Acts 16:33: And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family.
1 Corinthians 1:16: I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.
Acts 16:15: And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Sometimes whole families were baptized, no doubt even including children. Such is the record of the Scriptures and the early Catholic traditions.
Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Matthew 28:18-20: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Those who had reached the age of reason, like adults, had to profess faith in Christ and his Church as a prerequisite for baptism. As for infants, the faith of their parents and the believing community would suffice until that day that they would claim the faith fully as their inheritance. Baptism for children is very important so that the soul might be cleansed of original sin and supplanted with supernatural grace.
John 3:5: Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Baptism is the sacrament of salvation, making possible our entry into the kingdom of God.
For more such reading, contact me about getting my book, DEFENDING THE CATHOLIC FAITH.
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