Why are we baptized as babies?

[Parker_James]

A Southern Baptist friend of mine was arguing with me about baptism. He was saying that he wasn’t baptized as a baby and that it’s the “right way”. And that you should choose when you want to be baptized.

I know that there is a reason that Catholics are baptized as babies and that we choose to follow Christ and be Catholic through confirmation. But I could not remember the exact reason or how to explain it to him.

How do I explain to him why we are baptized as babies and don’t wait and choose? Is it wrong to wait and choose when you want to be baptized and why?

 

[Devon_Caffran]

The following links should assist you in better understanding the Catholic Church’s teaching on baptizing infants. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.
Recommended Reading:

• Infant Baptism
• Early Teachings on Infant Baptism
• If a baby dies before it’s born what happens?
• Baptismal Grace (Fathers*)
• Born Again in Baptism (Fathers*)