Nearly a Teenager, wants to be baptised...

My son has just turned 12 and last week he became a Christian. We attend a non-denominational church and have done so for the past 6 or 7 years. Our church normally baptises in a nearby stream and in all my time there, I have only seen adults baptised (I myself was baptised there in my late 20s) with the exception of a couple of 16/17 yr olds. I know some of the adults currently attending our church were baptised in their early teens, so I know its acceptable within our church to do it, but I wanted some advice, hence the post.

We're having another set of baptisms in a few weeks and the Pastors wife asked me today if we were available on that day. Can anyone share their experience of baptism, or even shed light on what it specifically says in the Bible about young people being baptised?

I don't want to be disobedient to God if it's His will for this to happen ~ my son would be the first young person to be baptised in a long time, so it could be the start of a revolution in our church, as we have nearly as many children as adults in our congregation. I don't feel like I've put undue pressure on my son to make any decisions regarding his response to his faith and I'm convinced of his belief in God ~ he sometimes puts me to shame with his unwavering belief and acceptance of God.

I don't know if I'm letting a fear of the enemy panic me ~ I was aware that when I was saved, the devil was mightily ticked off and turned the heat up and thats an ongoing battle for me. I know that God's power is unmatchable and He loves my son more than I do, but I want to make sure that I agree to his baptism for the right reasons.

Thanks for reading,

God Bless x

Kellyann x

Views: 132

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Andrea Neustaeter on June 27, 2010 at 8:37pm
I was baptized when I was twelve...in a local river...and it stands out in my mind as an important milestone in my faith. I'd be concerned about telling a young person who wants to obey God in this way that he should wait until he's older.
Permalink Reply by Chad Joseph Mills on June 27, 2010 at 9:31pm
Yes, not specifically referring to baptism but Jesus said "Suffer the little ones to come unto me". Suffer means to allow....
If your child has accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and believes in his heart that Jesus died for him and rose again to prove that he was God...then he SHOULD be baptized!! Baptism is an outward expression of the inward acceptance. It is like wearing a wedding ring. It PUBLICALLY confirms that your son is a follower of Christ!! Way to go!!

I have had the honor of baptizing TWO of my four children...

Just to be clear your son desires believer's baptism? Is that correct?

Chad
Permalink Reply by Jo on June 27, 2010 at 10:13pm
Yep two of my three boys have been baptised. They demanded it! One was baptised at age nine and the other when he was 11. Our Pastor wouldn't baptise them if he didn't think they were ready so I trusted him in that decision and I was so proud of my sons for going for it (My eldest overcame extreme shyness to give a short testimony in front of a packed church). Speak to your Pastor, if he's fine with it, why not let your son be baptised? He sounds as though he knows what he's doing. I think it's really commendable that these kids want to stand up and make a statement like this in an age when what friends think seems to be more important than anything else.
God Bless x
Permalink Reply by David Harrell on June 28, 2010 at 2:11am
I was baptised at the age of 11. My children were baptised much younger. It is common for children to be baptised at our church. The basic question comes down to a child's ability to understand both what it means to become a follower of Jesus and what it means to be baptised.

It is such a blessed feeling when one of your children comes to know the Lord.
Permalink Reply by Bosque on June 28, 2010 at 6:15am
Baptism is the outward sign and seal (sacrament) of being dead and risen in Christ. This is accomplished by the Holy Spirit upon faith in Jesus. As long as your son believes and understand the significance of what he is doing he should submit himself to water baptism! It should be his decision not yours though you should encourage him to both believe and be baptized!

Congratulations
Permalink Reply by Cory Zipperle on June 29, 2010 at 4:57am
Both my wife and I were baptized at young ages. I believe I was 9. Like Andrea, it was an important milestone in both of our lives. Ever since then, we have dedicated ourselves to serving in God's kingdom.

I know that there are people who poop on the idea, but we are game for it - and the church we attend now practices it too. I think the key is knowing what you are doing and why. As a parent, you should be able to judge whether or not your child is doing it for the right reasons (obedience to God) or for the wrong reasons (because everybody else is doing it).

Be sure to let us know how things turn out!

RSS

Advertise | Code of Conduct | Contact Us

© 2021       Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service