Acts 2:39 mentions the adult children of the early Christians: “For this promise is to you and to your children…”
What was that promise?
Peter spoke to those who asked about salvation:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When they heard this, they were stabbed to the heart (conscience) and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Men and brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far off, to all whom the Lord our God calls.” With many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” Then those who accepted Peter’s words were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to the number of believers. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:36–42.
This still valid teaching contains the way of salvation and the promise that everyone who hears the gospel, turns away from his sinful state and is baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise therefore applied, among other things, to the adult children of the first Christians. And the same promise is valid for the children of Christians in our time. When our children turn and begin to independently trust in Jesus and accept Him as the atoning sacrifice for their sins and the Lord of their lives, they can be baptized.
Blessing of children
But what should be done with newborn children? That is, what does the Bible teach about newborn children of believers who are not yet able to believe independently and accept Jesus into their hearts. First of all, parents should act in such a way that children can grow up under the influence of the Holy Spirit, where spiritual songs are sung, Jesus is spoken of, and the Bible is read. Let this happen in the homes of believers. That is the best way to evangelize children.
Jesus taught this by word and example:
”Jesus said, ”Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:13–16.
Jesus taught that newborn children should be blessed and thus given over to the grace of God. In this way they are under the blessing and protective hand of God. And then, when they themselves come to faith, they are baptized; then the holy promise of the Bible about the gift of the Holy Spirit also belongs to them.
This is the will of God.
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t. Weijo Lindroos