Evangelizing & Baptizing Children (2011)
The elders and people of Randolph Street Church love children. We have invested much to insure they are properly loved, led, protected and nurtured in our Church environment. While we believe a child’s first place of discipleship is in his home watching his father and mother (Deuteronomy 6; Ephesians 6), we rejoice over the many opportunities our children have to be exposed to the Scriptures and to godly examples at our Church gatherings.
The task of continually exposing a child to the gospel can be challenging. It involves much dedication, discernment and patience.
GOOD QUESTIONS
Several common questions include:
- How is the gospel presented to children in their classes?
- How should I (as a parent or teacher) present the gospel to my children?
- Do I press them to make a decision or pray a prayer?
- How should I respond when they claim to have made a decision for Christ?
CONCERNS ON EVERYONE’S MIND
In the end, these questions come down to two real concerns on the minds of those who minister to children: no one wants to give a child false assurance of his salvation, nor does anyone want to discourage a child if he has truly turned and trusted Christ as his Savior and Lord.
WHAT WE TRY TO AVOID
We believe it is best to begin by identifying what we do not encourage at Randolph Street Church:
1) Oversimplifying the Gospel
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). This is true of anyone who has ever been regenerated during any era, at any age. The only message that can save anyone from their sin is the good news that the living God, who demands perfection of all mankind, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to live a sinless life, to suffer and die on the cross as a substitute for our sins (absorbing the judgment we rightfully deserve), to rise again, to ascend back into heaven, and to grant forgiveness, righteousness, His Spirit and eternal life at the moment anyone repents and believes. While the gospel is worded and summarized differently in various biblical texts, reducing the gospel to “asking Jesus into your heart” is eternally damaging to a child’s soul. In the classic biblical passage on teaching children, God insists that adults should strive to be thorough, not conveniently simplistic (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
2) Reducing the Gospel to Praying a Prayer
It is true that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). However, it is also true that most children, especially smaller ones, crave the acceptance of their leaders and parents and will follow them in any spiritual exercise they think might bring them favor. As John MacArthur has written, “Children will almost always respond in whatever way parents ask–not at all guaranteeing real acts of faith in Christ.”
At Randolph Street Church we encourage parents and teachers to continually teach their children the gospel and to faithfully pray for them, keeping in mind that God is the One who saves. In the context of Romans 10, genuine faith in Christ will bring out a sincere confession of faith from the child as God has opened His heart to faith.
Because of this, we do not give formal invitations at the end of our children’s classes. Instead, we encourage our teachers to remind children to inform their parents of what God is doing in their hearts. We remind our parents to have trusting relationships with their children that these matters can be continually and openly discussed.
3) Giving False Assurance
Jesus was very clear–a large group of people will stand at the final judgment thinking they will be permitted access to heaven, but will instead be cast out of God’s presence forever (Matthew 7:21-23). It seems likely that many of these people fill the seats of Christian Churches and religious institutions, yet, have no evident love for Christ or others. At the final judgment, pointing back to a “date & time” when one had a religious experience will be meaningless.
At Randolph Street Church we do not want to contribute to this tragedy by continually assuring our children that they have been converted simply because of a date written in their Bibles or an experience we observed. We continually point our children to what the Scriptures teach about sin, God’s righteousness, judgment to come, and the beautiful gift granted to those who repent and believe in Christ. We believe it is the Spirit’s job to give assurance of salvation (Romans 8:15-16).
As Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church, people of all ages should be encouraged to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Each local Church also has the responsibility to prove the spiritual nature of men and movements (1 Timothy 3:15).
Such truth may be practically explained to a child with an encouragement similar to the following, “I am so glad you love the gospel. I’m thrilled that you say you trust in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life. Yet, please know that I alone cannot give you assurance of your salvation. Only God can do that. He will often do that through the evidences you display among your Church family. Let me encourage you to continually read through the Gospel of John and/or the First Epistle of John. Perhaps we can read through these books together. Let’s allow the Scriptures and the Spirit of God speak for themselves. God has evidently placed you in this Church family for us to observe your life and encourage you in your faith.”
4) Holding a Person to a Childhood Decision
Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA does well to summarize the nature of children:
“Scripture indicates that children tend to be immature (1 Cor. 13:11; 14:20), naive (Prov. 1:4), foolish (Prov. 22:15), capricious (Isaiah 3:4), inconsistent and fickle (Matt. 11:16–17), and unstable and easily deceived (Eph. 4:14). Children often think they have understood the ramifications of a given commitment when they have not. Their judgment is shallow and their ability to see the implications of their decisions is very weak. Despite the best of intentions, they seldom have the ability to think far beyond today, nor do they perceive the extent to which their choices will affect tomorrow. This makes children more vulnerable to self-deception, and it makes it more difficult for a parent to discern God’s saving work in their hearts.”
