Jesus radically changed how children were seen by welcoming, blessing, and valuing them as full members of His kingdom. The early church followed His example closely—they baptized entire households including children, rejected brutal practices like infant exposure, cared for orphans, and prioritized teaching kids the faith. Their actions showed that children weren’t just future believers, but current and vital members of the Christian community.
By understanding how the early church honored Jesus’ teachings about children, we gain a clearer picture of our own responsibility to protect, disciple, and include children in the life of the church today. If you want to explore how these early practices can inspire and shape your faith and community now, keep reading for a deeper dive into this important topic.
When Jesus walked the earth, He didn’t just notice children—He elevated them. He welcomed them, blessed them, and even told adults to become like them. So, what happened after His resurrection and ascension? How did the early church carry forward His deep care for children?
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how the early church embraced and lived out Jesus’ teachings about kids. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, pastor, or just curious, this will give you a clear, practical understanding of the church’s early commitment to children.
Jesus’ Teachings on Children: A Quick Recap
Let’s start with Jesus Himself. His view of children was revolutionary for the time.
In the Greco-Roman world, children had little status. They were often ignored, considered property, and could even be abandoned without consequence. But Jesus flipped that narrative.
Here are some key things Jesus said about children:
- Matthew 19:14 (NIV): “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
- Matthew 18:3–5 (NIV): “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
He not only included children—He held them up as models of faith and humility.
The Early Church’s Culture: Carrying the Torch
After Jesus’ ascension, His apostles and early followers had to decide what it meant to live out His teachings. Their treatment of children is one of the clearest ways we can see how they stayed faithful to His message.
1. Infant and Child Baptism
One of the earliest signs that children were fully welcomed into the church is the practice of household baptisms.
- Acts 16:15 – Lydia and her entire household were baptized.
- Acts 16:33 – The Philippian jailer “and all his household” were baptized.
In the ancient world, “household” didn’t just mean adults. It included servants, wives, and children. While Scripture doesn’t explicitly say infants were baptized, early Christian writings confirm it was a norm by the second century.
Why it matters: Baptism wasn’t just a formality—it meant full inclusion in the church. By baptizing children, the early church was saying, “These young ones are part of us.”
2. Rejecting Infanticide and Child Exposure
The early church stood out in a brutal world. In Roman society, unwanted babies—especially girls or disabled children—were often exposed, meaning left outside to die. This wasn’t just allowed, it was common.
But Christians said no.
- The Didache, a first-century church manual, says: “You shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born.”
- Church Fathers like Tertullian and Justin Martyr condemned the practice outright.
This wasn’t just moral outrage—it was rooted in Jesus’ teaching that every child matters.
By the numbers:
Historians estimate up to 20–40% of newborns in Roman cities were exposed. The church’s total rejection of this practice saved thousands of lives.
3. Adoption and Care for Orphans
Early Christians didn’t just oppose child killing—they actively rescued and cared for unwanted children.
- They took in abandoned babies.
- They raised orphans as part of their spiritual family.
- Widows (supported by the church) were often given roles in child care and mentoring.
James 1:27 sums up the early church’s heart: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”
4. Education and Discipleship of Children
Unlike Roman culture, where formal education was reserved mostly for boys of wealthy families, Christians believed all children—girls and boys—should know God’s Word.
- Parents were encouraged to teach Scripture to their kids at home (see Deuteronomy 6:6–7, echoed in Christian homes).
- Church gatherings included teaching that reached children, not just adults.
- By the 3rd and 4th centuries, catechism classes were common for preparing kids for baptism and communion.
What this shows: The early church didn’t see kids as future believers—they saw them as current disciples.
The Early Church Fathers on Children
If you fast-forward a few decades after the apostles, church leaders were still echoing Jesus’ love for children.
Here’s what a few of them said:
Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD)
He encouraged Christian parents to raise children in faith and emphasized the importance of purity and innocence in children as a model for adults.
“The soul of a child is delicate and clean, and in its purity may reflect the image of God.”
John Chrysostom (c. 349–407 AD)
He called parenting a “spiritual ministry” and urged Christian fathers not to provoke their children (see Ephesians 6:4).
“Let everything take second place to the care of our children, our bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
These leaders weren’t sentimental—they were deeply practical. They saw children as central to the church’s mission and the home as the front line of spiritual formation.
Practical Lessons for Today
So what can we learn from how the early church honored Jesus’ view of children?
1. Children belong in the church now—not just later.
They’re not a side ministry. They’re a core part of the body of Christ.
2. Teaching kids the gospel is urgent.
The early church didn’t wait for children to grow up before discipling them. Neither should we.
3. Defend the vulnerable.
From abortion to child trafficking, modern society has its own versions of child exposure. The church must remain a place where every child’s life is valued.
4. Parenting is a calling, not just a role.
Christian parents aren’t just raising good citizens—they’re raising kingdom-minded disciples.
Final Thoughts
The early church didn’t invent new ideas about children—it simply followed Jesus. They welcomed kids, baptized them, protected them, taught them, and saw them as full members of God’s family.
In a culture that often overlooks the young, the early Christians stood out by living out Jesus’ radical love for children. And if you follow Christ today, that mission is yours too.
“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” — Matthew 18:5
Let’s not just admire how the early church valued children. Let’s do the same—with conviction, compassion, and the clarity of the gospel.
FAQs: How the Early Church Continued Jesus’ Teaching About Children
1. How did the early church continue Jesus’ teaching about children?
The early church embraced Jesus’ example by welcoming children fully into the faith community through baptism, teaching, and protection. They treated children as important members of the church, just as Jesus taught.
2. Why were children important to Jesus and the early church?
Jesus highlighted children as examples of humility and faith, saying the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. The early church followed this by including children in worship, baptism, and discipleship.
3. Did the early church baptize children?
Yes, the early church practiced household baptisms, which included children and infants, showing they were fully part of the church family.
4. How did the early church protect children?
They strongly rejected the common practice of infant exposure and abortion, actively caring for orphans and abandoned children as part of their mission.
5. What role did education play for children in the early church?
Children were taught Scripture and discipleship from a young age, with parents and church leaders encouraging faith formation early on.
6. How did the early church differ from Roman culture in its treatment of children?
Unlike Roman society, which often disregarded or abandoned children, the early church valued and protected every child’s life as precious and worthy of care.
7. What did early church leaders say about raising children?
Church Fathers like Clement of Alexandria and John Chrysostom emphasized parenting as a spiritual responsibility and urged faithful, loving instruction for children.
8. How can understanding the early church’s treatment of children help us today?
It reminds us that children belong fully in the church now, deserve protection, and need intentional discipleship, shaping how we care for and teach them today.
9. Were girls included in the early church’s teaching about children?
Yes, the early church welcomed all children regardless of gender, teaching both boys and girls God’s Word.
10. What does the Bible say about welcoming children in the church?
Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me,” making it clear that welcoming and caring for children is central to His kingdom—and the early church lived that out.
