WHY BAPTIZE INFANTS IN THE WORLDWIDE ANGLICAN CHURCH?

In the Worldwide Anglican Church, infants are baptized because baptism is understood as God’s covenant grace given to the child and the Church community, not just a personal decision. Worldwide Anglican Church teaching is rooted in Scripture, early Church tradition, and the theology of covenant.

Here are the main reasons:
1. Baptism Initiates a Child Into the Christian Covenant
Anglicans believe baptism brings a person into the family of God (the Church). Just as children were included in God’s covenant in the Old Testament through circumcision, children are now included through baptism.

Example: Acts 2:38–39 says “The promise is for you and for your children.”

2. Biblical Examples of Household Baptisms
The New Testament records several households being baptized, which likely included children.

Examples:
Acts 16:15 – Lydia and her household
Acts 16:33 – The jailer and his household
These passages support the practice of baptizing entire families.

3. Baptism Is a Means of Grace
Anglicans believe baptism is a sacrament—a visible sign of God’s grace. The grace of God is not limited by age, so infants can receive it.

4. Parents and Godparents Promise Christian Upbringing
Since infants cannot speak for themselves, parents and godparents make promises to:
Raise the child in the Christian faith
Teach them the Gospel
Bring them to Church
Later, the child confirms these promises during Confirmation.

5. The Practice of the Early Church
The early Christian Church baptized infants for centuries. Anglicanism, which values historic Christian tradition, continues this practice.

6. Jesus Welcomed Children
Anglicans also point to Christ’s words:

Mark 10:14 – “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

In summary:
Infant baptism in the Worldwide Anglican Churches shows that God’s grace comes first, and the Church community commits to raising the child in faith until they personally confirm it later.
THANKS.

Geoff Webb Anglican Church 2026
WHY BAPTIZE INFANTS IN THE WORLDWIDE ANGLICAN CHURCH? In the Worldwide Anglican Church, infants are baptized because baptism is understood as God’s covenant grace given to the child and the Church community, not just a personal decision. Worldwide Anglican Church teaching is rooted in Scripture, early Church tradition, and the theology of covenant. Here are the main reasons: 1. Baptism Initiates a Child Into the Christian Covenant Anglicans believe baptism brings a person into the family of God (the Church). Just as children were included in God’s covenant in the Old Testament through circumcision, children are now included through baptism. Example: Acts 2:38–39 says “The promise is for you and for your children.” 2. Biblical Examples of Household Baptisms The New Testament records several households being baptized, which likely included children. Examples: Acts 16:15 – Lydia and her household Acts 16:33 – The jailer and his household These passages support the practice of baptizing entire families. 3. Baptism Is a Means of Grace Anglicans believe baptism is a sacrament—a visible sign of God’s grace. The grace of God is not limited by age, so infants can receive it. 4. Parents and Godparents Promise Christian Upbringing Since infants cannot speak for themselves, parents and godparents make promises to: Raise the child in the Christian faith Teach them the Gospel Bring them to Church Later, the child confirms these promises during Confirmation. 5. The Practice of the Early Church The early Christian Church baptized infants for centuries. Anglicanism, which values historic Christian tradition, continues this practice. 6. Jesus Welcomed Children Anglicans also point to Christ’s words: Mark 10:14 – “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” In summary: Infant baptism in the Worldwide Anglican Churches shows that God’s grace comes first, and the Church community commits to raising the child in faith until they personally confirm it later. THANKS. [Worldwide] Anglican Church 2026
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