Parents and teachers should celebrate the evidences of real salvation in the lives of their children only when they are confident the child understands the gospel, trust in it, and shows the genuine evidence of true salvation–commitment to Christ, obedience to the Scriptures, and love for others.
We believe it equally unwise to remind a straying child or teen of a “decision” he made as a little child. Such reminders can sometimes be mistaken as emotional weapons (intended to somehow aggravate the older child or teen into a more acceptable lifestyle) or as false assurances giving the person a license to live however he desires. A misunderstanding of persevering faith could lead one to believe that he is permitted to live in continual sin as long as he has his “ticket” to heaven. It could also prohibit him from thinking he has the freedom to to express genuine doubt as the Lord brings the gospel to bear later in his life.
5) Baptizing Prematurely
Baptism is a most significant moment in the life of a disciple of Jesus as it is the public confession of one's identity with Christ and our participation in the blessings of the New Covenant.
While the Scriptures are clear that believers in Christ are to be baptized (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38), the age at which a believer is to be baptized is not directly addressed in Scripture. We do not currently have a “set age” at which one should be permitted baptism and we encourage parents not to rush this ordinance in the case of a child.
The statement of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA is as follows:
“As previously stated, it is extremely difficult to recognize genuine salvation in children. Rather than rushing them into baptism after an initial profession, then, it is wiser to take the ongoing opportunity to interact with them and wait for more significant evidence of lasting commitment. Even if a child can say enough in a testimony to make it reasonably clear that he understands and embraces the gospel, baptism should wait until he manifests evidence of regeneration that is independent of parental control.”
The philosophy of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. states,
“We believe that the normal age of baptism should be when the credibility of one’s conversion becomes naturally evident to the church community. This would normally be when the child has matured, and is beginning to live more self-consciously as an individual, making their own choices, having left the God-given, intended child-like dependence on their parents for the God-given, intended mature wisdom which marks one who has felt the tug of the world, the flesh and the devil, but has decided, despite these allurements, to follow Christ. While it is difficult to set a certain number of years which are required for baptism, it is appropriate to consider the candidate’s maturity…
Nothing in this statement should be construed as casting doubt about the legitimacy of the baptism of any among us, regardless of how young they were when they were baptized. Because they have continued in the faith into their adult years we assume the legitimacy of their initial profession made at baptism. The question we are concerned with here is looking forward, not backward. To put it another way, we are raising the question about how many people have been baptized at this church in the past as younger people and children who went on to give no evidence of ever having been savingly converted, and what damage was done to them, and to the witness of the gospel through the church’s premature baptism of them. It is our judgment that while there is some danger of discouragement on the part of those children who do give some good evidence of being converted and yet are not baptized and welcomed into communicant membership in the church, through good teaching in the home, and through the loving inclusion of the families in the church as we currently do, that danger is small. There is, however, we believe, a greater danger of deception on the part of many who could be wrongly baptized at an age in which people are more liable to make decisions which are sincere, but ill-founded and too often short-lived.”
We also try to keep this philosophy in balance with the events of Acts 16. After the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" they responded, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (16:30-31). Verses 32-34 continue, "And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household." While we do not know the ages of those in the jailer's household, children seem to be implied.
At Randolph Street Church we discuss each instance of older child/teen baptism with the parents. We encourage children to wait and be baptized when they are old enough to clearly display the fruits of salvation on their own: love for the Scriptures, obedience to them, and a continual love for others. The Apostle Paul insisted that the Church at Corinth be able to think like adults (1 Corinthians 14:19-20).
If we are going to hold a child to public Church accountability and discipline (Matthew 18; 1 Corinthians 5), we believe it only proper to wait until that child/young adult reaches an age where he is mature enough to be held accountable to such, beyond the discipline he is receiving privately at home. While a young child can certainly trust Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord, we like to wait until each child can fully understand the implications of his commitment to Christ and the significance of baptism.
We also try to keep the consensus of the global Church in mind. While it is not often discussed in American evangelical circles, Dr. Mark Dever (Senior Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church) reminds us that the practice of baptizing pre-teenage children is a recent phenomenon (early 20th century) and is primarily limited to the United States (and areas where United States Christianity has exercised great influence). For centuries, Baptists in the past were known for waiting to baptize until the believers were adults. Baptistic Christians worldwide are much more cautious than modern American Christendom. Christians in Europe, Africa and Asia often wait to baptize until children are grown and are in their 20’s.
