Well, I thought I would get us started on another issue. At what age should we baptize? Let me first of all say that I am not talking about infant baptism. I believe in Believer Baptism. However, what I am asking is, "At what age should we draw a line at being baptized?" I have heard Dever's explanation of this, and honestly I think the conclusion is wrong. However, I do understand his argument and think there is validity there. I am sure you know the argument as well that in the NT there was often time immediate baptism. Let me say that I think there was baptism after being convinced that the person was truly a believer (grace was not quite as cheap as it is today). So, I leave you with this question. Is there a minimum age limit for baptism? And if so, what is your opinion of what it is?
Randy
Popular Posts
-
While reading the Old Testament, have you ever thought to yourself, "Boy, these Israelites just didn't get it!"? God warned th... -
What do you guys think about church choirs? Are they Biblical? Are they helpful? If you could have your preference, would your church have a... -
As I'm thinking through my sermon for this coming Sunday morning, a phrase in Romans 6:4 has me thinking. Now, I haven't yet looked ...
-
Okay, so a few months back we had this long drawn out debate about divorce and remarriage here on the blog. I think it was a healthy debate... -
What do you guys think is the best way to approach specials and/or solos in a church? Is it ever appropriate to have them? I'm not a fan...
-
Just finished reading this ... I'd like to know your thoughts on whether or not Sunday School makes a positive contribution to the local... -
I agree with Sam Storms on everything but 7.f. Admittedly, I have done no study on the issue of the age of the earth. For some reason I jus...
-
Hey guys, what do y'all think about this? I've recently read of some Christians who say they don't listen to "Christian&quo...
-
Here are some initial thoughts on Justin N.'s post: Women Deacons - 2 . Good thoughts Justin N.! 1. Yes, Amen! 2. Absolutely! 3. Many pe...
-
(Guests: If you haven't already, you should read the previous two posts before reading this one.) " Iron sharpens iron, and one man...
5 comments:
Randy:
This is an issue that every church should deal with - the last thing we want is to give someone who isn't truly saved reason to think they are. My answer is that when a child is old enough to truly unberstand and believe the gospel, they are old enough to be baptized. But of course, that doesn't help at all! The real question is one that we must ask of everybody at every age - what eveidence is there that this person is truly a believer? Some suggestions...
1. Does this person have an authentic profession of faith? Can this person speak of the gospel in a meaningful way, not just parrotting what he or she has heard from others (as children often do)? Many children are baptized too early because they know how to talk the "Christian" talk long before they actually understood their own need for salvation. The issue is not whether the person can accurately explain the minute details of the doctrine of justification, but whether he or she can speak meaningfully and sincerely about their own sin, its wages, and trusting in Christ's work to save them. Not many 5 year olds can do this. Some 10 year olds can.
2. Is there evidence of a genuine desire to obey Christ (evidence of a regenerate heart)? This should be seen in a desire to do what is right (i.e., obey mom and dad and treat them with respect; sit attentively at church and listen to the preacher; etc.)
One of these is not sufficient evidence that someone is saved - these two must be combined and interwoven.
One more point - since we as Baptists do not believe that baptism is a saving act, it seems to me that to err on the side of caution is far better than to err on the side of presumption. It is better to wait until child, parents, and pastor(s) are all convinced of genuineness of the child's faith than to move forward "hoping" that the child is truly saved.
It is not loving to rush a child into the baptismal waters. Instead, it is true love that helps a child discern the state of his or her own heart and encourages that child to trust Christ.
Oh - and as sad as it may be, there will be times when child, parents, and pastor(s)are all convinced of a child's genuineness only to find out later that they had been wrong. It is inevitable that some children will grow up and wander away and prove themselves unbelievers. We must not fall into despair when this happens, but practice church discipline so that this person we care for so much can see that we love him enough to do what we can to awaken him to his sinful condition.
Justin N.
Another related issue is: Do we connect baptism to church membership? If so, at what age can a "child" be a responsible member of a local congregation?
I have heard of some churches who won't allow children under 16 to vote in a congregational meeting.
Lets talk more about this issue in depth. I have been thinking about it myself. I lean toward Dever's position.
Justin Childers
What is Dever's position?
Justin N
Dever argues for a very late baptism (I think around 18 is his preference). I heard him say that at the Founder's Conference in Raleigh a few years ago. During the question and answer time Piper called it heretical (it was actually quite humorous). I do appreciate what both of you have said. I agree that I would rather err on the side of waiting too long than to rush a baptism. At the same time, I struggle with the fact that being obedient to God means to be baptized (at least that's one area of obedience). I think Justin C. has a very good point. I have not really looked at it from the stand point of a responsible member. That is definitely something that I need to think more deeply on. I am in a situation now where the parents are very good and have been thinking through this as well. They are not rushing anything, but their six year old daughter wants to be baptized. I told them that I am not comfortable with that yet, but I still need to work through this some more. This is why the question has come up. I do think it is something we need to work through in all of our churches. This issue could help eliminate some of the ridiculous numbers on our roles and provide a better way to be Biblical with church discipline, church membership, the Lord's Supper, etc.
Gentlemen,
Thiis is an important issue for the life of the church; especially, given the Baptist structure. Hence, there are several points I offer for consideration.
1. In addition to Justin's comments on understanding of the gospel. I would want to know if the child had a firm grasp on what baptism is. Can they articulate the principles to forth by Paul in Romans 6. In other words, do they understand what they are signing up for because it is not to be taken lightly. Remember, baptism is the "public profession," and at baptism the child is telling the world that I am a Christian. Proclaiming to the world your new allegence requires new conduct. Someone who is baptized and still lives as unregenerate is soiling the name of Christ to whom he or she has sworn allegence.
2. I would argue that there is no hard and fast age limit. A child who has grown up in a home with proper religious education will be ready much early than one who hasn't. However, this leads me to my last point (and Justin commended).
3. At what age can we expect responsible church members. Some churches have confronted this issue with "non-voting members;" however, I find this unbiblical. In the NT bpatism was enterance into the community of fellowship. Obviously, a 7 year old cannot understand the complexity of today's church budget, but I still believe they should be members if they demonstrate the above memtioned qualities. Perhaps this speaks more to our governmental structure than baptism.
Anyway, I know I have offered no answers. I just wanted to raise more questions.
Post a Comment