Why doesn't the gospel passage apply to infants?
The gospel passage does not apply to infants because an infant cannot believe or understand the gospel. It applies only to someone old enough to understand right and wrong, to know they are a sinner needing salvation, and to understand that Christ died for them. Belief requires comprehension.
Les teaches that this is a loaded verse that startles people who have been taught from infancy, but nothing in it can deal with an infant. An infant cannot believe, and an infant cannot understand the gospel. The passage applies only to someone old enough to understand right and wrong, to recognize they are a sinner and need salvation, and to understand the gospel that Christ died for them. After hearing and believing, God moves in and seals them with the Holy Spirit of promise. Les notes this will be looked at again later.