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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& #39;m a Baptist who believes in baptizing children upon a confession of faith regardless of age. I& #39;ve thought through the question over the years as a pastor& #39;s wife, mother, children& #39;s SS teacher, & believer baptized at 6yo myself. Here& #39;s why:
1. A child& #39;s faith should not be evaluated by an adult& #39;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& #39;s length in church community, it& #39;s easy for them to get the message that they must earn their inclusion in Christ& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;s no need to say it.
There& #39;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& #39;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& #39;s on us. Not them.
