These words of Jesus are in keeping with the message of the whole Bible. In his revelation to Abraham, God promised him that he will be his God and the God of his descendants (Genesis 17:7). The promises of blessing that God made to Abraham (Genesis 12:2–3) were also promises for Abraham’s children and his children’s children. The apostle Peter likewise reminded the Jerusalem crowds that the promise of the gospel is for them and for their children (Acts 2:39). The kingdom of God is not only for adults who comprehend and believe, it belongs also to their children.
Throughout the Bible we are taught that the children of believers belong to the covenant community. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians assumes that children are present in the church (Ephesians 6:1). The promises of the gospel are also for them (Acts 2:39). The kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Mark 10:14).
As a result of the biblical teaching that the kingdom of God belongs also to the children of believers, Christians have historically baptized their children.
14 Jésus, voyant cela, fut indigné, et leur dit: Laissez venir à moi les petits enfants, et ne les en empêchez pas; car le royaume de Dieu est pour ceux qui leur ressemblent.