W. A Criswell, long-time pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, TX encouraged and affirmed childhood decisions for Christ, but postponed baptism until a child was around 10 years of age. Grace Community Church, publishers of our choice of children's Sunday school curriculum (Generations of Grace), loves children and encourages them to repent and believe the gospel at an early age; nevertheless, Grace Community Church rarely baptizes a child under the age of twelve.
These observations should not serve as “rules,” especially since the Scriptures set no age limit on baptism; however, it is a good reminder for us to be much more cautious about when and how seriously we practice the baptism of older children. We strive not to allow the current trends of individualism, impatience and "decisionism" affect our Church philosophy, especially when it comes to the souls and assurance of our children.
Please know that the elders of Randolph Street Church know this is an issue that brings great emotion for some. We have no desire to encourage someone to disobey their conscience in this matter–we simply want to faithfully shepherd the children of our Church to love the gospel and grow up trusting Christ for their eternal salvation, not themselves, nor anyone else.
We want our children to join us on mission for the glory of God in our region and around the world. We desire to send them out as arrows, confident in the promises of God, aware of their own sin, and in love with the gospel as the only hope for their souls and for the world.
THE TASK OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS
#1. Show your children what Christianity looks like.
As children observe your life show them how the gospel is changing you. In your relationships with others, demonstrate to your children that you believe Christ not only died for your sin, but also for that Christian brother with whom you are having relational struggles. As you struggle to conquer your sinful habits, show your children that you believe Christ rose from the dead and is alive to empower you to obedience. There’s no better way for your children to see Christ in you than through the love you display for your spouse, neighbors, Church friends, and them.
#2. Continually teach them the gospel and point them to Christ.
If a child is to repent and believe in Christ, then, it will be through the proclamation of the gospel message (1 Cor. 1:18–25; 15:1-11; 2 Tim. 3:15; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23–25). Children will not be saved apart from the gospel. It is best to start from the beginning–God, creation, the fall, sin, salvation, and Christ in His life, death, and resurrection.
#3. Use discipline opportunities to point children to the gospel.
As Ted Tripp has pointed out, “Rather than seeking simply to modify behavior, the wise parent will look at discipline as an opportunity to help his children become aware of their failure and inability to obey, and subsequently, their need for forgiveness in Christ. In this way, discipline and correction are used to bring children to a sober assessment of themselves as sinners and to lead to the cross of Christ where sinners can be forgiven.”
#4. Always respond to the gospel with excitement.
If your child or student comes to you exclaiming, “God saved me!” It’s probably not best to rain on his parade by responding with a harsh reply such as “Prove it” or “Are you sure?” or “Did someone coheres you into making this decision?” For the good of their tender souls, it is probably best to respond with a visible love for the gospel. After all, Jesus said, "Let the little children come!"
It seems best to respond, “I’m so glad you love the gospel. Tell me about what part of the gospel thrills you the most.” You might read a gospel passage with them (such as 1 Corinthians 15) and challenge them to continually depend on Christ and follow them with all their hearts.” Repeatedly pointing a child to the gospel is far more profitable than reminding them of their prayer or outward decision. If/when they are truly converted, it will be evident based on the genuine spiritual fruit listed below.
#5. Continually observe your children looking for genuine spiritual fruit.
According to Scripture, true believers follow Christ (John 10:27), confess their sins (1 John 1:9), love their brothers (1 John 3:14), obey God’s commandments (1 John 2:3; John 15:14), do the will of God (Matt. 12:50), abide in God’s Word (John 8:31), keep God’s Word (John 17:6), and do good works (Eph. 2:10). As you discipline your children in the ways of God or teach them a specific subject in a classroom, it is best to say, “As you grow up following Christ, this is what the fruit of Christianity looks like…” This attitude expresses a love, hope and expectation that those children will be saved, not a pessimistic attitude of elitist pride.
#6. Trust God.
The salvation of children, then, cannot be produced by the faithfulness or diligence of parents, but only by the sovereign work of God Himself. Such a realization should bring comfort to parents. In addition, it should motivate them to bathe their evangelistic efforts in prayer to the One who does His work where they cannot–in the child’s heart.
#7. Immerse them in a local Church environment.
Since the beginning of time, the story of redemption has revealed a God who is calling a people to Himself. It is through this people God will bless the nations (Genesis 12; Revelation 5:8-14). Raising our children in a multi-generational, multi-faceted context is designed to reap eternal benefits and should be seen as an additional blessing to the discipleship a child receives at home.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
Your Child’s Profession of Faith - Dennis Gundersen (highly recommended)
How Children Come to Faith in Christ – Jim Elliff (highly recommended)
Shepherding a Child’s Heart - Tedd Tripp
Family Worship - Joel Beeke
What the Bible Says About Parenting - John MacArthur
Click Here for the Article by Grace Community Church Quoted Above
