How does your Church deal with Child professions of Faith?

[annsni]

how can a young child(say 5,6 years old)even understand about the knowledge of good and evil--they are still learning to read and write?
Understanding about the proper things is a MUST before one is saved by God.
Im not saying that the Holy Spirit cant work in them,but im saying that they need proper understanding and need to HEAR--and them just starting to learn to read and write--I ask HOW can they understand properly--think about these things :godisgood::godisgood:

Do you have kids? Even toddlers understand good and evil.

 

[HisWitness]

Do you have kids? Even toddlers understand good and evil.

do they really ?
what is your take on what good and evil is?

 

[Salty]

... my sister went to a church summer camp when she was a youngster and when she got home she told how the camp young peoples guides wouldn't let her go eat breakfast unless she made a profession of faith and be baptized.

First question - did she mean she had to be baptized at camp - or promised she would be after getting home?

I went to Bible camp for about 4 years ( ages 7-10) and the counselors would asked if I was save - I said yes and they left it at that. The following year in May my father truly led me to the Lord. All those years I thought I was saved - but I wasn't.

Many in this discussion have said that "I was saved at age 5" or "My kids were saved at age 4" and if they truly were, praise the Lord. But kids, especially from non-Christian homes do not fully understand. Remember, many of them still believe in Santa Clause, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy" and ect - they live in fantasy world. Let us not deceive ourselves otherwise.
One poster said they do not baptize a child until age 12 - I might go as low as 9 or 10 possibly, but 12 sounds like a good age.
At our church, we are working with a young girl about age 10. She came to use with questions about salvation. Her dad attends, but the divorced mom is not a Christian and to some extent discourages religion. We are encouraged about this young lady, but we will not push her. The Pastor and I were talking to her one day - and using a drawing to explain the Gospel - halfway thru she picked up the pen and added to the drawing - just for fun. No she does not fully understand.

Again, Berean put it best: (somewhere around post # 5) "I personally feel childhood decisions should not be solicited or encouraged, but never discouraged."


How many young children - say age 7-12 are currently attending your church. Say its 25 kids - how many of those 25 will still be attending when they are ages 13-18?

 

[salzer mtn]

we are a testimony to the world and it hurts God when we are not doing what we should.

This kind of thinking is the reason man has brought God down to a humanistic level and taken away a God that is perfectly complete in Himself and don't need man or circumstances to control his own sufficiency and set up a God that is subject to the frowns of the creature.

 

[salzer mtn]

First question - did she mean she had to be baptized at camp - or promised she would be after getting home?

I went to Bible camp for about 4 years ( ages 7-10) and the counselors would asked if I was save - I said yes and they left it at that. The following year in May my father truly led me to the Lord. All those years I thought I was saved - but I wasn't.

Many in this discussion have said that "I was saved at age 5" or "My kids were saved at age 4" and if they truly were, praise the Lord. But kids, especially from non-Christian homes do not fully understand. Remember, many of them still believe in Santa Clause, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy" and ect - they live in fantasy world. Let us not deceive ourselves otherwise.
One poster said they do not baptize a child until age 12 - I might go as low as 9 or 10 possibly, but 12 sounds like a good age.
At our church, we are working with a young girl about age 10. She came to use with questions about salvation. Her dad attends, but the divorced mom is not a Christian and to some extent discourages religion. We are encouraged about this young lady, but we will not push her. The Pastor and I were talking to her one day - and using a drawing to explain the Gospel - halfway thru she picked up the pen and added to the drawing - just for fun. No she does not fully understand.

Again, Berean put it best: (somewhere around post # 5) "I personally feel childhood decisions should not be solicited or encouraged, but never discouraged."


How many young children - say age 7-12 are currently attending your church. Say its 25 kids - how many of those 25 will still be attending when they are ages 13-18?

She had to be baptized at camp which she agreed to because she has always been a big eater.

 

[annsni]

This kind of thinking is the reason man has brought God down to a humanistic level and taken away a God that is perfectly complete in Himself and don't need man or circumstances to control his own sufficiency and set up a God that is subject to the frowns of the creature.

So go ahead and sin? It means nothing?

 

[Old Union Brother]

Are we better than Paul?
(1Co 13:11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

We have no record of Christ speaking in the temple before he was 12. Luke 2:42-49 Did not Christ come as our example in all things.


And the damsal in Mark chapter 5:38-43 is 12.

Give me scripture where it can be any younger than 12.

 

[webdog]

Are we better than Paul?
(1Co 13:11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

We have no record of Christ speaking in the temple before he was 12. Luke 2:42-49 Did not Christ come as our example in all things.


And the damsal in Mark chapter 5:38-43 is 12.

Give me scripture where it can be any younger than 12.

Really? This is your argument? From silence?

Paul was thrown off a horse by Christ...were you?p

Are you claiming Jesus did not understand His gospel until 12?

How many people today are healed by touching clothing?

What is this mystical age of 12? Sounds new ageish to me...and quite legalistic. I'm glad my God does not save based on some numerology formula.

Besides, the Israelites who entered the promised land were 19. Kind of throws a monkey wrench into this extrabiblicsl false doctrine

 

[annsni]

How old we're the children brought to Jesus?

 

[salzer mtn]

So go ahead and sin? It means nothing?

It means everything in two way's, now he is born from above, He has a new nature, old things have passed away, he not only has repented but he has a repenting nature. Sin nailed his saviour to the cross so therefore he hates sin. It also matters because his Father has a chastening rod and he will use it if necessary. The Father is conforming him in Christ's image all the while as clay in the potters hands. God is never so out of control as to become sad.

