This is going to be a tough issue to argue biblically.

We both adhere to the authority of scripture and use it to settle discussions, which you affirm in the third paragraph of the post you linked to. Yet, as to the “age of accountability” you admit that the Bible does not speak directly. I will also admit that there is no direct biblical evidence concerning child baptism in the New Testament. Your proofs for your position are a historical argument, the argument from the later Jewish practice of Bar Mitzvah, the Paedobaptist practice of confirmation, Piaget and Kohlberg’s research on the human brain and Flavil Yeakley’s study. It will be hard to decide issues like this with scripture, won’t it?

The historical argument is strong, but not decisive, as you admit. I don’t really have the knowledge of historical Baptist practice to defend my view against this argument. If what you say is right (or, more accurately, what Hammett says), then my view is certainly out of the mainstream of Baptist history. But, as you admit, that is not an absolute argument.

You said, “So, though the Bible never directly states that baptism must be administered as soon after an individual comes to faith in Christ as possible, the examples given in the New Testament provide a practically unanimous testimony to this practice.” Of course, that is the chief argument I advance. In eight examples, the book of Acts is unanimous in its pattern. Baptism immediately follows conversion.

The rest of the arguments you give – well-stated and convincing – seem to be basically saying that it is not to the age of 12 (or so) that a child has the ability to make a genuine independent, moral decision. You present a compelling case.

Here is the crux of my argument: Baptism immediately follows conversion in every New Testament example. It is the beginning of the process of discipleship. Since there is no biblical instruction in this matter that would lead us to vary from this clear pattern, I baptize those who clearly confess faith – at whatever age.

I would point out a couple of scriptures that while, again, not definitive, would tend to argue against a set age limit on baptisms. I admit they are not the strongest biblical arguments, but on this subject, we have both admitted that the biblical evidence may not be absolute. I’m going to argue my point from these, even though I know it is hardly the surest foundation.

Matthew 18:3-5 says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (See also Mark 10:14)

It does not say that children need to become adults, but that adults need to become like children. It also (perhaps the strongest evidence we have here) that these “little ones” believe in him. Jesus, here, indicates that there are little ones who genuinely believe in him.

Luke 9:47-48 adds another perspective. “But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.’”

Luke 18:15-17 presents another story from Jesus. “Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’”

The disciples stopped people from bringing children to Jesus. He told them to let the children come (no, I’m not arguing that he’s talking about baptism) and then says that the kingdom belongs to children like these.

Do these settle the issue? No. But they do give some indication that Jesus saw the reality of the faith of small children. What age? I’m not sure. But, from what little I know about the words used here, it seems unlikely that the words apply to a child of 12.

Some summary statements:

1) I would agree with you that there is a problem with young children and their baptisms. I would disagree that the problem is that we baptize children at all. I would say it is the failure of churches to adequately evangelize children (weak “Jesus wants to be your friend” gospel presentations), and the tendency of some to put pressure (intentionally or unintentionally) on children.

2) I would agree that churches are often foolish (or worse) in the way we baptize children. Baptism is our denomination’s key statistic. I would hope it would never be true, but do some baptize small children without adequately instructing them or reviewing their understanding, so that they can build their baptismal statistics? I would guess its so.

3) I do not deny the reality of the age of accountability. It can also not be proven from scripture, one way or another.

4) As to your 6 suggestions at the end of your article, I would make the following observations.

Point 1 – I would only add “Christian parents and churches”
Point 2 &3 – full agreement.
Point 4 – I fully agree. In fact, I think this is the most important issue. Whatever happens should come from the child, not from the parents, an evangelist, or a church. It should flow from within, from the work of God’s Spirit within the child. Parents and churches need to let God work.
My disagreement is that, if that has happened, and when it happens, I baptize.

Point 5 – the consistent teaching and training from God’s word is the most important thing for families and churches. Immerse kids first in the word of God. Then, when the Spirit works, immerse them in water.

Point 6 – I am still of the belief that children, when they come to Christ, should publicly testify to their faith in baptism.

Look forward to your response.

