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(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.

Please don't be exasperated! You brought it up. I would ask you to read the entire passage of John 3. When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus he clearly states being born of the flesh is his meaning of the term baptism in this case. If you read scripture, there were many forms of baptism given. By fire, of the flesh, of the spirit, of water, of the Word, etc. Scripture should usually be taken literally unless it uses words to imply a figurative meaning.

God's grace IS awesome and should be something we teach our children from the day they are born. There still has to come a time in each of our lives where there is a recognition of the personal relationship we have with the Lord. Church membership from the cradle does not imbue saving grace. That comes when we accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus provided by his blood atonement on the cross. It is only by bloodshed that atonement is made for the soul. The wages of sin are death and Jesus made that payment in our place. Putting our faith in his sacrifice for our sins is the method God imputes righteousness. Our works can never save us and as are filthy rags (menstrual cloths) in his sight compared to the work of Christ for us. I wholeheartedly agree, that we must come to him as little children, with childlike faith in receiving his wondrous gift.