Since the Gospel is taught among us purely and diligently, by God's favor we receive also this fruit from it: In our churches no Anabaptists have arisen. This is because the people have been strengthened by God's Word against the wicked and rebellious faction of these robbers. This is also among the distinct errors of the Anabaptists we condemn. They argue that the Baptism of little children is useless. For it is very certain that the promise of salvation also applies to little children. It does not, however, apply to those who are outside of Christ's Church, where there is neither Word nor Sacraments. Christ's kingdom exists only with the Word and Sacraments. Therefore it is necessary to baptize little children, that the promise of salvation may be applied to them, according to Christ's command (Matthew 28:19) Just as in this passage salvation is offered to all, so Baptism is offered to all, to men, women, children, infants. It clearly follows, therefore, that infants are to be baptized, because salvation is offered in Baptism.- Apology to the Augsburg Confession IX: 52.
Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions. 1st edition. St. Louis: Concordia, 2005
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