How can infant baptism be effective if children can make a personal decision for Christ?
Most Evangelicals think that Baptism is simply an outward sign of a profession of faith. They don’t think anything supernatural occurs during baptism. So, given their beliefs, it makes sense that Evangelicals think that only adults, who consciously proclaim Christ should be baptized. They consider it simply a public witness to their “”born again” decision and since babies can’t make that decision, they feel there is no reason for the “sign” of baptism until they can make such a decision. Catholics don’t believe Baptism is only a sign. We believe something very profound and tangible happens during Baptism. We believe the Bible when it says that Baptism washes away sin. (Acts 22:16) So for us, it is not as much about what we give during baptism (i.e., a profession of faith) but it is about what we get, which is salvation. We believe this salvation is for babies too. Jesus said “let the little children come to me.” (Lk 18:16) We didn’t choose to be born into humanity but we nevertheless r
