Children Are Pure: Exposing the False Doctrine of Infant Baptism

When I first came across the teaching of infant baptism, I was honestly confused. I grew up hearing people say that babies are born guilty of sin and need to be baptized right away, but when I finally slowed down and started reading my Bible for myself, I realized something didn’t add up. Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (KJV).

If the Lord Himself said children belong to the kingdom, how could anyone believe they’re condemned the moment they’re born? I quickly learned this teaching wasn’t coming from God’s Word at all—it was coming from tradition. And traditions, no matter how old, can never outweigh what Scripture actually says. That’s why I always encourage people to read the Bible personally instead of relying on others. When we let God’s Word speak, the truth about infant baptism becomes clear.

Is sin inherited or personal?

The entire doctrine of infant baptism is built on one shaky idea: that children inherit Adam’s guilt. But the Bible says the exact opposite. Ezekiel 18:20 (KJV) states, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father…” and Deuteronomy 24:16 confirms that God never punishes children for their parents’ sins.

When I read these verses fresh, I remember thinking, “So God really does hold each of us accountable for our own choices, not Adam’s!” That gave me peace, because punishing a baby for something they didn’t do would make God unjust. And God is never unjust.

Sadly, many churches still cling to the man-made tradition of “original sin,” teaching that baptism washes away inherited guilt. But nowhere in Scripture do we find God calling an infant guilty. If anything, His Word warns us against twisting His justice. If you’re curious about baptism’s true role, I’d recommend looking at what the Bible actually says about baptism and salvation—because it shows the clear difference between tradition and truth.

Do children even know good and evil?

Another reason infant baptism doesn’t line up with the Bible is because children don’t even know good from evil yet. Deuteronomy 1:39 says, “…your little ones… in that day had no knowledge between good and evil.” Isaiah 7:16 adds, “For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good…”

When I think back to raising my toddlers, I can see exactly what God meant. My kids might have thrown tantrums or broken things, but they didn’t yet understand sin. That wasn’t rebellion against God—it was immaturity. Paul makes it crystal clear in Romans 9:11: “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil…”

Calling children sinful not only contradicts Scripture, it insults the innocence that God Himself gave them. Whenever I see a sleeping baby, I can’t help but think of how Jesus Himself welcomed them with open arms. That’s why I love how plainly the Bible reminds us that Jesus loves all children. If Christ blessed them, who are we to condemn them?

What is sin according to the Bible?

If we’re going to talk about infant baptism, we need to get clear on what sin actually is. The Bible defines sin as “the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4, KJV). Romans 4:15 adds, “…for where no law is, there is no transgression.” And James 4:17 says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

That means sin requires knowledge. It’s a choice to disobey God’s law once you understand it. I still remember the first time I felt the sting of guilt as a kid—I knew I had done wrong, and my conscience burned. That’s sin. A baby who doesn’t even know right from wrong can’t possibly transgress God’s law.

To say otherwise is to redefine sin itself. And when you start messing with God’s definitions, you lose sight of His justice. If you want a deeper dive into this, you can read my reflection on Romans 3:23 and how all of us eventually fall short of God’s glory. Notice the Bible says “all have sinned”—not that all are born guilty.

Do children already belong to the kingdom of God?

If there’s one verse that completely tears down the teaching of infant baptism, it’s Matthew 19:14. Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Mark 10:14 and Luke 18:16 both echo this truth. Jesus didn’t call children guilty—He declared the kingdom belongs to them.

I’ll never forget holding my first newborn in my arms. I couldn’t look at that little face and imagine God calling them condemned. And when I read these verses, it made even more sense—Jesus Himself welcomed them. He blessed them, not baptized them.

If Christ says the kingdom belongs to children, who has the right to argue otherwise? This is one of those times where tradition clashes with the Word of God, and we must choose Scripture every time. That’s why I love reminders like God is love—because His love toward children is clear, undeniable, and pure.

Are children examples for us?

When I look at the way Jesus spoke of children, I see something even more powerful than innocence—I see them lifted up as an example for us. Matthew 18:3 says, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

That hit me hard. We’re supposed to be childlike in humility, honesty, and trust. 1 Peter 2:2 says newborn babes long for pure milk, just like we should long for the Word of God.

I’ve seen this firsthand. Children don’t complicate faith like adults do. When I’ve told my kids “God loves you,” they’ve just smiled and believed it. No debate, no philosophy—just simple trust. Adults could learn a lot from that. And yet some teachers call children sinful? That flips the teaching of Christ upside down.

