Merciful Washing (Titus 3:5)

Paul exhorts us through his letter to Titus reminding us that he saved us, washed us by regeneration, and renews us by the Holy Spirit.  This is a paraphrase, but it certainly sounds as if those who are baptized are those who necessarily have the Holy Spirit.  If this is a sign that affirms our possession of the Holy Spirit why would we apply this sign of baptism to infants when we cannot know if they have the Holy Spirit?

A Holy Household (Ephesians 6:1-4)

The Apostle Paul exhorts children to obey their parents for this is pleasing to the Lord.  It is not a surprise to us that Paul would exhort children to obey their parents, but what does this imply about their status in the church?  Why is the context of their exhortation so significant? Why is it important that this exhortation seems to echo the Old Testament?  What could this imply about children being in covenant with the Lord?