So here is a gigantic question: Does baptism signify faith in Jesus?

If we answer ‘yes’ to this question, then we should only be baptized after we profess faith in Jesus.  This is what we call believer’s baptism in opposition to covenant baptism.  If we answer ‘no’ to this question . . . then what is our option?

First, let’s dig back into the Old Testament and look at the sign given the people of Israel – circumcision.  Who received circumcision?  Was it only those who professed faith?  Absolutely not.  It was given to any male who was a part of Israel either by birthright or by connection to Israel through an Israelite family.  Adult males were circumcised if they had not been circumcised and eight day old infants were to be circumcised in Abraham’s generation and in successive generations (Genesis 17).  Faith did not precede the sign of circumcision.

Mark Ross writes,

(As a circumcised Israelite)  . . .did Ishmael have faith?  Had he experienced a spiritual and inward transformation?  Had he also believed, and because of that had God imparted righteousness to him?  If so, he would have been heir to the covenant blessings; but he was not an heir to the covenant blessings and he was not ‘of faith’ (Gal. 4:21-31).  What about Esau, who likewise would have been circumcised?  He was not ‘of faith’ either, though he was born into the covenant and bore its mark (Rom. 9:6-13).  Circumcision was not in these cases, or in the case of countless others, a guarantee of faith, righteousness, or justification . . . If circumcision is taken directly as a sign and seal of faith . . . or of inward spiritual transformation, it fails miserably.

The same is true of baptism (which is the New Testament equivalent of circumcision just as the Lord’s Supper is the New Testament equivalent of Passover).  Like circumcision, if we view baptism as a sign that points to our inward transformation of faith, then baptism fails miserably.  How many people do you know who receive baptism by this definition, yet who have walked in the shoes of Ishmael and Esau?

So, back to our initial question: Does baptism signify faith in Jesus?

Romans 4:11

He (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. 

What circumcision guarantees is not faith, but the word of God’s promise: that righteousness will be given on the basis of faith.  God will give righteousness to any who has faith.  Ishmael and Esau had the mark of that promise placed on their bodies but they never trusted in the promise.  So too, baptism can be administered to our infants as the sign of the promise that righteousness will be given if/when they place their faith in Jesus.  It does not guarantee they will embrace the promise.

This is why it is so important that when the parents and the congregation both take vows at an infant’s baptism that they take seriously the Christian nurture of the child to constantly direct them to the promised righteousness that will be given if/when they trust Christ.

When an unbaptized adult becomes a believer and receives baptism (Acts 2:36-38), they too receive the mark signifying the righteousness they receive if they continue to walk in the Lord.  If they don’t continue to walk in the Lord, then they never really trusted the promise of righteousness.  They have denied the promise which their baptism signified.

So why baptize our children, even infant children?

Acts 2:39

“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”