Where does the bible say that baptism saves and that infants can be baptized?

[Laura_Jean]

My daughter’s boyfriend is attending RCIA and is struggling with understanding many aspects of the Faith. The current big problem is he can’t see where Scripture proves that baptism saves and he disagrees with infant baptism because it doesn’t include free-will on the child’s part. Help!

 

[Jim_Blackburn]

Here are three bible verses referencing the necessity of baptism for salvation:

He who believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16)
Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3)
Baptism… now saves you (1 Pet 3:21)

Concerning infant baptism, I would point out that nowhere in the bible are we told that one must of any certain age or capable of reason to be baptized. In fact, the following verses indicate that entire families (which would not exclude infants) were baptized in apostolic times:

She [Lydia] was baptized, with her household (Acts 16:15)
He [Paul’s jailer] was baptized at once, with all his family (Acts 16:33)
I [Paul] did baptize also the household of Stephanas (1 Cor 1:16)

See also:
Necessity of Baptism
Infant Baptism
Early Teachings of Infant Baptism