INTRODUCTION:
A. When is a youngster old enough to obey the gospel? That
question has perplexed preachers, caused problems for parents
& challenged the minds of every child at some time or another.
1. The question, "Am I old enough to obey the gospel?"
usually reaches its peak of importance during the intermediate,
junior-high years.
I. THE PRESSURE ON THE YOUNG
A. PANIC PRESSURE
1. Some young people are baptized because they are scared to death
of going to hell if they should die.
a. Yes, a fear of hell is a proper motivation for being baptized
but it is not the only motivation, nor the primary motivation
for being baptized.
B. PEER PRESSURE
1.Sometimes young people go forward because they don't want to
be left behind the group or to have an old saint come up &
say, "Why didn't you go forward also?"
C. PARENTAL PRESSURE
1. When young people are in their pre-teens or early teens, sometimes
parents start pressuring them to be baptized.
a. The motives of the parents may vary but we must not push our
children into doing something they are not yet ready nor mature
enough to do.
1. But when a child comes to us & asks questions, what
should we have already thought out & how shall we answer them?
II. THE PRACTICALITY WITH THE YOUNG
A. THE INNOCENCE
1. Before the "age of accountability" . children are
neither saved nor lost - they are simply spiritually safe (Matt.
19:14; 18:3; Ezek. 18:20)
a. A child must be capable of belief (Ac.8:36). He must have enough
maturity to depend upon Christ for emotional & spiritual support.
(1) A child who does not comprehend that Jesus is the Son of God
(Deity) & Saviour, that He saves us from our sins, is not
old enough for baptism.
b. But when a child is closing in on "the age of accountability"
they will ask questions & how we answer them may determine
their eternal destiny so we can't afford to blow it.
B. THE INADEQUATE APPROACH
1.The chronological age?
a.12 (Lk.2:42) or 30?. (Lk.3:21-23)
2.Your own experience
a. People differ so your own experience is not an adequate yardstick
for any other individual. Your child may be more like other parent.
3. Emotional involvement
a.How many of us can be Truly objective when dealing with our
own children? We either expect them to be more adult or never
quite grasp the fact that they can grow up.
4. Must understand everything
a. All come to Christ as babes & are expected to grow thereafter.
1. Christianity is more a journey than a destination. When we
drive home at night, our car lights do not illumine the entire
distance; only few 100 feet in front. As we progress, so does
the light.
5.Live the Christian life first
a. As useless as saying a doctor will put a cast on broken arm
as soon as it mends properly. Baptism is the beginning, the starling
place.
6. Christianity equals adulthood
a. If a young person is baptized, he becomes a Christian but he
remains a young person. Don't have to give up child activities.
C. THE INQUIRY
1. Be open to discussion
a. Listen without quick judgmental comments that hinders them
from opening up completely - listen!
2. Don't be overly negative
a. If made to feel foolish, they might despair. Commend them for
having the desire & continue to fan the flame for the future
decision.
3.Don't push
a. A parental suggestion could easily be viewed as a command.
Realize your position of power as you discuss the Bible with your
child.
III. THE PREREQUISITES FOR THE YOUNG
A. CONSCIOUSNESS OF SIN
1. The five-finger exercise children learn by rote but they may
not understand what they are repeating back.
a. Adam & Eve were created completely innocent & possessed
the consciousness which enabled them to understand what God said
& the consequences of obedience & disobedience.
(1) Babies are different because they have no consciousness of
God & His commandments until maturing of the mental faculties.
b. A person is born sinless but at some point, each person reaches
an age in which he/she is fully conscious, &, therefore, accountable
for his/her actions.
B. CONTRITION FOR SIN
1.Matt.28:19 - the "taught" are baptized. It is an obedience
of faith, deliberately chosen as a result of learning the lost
condition & submitting to the Lord.
a. "Repent & be baptized..." is commanded of sinners
(Ac.2:38). Sin is "against heaven" (Lk. 15:18"
or "against God" (Ps.51:4)
1. The old man of sin is put off in baptism & raised to walk
in newness of life (Rom.6:4)
b. How can a child be baptized if there is no consciousness of
old man of sin nor repentance toward sin in life?
C. CONVERSION FROM SINS
1. I Thess. 1:9 - to turn away from sin means to count the cost
of being a disciple of Christ (Lk. 14:26-33)
a. Before young people are baptized, they need to have a clear
understanding of what the Christian life involves so they are
willing to pay the cost.
(1) A disciple of Christ is a learner & follower of what he
has learned from Christ's words, life & example. Maybe we've
lost the link between conversion & discipleship.
b.We've focused on baptizing people but if we fail to emphasize
they must become disciples, we have missed it.
(1) Young people, no one is going to pressure you into obeying.
It is your decision, & yours alone, to make.
(a) There's no reason to be intimidated by this decision. Pray,
study, talk with your parents & you'll do what is pleasing
to God.