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Quick niche thread for credobaptists on baptizing children after a confession of faith.
(Padeobaptist friends, I see that hand... please come find me after the service.)
(Padeobaptist friends, I see that hand... please come find me after the service.)
Context: I'm a Baptist who believes in baptizing children upon a confession of faith regardless of age. I've thought through the question over the years as a pastor's wife, mother, children's SS teacher, & believer baptized at 6yo myself. Here's why:
1. A child's faith should not be evaluated by an adult's faith. A "credible" confession of faith for a 5yo is a confession of faith that shows that he or she as a 5yo is exercising a 5yo-faith in Christ, not 35yo-faith in Christ.
2. When children are kept at arm's length in church community, it's easy for them to get the message that they must earn their inclusion in Christ's family by performance.
3. We can & should disciple children in every stage of life--faith that is living will grow w/ them as it is cultivated. And if faith presents itself as confession & desire for baptism at a young age, that faith must be affirmed.
4. Future crises of faith are not an indication that a person did not "truly believe" when they were young any more than a future illness or broken bone is an indication that a person was not "truly born." (The doctrine of perseverance does not rest on our confession.)
5. Jesus said "Let the little children come to me & do not forbid them."
6. And finally, speaking to pastors out of my experience of raising kids in pastor's family:
HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU EXPECT TO FULFILL THE QUALIFICATION OF HAVING OBEDIENT CHILDREN WITHOUT THE GOSPEL & THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERVENING IN YOUR CHILD'S HEART?
HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU EXPECT TO FULFILL THE QUALIFICATION OF HAVING OBEDIENT CHILDREN WITHOUT THE GOSPEL & THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERVENING IN YOUR CHILD'S HEART?
Forgive the emotion of this last tweet but pastors, please consider the risks involved in
1) withholding baptism from a child despite a confession of faith--even doubting their confession
AND
2) using that same child's behavior to measure your own qualification for ministry
1) withholding baptism from a child despite a confession of faith--even doubting their confession
AND
2) using that same child's behavior to measure your own qualification for ministry
And to all my Presbyterian, Lutheran, Dutch Reformed, Anglican, Methodist, & other paedobaptist friends, I know, I know.
There's no need to say it.
There's no need to say it.
Obviously, these Qs are themselves rooted in larger systematic theology & ecclesiology. But IME, children must have access to the household of God & means of grace. Whatever shape that access takes, it's *essential* that they are welcomed, made safe, & affirmed in their faith.
If we fail to provide them the necessary means of growth or to bring them up in the nurture & admonition of the Lord, that's on us. Not them.
