Encouraging, Not Hindering, Their Faith

“What age should children be baptized?” It's a question that echoes through church offices, pastoral meetings, and family living rooms and it's one that has caused tension among Baptists for centuries.

While the Bible doesn’t provide a cut-and-dried age threshold, it does offer guidance that, if carefully followed, can help churches make wise, Christ-honoring decisions. The real question we must ask is not “How old is old enough?” but rather, “Is this child showing genuine faith in Jesus Christ?”

What Baptism Really Means

Before diving into age-related concerns, we must understand what baptism is.

According to the historic 1689 London Baptist Confession, baptism is “a sign of the believer’s fellowship with Christ in His death and resurrection, of remission of sins, and of their commitment to walk in newness of life.” It's a public proclamation of private faith, a visible declaration of a spiritual union with Jesus that already exists.

Baptism is not a rite of passage. It's not a graduation from Sunday school. It’s not about age or even maturity. It’s about credible profession of faith an observable expression of repentance, belief in Jesus, and a desire to walk in obedience to Him.

Faith, Not Age, Is the Benchmark

A credible profession isn’t simply a believable story; it’s one that displays discernible repentance, personal trust in Jesus, and demonstrated obedience three traits that, while more visible in adults, are not exclusive to them. Faith is not bound by years lived, and the Holy Spirit is not restricted by age.

Jesus Himself offered this unfiltered command: “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them” (Mark 10:14). The word “hinder” (Greek kōluō) is significant it’s the same word used by the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:36: “What prevents me from being baptized?” The implication is unmistakable: if a child genuinely professes Christ, the church must be careful not to impose man-made barriers.

Yet some churches delay baptism for children until they pass certain milestones: adolescence, moving out, financial independence. But there’s no biblical precedent for this. In fact, delaying baptism based on age rather than a lack of genuine faith has more in common with paedobaptism than many Baptists may care to admit.

How Do We Know It's Genuine?

The answer is not by demanding theological essays or perfect behavior. A baptismal candidate child or adult should be interviewed by a pastor, with the child’s believing parents involved, ideally the father. The goal isn’t to test maturity but to discern true belief. This might look like a simple, childlike faith that understands sin (“I lied to my parents”), knows who Jesus is (“He died for my sins”), and expresses desire to follow Him (“I want to obey Him and be like Him”).

These may be basic answers, but they can be profoundly sincere. And often, a parent’s long-term observation adds valuable insight into the child’s ongoing repentance and faithfulness.

The presence of silliness or nervousness doesn’t disqualify a child from being a believer. They’re children. But if the roots of genuine faith are visible, even in tender soil, that faith should be celebrated—not postponed.

Worried About False Assurance? Try Deeper Discipleship

Some churches fear baptizing too soon because they worry about giving children a false sense of salvation. While that’s a valid pastoral concern, the answer isn’t to create hurdles God didn’t authorize. The answer is robust discipleship.

A 2020 Barna study found that only 8% of Christian teenagers who grew up in church retain a biblical worldview. That’s not a baptism issue it’s a discipleship crisis. Churches need to focus less on defending the baptismal waters and more on building environments where young believers grow into mature followers of Christ.

In such a culture, false assurance is less likely to take root because believers of any age are known, loved, challenged, and supported. They aren’t just baptized and forgotten. They are discipled in gospel-centered community.

What’s the Real Worst-Case Scenario?

When pastors weigh the risk of baptizing a child, they must ask: what are we most afraid of?

Is it baptizing someone who later walks away? That could happen to an adult, too. Is it weakening the church by letting immature people in? That’s already a reality we all face. But consider this: what if our fear causes us to hinder a regenerate child from obeying Jesus’ first command to be baptized? That’s a worst-case scenario that Scripture does speak clearly about and warns against.

Peter once asked, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people?” (Acts 10:47). The question is rhetorical. When faith is present, the church must not stand in the way.

Simplicity and Substance in Practice

In our local church, baptismal vows are intentionally straightforward. Candidates are asked:

• Are you now trusting in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and the fulfillment of all God’s promises to you?

• Do you renounce Satan and all his works and ways?

• Do you intend now, with God’s help, to obey Jesus as your Lord and Treasure?

When the answers are simple and sincere “I am,” “I do,” “I do” that’s enough.

There’s no need for confetti cannons or flashy videos. The sign of union with Christ is the centerpiece. The water speaks of death, burial, and resurrection. The candidate declares faith. The pastor affirms it. The congregation witnesses it.

Let Them Come

So, should we baptize believing children? If they are truly repenting, believing, and striving to obey Jesus, then yes. Age doesn’t qualify a soul for union with Christ. Faith does.

Rather than withholding baptism in fear, let’s walk in faith faith that the Spirit works in children just as He does in adults, and faith that our discipleship communities can support young believers as they grow in grace.

The church should be the last place where faith is hindered. If a child says, “I believe in Jesus,” the church must be ready to say, “Then come. Let us walk with you in Him.”

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