Infant Baptism

Jesus tells Nicode'mus: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. ~ John 3:5

The apostles & the disciples certainly understood the necessity of baptism. St Paul recounting his own conversion in the Acts of the Apostles. Anani'as says to St Paul "And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptised, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.' ~ Acts 22:16

Wash away your "sins"? St Paul himself confirms that we are all born into Adam's sin and into his condemnation.

"Then as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man's act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous." ~ Romans 5:18-19

Baptism is a regeneration or an actual change affecting the soul. This is very clear from St Paul's letter to Titus.

"he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour," ~ Titus 3:5-6

Also from one of his letters to the people in Corinth.

"nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." I Cor 6:10-11

Now, we know that baptism is needed to enter the Kingdom of God. It isn't just a public spectacle or a symbolic ritual, but an actual requirement to enter Heaven. So, do we need to be in the age of reason in order to be baptised? The bible isn't very direct in answering this question. However, Jesus once said "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God." (~ Luke 18:16) Jesus had no plans of baptising children here, but we can see that anyone can come to Him regardless of age.

"And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; & you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." ~ Acts 2:38-39

The apostolic Church baptised whole "households" in Acts 16:31-33 and this is also true in I Cor 1:16. A household includes everyone living in the house, even the servants.

Baptism is the Christian equivalent of circumcision, or "the circumcision of Christ" (Col. 2:11–12). Hence, baptism, like circumcision can be given to children as well as adults, the difference is that circumcision can't save (Gal 5:6 & 6:15), baptism can (1 Pet 3:21). Circumcision is done to infants as early as the 8th day after birth. Children don't need to be in the age of reason to be circumcised, just so as children don't need to be in the age of reason to be baptised.

Irenaeus

"He (Jesus) came to save all through himself; all, I say, who through him are reborn in God: infants, and children, and youths, and old men. Therefore he passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age . . . (so that) he might be the perfect teacher in all things, perfect not only in respect to the setting forth of truth, perfect also in respect to relative age" (Against Heresies AD 189)

Hippolytus

"Baptise first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them" (The Apostolic Tradition AD 215).

Origen

The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism also to infants. (AD 244)

Another important point to consider: Let us understand that in the Bible, there were only converts, converts from Judaism or Paganism. Basically, the converts have to leave their old beliefs so they can accept the truth that is in Jesus and everything else the apostles & disciples were teaching. They have to convert from their old ways for them to follow the new ways. So now, if the parents are Christians, are their babies Jews or Pagans - or are they Christians too? If their babies are born into a Christian family - and clearly have no past belief - do these babies need to convert from anything? - No. Do they need to talk at all? - No. So, do they need to reach the age of reason in order to be baptised? - No. Are we going to deprive them from the gifts of the Holy Spirit that one will get in baptism? A definite, No.

Nowhere in sacred scripture are there passages which prohibits infants from receiving grace at baptism. Just because infants don't have the use of reason, that doesn't prevent them from becoming a part of the New Covenant. In the Old Covenant, the child was initiated through the act of circumcision which took place just 8 days after birth, so well before the use of reason. The parents there supplied the faith and decision for the child until that child was of age. So as it is in the New Covenant, the parents stand in place of the child until that child is of age and confirms the decision in the Sacrament of Confirmation later on in the child's life.

I say with right reason, what our Church Fathers would say: "Baptise all Infants!"