Infant Baptism
Have you ever been asked, “Why does the Catholic Church baptize infants?”
The simple answer is that God calls all to baptism.
Circumcision in the Old Testament prefigured baptism. St. Paul uses the terms, “circumcision of the heart” and the “circumcision of Christ” (Romans 2:29, Col. 2:12-17) to describe the reality of circumcision being a spiritually inward act, not merely an outward sign. The Old Testament type that was circumcision is now baptism.
Baptism was foretold in the Old Testament. Ezekiel 36:25states, “I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.”
When Nicodemus asked Jesus how a person is born again, he replied, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” (John 3:5).
This is echoed by St. Peter in 1 Peter 3:21: "Baptism . . . now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
When St. Peter baptized Cornelius the Centurion, he baptized his entire household including children and servants. (Acts 10:1-49, 11:13-14)
Just as with the Old Covenant and circumcision, the faith of the parents/guardians will guide the baptized child in the faith with the help of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant.
For more information, please visit:
Catholic.com Infant Baptism
Catholic.com Early Teachings on Infant Baptism
Bible Christian Society