Importance of Baptism

As Jesus instituted Baptism, your question addresses children in New Testament times only. The Bible is silent on the fate of children who die without the benefit of Baptism. What the Bible does say is that Christian faith saves but unbelief—not the lack of Baptism—condemns. Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

We speak of Baptism being necessary in the sense that Jesus instructs us to administer it. Baptism is not absolutely necessary in that the Holy Spirit can create faith through the word of God alone.

Can God work faith in children apart from Baptism? Certainly. Since conversion is God’s gracious, powerful work in people’s hearts, God can create faith through the word of God alone or through the word of God connected to an earthly element: Baptism.

Because the Bible instructs us to baptize “all nations” (Matthew 28:19), including children, and speaks of the Holy Spirit working through Baptism (John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5), we bring our children to be baptized. Christian parents follow that up with instruction in God’s word (Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 6:4).