Carson and George : the kingdom of heaven belongs to those like them

Calvin, Murray, and Marcel each turn to Jesus’ welcoming of the little children in Matt 19:14 as justification for infant baptism. This incident from Jesus’ ministry, however, has nothing to do with paedobaptism. Certainly, this passage shows the Lord’s love for children. But Jesus uses the little ones as an example of his requirement for childlike faith. Baptism is not in view at all.

Thus, D. A. Carson notes:

Jesus does not want the little children prevented from coming to him (v. 14), not because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them, but because the kingdom of heaven belongs to those like them (so also Mark and Luke, stressing childlike faith): Jesus receives them because they are an excellent object lesson in the kind of humility and faith he finds acceptable.

As Timothy George concludes, “Jesus took a special interest in children, received them into his arms, and blessed them. He did not baptize them.”

So we should welcome, love, and nurture children, teaching them the gospel and calling them to repentance and faith. And after they have professed faith in Christ for salvation we may then baptize them and welcome them into the church.161

Schreiner, T. R., & Wright, S. D. (2006). Believer’s baptism: sign of the new covenant in Christ (pp. 244–245). Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.

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