Featured How soon do you baptize?

I don’t presume to know who is saved or unsaved.

I am concerned that children are manipulated by adults into “saying the sinners prayer” and then being baptized without any real understanding of what they are doing.

If a child has been born again (I know that does happen) delaying baptism does not endanger their salvation.

peace to you

 

Why? Would that not be forcing them to not follow a command of all Christians until a certain time? To me, I think that is very dangerous to tell someone this is something commanded of all Christians but you are not old enough.

 

No, but it is also asking them for a time to ignore a command of God to all Christians.

 

What about the early church baptizing in the name of Jesus Christ? Are people baptized in a biblical manner using today's Catholic trinitarian model?

 

I agree, my post was really trying to point out the Catholic church is not a Christian church any longer and is irrelevant to the conversation.

 

That is a valid point. However, I’ve never had a child tell me they want to follow the command of Jesus to be baptized. It’s usually a relative or friend that wants them to be baptized and they are going along with that.

If I had a young child demonstrate signs they were under conviction of Holy Spirit to be baptized, then I would do it. I’ve never seen it.

peace to you

 

If kids in the church aren't asking about baptism after their salvation then shame on the church for not teaching.

 

We honor their salvation, but do not water baptize until that age, as think the pastors see that as an age of accountability!

 

You mean the biblical model of the Great Commission?

 

Agreed, as we have had a few families leave us due to the Parents being upset that we would not water baptize a child as young as 8!

 

Another thing not found in Scripture.

 

They always baptized in Jesus' name. The Catholics used today's popular but unscriptural Trinity formula.

 

The name of Jesus is using the trinity formula, as Jesus stated that would be in the name of the 3 of them!

 

Did Peter and the rest get it wrong? Or do they know something you do not?

 

No, as they would have baptized in the name of father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, and emphasized that Jesus was Lord and Messiah!

 

Children can be manipulated to regurgitate most anything an adult tells them.

Just because they can repeat certain words/phrases is not evidence of conviction of Holy Spirit.

The problem becomes giving people a false assurance of salvation.

If you ask the question, “how do you know you are saved”?, and the person responds, “I prayed to receive Jesus into my heart and was baptized when I was 8”, then that is evidence of a poor understanding of salvation.

How many claim to have been saved/baptized as a child and then testify they walked away from the Lord in their teens only to “rededicate” their lives in their 20’s or 30’s?

peace to you

 

This thread is full of opinions, but not too much scripture.

I think 1 Corinthians 1:16 refers to water baptism, because it was done by Paul.

And here is a verse to consider:
Mark 16:16
“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

My view is this refers to being placed into Christ, thus a spiritual baptism, not a water baptism. Thus the argument to water baptize right away to ensure salvation is bogus.

Acts 2:28 refers to our spiritual baptism because only after being placed into Christ are we sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:41 indicates only after a person receives God's word are they to be water baptized. It does not indicate any intentional delay. But those doing the water baptism believed the person had sufficient knowledge and commitment.

Acts 8:12 does not address baptizing children, only men and women.

Acts 10:47 supports the idea of observing evidence of being indwelt.

Acts 22:16, says why delay, so assuming the baptism refers to water baptism, then it argues for promptly water baptizing.

 

Baptism should not be unnecessarily delayed because:

• It is commanded to converts to proclaim (Acts 2:38; 10:48) and to the church to perform (Matthew 28:18-20).
• It is the believer’s first act of obedience (Acts 2:33-39; Acts 10:47-48; Matthew 10:32).
• It pictures the gospel and testifies of new life (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• It signifies a spiritual commitment, that we who are born again are now free to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

The order of the commission is evangelism, then baptism, then instruction (Matthew 28:18-20). If a church accepts a person’s profession of faith as genuine, there is neither biblical example nor doctrinal reason to delay baptizing that person.