Here’s some thinking out loud about children and baptism. I’m yet to come to any strong convictions on this subject.
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Putting aside the HOT topic of infant baptism, there is another question that needs to be considered in the area of baptism and children.
At what age is it appropriate for children to get baptised?
Particularly thinking about Christian children who were not baptised as a baby and children from non-Christian families who have become Christians.
What does the Bible say about this issue?
1. Believers should be baptised.
- It is a direct command by Jesus (cf. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38).
- To not be baptised is to be a disobedient Christian.
- Paul in Romans 6 assumes the baptism of believers.
- In Acts the baptism of believers is universal.
2. No numerical age is given as to what age believers should be baptised.
3. The requirement for baptism is saving faith.
- We are called to repent and believe.
- There is no reason to think that children cannot be converted. God can save children and he does save children.
- Baptism is an ‘outward sign of an inward reality’.
4. There are examples of people believing and being baptised immediately
This point raises some questions:
- Is baptism immediately after repentance and belief a pattern that should always be followed?
- If yes, why is it that we don’t baptise new believers immediately? Why do we have baptismal preparation classes?
- Is baptism immediately after repentance and belief something that is appropriate for times of great revival like Acts when 3000 became followers in one day?
- What about the cases of people getting baptised who stop following Jesus? Is that a reason to wait until evidence of saving faith is clearly shown?
5. Unlike communion, no warnings are given against baptising people.
Are there any reasons not to baptise children?
The Bible does not give a precise age at which we should baptise children. Some churches suggest waiting until they are 11 years old before the child gets baptised, others 14 years old, although that does not mean they won’t baptise them younger.
What are some possible reasons for not baptising children and the reason for baptising children?
Possible reasons for not baptising children:
1. Even though children can become Christians at a very young age, they are unlikely to understand the significance of baptism until they are older. It could be better to wait until they are of an age where they can understand the significance of what they are doing.
2. Childhood memories are often very fuzzy. It could be better to wait until they are of an age where they will be able to remember the experience more fully.
3. Making a child wait to be baptised might cause them to look forward to following Jesus through this act of obedience more than letting them doing straight away. The anticipation could add meaning and significance to the event.
4. By the age of 11, they would have been through the kid’s work at the church, (and would hopefully have had 11 years of being brought up to know what it means to follow Jesus in the home), and should have good understanding of the gospel and what it means to follow Jesus (counting the cost!).
5. It could be better to wait until they are of an age where they have left the immaturity of childhood behind, and are mature enough to have ‘counted the cost’ of what this commitment is about.
6. Children might want to get baptised in order to please their parents, kid’s leaders, friends.
7. It may harm them in the future if they get baptised and then fall away.
8. Is it a bad witness for the gospel for someone to get baptised and then go back on that profession? This applies to adults as well. But with children the charge can be made that they were rushed into it or they go baptised when they were too young and did not really understand fully what they were doing.
Other issues to consider…
1. Do we deal with children with Christian parents differently to those with non-Christian parents? I think the answer is yes. If it is going to cause a problem baptising their child (which may put the parents off the gospel further) it is probably best that we don’t baptise them until they are older. Also non-Christian parents will not encourage their children to live out the commitment to Jesus their child has made, like Christian parents would.
2. If we baptise a child do we expect that they would then take part in the Lord’s Supper? Become a member of the church in the same way as adults? A factor to consider here is the warnings given in the Bible about taking part in the Lord’s Supper.
3. Is there a difference between infant baptism and baptising children? Yes, baptising children in this instance is in response to a profession of faith by the child.
4. When baptising children (say under 11 or under 14 years old), should there also be a commitment made by their parents at the same time where they commit to helping their children live out the commitment to Jesus they have made?
