John’s baptism was preparatory to the coming kingdom (Matt. 3:21). Perhaps we can never know perfectly when a child is ready. It is likely that you will convince your child that there is no need to be baptized yet. Thank you for your careful consideration of this important decision. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter’s sermon was an invitation to the kingdom of God. Is your child dead enough to be buried? Baptism is a burial (Rom. The peace of mind has displaced all doubt. If you embrace the Biblical concept that we all must choose Christ for ourselves, then you recognize that there are times when a child is not ready to be baptized. Anyway your child can and should be baptized even though your not. So, you might still be wondering—why should I get baptized? Does your child understand that only the substitutionary death of a sinless God-man could permanently atone for sin (Heb. The role of the Holy Spirit, however, is to convict the human heart of sin (John 16:7-15). So that is not an option. She held up a picture of Jesus. Can your child fathom not only the joy of heaven but also the fearful expectation of hell (Matt. Is your child ready to assume citizenship of the kingdom, submitting to King Jesus in everything? For someone to be guilty of sin, it must be committed by someone who is culpable. How does your child respond when he/she disagrees with your decision? Children, by their innocent nature, want to please you. On the other hand, we do not want to squelch the genuine desire of a mature child longing for Christ. Many years later, I see God’s plan for baptism laced throughout the Bible, specifically in the Gospels and the book of Acts. Some children find it easier to submit to their parents than other children just by virtue of their personality. In order to have a "good conscience" (I Peter 3:21), I was baptized (again) a few weeks ago (first time was 1997). 4:8), there is first a certain level of maturity or accountability one must reach. This implication is found throughout Scripture. If one is not old enough to appreciate (on at least a basic level) the gravity of sin, then he/she is not old enough to obey the gospel (the remedy of sin). Tell your child that God does not send any young person to hell or expect him or her to be baptized until he or she is able to understand more fully the answers to some of the questions that you have discussed. We should be profoundly grateful that our children have been paying attention and desire to respond to what they have been learning in a positive manner. I looked into my local Catholic church but you have to be a member and have registered your baby to be baptized when you are 6 months pregnant. 25:41-46; Heb. When you’re ready to begin, walk into the water first and have the person being baptized follow you. In fact, this is the main difference between John’s baptism and the baptism of the New Covenant. An excellent examination of the question. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise)” (Eph. Those on the day of Pentecost were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37). 3:17). God Will Use Your Story. 4. Family Newsletter You will receive blog posts and updates on the newest family resources. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). They often do what they are told, believe what they are taught, and say what they are told to say. Even if culpability is determined, no one is ready to obey the gospel if he or she doesn’t first have a love for the truth (cf. Or maybe you’re just wondering if you … If a child is expressing a desire to be baptized then this is a sign that we have been doing our job to create an environment whereby our child is encouraged to obey the Lord. A basic, rudimentary concept of the kingdom of Christ. The adult is culpable; the toddler is not. Q: I am a Catholic who was married in a Hindu ceremony, and now we have a baby girl. We know that you’ve already given some serious thought to your parenting goals, styles, and what you’d like for your child’s future. A heightened desire to know the truth of Scripture. 16:18-19)? A child—perhaps somewhere between 5 and 15 years of age—says to you, “I want to be baptized!” How are we supposed to respond? On the one hand, it would be a mistake to go ahead and baptize the child without asking some serious questions. Evidently, it was important to early preachers that the audience knew something about the kingdom—the domain and rule of Christ—before administering baptism. The Lord says to children, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. As Peter stated in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Having a child baptized is a very spiritual journey that takes place at the beginning of a child's life. The thing is, my parents are atheists. We would like to get our baby girl baptized but don't know where to go to get her baptized. Baptism does not save us or wash away our sins. But this is simply my opinion. Rom. Does your child understand that the kingdom is the realm of the saved (Col. 1:13)? The reason why this question is important is because, as a Christian, God requires faithfulness in the legitimate roles and stations of life in which we all find ourselves (1 Cor.4:2; 7:17ff). 2:12-16). I've accepted Christ many years ago, and I've gotten to where I feel the need to be baptized and show it. They allow me to go to church, they've bought me a bible, and they know about when I got saved. When you explain infant baptism in the context of original sin and sacramental baptism—of being born into a state of original sin and being born again into a state of grace—you make a very powerful argument on behalf of the Church’s teachings in this area. How many children have been crushed by a seemingly dismissive attitude by a parent or other adult toward this question? And if the baptized child chooses to join a different religion, so be it that is their choice. 9:25-26)? Ask your child questions related to what we have discussed. The ability to account for one’s actions necessitates a degree of mental capacity to understand what one is doing. Did this adult sin? There is no getting around the fact that some people do not have this ability yet, and thus are not accountable to these words. Kids see their friends get baptized, and ask why they do that. If your child says something hurtful to a sibling or friend, does he/she apologize without being told to do so? By signing up, you'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your homework questions. For the promise is for you and for your children except, of course, the baby ones and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” ( Acts 2:38-39 ). 1 Cor. Someone must understand at least something about that kingdom before being baptized. Does your child understand why Jesus needed to make propitiation for our sins (Heb. You’ll Get Insight into What You Want for Your Child. Make every effort you can, learn as much as you can. The children of Christian parents should grow up being acquainted with Bible stories and teachings (2 Tim. Now, consider an accountable adult who commits acts that are known to be wrong (as God defines sin in the Scriptures; as wrong is determined by conscience; Rom. Does this describe your child? In other words, Jesus expects all people who have the ability to grasp what He says to obey His words. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” We are forgiven for our sins through repentance, and this cleansing is best illustrated through the symbolism of baptism. Many Christian parents of young children wrestle with how to answer this question. They believe the child should wait until he or she can understand fully what it means to join the church. … because Jesus was baptized and wants us to baptize others. One of the things I always do as we get started is ask the parents: "why do you want to have your baby baptized?" At the age of nine, however, my parents converted to Pentecostalism. Is your child asking Bible questions, indicating that he/she has been thinking seriously about spiritual truths? 4:20; Col. 1:13; Acts 28:23, 31). You’ll also want to make sure that you as well as the person you’re baptizing are wearing dark, tight-fitting clothing that won’t be revealing when wet. Baptism is a commitment. And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you except your babies in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Only God knows the heart (1 Sam. 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