Well based on the accounts of SCripture and the usage of the word "household" in reference to being baptized, I would suspect it is someone 12 or older.
Newborns were not members of the household of the father? They were, Ronald. They were. Again, going back to the Old Testament and circumcision, the former sign and seal of the covenant (replaced as such by baptism in the New Testament), that sign and seal was to be performed on eight-day-old infants. Isaac, from his birth to Sarah, was a member of Abraham's household.
Babies cannot be baptized for they know not what they are doing.
Knowing anything was not a prerequisite for being circumcised (Old Testament times) and is not a prerequisite for baptism (New Testament times).
Doctrine by silence is a dangerous thing.
That's totally not what I am saying, Ronald. We can know things, though, from what is
not said about them, and because of their opposition to things that
are explicitly said.
...the pratice shows it was for adults who were already saved.
I don't disagree with this, but the practice also shows that adults were exhorted to have their entire households circumcised (Old Testament) or baptized (New Testament). And also that this outward sign (circumcision [Old Testament] or baptism [New Testament]) was never effectual unto salvation, but inward circumcision/baptism, by the Spirit, was and is. As Paul says in Romans 2:29, true circumcision "is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit." And he also says, to each of us Christians even today in Colossians 2:11-12,
"you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Sorry but baptizing unbelievers is mere foolishness. It accomplishes absolutely nothing in the life of that person.
Ah! It accomplishes nothing in the life of that person ~ nothing to confer righteousness or salvation upon that person ~ I agree with that; but "foolishness" no. It would be foolish to think outward baptism does confer righteousness or salvation upon that person; with that I would agree. But the outward sign and seal of water baptism is analogous to even the rainbow that God made as a sign to Noah... as a promise... And all God's promises have their 'yes' and 'amen' in Christ Jesus.
As I explained- members of a household were 12-13 and above.
I know, and there is no basis for that opinion. No Scriptural basis. None.
Babies were not considered part of the household.
They were. I assume you have children... Well, maybe not, but I do. They are no longer infants, but they have always been part of my household. It was no different then.
Though they are family...
LOL! Yes, and thus members of the household. Then and now.
See Galatians where Paul speaks of teachers.
Galatians 4
King James Version
4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Servants were members of their households, Ronald. Servants would be included in "all who are far off," as Peter calls them in Acts 2:38.
But I'm not. <
smile>
Still doesn't allow for Baptism. One has to believe first.
...hope they will believe after.
Ah, but it is not a blind hope, Ronald. God has promised it, and it is done by the parents in
faith, which according to Hebrews 11:1 is
"the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen," and is given by God, a gift of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 12:9). So the parents are calling God on His promise, which... like all God's promises, has its 'yes' and 'amen' in Christ Jesus... so they have full confidence that God will work in the child's heart at his/her appointed time by God by the Holy Spirit, and that he/she then will believe.
And all that does not say let them be baptized. The fact Jesus says nothing about children being baptized as unbelievers also speaks volume when combined with Pauls writings and how they understood who was a member of a household.
It says, Ronald, that they are not to be excluded by anyone for any reason, that they are just as... eligible... to be children of the promise as anyone else. Regardless of age or ability. Is there anything in Scripture that gives, implicitly or explicitly, a prerequisite of any kind for one to somehow deserve baptism?
All there is, Ronald, is the exhortation and command to do it, to have it done.
Grace and peace to you.