What does the Bible say about baptizing babies or adults?

Answer 1

In The Bible,Adult baptism was their example.Example,When Jesus baptized in the Jordan,although he had no sinned.As we really understand Baptism,it was allowed baby because Jesus did not prohibit it.Children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called. The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth.

Answer 2

Christian baptism symbolizes being 'buried' (to our OLD way of life) and then 'lifted out' (to a NEW way) (Romans 6:4-6, Colossians 2:12)so involves complete immersion (Mark 1:10)(Acts 8:36-40) and is therefore designated for grown 'men and women' (Acts 8:12) not babies. It involves "asking for a clear conscience", "believing", "embracing the word", "repenting", "turning around", "fearing God", "working righteousness", "observing", "hearing the word/glorifying God", "paying attention"... all things that require UNDERSTANDING and DECISION MAKING and conscious action....things a baby cannot do. (Acts 2:37,38+41, Acts 3:19-44, Acts 10:34-38, 44-48, Acts 16:14, 31-34, Acts 18:8, 1 Peter 3:20-21).

Historian Augustus Neander mentions in his book "History of the Planting and Training of the Christian Church by the Apostles" (1864 pg 162) that regarding the first century Christian congregation 'the practice of infant baptism was unknown at this period" and didn't become a 'tradition' until atleast the 3rd century. The New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967, Volume 2, pg 56) says: "It is evident that Baptism in the early Church was by immersion", so would not be intended for babies.