What does the Bible say about infant and adult baptism?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents baptism as God’s covenant sign of cleansing, union with Christ, and entry into the visible church, calling believers to receive it in faith and to raise their children within God’s promises. Acts 2:38 connects baptism with repentance and forgiveness, while Acts 2:38-39 extends the promise to believers and their children. Household baptisms, including Acts 16:33, fit this covenant pattern, though Scripture does not explicitly describe an infant being baptized. Adult converts are called to believe, as Acts 16:31 teaches, before receiving baptism. Jesus warmly welcomes children in Luke 18:16, and parents are charged in Ephesians 6:4 to nurture them in the Lord.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Acts 2:38 5 votes
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- John 3:5 3 votes
Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.
- Acts 2:38-39 3 votes
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”
- Acts 16:33 2 votes
He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.
- Luke 18:16 2 votes
Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
- Acts 16:31 2 votes
They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
- Ephesians 6:4 2 votes
You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
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