Responding to Denials of Infant Faith
The Rt. Rev. Patrick S. Fodor
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Amen, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. …Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.’” (Matt. 18:1-10).
Some people deny infants can believe. That’s why some groups, like the Baptists, reject infant Baptism. Baptism and faith go together, and since infants can’t believe, they say, infants shouldn’t be baptized. But this directly contradicts what Jesus says. In Scripture three major truths come together: infants can believe, as Jesus plainly says; the nature of faith is reliant trust and union with the Triune God; and the way that faith is brought about is through the Gospel (the Means of Grace, Word and Sacraments).