This connects beautifully to the meaning of being born again. If you want to study this further, I’ve written on John 3:5 and what it truly means to be born of water and Spirit. Jesus wasn’t talking about babies there—He was talking about grown men and women humbling themselves like children.

What about Romans 5:12? (Common Misinterpretation)

One of the biggest “proof texts” used to defend infant baptism is Romans 5:12: “…and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Many twist this into saying we’re all born guilty because of Adam. But if you keep reading, Paul’s point is crystal clear. Adam introduced sin and death into the world, but guilt only comes when each of us actually sins.

Think about it—Romans 3:23 says “all have sinned.” Not “all were born sinners.” Ezekiel 18:4 repeats, “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” If Paul wanted to teach inherited guilt, he would have said so plainly. Instead, he’s teaching about how sin spread into the world through Adam, not that babies are condemned from birth.

I once believed this verse proved original sin too, until I studied it in context. When you put Romans 5:12 beside the rest of Scripture, it’s impossible to claim infants are guilty. Context matters. For a deeper dive into how baptism really works in the New Testament, I’ve shared insights in fact: no one in the New Testament got saved without baptism. That truth is worlds away from sprinkling water on a baby.

What does true baptism require?

If there’s one thing that destroys the argument for infant baptism completely, it’s this: baptism requires faith. Mark 16:16 says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Acts 2:38 commands repentance before baptism. And Acts 8:37 tells us plainly: “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.”

Infants can’t believe. They can’t repent. They can’t confess Christ. So if baptism requires these things, how can anyone say baptism is for babies?

When I was baptized, it wasn’t just about water—it was about faith. I confessed Jesus as Lord, I repented of my sins, and I obeyed His command. That moment of obedience changed me forever. To give a baby a ritual that skips all of that not only misses the point, it gives false assurance.

That’s why I constantly point seekers back to what the Bible really says about how to be saved. Baptism without faith is meaningless, and infant baptism is nowhere found in God’s Word.

Why infant baptism is dangerous

Some folks think infant baptism is harmless — “what’s the harm in a little water sprinkled on a baby?” But when you look closely, it’s spiritually dangerous. Why? Because it gives parents a false sense of security. They walk away thinking their child is saved, when in reality, the Bible says salvation requires belief, repentance, and confession.

Traditions can feel comfortable, but tradition never saved anyone. Only Jesus does. My heart breaks when I think about how many people trust rituals over God’s truth. When we allow human ideas to replace the commands of Christ, we aren’t just watering down the gospel — we’re creating a counterfeit.

This is why I always encourage Christians to dig deep into the Bible and test every teaching. Don’t assume a church tradition is correct just because it’s been around a long time. If it doesn’t line up with Scripture, it needs to be rejected, no matter how popular it is.

How should Christians view children?

The Bible never paints children as guilty little sinners. Instead, it calls them blessings. Psalm 127:3 says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Jesus even warned in Matthew 18:10, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones…”

As a dad myself, I can tell you there’s nothing like the joy of raising children and teaching them about God’s creation. Watching them grow has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. I’ve never once looked at them as condemned souls — I’ve seen them as gifts entrusted to me by the Lord.

God doesn’t see kids as guilty until they can actually choose sin. He sees them as precious, pure, and valuable. That’s why I often remind families about raising kids with God at the center of their home. The way we view our children matters — and we should see them the way God does: as innocent souls who belong to Him.

Final thoughts on infant baptism

When I put all of this together, the truth is plain: infant baptism is not found anywhere in the Bible. Children are pure. Sin is personal, not inherited. Baptism is for believers who can repent, confess, and obey the gospel. Anything else is a tradition of men.

I know this can be a hard topic for some, especially if you grew up in a church that practiced infant baptism. But the beauty of God’s Word is that it sets us free from man’s ideas. Children are safe in the arms of Jesus. Salvation isn’t about what our parents did for us — it’s about the faith we personally put in Christ.

So I urge you, just as I had to do myself, don’t trust tradition. Trust the Bible. Read it, study it, and believe it. The doctrine of infant baptism might sound comforting, but it’s not from God. Real comfort comes from knowing the truth — that children belong to Him and that salvation is only in Jesus.

If you’re still wondering where to start, I’d encourage you to look at what must I do to be saved?. That’s the question every one of us needs to answer for ourselves. And praise God, He’s already given us the answer in His Word.