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Childrens Baptism

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Jun 29, 2014.

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  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Last time he was in the running,(New SBC President"Ronnie Floyd") he was excoriated because of the minuscule amount of the church's budget that went to the Cooperative Program. He also received quite a bit of criticism over the fire truck baptistery in the "children's church" that had lights and sirens that went off when a child was baptized. Many suggested that the gimmick made professions of faith may be more about getting to do the fire truck activity than actually turning to Christ in faith and discipleship.

    The above was posted in another thread - discussing the new SBC president.

    What caught my eye was the Childrens church baptistry.

    Its bad enough that it is designed as a fire truck and sirens went off during baptisms.

    But my big problem is why are those baptisms being done in Childrens church ( a term I dont really care for) - rather baptism should be an ordiance of the local (adult) church and should be preformed for the entire church to witness and rejoice.

    Open for discussion.
     
    #1 Salty, Jun 29, 2014
  2. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Mrs. Salty had an excellent question.

    When the water is drained out of the baptristry - are the children allowed to play in it?
     
    #2 Salty, Jun 29, 2014
  3. Bro. James

    Bro. James Well-Known Member
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    Child evangelism/baptism puts the unregenerated in the ranks of God's Army. Some have become Generals.

    A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

    Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

    Bro. James
     
    #3 Bro. James, Jun 29, 2014
  4. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Or does it simply put some into a "fire truck"?
     
    #4 Salty, Jun 29, 2014
  5. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    Great Post....

    I was baptised as an infant in a Lutheran church. It would have been Catholic, but because my parents were both divorced and remarried, the church, at that time, removed her from any services like baptism!

    Well, after I came to Jesus, I was baptised by immersion, and that is all I'd ever take part of. I will, as a pastor, do a dedication, but that is it!

    As for baptism of born-again children in the children's church building, I guess that is up to the church hierarchy. I would want the entire body to witness baptisms, regardles of the age of the person. But that is my opinion!
     
    #5 righteousdude2, Jun 30, 2014
  6. OnlyaSinner

    OnlyaSinner Well-Known Member
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    Only if:
    1. Evangelism is not followed by discipling, which can help the discipler to discern the validity of the child's salvation (as much as one can discern it for someone other than oneself.)
    2. Baptism is not preceded by an interview with a church leader/mature Christian to evaluate both the true spiritual condition of the child and the child's understanding of the meaning and purpose of believers' baptism.

    I know a number of people with strong Christian testimony who date their conversion to well before their 10th birthday, some before their 5th. Given their fruit and godly attitude, who am I to question their memory? However, I believe that baptism, whether of adults or children, should be done before the church body, not at a childrens' church or some such.
     
    #6 OnlyaSinner, Jun 30, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 30, 2014
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    But what % of children who were baptized prior to the age of 10 are still committed Christians?

    Look at most any church - the number of young children -under the age of 10 normally is greater than those in their teens.
    Anotherwords - many teens fall away from church......

    I am thankful for any child who truly believes - but lets be careful not to push them into something they do not understand.
     
    #7 Salty, Jun 30, 2014
  8. JeremyV

    JeremyV Member

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    I completely agree with you. Personally, I see "children's church" as simply a way to get children used to sitting quietly through a service. As soon as they learn this they should graduate to the regular service. The age of those in our children's church is relatively low. It is certainly not a replacement for regular services and does not form a separate congregation.

    I do not see how child evangelism puts any more unregenerated in the ranks then does adult evangelism. I received God's gift of salvation at six and I know of many adults that claimed to be saved as an adult but who later receive true salvation.

    As a side note, you should be careful how you use that idiom.
     
    #8 JeremyV, Jun 30, 2014
  9. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    As long as there is not that one kid who sits in the corner with a relieved grin, like there always seems to be in public swimming pools. :laugh:
     
    #9 Rolfe, Jun 30, 2014
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