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Recently a interesting, and sometimes viewed as a controversial issue, was posed by my dearest and closest friend on his blog with the following question – “When is it appropriate to baptize children? I’m not talking about paedo baptism (although that is not beyond the scope of the overall conversation). I’m talking about baptizing children (in the credo baptist sense) who have made a profession of faith in Christ. Do we wait until they are able to fully articulate something that gives substantial evidence (what that something is now becomes the subject of further discussion)? Or do we trust that when they say they trust Christ they mean it? Is it somewhere in between? How do you know when it is the right time?”

Having been great friends for the last several years, Rob and I have been blessed to minister side by side as Elders in my home church. Yet aside from this intimate knowledge I have of his heart and the background of his question, this is a valid and important question, and one that I believe isn’t easily answered in a few short sentences because I believe it calls for some of the background, as it relates to our church, is first discussed.

We have strongly held to our belief in Believers Baptism (credo-baptism), as with our main line Southern Baptist denomination. Yet one of our distinctions that separates us from the main-line group, is our understanding of the bibles teaching on church polity, along with the importance of and role in membership as it relates to our congregation. If an identifying label was needed (for whatever importance it may be), we would probably be best described as a Historical Reformed Southern Baptist congregation, that holds the biblical view that the church government, as established by Scripture, should be Elder led (most assuredly, as God provides, by a plurality of Elders). And that the local body of Christ is to be served, taught, protected, loved, rebuked, encouraged and equipped by those who will give an account for their souls, the Elders (Pastors, Overseers, Bishops, Shepherds) and served by the Deacons as Ministers of Mercy. Firmly holding to the complete autonomy of the church and the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and His authority over His church, we do not hold to the Southern Baptist premise of church membership as one body, one vote.

Church Membership is one that not taken lightly and is readily discussed because of the joint responsibilities that accompany one wishes to become a member of our church body. These responsibilities as described in the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith (LBCF), Chapter 26 – The Church.

That said, we also affirm the belief that Christ gave His church two ordinances to regularly carry out for the edification of His church, until He returns again: Baptism and observance of Communion or the Lord’s Supper.

The first, Baptism, is edifying to the church body in its demonstration, through the believers’ public profession of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, of God’s activity in the quickening or regeneration of the sinners heart, as He has called them to life through salvation. The Second, is the observance of and participation in Communion. It is in this ordinance that The Lord has continued to proclaim His gospel throughout the centuries that have passed since His resurrection. It is meant to be a memorial service and a celebration. Memorial for the death He died as the propitiation of our sin, dieing the death that we so rightly and justly deserved because of our sin, and a Celebration in Christ becoming that Spotless Lamb of sacrifice for us and reigning at the right hand of God the Father as our Eternal High Priest, continually mediating for us until He returns to call us home.

So, when is it appropriate to baptize children………. I do affirm, as some of those who posted on Rob’s blog, that there is not an age prescribed in scripture and that a reasonable determination be made in discerning the profession of a child. Scripture supports the profession of belief in the Lordship of Jesus (Romans 10:9) and I think it is prudent (for our local church) that the Elders make every attempt to ascertain that a profession (from child or adult), is at least based upon a rudimentary understanding of the gospel: God, man’s sin, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the gifts of God (faith & repentance).

I don’t think that it is unreasonably for there to be a time of observation and teaching prior to the exercise of the ordinance of Baptism, particularly with people that are new to the church. Our own church constitution calls for a 13 week watch-care period for membership to allow for the Elders and the congregation to come to know the individuals that desire to become members. During this time teaching of Baptism would take place for those who have not participated in Believers Baptism, and a membership class held by a Pastor involving review of our governing documents and discussion of our beliefs. It also allows for all of the church members to interact and observe the prospective members. To come to know them and to see if their profession of belief is seen in how they carry and conduct themselves in formal and informal situations.

When the Baptism issue involves children, I don’t think that the standard should be different. If the child is well known to the congregation (i.e. one of the members children) and the child has come forward to talk with one of the Elders about being baptized, that conversation should be given the same weight of consideration as any other profession of belief and request for baptism. The Elders are to determine, as best they can, the validity of the profession (through discussion with the child and through observation) and assess the understanding that the child has of the gospel, and if the profession is affirmed…….. then to not baptize or to with hold participation in baptism to a child……would be wrong!

Further it would be wrong to have a child baptized in our congregation and then not consider that child to also be a member of our congregational body. There is no biblical reference that states or suggest that children should be excluded from participating in the worship or attendance in biblical education (Sunday school, bible studies, prayer services, ministry outreach, etc…). In fact the opposite is stated in scripture, we are to raise up our children in the admonition of the Lord and teach them the way they should go. Being a member of our body has certain responsibilities (as stated in our document of statement of faith – the 1689 LBCF). Responsibilities to love one another, encourage one another, to pray for one another, to strengthen one another, to carry each others burdens, to be active participants in the life of our church – regardless of age. Ascertaining the salvation of a child is no different than that of an adult, age only becomes an issue in those children that are to young to articulate the change in their heart regarding the desire to be faithful and obedient to the command of baptism by by the Lord. If they are unable to make a public profession and articulate (to some extent) their dependence on and need for Jesus as their Lord, then they (just like an adult) are not ready for baptism.

I have had the privilege in discussing this topic many times over the last several years with many Brothers who, although had their own opinions, wanted an honest discourse. Through these experiences, I feel that I have been blessed, as we have taught each other, sharpened each other and loved each other as we sought what we could determine to be truth from the scriptures. I would love to hear from you also, here or on Robs site, as we continue this conversation, and those to come in the future. For as long as we can agree on a few “non-negotiables” such as: the inerrancy & infallibility of scripture and Jesus Christ as Lord, then we are united by His blood and are “called to walk worthy of our calling with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1-3). Let us be teachable, and enter into another realm of discipleship with one another, and do it FOR HIS GLORY!

Blessings to you, Cg

Category : "Being Real", Baptism, Being a Real Christian, Bible, Christian, Community, Doctrine, Living as a Christian, Real Christian