INFANT BAPTISM. Infants should be baptized at a very early age, and thus be received into God's covenant as His children. Since they cannot be instructed before baptism, they should be carefully instructed afterwards [Matt. 28:20] and be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, [Eph. 6:4] so that they may always remain faithful and obedient children of God. SPONSORS answer the questions for the child at its baptism, and promise to see to it that the child is properly instructed and trained in the Christian religion. Sponsors must themselves be members in good standing in the Church. WHY CHILDREN SHOULD BE BAPTIZED.[12] As children were received into the Old Testament covenant by the rite of circumcision, which was a type of baptism, so God desires that they shall be received into the New Testament covenant by baptism. Some of the reasons for infant baptism are the following:-- [Footnote 12: Baptists sometimes argue against infant baptism on the basis of the Scripture passage: "Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them," etc., claiming that Christ says first teach and then baptize. But, as a matter of fact, Christ mentions baptizing before teaching in this passage. For in its correct translation, as given in the Revised Version of the English Bible, it reads, "Go ye therefore, and _make disciples_ of all the nations, _baptizing_ them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; _teaching_ them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you." If the order in which the two words "baptize" and "teach" occur in this passage proved anything with respect to the baptism of infants, it would prove that they _should_ be baptized. For in the case of children, baptizing comes first and teaching follows, just as in the passage quoted.] 1. Children form part of the "nations" whom Christ commanded His disciples to baptize. 2. They are by nature sinful and need God's grace as well as adults. [John 3:5, 6, Job 14:4] While they have not yet committed any conscious transgressions, they have inherited a sinful heart, and the germs of sin in them will soon grow into actual transgressions. 3. Christ has commanded that little children should be brought to Him, and we obey this command by baptizing them and teaching them. [Luke 18:16] 4. Christ says of children, "Of such is the kingdom of God": [Mark 10:14, 15+] and they have a right, therefore, to receive that sacrament by which we enter God's kingdom. 5. The promise of God's grace is given to children as well as to adults. [Acts 2:39] 6. Children have capacity for faith. [Matt. 18:6] 7. The apostles baptized whole families. [Acts 16:33] HOW BAPTISM IS TO BE ADMINISTERED.