THE FAITH OF INFANTS

By Gary Ray Branscome

Many families over the centuries have had children that died in infancy or at a very young age. And, understandably, they wanted assurance that those children were in heaven. However, in giving comfort to such families it is important that we do not contradict Scripture, or go beyond what it says.

Matthew tells us that, “Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the midst of them, and said… Whoever offends one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:1-6). In those words, Jesus speaks of little children having faith in Him. And, that should be of great comfort to Christian families who have lost small children. However, Jesus was speaking of the children of believers. In contrast the words, “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies,” tell us that we cannot spin that comfort into a blanket rule that applies to all infants (Psalm 58:3).

The Augsburg Confession says, “Children, too, should be baptized, for in Baptism they are committed to God and become acceptable to him” (Tappert, page 33). And, we should commit our children to God. However, we should never assume that the mere act of baptism conveys grace apart from faith in Christ. Of that error, C.F.W. Walther says, “If the Word that is preached will not benefit a person unless he believes it, neither will being baptized and taking Communion benefit any one without faith”. (Law and Gospel, page 351).

The words, “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” tell us that no infant will ever get to heaven without faith in Christ (Hebrews 11:6). The words, “Nor is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved,” tell us the same thing (Acts 4:12). The words, “If there had been a law given that could have given life, righteousness truly would have been by the law,” tell us that no one, infants included, can be saved by their own innocence (Galatians 3:21). And, the words, “He has given you life, who were dead in trespasses and sins… And were by nature the children of wrath, even as others,” tell us that all men are by “nature” spiritually “dead”, and, therefore, in need of salvation (Ephesians 2:1-3). All of those passages tell us that infants are in need of salvation. How then can the Psalmist say, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings you have ordained praise”? (Psalm 8:2).

The Bible answers that question with the words, “The LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save” (Isaiah 59:1). The words, “What is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,” tell us that God’s hand is not shortened because our faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 1:19). And, the words, “When Elisabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and in a loud voice she exclaimed… why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy,” tell us that John the Baptist leaped for “Joy” in the presence of Mary, and Christ who was in her womb (Luke 1:41-44). That leap on the part of John the Baptist tells us that he had faith, even while yet in the womb. And, if God can give an infant faith while yet in the womb, He can give our children faith.

So when it comes right down to it, we have to commit the spiritual well being of our children (born and unborn) to God’s mercy, and entrust them to His justice. I prayed for my daughters while they were still in the womb. And, one of them would say, “Jesus died for my sins,” before she was two years old. My point is that we should never neglect them spiritually, as if they are too young for it to matter.