To whom should baptism be administered according to the teachings?

The administration of baptism, according to the teachings of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, is intended for the infants of those who are members of the visible church. This practice is rooted in the understanding of covenant theology, which emphasizes that God’s covenantal promises extend to believers and their children. The New Testament parallels this idea with the practice of circumcision in the Old Testament, where infants were included as part of the covenant community.

By baptizing infants, the church acknowledges that they, too, are part of the visible church and are to be raised within the faith. This approach also emphasizes that baptism is a sign of the covenant rather than a declaration of personal faith, which infants are not yet able to make. It reflects the belief that God's grace is extended to families of believers.

In contrast, the other options involve perspectives that either restrict baptism to personal statements of faith or fail to recognize the covenantal relationship that exists within the community of believers, particularly regarding their children. Thus, the understanding that baptism is appropriate for the infants of church members aligns with the theological framework of the Westminster Shorter Catechism.