Were There Infants In The Jailor’s Household Who Were Baptized?
By Ron Boatwright

     Acts 16:33-34 says the jailor is baptized along with all his household.  Some falsely teach that the jailor’s household included small and infant children. But let’s see what the Bible says.

     Let's first look at verse 32 which says, "Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house."  Who does this verse say that Paul and Silas "spoke the word of the Lord to"?  To he (jailor) and "to all who were in his house".  Did Paul and Silas teach any infant children?  No.  All who Paul and Silas taught were able to be taught and understand the teaching of the word of the Lord.  So apparently there were no infants in the jailor's household, because all of the jailor's household were all taught "the word of the Lord".

     Now what happened after the baptism of the jailor and his household?  Let's look at verse 34 which says, "Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household."  Who all does this verse say that had believed and were rejoicing?  The jailor and his household.  Can an infant believe?  No.  So the only people who were baptized were the jailor and those who were capable of believing and rejoicing because of their baptism. For one to get infants into verses 32-34, one has to insert them in himself, because the Bible does not support such a false doctrine.