Is The Baptism of Children Scriptural?

"Do not go beyond the things written," - 1 Corinthians 4:6

As Christians it is our solemn obligation to hold to the Word of God as our ultimate authority and in doing so we rightfully reject the traditions of men when there is a conflict between the two.

As Jehovah's Witnesses we have come to an understanding of the manner of baptism that is scriptural and rejects traditions of some denominations. Thus we have rejected infant baptism and baptise by full bodily immersion instead of a mere sprinkling.

However by our insistance on baptising children we are going beyond both the Scriptures and the early example of the Christian congregation.

What do the Scriptures teach us?

At Acts 2:37-38 we read of 3000 men being baptised, "Men, brothers, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins,"

At Acts 8:12 in regards to the Samaritans, "they proceeded to be baptised, both men and women"

What does the example of Jesus teach us?

At Luke 2:21,23 "Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized . . . Futhermore, Jesus himself, when he commenced [his work], was about thirty years old"

What does the first-century Christian congregation teach us?

From the April 1, 2006 Watchtower page 27,28 "Regarding first-century Christians, historian Augustus Neander states in his book General History of the Christian Religion and Church: "Baptism was administered at first only to adults, as men were accustomed to conceive baptism and faith as strictly connected."

Why then does the Watchtower teach us:

"In the case of youths, some develop a measure of spirituality at a relatively tender age, while others take longer. Before getting baptized, however a youngster should have a personal relationship with Jehovah, a sound understanding of the fundamentals of the Scriptures, and a clear comprehension of what dedication involves, as is the case with adults." - Watchtower. April 1, 2006. page 28, par 9.

Did first-century Jewish children meet the Watchtower's criteria for child baptism?

The first converts to Christianity came from the Jews. Could it be said that no jewish children in the first-century met the above criteria established by the Watchtower, namely a personal relationship with Jehovah, a sound understanding of the Scritpures, and clear comprehension of dedication?

We consider point-by-point:

Did Jewish children have a relationship with Jehovah?

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 answers "And you must love Jehovah your God will all your heart and all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force. And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up."

Did Jewish children have a sound understanding of the Scriptures?

In answer, Alfred Edersheim in his book Sketches of Jewish Social Life says regarding the education of Jewish children in the days of Christ, "home teaching ordinarily began when the child was about three years old. ... Verses of Scripture, benedictions, wise sayings, etc., were impressed on the child, and mnemonic rules devised to facilitate the retention of what was so acquired. ... At five years of age the Hebrew Bible was to be begun."

Could Jewish children comprehend a dedication to God?

"In 1513 B.C.E., the ancient Israelites came into a dedicated relationship with Jehovah. (Exodus 19:3-8) After that, Jews were born into that dedicated nation under the Law covenant. - w03 8/15 p. 30 Do you Remember?

We see then that Jewish children would have fulfilled all of the Watchtower's criteria for child baptism and yet only men and women got baptised in the first century.

If not on Scripture on what basis then do we baptise children?

Are we going beyond the things written?