Age for Baptism

What is the youngest person you have baptized or seen baptized? I have a pastor friend who recently baptized a girl who was 4 years old. My own children are four and six, and both still seem too young even though they are both asking more questions about baptism and salvation of late. Four just seems awfully young to me, but what do the rest of you think?

 

Gotta say I disagree. Age seems to me a pretty big factor in determining the child's actual awareness of what it truly means to be "born again." I haven't met too many spiritually aware four year olds.

 

:laugh: Wow. I guess I shouldn't make the assumption that people would know that I meant the baptism of a saved person! I felt so confident that people could link the two together on their own!

At least in my church baptism necessitates being born again. In my role as a pastor to consent to a child being baptized is to also consent to a belief that the child is mature enough to understand what it means to be born again, and that this has taken place in their lives. Although no pastor can know with certainty.

It seems to me a better idea to hold off on baptism in the case of the very young. If the four year old in this instance is saved, then not being baptized won't change anything. But baptizing a child who does not truly grasp what baptism means can lead to great confusion down the road.

 

I concur. :thumbs:

This is what I try to do as well.

 

Tom: Not to derail my own thread, but I would like to hear what additional requirements your church has for membership beyond believer's baptism.

In my church, membership is based on believer's baptism, counseling/bible study on the church covenant, affirmation of the church covenant, and of course a vote by the congregation.