Just trying to understand where you are coming from. Are you saying that you don’t believe in the so-called “age of accountability”? Do you believe children who die (no matter what age) without making a “profession of faith” go to hell?

There seems to be some consensus on an “age of accountability,” which strangely is not identified in the Bible. The Bible found being insufficient, the proof then goes extra-Biblical: Piaget, Bar Mitzvahs, confirmation.

So, if all these children under the age of accountability are unable to make a profession of faith, as most of the commenters claim, how are those children that die before being able to make a profession of faith saved? Is there a second doctrine of salvation, without faith alone? Should we not be concerned for our own children’s salvation?

It seems that any doctrine on baptism of children should neatly fit within all other doctrines regarding salvation and baptism, should it not?

God bless…

+Timothy

Yet the term “age of accountability” is difficult for me because I don’t think one can stick an age on someones ability to comprehend the things of Jesus and need for receiving His gift of grace.

Do I believe we in the SBC baptize some children who are still lost (You know those who want to go to heaven but are not wanting to be cleansed of their sin – do they even understand what sin is?)? Absolutely. I also believe we baptize many adults who are still lost. Another topic for another day.

If we as pastors know “who” should be baptized and don’t baptize anyone who does not fall into the biblical standard, the problem would go away. But we are often told to raise our baptism numbers but not told to win the world to Christ.

I have also seen quite a few baptized 7 year olds whack their little brother and feel GOOD and justified about it with no godly sorrow whatsoever. )

The point I am making is that when we are saved, we have a new relationship with SIN, too. We now hate the sin we used to love and feel godly sorrow for it. I certainly hope that describes the 6-7 year olds some are talking about baptizing.

It would be very interesting to see stats on those baptized real young who leave the Body for while but are baptized again as adults. Or who ‘rededicate’ their lives.

Yes, a 6, 7 or 8-year-old can make some “moral” choices, and can also make some “independent” choices. What I am talking about, though, are specifically “independent, moral choices.” Admittedly, I don’t know a whole lot about cognitive development theory. And, I am very hesitant about letting secular scientific theories determine positions on theological issues. But, in this case, it does seem to me to be a relevant question.

The way I am thinking, the amount of “knowledge” per se, is less relevant. It is the capability of volitionally trusting your entire life into the hands of Jesus, not being able to explain all the theology behind it.

Thanks for your input. I think that if we have never lived and worked outside of our native culture, it is difficult sometimes to see just how much our culture and traditions influence the way we see and do things.

Debbie (and others),

I understand and appreciate the desire to not invalidate the spiritual sensitivity and decisions of the children in our lives. I made a profession of faith and was baptized as a child myself. And, we have had to deal with the same dynamics with our own children.

However, as I have already alluded to several times here, I think it is important that we not confuse the ability to intellectually understand and accurately articulate the gospel with the ability to make independent moral decisions. As I understand it, a child prodigy may well be able to write a theological treatise on biblical soteriology, and yet not be able to make truly INDEPENDENT moral decisions. Does this mean we should not encourage them to believe in Jesus, repent of their sins, love and follow him with their whole heart? By no means!! But, I think the decisions a 6, 7, or 8-year-old makes will be of a qualitatively different nature than those a 13 or 14-year-old makes.

I would also wonder how much knowledge is required for salvation to take place. I read for example of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, and it seems he gained more knowledge after his conversion. Granted he being a Sadducee knew the Old Testament, but did he know what is being discussed here.

Also, Geoff mentioned this, but Christ said in the Gospels for the children to come to him. Doesn’t that mean in faith that leads to salvation?

For the record, I too believe in the age of accountability.

If pretty much all the other Baptist traditions of the whole of the rest of the world take a markedly different view then should there be some serious pause for thought. I have never baptised someone younger than 10 and cannot current conceive of doing so – and i have only baptised someone under 13 twice out of over 300 candidates.

Were i to suggest baptising a 5 year old or even a 7 or 8 year old i could see myself fired as pastor pretty quickly for betraying a commitment to believer’s baptism and christian discipleship!