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Question
JimR 9
An article found in the Gospel Coalition site reported that two hundred years ago no baptist church would baptize anyone younger than 18. Ages have declined steadily and now kids as young as eight or ten are being baptized. We have all heard stories about adults who said their childhood baptisms had more to do with peer pressure than actual conversion and they did not consider them to be valid. Yet the practice continues. Kids are not becoming emotionally mature at younger ages; just the opposite. Many are childish while in college.
When ten-year-olds are baptized in baptist churches, we must conclude that the difference between catholic churches and baptist churches is only 10 (10 minus zero is 10). This is not much of a difference and while i understand that an exceptional child might be able to make a serious informed commitment at a young age, most cannot. This is disturbing. Presbyterians, like Baptists, do not believe baptism saves, but they go ahead and baptize babies anyway, then later they give the kids a confirmation class and have them standup in front of the church. They get the process done backwards but they get it done. Is this any worse than baptizing a ten year old?
Some Grace dispensationalists say that Paul stopped baptizing after he stopped going to the Jews and the gentile church does not need to do that anymore. Honestly, I would be more comfortable in a church that does not baptize at all than in one that baptizes babies or small children.
Sorry for the long post but I am curious as to what others will say about child baptisms and the declining age of baptism.
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