What Does The Bible Say?

Question– If a baby dies, are they lost if they have not been baptized?

Answer– No. Babies are innocent and are not “born in sin.” They are safe; therefore, they do not require baptism to be saved. They also cannot make a conscious decision to be baptized or have faith, repent and confess Jesus with their mouths. When a baby is born, they have no sin. The Bible does teach that a responsible person is afflicted with sin after a certain age in their life, but children do not need to be baptized to be saved, as adults do.

The doctrine that we are “totally depraved and wholly inclined to evil” when we are born came from John Calvin. It is one of the basic tenets of Calvinistic doctrine. He taught that when a person is born, they inherit the sin of Adam, and from the moment they breathe, they are sinners. This has caused much distress in the minds of many today and gives little comfort to anyone who loses a child.

Here is what the Bible says on the subject of the innocence of a child.

Isaiah 7:15- Children do not yet “know to refuse evil and choose good.”

Matthew 18:3-4- Jesus said, “do not prevent the little children from coming to me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” This implies purity and sinlessness until they are accountable for their own actions.

Deuteronomy 1:39 states that the “little ones” would inherit the land because they did not yet know good from bad.

The Bible teaches that there is a point when children become morally accountable for their actions. Before this time, they are innocent before God. While in this state of innocence, they are spiritually safe.

For one to be accountable to God for their sins, they must be able to define the difference between sin and the consequences of it. They must be able to count the cost of making the decision to serve God in obedience the rest of their life. They must know how to sin and the consequences (Romans 3:23 and 6:23). They must understand what Christ did to save us and be able to make the conscious decision to commit themselves to serve Him (Matt. 6:33). This requires maturity, and a child is not yet able to make those decisions for themselves and realize what they have done. “Faith comes by hearing God’s Word” (Rom 10:17). A person must “confess with their mouth that Jesus is the Son of God” (Romans 10:10; Acts 8:37) and repent of their sins (Acts 2:38). Then voluntarily submit themselves to Immersion in water for the remission of their sins (acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Gal. 3:27). When they do that the blood of Christ washes away their sins and they have been born into the family of God as a “new man” (Rom. 6:4). 2 Cor. 5:17 teaches that “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things have become new.” John 1:7 tells us, “The blood of Christ cleanses us from every sin.” This points to the fact that one cannot be saved without being in Christ. In Galatians 3:27, we read that a person “puts Christ on through baptism.” Baptism is Immersion in water for forgiveness of sins. Sprinkling water on anyone is not biblical baptism, nor is pouring water on their head (see Acts 8:26-40).

Do not be concerned for your newborn if they are not “baptized” (sprinkled with water). The Bible teaches they will not be lost.

Please address all questions and comments to What Does the Bible Say> C/O Maple St. Church of Christ, PO Box 3086, Liberty, TX 77575 and visit our website, maplestreetliberty.org.