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
16 comments:
I'm agreed with your saying that they is not specific age to give someone the right to be baptize, but when the person accept Jesus as Lord and Savior then mature enough to understand the gospel and knowing the purpose of baptism shall have the right to do so. This issue have been discussed and debate by many ... but I don't think it's necessary. Agreed?
The issue of Baptism has been discussed by many, hence, i think there must be much tensions that needs to be handled and deal with. It may transcend cultural and doctrinal matter. We got to really discuss over it.
dear jason, i agree to your view based on mark16:16 and that itself is sufficient to say that the believer is matured. GB
Well explained, by the way there are Churches that require the baptism candidate to complete some module of Bible Study before the baptism, what do think about this?
Hi Jason,
I agreed with you that there is no specific age limit stated in the scripture for water baptism. it will be meaningful for those already able to comprehend the meaning of baptism. Afterall, it is not the criteria for salvation. What do you think of some churches setting the age of 12 as the ideal limit? Reasons possible due to Jewish culture stipulating 12 years old as an adult or malaysia recognizing the age as issuing of an identity card?
Dear Jason
I 've' come to know in some church circles that children at the age of 10 and 11 years of age are given water baptism after they said a quick "I accept the Lord as My personal saviour'.They were most likely pressured by their sunday school teachers or sometimes their parents into taking water baptism and they did it to please them.Do you think that such children need to be rebaptized when they come of age.
Hi Eunice,
Yes i think is important for candidate to go through certain module of bible study before the baptism. Candidate who is taking water baptism should go through a basic foundation class, so that candidate can have a biggr picture and know the true meaning of baptism.
God Bless you
Hi Bro Fredde
Yes i have come to know that some churches have minimal age to be accepted for baptism which is 12 years old and above.
I do agree with you that at the age of 12, one may not considered as children but adolescence.
Jean Piaget well known for his work studying children,says that "individual at this age is able to think and reason in a wider perspective"
I am not sure whether it is Jewish Culture or it got to with malaysia recognizing the age as issuing of an identity card but i am more interested that the individual whom can be 12 years old truly understand the meaning repentance and faith in Christ is ready for Baptism.
The church can set age 12 to be ideal limit but then if the individual is not ready to make own personal decision at that age , then the individual is not ready.
Do please share to me your view too? thank you very much.
God bless
Hi Jason,
What should we do to those children who are not ready for the baptism but force by parents?
hi, i think we should not force anyone for baptism.. it is because baptism is not of compulsion but conviction. right Jason?
The issues of forced by parent really need to be consider... if such incident happen, as pastor the parent of the child need to be taught all over about the significant meaning of baptism.
Don't you think so Jason?
Hi Jason,
I am in the same thought that as long as one can fully comprehend fully what the meaning of baptism is all about, he or she is ready for baptism. Therefore, my personal opinion is usally at the age of 12 will be ideal though not necessary in-order to avoid disputes among parents who may argue why certain children can and theirs are not ready. If a church do implement a church age limit the reason is basically for that purpose.
Hi Eunice,
Good question. yes there are parents who force their children for baptism even when the children are not ready.
As pastors and leaders then we should teach or talk to the parents the importance of water baptism.
There are cases where the parents will decide when the children are ready for baptism.
There is where we have to sit and talk with them. who should take baptism, when one should take baptism and help them to understand.
God bless you
Hi Mc,
I agree with you. it is not compulsion but conviction. Then only one who is taking water baptism could understand the true significance of water baptism.
God bless you
Hi Jerome,
Yes i to agree with you, As pastors and leaders we must know how to address and handle this issue.
When you said OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE THEIR OWN PERSONAL DECISION FOR CHRIST. Is this not arbitrarary, how old when a person can make decision is very varied. Is it not for the judgment for the pastor/leasders of the church to encertain a particular person is ready for baptism?
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