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How young is to young for baptism?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Keith Mullins, Apr 14, 2024.

  1. Keith Mullins

    Keith Mullins Member

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    What are your thoughts on baptizing youth? Do you have a minimum age requirement, base it on a personal interview with the youngster to determine if they understand? Are there any scriptures to provide guidance?
     
  2. Marooncat79

    Marooncat79 Well-Known Member
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    No age requirements

    certainly 5 to at least 14 or 15 is too young
     
  3. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    The good news is that baptism isn’t necessary for salvation.

    I had a lady, in her 80’s, in our church that wanted her 5 year old autistic grandson baptized before she passed.

    I wasn’t comfortable with it and didn’t do it.

    My concern was giving the child, or others, a false hope of salvation when there was really no evidence of Holy Spirit involvement.

    I would consider each case independently, but I would certainly observe who wanted the baptism the most… the child?, the parents?, the grandparents?

    Peace to you
     
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  4. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    Simple.
    Not yet a born again believer are too young for believer's baptism.
     
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  5. Keith Mullins

    Keith Mullins Member

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    Absolutely true. When an 8 year old says they are born again, do you take them at their word. They may know all the right words but do they understand?
     
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  6. Keith Mullins

    Keith Mullins Member

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    Giving a false sense of salvation is my concern. I have witnessed teens come to Christ when their parents say they were saved as a child. The teens knew they were not.

    Young people have a strong desire to please others and be part of the crowd.
     
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  7. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    Yes, very true.

    How many times have we heard someone testify they were saved as a child, then fell away as a teen and then in their 20’s or 30’s want to “rededicate” their lives to Christ?

    My question to them is, “when were you ever dedicated to Christ”?

    You get some strange looks with that question

    peace to you
     
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  8. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Charles Spurgeon:

    https://www.spurgeongems.org/vols7-9/chs381.pdf

    “We do not contend for the baptism of adults; we contend for the baptism of believers. Show us a child however young, who believes in Christ, and we gladly accept him”
     
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  9. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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  10. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    Spurgeon had classes that professing believers attended prior to baptism (if memory serves)

    He proclaimed Christ crucified for sins in every sermon and urged all to come to Christ for salvation, even children.

    He very clearly states he would baptize a child (not an infant) if the child gave a credible profession of faith.

    I would expect he would hold all professing believers to a similar or identical standard when articulating that belief and request for baptism

    peace to you
     
    #10 canadyjd, Apr 15, 2024
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2024
  11. Keith Mullins

    Keith Mullins Member

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    We have a 2 year old at our church that will tell you he believes in Christ. Would you baptize him?
     
  12. tyndale1946

    tyndale1946 Well-Known Member
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    What do you do about a person with disability, they can't read the Bible, they listen to the sermon, they are loving and the only thing they can say is I love the Lord... If it was up to me I would baptize, that individual in a heartbeat... They already belong to the Lord, they were baptized by the Holy Spirit... Water baptism is a public declaration of who they belong to Jesus Christ... Brother Glen:)
     
  13. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    #13 37818, Apr 15, 2024
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2024
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