Why We Baptize Infants: The Promises of Christ

Throughout Church history the question of infant Baptism has been the source of many controversies, with opposition to Church teaching going back at least as far as the Middle Ages with the Waldensian Heresy, and coming to prominence during the rise of the Anabaptist movement.

This raises the question of why the Church has always stood firm to defend infant Baptism. To understand this question, it is pivotal to grasp what the Church believes that Baptism is, and how the views of non-Catholic Christians differ.

It is impossible to comprehend Christ’s call to Baptism if one ignores original sin. Catholics hold that Baptism merits several graces including the remission of sin, both original and actual; only the former applies to infants. In this sense, Baptism is not merely a symbolic gesture of faith—as many Protestants claim—rather, Baptism is a sacrament that brings the infant person into Christ’s flock.

The Church’s position on infant Baptism is well established in Scripture through the words of Christ, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mk. 10:14). Christ teaches us that his promise of renewed life is not merely a privilege reserved for adults, but a gift freely given and available to all.

The importance of infant Baptism is additionally attested to in Church tradition; this doctrine is not one that was debated and established centuries after Christ but rather has always been believed by the Church since the beginning. The apostles themselves held that Baptism was the gateway to receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. St. Peter himself said, “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” (Acts 2:38).

When one considers that Baptism opens one up to grace, one can understand why Baptism has been held so valuable by the Church; indeed many of the saints speak of the importance of early Baptism. St. Augustine famously recalled that one of his greatest regrets was not being baptized earlier.

The importance of discussing this subject in today’s world cannot be overstated. Many who do not know just how valuable Baptism is for the faith of Catholics will often criticize Catholic teaching on the matter. In fact, Ian McAlsee, the former President of Ireland, spoke of regulating Baptism, saying it was a form of “coercion.” McAlsee even went as far as to recommend banning infant Baptism. As Catholics we must come to understand this seemingly ignored issue, and rekindle our upholding of the faith, including being informed on the importance of Baptism so we may properly defend Christ’s promises in Baptism and answer objections to the Church’s teaching.