How did you know your kids were ready for baptism?

[Miss Blue]

Two of mine were forced into baptism by their dad and his parents into their very fundamental and strict (we are the only real church) church. Neither of them attend that church since they have grown up.

If a child wants to be baptized that is his decision and should never be forced to do it, talked out of it,or tested to see if he is ready.

Parents should pretty well know the age of accountability of their child, and what he knows about the things Jesus taught. I taught mine that Jesus gave us only one commandment, and showed us how to follow it.

[Vizio]

Originally Posted by Miss Blue

Two of mine were forced into baptism by their dad and his parents into their very fundamental and strict (we are the only real church) church. Neither of them attend that church since they have grown up.

If a child wants to be baptized that is his decision and should never be forced to do it, talked out of it,or tested to see if he is ready.

Parents should pretty well know the age of accountability of their child, and what he knows about the things Jesus taught. I taught mine that Jesus gave us only one commandment, and showed us how to follow it.

Actually...Jesus did command his disciples to go and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all his commands (Matt 28:18-20). So yea--we really should baptize new believers. But if a kid isn't a believer, it's kind of pointless to baptize them.

[OzzyRules]

An extreme fundamentalist will say that their church is the only true denomination.

But any Christian who says that you must believe a certain thing about God in order to be saved is still a fundamentalist. But they should embrace the term if they think that.

So the water baptism to them is an outward sign of an inward change. They want to be accepted by the church, and show that they are not in rebellion. They want to show that they they believe the same thing the church members do.

And they become baptized to prove to themselves, to their church brethren, and to God that they believe the right thing. And that liberates them.

[Julian658]

Originally Posted by Winter01

My two older boys are age 11 and 9. They both have expressed an interest in being baptized. The interesting thing is my 9 year old is more adament about it than my 11 year old. He has always had a very open heart about expressing his love for Christ, understanding God's love and has openly accepted the Lord into his heart. I know with certainty no one is pushing them into being baptized. My worry is whether or not he fully comprehends the signifigance of being baptized-- however I do not believe in turning a child away and dismissing his desire to move forward with this in his life either especially because when I talk with them they seem very clear in their understanding of what it means and how important it is. As a parent I will probably seek the advice and counsel of the youth pastor at our church but am just curious if anyone else has explored this issue with their kids and what you decided? I was baptized as a baby in a different faith and always feel kind of sad that I did not have an understanding of what I was doing and I don't want them to experience these feelings

Please baptize your kids right away!!!!!!!!! Salvation by baptism is a free gift by God that requires no works.

Acts 2:38-39 English Standard Version (ESV)

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Acts 22:16 English Standard Version (ESV)

16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

1 Peter 3:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

John 3:5 English Standard Version (ESV)

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

[Julian658]

Originally Posted by Vizio

But if a kid isn't a believer, it's kind of pointless to baptize them.

I disagree--------Salvation by baptism is a free gift from God and it requires no works. Paradoxically, you are requiring works.

[Julian658]

Originally Posted by Vizio

When my kids approached me and told me they wanted baptized is when I baptized them. I had the discussion with them and I made sure they understood the Gospel, what sin was, what Jesus did on the cross, etc.

Sounds like works!

[Julian658]

Originally Posted by Vizio

That is entirely up to them. I doubt you are....but don't let any Christian tell you that you did anything wrong as a parent by NOT getting them baptized against their wishes.

Fundamentalists do not value baptism! Paradoxically, baptism is a free gift of salvation.