the "new circumcision" (Colossians 2:11-12), indicating that it is meant to replace circumcision as the sign of entry into the covenant.
Opposition to infant baptism is not new, and some groups within Christianity, such as the Anabaptists, have historically rejected the practice, arguing that infants are incapable of being validly baptized since they cannot make a personal decision to accept Christ. However, the Catholic Church emphasizes that baptism is not just a personal decision but a sacrament that confers saving grace, and the earlier a person is baptized, the better. The Church also recognizes the importance of parental consent and the role of godparents in committing to the child's Christian upbringing.
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The history of infant baptism
The practice of infant baptism, also known as christening or paedobaptism, has been a part of the Catholic Church for centuries. While the exact origins of infant baptism are unclear, it is believed to have begun in the late 2nd century, with widespread acceptance by the mid-3rd century. The early Church practiced infant baptism, and it was uniformly upheld and regarded as apostolic.
The Catholic Church teaches that baptism is a sacrament that accomplishes several things, including the remission of sin. In the case of infants and young children, baptism is believed to cleanse them of original sin, allowing them to become adopted sons and daughters of God and receive the Holy Spirit. This belief is supported by biblical references to the baptism of entire households in the New Testament, as well as Jesus' teachings on welcoming children.
However, infant baptism is not without its critics. Some argue that it lacks direct biblical or apostolic authorization and is a human tradition unsupported by divine revelation. Opposition to infant baptism is not new, with groups like the Waldenses and Catharists in the Middle Ages rejecting the practice. More recently, some scholars, like Mary McAleese, a Catholic legal scholar and former Irish president, have raised concerns about the lack of consent and the lifelong obligations imposed on children through infant baptism.
Despite these criticisms, the Catholic Church continues to practice infant baptism, with parental consent being mandatory. The Church recommends that baptism be performed within the first few weeks of an infant's life or without delay if the child is in danger of death. The role of parents and godparents is strongly emphasized in the Church's rite of infant baptism, with godparents standing in for the child and committing to their Christian upbringing.
In addition to the Catholic Church, infant baptism is also practiced by the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox churches, various Protestant denominations, and other Christian denominations.
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The theology behind infant baptism
The Catholic Church has long practised infant baptism, seeing it as a sacrament that forgives original sin. This belief is based on the interpretation of several passages from the Bible. For instance, the Bible states that “through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death” (Rom 5:12), referring to original sin, and that "we were by nature children of wrath" (Eph 2:3) before baptism.
According to the Catholic Church, baptism is necessary for salvation, and it is recommended that infants be baptised within the first few weeks of birth, or without delay if the infant is in danger of death. This is because infants, like everyone, are considered to be born with original sin and need baptism to cleanse them so that they may become adopted sons and daughters of God and receive the grace of the Holy Spirit.
The practice of infant baptism is also supported by the Bible's description of whole households being baptised, which would have included infants and children. For example, St. Paul is described as baptising "her household" (Acts 16:15), and the "household of Stephanus" (1 Cor 1:16). The Greek word for "children", "teknon", is also used to describe infants, and the same word is used in Acts 2:38-39 when St. Peter says that the promise of baptism is for children.
Furthermore, Jesus himself said that "to such as these [infants and children] belongs the kingdom of heaven" (Luke 18:16), and he never put an age limit on those eligible to receive His grace (Luke 18:15-17; Matt 18:2-5). In addition, Paul notes that baptism has replaced circumcision (Col 2:11-12), which was typically only performed on infants.
The Catholic Church's practice of infant baptism is not without criticism, however. Some argue that baptism is only for adults and older children who have undergone a "born again" experience and accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour. They believe that baptism is a public manifestation of this personal conversion, and that infants are incapable of making this decision.
Despite these objections, the Catholic Church maintains that infant baptism is a continuation of the tradition established by the first Christians and that it is a means of extending God's covenantal grace to all, not just adults.
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The practice of infant baptism in other Christian denominations
The practice of infant baptism is not unique to the Catholic Church, and several other Christian denominations also baptize infants. This includes the Eastern Orthodox Church, which considers infant baptism a fundamental part of its sacramental theology. The Eastern Orthodox Church views infant baptism as the child's initiation into the Church and participation in the life of Jesus. The baptism is performed through triple immersion in water, symbolizing the believer’s sharing in Christ’s death and resurrection.
The Lutheran Church also practices infant baptism, incorporating it into their Eucharistic worship with a Baptismal Welcome, where the congregation affirms the newly baptized. The Episcopal Church integrates baptism into the Baptismal Covenant, aligning it with congregational vows that precede the shared Eucharist.
Some Protestant traditions, including the New Life Ithaca Church, also baptize infants. They argue that infant baptism was the universal practice of the Christian Church until the Reformation, and it remained the norm for Christian Baptism in Protestant churches until the 19th century.
However, not all Christian denominations practice infant baptism. Baptists and "Bible churches" in the Baptist tradition insist that baptism is only for those who have come to faith. They argue that the Bible does not explicitly mention the baptism of infants or children of believers. Instead, they believe that baptism is for adults and older children who have undergone a "born again" experience and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Similarly, several nontrinitarian religious groups, including Oneness Pentecostals, Christadelphians, Jehovah's Witnesses, United Church of God, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), oppose infant baptism.
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Opposition to infant baptism
Fundamentalists and Baptists often criticize the Catholic Church's practice of baptizing infants, stating that baptism is for adults and older children who have reached the \"age of reason\" and can consciously commit to Christianity. They believe that baptism is not a sacrament but an ordinance, a public manifestation of a person's conversion.
Some scholars, like Tertullian, have historically objected to infant baptism due to its association with the forgiveness of sins. Tertullian, in "On Baptism" (c. 200 AD), acknowledged infant baptism as an established custom but argued for its delay until individuals could personally profess their faith.
Opponents of infant baptism argue that it is not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament and that it undermines the significance of baptism as a personal commitment. They emphasize the importance of understanding the act's significance and consciously choosing to embrace Christianity.
The debate around infant baptism is not merely academic but involves theologically significant issues. Those opposed to the practice believe that baptizing infants is attributing promises and actions to God that may not be accurate. They argue that only those capable of articulating their belief should participate in the sacrament of baptism.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation, and that infants are born with original sin. Therefore, they need baptism to cleanse them so that they may become adopted sons and daughters of God and receive the grace of the Holy Spirit.
In the Bible, Jesus says that the kingdom of God belongs to children and that they should not be hindered from coming to him (Matthew 19:14). The Book of Acts also mentions the baptism of entire households, which would have included infants and children.
It is believed that infant baptism began in the late 2nd century, gaining widespread acceptance by the mid-3rd century.
No, not all Christian denominations practice infant baptism. Some groups that oppose it include Anabaptists (e.g., Mennonites, Amish), Baptist Traditions, Churches of Christ, and Pentecostal/Charismatic groups.
