StatementontheProperAgetoBaptize
YouthWhoProfessFaithinChrist
Thequestionoftheappropriateagetobaptizeyouthhasbeenhistoricallydebatedamongthose whoholdtoBeliever’sBaptism.Whileweeagerlycelebratethestatedfaithofanychildinthe church,thereisahealthypausethatishistoricallyconsistentwithourBeliever’sBaptism theologicalpositionwhenitcomestobaptizingchildrenoftooyounganage.Thishistorical pauseisrootedinwhatweconsiderahealthytension.Ontheonehand,Jesussays,“Letthelittle childrencometomeanddonothinderthem,fortosuchbelongsthekingdomofheaven” (Matthew19:14).”WewanttohonorthiscommandofChristbyactivelydisciplingchildrenand byremovinganyspiritualbarrierthatmightbeintheirpath.Ontheotherhand,werecognize thatitcanbedifficultwithyoungchildrentodistinguishbetweenarealsavingfaithinChristand simplyadesiretopleaseone’sparents.
Historically,churchesofsimilartheologicalpersuasiontoourown,havewrestledwiththisexact question.Theconceptofthe“AgeofAccountability”hashistoricallyfunctionedasamarkerof theappropriateagetobaptizeyouth.TheAgeofAccountabilityistheagewherebyachildis heldresponsiblefortheirsinbeforeaHolyGod.Thechallengewithutilizingthestandardofthe AgeofAccountabilityasastandardfortheageofbaptismistwo-fold.First,thisdoctrineis inferredbutnotdirectlydescribedinscripture.Itisthereforedifficulttoutilizeitasabasisfor somethingasimportantasBaptism.Second,thephysicalandspiritualmaturityofchildrencan differquitedrasticallyfromchildtochild.TheAgeofAccountabilityisthereforenotnecessarily afixedageforallchildren.
Otherchurches,particularlythoseassociatedwithmoreformalbaptistdenominations,have attemptedtolinkbaptismtomembershipintheChurch.Thegeneralsenseofthisargumentis thatonceapersonisbaptizedtheyaretobeincludedinmembershipalongwithallthebenefits inmembershipincludinganyvotingrightsaswellasrealaccountabilitytoElderoversight. Underthismodeofthinking,fromapracticalstandpointmostchildrenarenotreadyforthehigh responsibilitiesofChurchMembershipyetandthereforetheyarenotyetreadyforbaptism.To thisargumentwesimplysaythatwhileweunderstandthewisdominconnectingbaptismto membership,wedonotseeamandateinscripturefortheconnection,andthereforewedonot believethisisthebestbasistoinformtheproperagetobaptizechildren.
Aftercarefulconsideration,werecommendaholisticandindividualapproachforeachfamily. Holistically,werecognizethatthereiswisdominthedoctrineoftheAgeofAccountability.In someways,thisideaisbakedintothestructureofourSundayexperiencewhereweprovide children’sprogrammingonSundaymorningsforchildrenupthroughfifthgrade.Afterfifth
gradehowever,childrengraduatefromtheSundaychildren’sministryandbeginparticipatingin theSundaygatheringwiththeadults.Whilecertainlyanimperfectmeasurement,weappreciate theideathatifweareentrustingachildwiththementalandspiritualcapacitytoengage alongsidetheadultsinafullSundaygathering,thenweoughtnotpreventthemfromusingthose samementalandspiritualcapacitiestodecidetogetbaptizediftheyandtheirparentsbelieve theyareready.Uponbaptism,youtharealsoinvitedtoparticipateintheLord’sSupper,aregular occurrenceinourSundaygatherings.
Simplygraduatingfromourchildren’sministryisnotevidenceofpreparationforbaptism however.Tothebestofourabilitieswewanttoensurethatallbaptismapplicantshavestateda “credible professionoffaith.”Thisalsoissomewhatsubjective,butbaptismapplicantsoughtto beabletoexpresswithsomelevelofclarity,ataminimumthefollowingfouraspectsoffaith.1) TheirpersonalunderstandingoftheirdepravityandneedofaSavior 2)ThesalvificworkJesus Christhasaccomplishedthroughhisdeathandresurrection.3)Theirpersonaldecisiontoreceive thefreeofferofChrist’sgracebyfaith.4)ThecommitmenttoliveobedientlytoChrist’s commands.Further,evenamongyouth,abaptismapplicant’slifeoughttovisiblydemonstrate evidenceoftheHolySpiritilluminating,convicting,andsanctifying.
Inshort,wesuggestthattheminimumageachildshouldbeconsideredforbaptismisaroundthe fifthgrademarker,nineyearsoldearliest.Whilesomechildrenmayindeedbereadyforthe commitmentofbaptismatthatage,othersmaynot.Itistheparentsthatwillhavetheclosesteye andbestdiscernmentoftheirownchild’sspiritualmaturityandwhethertheirprofessionoffaith iscredible.Historically,itisbetweentheagesoftentofifteenthatthemajorityofChristian parentshavediscoveredevidencethattheirchildhasmadea credible professionoffaith.
Inordertobestprepareallbaptismapplicants,bothyoungandold,forthestepofbaptism,we requireallapplicantstofulfillthefollowingstepspriortotheirbaptism.
1. Class:Attendandparticipateinthebaptismclass
2. Interview:CompleteaninterviewwithanEldertodiscernone’s“credibleprofessionof faith.”
3. FoundationsCourse:CompletetheNewCityCatechismCurriculuminwhichbaptism participantsareconnectedwithdisciplersinthecongregationtospend4-5sessions togetherstudyingtheNewCityCatechisminordertolayasolidtheologicalfoundation forlife.Thiscanbedonebeforeorafterbaptism.