And infant boys at that! So where did that leave the girls? They get bupkis? Circumcision in the OT was a sign of a covenant with the Lord. Water baptism is a sign also of a covenant with the Lord, but it is a public act that a new believer undergoes to testify to this act of faith and a desire to "walk in newness of life". No place in scripture says any outward act is necessary for salvation. It is by grace through faith that we are saved.
(Sigh). I said it was a “parallel”. As for no place in scripture saying an outward act is necessary for salvation, please read John 3:3-5. No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again of the water and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not say “except little children, because they haven’t reached the age of reason.” Jesus gave us specific instruction and never waivered from what He said. When I read “no one” it means “no one”. How is it that so many people take certain verses literally, but reject literal interpretation of others?
Baptism IS an outward sign of salvation in the New Covenant, and it is clearly mentioned in Scripture (see 1 Peter 3:21, Romans 6:3, Col. 2:11-12, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33). You read of “whole households” being baptised. Why would whole households be baptised? Because Christianity was at its own infancy - there were no “cradle Christians” (at least not until those infants were baptised). Some might say because an infant is not specifically mentioned, they are excluded. I beg respectfully to differ. Just because they are not mentioned, they are neither excluded nor included. We simply cannot know. What we do know is John 3:3-5, which is clear as a bell and offers no wiggle room. We also know Luke 18:15-16 - Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
As for me, my children are baptised as infants. I will give them that glorious grace at the beginning of their lives.