Is your child dead enough to be buried? 4:17). 119:15-16)? I know a cookie-cutter answer will not satisfy every situation, but I still want to provide as clear of an answer as I can. Why baptize your child if you do go to church? To sin is to offend God (Gen. 39:9; Lev. How Soon Should Your Child Be Baptized? 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. But this is simply my opinion. Anyway your child can and should be baptized even though your not. The Rev. With this in mind, here are a couple of takeaways. Is it apparent to you as a parent that your child’s interest has piqued about spiritual matters? 2:12-16). Did that toddler sin? A noticeable increase in determination to obey parents. 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). Is your child ready to be crucified with Christ, taking on His identity (Gal. For example, Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 51:4). Msgr. Why do you think it’s important to be baptized?” Trevan wasn’t sure. 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). 3:2; 4:17). The adult is culpable; the toddler is not. When we’re baptized, we make covenants, or promises, with Heavenly Father.” I was baptized as a young child but don’t remember anything I said or was thinking. Some children find it easier to submit to their parents than other children just by virtue of their personality. 7 Reasons to Get Your Baby Baptized Your child will officially be a Child of God. You’ll Get Insight into What You Want for Your Child. Did this adult sin? When you’re ready to begin, walk into the water first and have the person being baptized follow you. In fact, when inspired preachers taught the gospel to lost people, they preached the “kingdom” to people (Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). 25:41-46; Heb. Hello, I am 16 years old and I have been going to church on my own for awhile. 16:18-19)? But is your child now old enough to understand the significance of this Biblical command? Do you fully understand that you are commanded to repent and believe (Mark 1:15), and now declare publically that you have repented of your sins? Everybody's is different, but hey, it makes the world go round. Only God knows the heart (1 Sam. But has that love grown into something meaningful? One of the things I always do as we get started is ask the parents: "why do you want to have your baby baptized?" If you have fully understood these biblical facts and accept them as true, then it is my great pleasure to baptize you into the name of the Father, into the name of the Son, and into the name of the Holy Spirit, amen. If we are not careful, we can betray a lack of understanding when we announce that “[Insert Name] was baptized.” Perhaps we should instead say that “[Insert Name] was converted.” Baptism is meaningless by itself – apart from faith, repentance, and the renewed life that is to follow. No matter what, the first reaction should not be one of surprise. I've accepted Christ many years ago, and I've gotten to where I feel the need to be baptized and show it. 6:2; Psa. 10:4; cf. First, a child must believe the same things that an adult must believe to be saved. A child is still trying to figure out the parameters of behavior, and the consequences that come with choices that are made. Aside from corrective punishment in the home, does your child feel genuine regret and sadness for sin? The role of the Holy Spirit, however, is to convict the human heart of sin (John 16:7-15). Do not tell your child all the answers at this moment. Thus, every child in a Christian home knows they are supposed to love Jesus. King. These kinds of behaviors demonstrate a sincere desire—independent of any parental influence—to know the truth of God’s word better. 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. 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. The peace of mind has displaced all doubt. Family Newsletter You will receive blog posts and updates on the newest family resources. Having a child baptized is a very spiritual journey that takes place at the beginning of a child's life. Perhaps we can never know perfectly when a child is ready. 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. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise)” (Eph. You must be old enough to seek forgiveness. Some parents may think the only important follow-up question is, “Do you love Jesus?” But is this all a child needs to be able to answer? An answer I’ve heard frequently is because they love Jesus. The fundamental point is not whether a child is ready to be baptized, but is she/he ready to begin a new life? 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? 3. 1. My doubt was very real concerning my baptism. In Matthew 3:16 , we learn about the time when Jesus Himself was baptized before He started His ministry on earth. Your child doesn’t need to know these big words, but it is essential to have a basic grasp on these concepts before obeying the gospel. If the answer is “I don’t know”, “because all my friends are”, “because I want to take communion” or “because my teacher said to” then the child is probably not making this decision with proper motives. Or maybe you’re just wondering if you … Does your child confess a lie—before being caught—for no other reason than a hurting conscience before God? 1 Cor. So that is not an option. 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. In other words, Jesus expects all people who have the ability to grasp what He says to obey His words. That seems like a good way to open up the discussion, and it does cut to the chase about why we're meeting in the first place. How does your child react to discipline? Call the church office and ask to speak with the pastor about having the child baptized, if your faith baptizes children -- some denominations do … We wish to baptize her in the parish, but our priest is refusing to do that, since our marriage was not sacramented [sic] in any church. The ability to account for one’s actions necessitates a degree of mental capacity to understand what one is doing. The Lord says to children, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Baptism is going public with your faith and you get to announce something powerful with a profound action. Perhaps there is some middle ground to this sensitive question. After we have established a proper understanding of baptism, we can see that there are two extremes to be avoided. To ensure your child is experiencing a true conversion, he/she should feel the weight of sin and come to terms with God’s wrath toward sin. 2:10). September 10, 2020 9:00 am September 10, 2020. How many children have been crushed by a seemingly dismissive attitude by a parent or other adult toward this question? In order to have a "good conscience" (I Peter 3:21), I was baptized (again) a few weeks ago (first time was 1997). Of course, this is just as much directed to parents as it is to children. They believe the child should wait until he or she can understand fully what it means to join the church. Protestant Faiths. The parent or church leader is so careful not to baptize a child who isn’t ready that little attention is given to the child’s tender, sensitive heart. 