WHAT IS THE MINIMAL ACCEPTABLE AGE FOR A PERSON TO BE ACCEPTED FOR BAPTISM?

There is no where in the Bible states or even give a specific answer of “ What is the minimal acceptable age for a person to be accepted for Baptism?”, but the Bible gives a clear picture that according to Mark 16:16 “ He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”

Those who have repented placed their personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who have made their own choice to be His disciple and follow Him should be baptized. There is no specific age for one to be baptized. Obviously, then, those who being baptized should be OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE THEIR OWN PERSONAL DECISION FOR CHRIST. The word “old” does not mean that person is 50 or 60 years old but the person can be 10 or 11 years old, knows his right and wrong and makes a personal decision to accept Christ as his Lord and savior.

The bible gives us example that only those who repented and believe and accepted Christ were Baptized. Here are few biblical examples:

• The Samaritans were baptized in water “….. when they believed” (Acts 8:12)
• The Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized immediately after he believed in Christ ( Acts 8:35-38)
  
• Saul of Tarsus( Apostle Paul) was immediately baptized ( Acts 9:17-18)
  
• Cornelius and his company were baptized immediately after they believed ( Acts 10:48)
  
• The jailer and his household were baptized the same night they believed in Christ ( Acts 16:30-34)
  

God Bless You

WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHURCH? BODY OF CHRIST?

The Greek word most frequently translated “Church” in the New Testament is “Ecclesia”. The Latin equivalent of this is “Ex-Calleo” meaning to “Call Out”. So a church is a company of people who have been called by God, out of the world system and into relationship and the simplest definition of a church can be “ A company of like minded believers who meet together in Christ’s name, to worship God, to edify one another and to Endeavour to bring others into the kingdom of God”.

Perhaps the most extended image of he church is it’s representation as the body of Christ. Louis Berkhof the author of the book “ Systematic Theology” says that “ some apparently regard this image as virtually a complete definition of the church. This image emphasizes that the church is the locus of Christ’s activity now just as was his physical body during his earthly ministry. The image is used both of the church universal and of individual local congregations. Ephesians 1:22-23 “ And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way”. Paul statement to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 12:27 “ Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part”

Christ is the head of this body. ( Colossians1:18). As the head of the body, he also rules the Church. He is the head over every power and authority. Christ is the Lord of the church. The image of the body also speaks of the interconnectedness between all the person’s who make up the church. The body is to be characterized by genuine fellowship. The body of Christ, the church is the extension of his ministry.

God bless you