There are dozens of approaches to the apologetic for covenant baptism. But the one that settles the issue for me is not the circumcision/baptism connection (which I think is overused) but the clear and direct examples of infant faith in the Bible.
If it can be demonstrated that even the ‘least of these’ can articulate faith, then the defense of infant baptism becomes robust and compelling.
The premises which must be met are the following:
a) There must be examples of a covenant people that manifest faith in their infancy as a society.
b) There must be distinct examples of infants manifesting faith throughout the Scriptures.
c) There must be examples of infants partaking in the Church’s sacramental life.
d) There must be examples of faith expressed by those who do not fit the profile of intellectual self-awareness. The premise indicates that every baptism is an infant baptism, whether at eight days or eighty years. Everyone who professes faith in Christ is in his infancy.
e) There must be examples of Jesus bonding, covenanting, and offering benedictions to infants.
f) The Bible must contain examples of faith expressed through the typology of seeds. This would indicate that faith is a gift planted, which must increase through nurture and admonition.
When these six premises are fulfilled, it is undeniable that children can profess faith. This faith, I contend, transcends mere intellectual articulation of information. It is a profound trust in the authorities who guide us to Jesus, a submission to the life of the faith community that worships Jesus, an incorporation into the new humanity created by Jesus, and a participation in the songs of the Bride that exalt Jesus.