5. Is your child ready to assume citizenship of the kingdom, submitting to King Jesus in everything? The children of Christian parents should grow up being acquainted with Bible stories and teachings (2 Tim. In my judgment, I do not believe so. On the one hand, it would be a mistake to go ahead and baptize the child without asking some serious questions. On the other hand, we do not want to squelch the genuine desire of a mature child longing for Christ. Maybe you’re a “Laura.” You’re a Christian who has decided not to be baptized. Children should be baptized as a child so their soul does not perish in purgatory if they do die. 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. I can say that I was baptized and converted, and I understood the commitment I was making. Thank you for your careful consideration of this important decision. It involves more than just a tender little heart who tells mom he wants to “get baptized,” like others are doing. Does your child now feel genuine affection for Jesus because of what He has done for us because of our sin? My husband and I were both raised Catholic but we don't go to church anymore. Your child will receive the Baptismal grace and freed from original sin. We want our children to be baptized but often, especially at church relayed youth camps, emotional pressure is put upon them to be baptized. Someone must understand at least something about that kingdom before being baptized. In fact, this is the main difference between John’s baptism and the baptism of the New Covenant. Those on the day of Pentecost were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37). Does your child share the attitude of David, who wrote, “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways; I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (Psa. For someone to be guilty of sin, it must be committed by someone who is culpable. This implication is found throughout Scripture. A growing love for Jesus and a working understanding of His blood & atoning sacrifice. 2:17)? A solid grasp of the seriousness of sin. If you can answer yes to all three, then it might be time to celebrate the obedience of baptism with your local church. First, it is important that we understand what baptism is. “Baptism is so important that Jesus was baptized, even though He never sinned. One main problem with this extreme is that we risk producing an adult that can never be sure whether he/she underwent a true biblical baptism, and thus may struggle later with having a “pure conscience” (1 Pet. Was this the only qualification on the Day of Pentecost? God takes one’s knowledge and capacity to understand into account (Luke 12:47-48). What must it do to a child when—upon working up the courage to do what he/she thinks is right—an adult brushes the question aside and quickly downplays what the child believes is important? I suspect that the problem is more that your parents don't truly believe that this is important to you. 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 ). Is your child asking Bible questions, indicating that he/she has been thinking seriously about spiritual truths? Parents are to instill this virtue into their children long before their children become old enough to understand this divine imperative. A basic, rudimentary concept of the kingdom of Christ. A child can feel “convicted” of wrongdoing without being ashamed and heartbroken over sin. Baptism is only the commencement of a converted life – it is only a step in the process of conversion. While you see yourself stuck at the moment, you won't be 14 forever. All that is required for an infant to be baptized is that there be “a well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic religion” (868). How to solve: Why do babies get baptized? On the Day of Pentecost, Peter’s sermon was an invitation to the kingdom of God. My wife and I were both born and raised in the Catholic faith. I want them to hear clearly from God’s Word, ... I’d like to have you help me in this process, so here are some questions you can answer in the comment sections below. 16:7; John 2:24; Acts 1:24). Baptism is a commitment. Grooming Your Next Elders/Selecting A Preacher (DVD), GIFTS (Girls In Fellowship & Team Study) EBOOK, The Spiritual Sword Quarterly Index 1969-2016 (Excel Spreadsheet Download Only), It’s There in Black and White (Now Available), How Social Distancing Can Lead to Vibrant Spiritual Growth. In the Old Testament, God considered a person able to discern right from wrong at 20 years old. They often do what they are told, believe what they are taught, and say what they are told to say. They allow me to go to church, they've bought me a bible, and they know about when I got saved. Reading Time: 7 minutes Many Christian parents of young children wrestle with how to answer this question. William J. In contrast, Christianity is about a present kingdom (cf. A heightened desire to know the truth of Scripture. If you want to talk with someone in person, please feel free to call: 917-439-2305. 6. God Will Use Your Story. Does your child understand that only the substitutionary death of a sinless God-man could permanently atone for sin (Heb. 4:8), there is first a certain level of maturity or accountability one must reach. She and I were both baptized as infants/toddlers, as is common in the Catholic world. 5. But eventually, you should notice your child trying to understand the truth of the Bible apart from your own prodding. Many years later, I see God’s plan for baptism laced throughout the Bible, specifically in the Gospels and the book of Acts. I found myself facing this problem. Yes, most definitely. 10:31)? Then be baptized. 9:25-26)? Many Christian parents of young children wrestle with how to answer this question. Baptism does not save us or wash away our sins. Related Questions. What will repentance look like? “The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth. Some religions do not believe in baptizing infants and very young children. “To be obedient?” “Right!” said Sister Kemp. 3:21). I just didn’t have enough biblical knowledge to understand why at the time. The thing is, my parents are atheists. … because Jesus was baptized and wants us to baptize others. A child who cannot truly understand this commitment is not ready. Can your child fathom not only the joy of heaven but also the fearful expectation of hell (Matt. 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? God will find a way to help you. 15:27-28; Heb. She held up a picture of Jesus. 2. Does your child know that Christ is the Lord and King of His kingdom (1 Cor. [Opinions needed] If baptized as a child, should I still seek baptism as an adult? Does your child understand why the blood of Jesus was necessary (Heb. Baptism is a burial (Rom. For parents who are expecting a child , infant baptism should be one of the first things they plan for after the baby’s birth—and that means preparing for baptism … Does your child understand how serious it is to sin against an infinitely holy and just God? We would like to get our baby girl baptized but don't know where to go to get her baptized. Does your child know what it means to love Jesus? 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. Although this is true, some kids will not understand the depth of their sin or their need for a Savior but know that they want to love Jesus so they ask to be baptized. 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