Question to IFBers about children and Salvation.

Yes, I think he could be saved and you should take this event seriously. However, I've never been a big fan of the "Jesus in my heart" verbiage, but God can certainly use it. I would make sure he understands sin, the punishment of sin, how Jesus took the punishment of our sins on the cross and that he rose again, and that if he believes this and wants to be forgiven for his sins, then he'll spend eternity in heaven with Jesus.

 

Also, I don't think it is too early for him to be baptized, if he can give a credible profession of faith. But that is up to your church - some churches think differently on this issue (i.e., that children should be older before they are baptized).

 

I had a conversation with my six year old one night when he was being particularly disobedient. I explained to him that his disobedience was sin and that the wages of sin was death. After this fact had sunk in, he was pretty downcast. I asked him what he was going to do about it and he promised he would do better. So I explained that it didn't matter if he did better, because he already had sinned and he owed that debt. I asked him again what he was going to do and he began to cry and said he didn't know. Then I began to explain to him what Jesus did for us on the cross, and how He took that debt and paid it for us. I had to explain it a couple of times, but then he understood and got a big smile on his face. I think he understands the gospel now and I think he believes. That night a large weight was lifted off of me as well as him

 

When I deal with kids, I try to never rush the conversation. Especially if they are spiritually ignorant. It often takes some time for them to have the Spirit work on them and cause them to comprehend the Gospel.

However, since your son has grown up in a Christian home, it is very possible that he understood it to the point that he was ready to trust Christ in his heart. I would give you this advice, though- never try to tell him that you know he is saved because you remember him praying. He should know that for himself. My parents always told me I was saved at 3 years of age, but I knew I was not when I was growing up. It took me from the time I was eight to when I was fifteen to finally accept Christ in my heart. Once I did, I knew I had. "The Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."

 

It's possible he might be saved. My sibs and I were saved at different ages. One of my brothers was saved when he was 5, while another brother didn't get saved until he was 20. Like Dan, I was told I was saved at 3, but I remembered nothing about it, and it wasn't until I was 17 that I finally got saved (last Dec.).

 

Are you thinking that maybe it is time for him to be baptized?

 

BibleMaMa,

Yes, I would talk with your pastor about it. However, I would personally keep it low key. I do not give recommendations on when a child should be baptized, as I believe that is something that has to be determined on a case-by-case basis with your child. Ideally, he should be able to tell you why he got saved and explain what happened (nothing theological, but enough so that you know that he knows). It is a decision that you should make when you as his parents believe he is ready. As for the pastor's wife dismissing it, she has probably seen a lot of kids who just "prayed a prayer". However, I would never underestimate what God can do in the heart of a young one.

 

BibleMAMA,
Listen to what Andy T said especially, please. It is very important that you understand and your children understand..that salvation does not come through prayer. I don't know how you tell them a person is saved, but I was pastoring my second church before I truly was born again by the power of God through faith (I Peter 1:5). Up until that point I doubted every childhood experience I ever had because I was trusting a prayer.

However our Lord guides you, make sure you make faith in the work of Jesus the faith your children are aquainted with, not faith in a plan or prayer. Having 3 children of my own, I know the turmoil of wondering which of your children "got it". Just know, that God Almighty wants them saved more than you do and is able to use the seeming worthless things we do say and do to win people to Jesus.

Thanks for your time.

 

I think it is a good idea if a kids comes up "wanting to be saved" to see if you can put it off. The night the Lord saved me I wanted only Christ. The devil and the world could have offered me everything but the Holy Spirit had arrested my heart and I was either going to get saved or die trying.

 

BibleMama,

I think you did well! When a child comes up and asks you of his own accord about it, that means he was really thinking about about it on his own. That would be very encouraging to me.

Spoudazo, usually little kids don't have that desperate sort of conviction. They haven't lived a life of "hard" or "deep" sin, they are more open to God's calling. They don't yet know what the devil and the world has to offer.
I would never try to put off a child who is asking how to be saved. I would always tell him how! but not push him into it or try to manipulate him in any way.

 

I undestand what you're saying, good point.

Here is an example about a child and salvation that happened recently in our church.

There is a young kid (probably 2-3rd grade) and he went to the altar on his own. Later on the dad asked him why he went to the altar (in a kind way of course) and he said he was asking the Lord to show him if he was saved or not. Well, about 1-2 weeks later, he came crying walking with him dad down the altar and asked the Lord to save him. You should have seen it, the dad was crying, the son was crying, the mom was crying, and even their oldest son (a freshmen in highschool I think) shouted, which is out of character, but in a good way. It's amazing how the Lord works.

 

Thats a wonderful testimony, Spoudazo.

I guess I was just a little concerned about the part of trying to put the child off....we want them to know we will always answer their questions ya know? especially about salvation.

But there are some wonderful testimonies from smaller children being saved. One of our daughters was 5 when she got saved, and it was right after she had been disciplined. I think if done right the discipline can end up being a very good time for them to feel the guilt of their sin and realize that they need Christ.

 

This is what I do when dealing with anybody, especially kids. If I can convince them to wait and they say okay, they're not ready to surrender to Christ. If I can talk them out of it, they don't want it. You have to be very careful and I wouldn't recommend using this method unless you are comfortable doing so. You must take children seriously, but be cautious. Too many s get saved when they thought they were already saved as children. Then again, I've seen s get saved two or three times and each time, they really meant it. A lot of folks associate salvation with walking the aisle and they remember that time but not surrendering to Christ.

You have to trust that the Lord really does work in people's hearts and deal with everyone as an individual.