 

[webdog]

Some of you are in direct violation of Matthew 19:14.

Not exactly sure where you can find a milstone.

 

[Berean]

We will never have a way of knowing but if we could know the number of children that make POF simply because they want to please a parent or family member or a friend instead of being called we would probably be astounded.

 

[salzer mtn]

I don't think anyone is against training up a child in the way it should go by teaching them as their minds develop's. But you don't re-locate a child in elementary school to a university and expect them to understand the math. When Christ called the little children to him and said, of such is the kingdom of heaven he was talking about their child like personalities that any age christian should have, like meekness, in-offensive, very trusting, humble, without pride, free from malice, no desires of grandeur ect.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I don't think anyone is against training up a child in the way it should go by teaching them as their minds develop's. But you don't re-locate a child in elementary school to a university and expect them to understand the math. When Christ called the little children to him and said, of such is the kingdom of heaven he was talking about their child like personalities that any age christian should have, like meekness, in-offensive, very trusting, humble, without pride, free from malice, no desires of grandeur ect.

Good point! :thumbsup:

 

[convicted1]

My home association has it in their "practice and procedures" that any one pre-teen is to be taken under watchcare for six months, and after those six months, if there's evidence of a true conversion, they are then baptized. I actually like, and agree, with it.

 

[webdog]

I don't think anyone is against training up a child in the way it should go by teaching them as their minds develop's. But you don't re-locate a child in elementary school to a university and expect them to understand the math. When Christ called the little children to him and said, of such is the kingdom of heaven he was talking about their child like personalities that any age christian should have, like meekness, in-offensive, very trusting, humble, without pride, free from malice, no desires of grandeur ect.

You might have a point if the gospel message needed a college degree to understand. You don't. Its simple enough a child can understand it. I did.

Equating the gospel to college math is just plain silly. Jesus specifically commanded NOT to discourage and prevent little children from coming to Him. The reason being children haven't been hardened at that point and trust freely.

 

[Yeshua1]

You might have a point if the gospel message needed a college degree to understand. You don't. Its simple enough a child can understand it. I did.

Equating the gospel to college math is just plain silly. Jesus specifically commanded NOT to discourage and prevent little children from coming to Him. The reason being children haven't been hardened at that point and trust freely.

there is a big difference between knowing about jesus and knowing jesus though!

And many have 'asked him into their hearts", but walked away later on, and never were saved to start!

Think hjust a reminder to continue doing what you are doing, in raising your family up in fear and admonition of the Lord!

 

[annsni]

there is a big difference between knowing about jesus and knowing jesus though!

And many have 'asked him into their hearts", but walked away later on, and never were saved to start!

Think hjust a reminder to continue doing what you are doing, in raising your family up in fear and admonition of the Lord!

Yet my oldest daughter was saved at 5 and is now 23. She has an incredible testimony for the Lord and clearly walks with Him daily. She has proven her transformation from the time she was little.

My second daughter was saved at 5 and is now 20. She had a bad breakup with a boyfriend at 17 years old and she came to tell me about it. "But mom, look at what God spoke to me while I was seeking His will about this!" and she proceeded to show me a passage of Scripture that spoke so clearly on the subject (I can't remember what it was now but wow - she heard from God alright!). That was yet another time that God showed this mother's heart that her children do walk with the Lord. She is now discipling young women and doing an incredible job of it.

My younger two are just 10 and 12 but I see clear evidences of the Spirit in their lives as well. No, my 10 year old is not a high order theologian but then again, she has been able to frame her life situations in the Word of God My son actively seeks to know the Lord more and more each day.

What a blessing it is as a parent to see our children be saved and walk with the Lord. I knew that 3 of the 4 were absolutely sincere when they came to me when they were saved. One I wasn't sure about because it was out of a punishment but within days, I saw the change - and I knew. Yes, they are young but I do not believe that when one's heart is cleaned that age makes a difference. God wills save them when He wants to save them - whether it's at 4 years old or 94. But when it does happen, watch out! It's a most humbling occasion as a parent.

 

[salzer mtn]

In the gospel of Luke 18:15-16 the scripture brings it out more clearly who these children were. They were infants brought to Jesus for him to touch them. By now Christ had gained a following by the miracles he had performed and these people that brought the infants were not unlike the Catholics of today that are in hopes the pope will touch their infants as he goes about in public, blessing the people. The disciples didn't rebuke the infants but rebuked the people that brought the infants. Was they bringing the infants to be saved ? of course not. Jesus took this opportunity to teach his disciples if a person comes unto Him he must come as humble as a little child, as trusting as a little child. Someone said the gospel is simple. What makes the gospel not simple doesn't have anything to do with the gospel itself. It has to do with the person hearing the gospel. As a example the law is just holy and good, Rom 7:12. There is nothing wrong with the law, so why couldn't man keep the law? Because of the weakness of man's flesh, Rom 8:3. Even though the gospel may be simple, our nature is such that it rebell's against all authority other than our own. A person has to be brought to the end of himself before he will recieve Christ. I went to high school with a lady and she said she was saved when she was three years old. My youngest grandson is four years old and starting T-Ball. When he is on the field that is his world. Off the field he is in other worlds like Spider Man and all things that get's four year olds attention. I just can't comprehend children three, four and five years old going through conviction of sin, when they don't really understand what sin is.

 

[webdog]

In the gospel of Luke 18:15-16 the scripture brings it out more clearly who these children were. They were infants brought to Jesus for him to touch them. By now Christ had gained a following by the miracles he had performed and these people that brought the infants were not unlike the Catholics of today that are in hopes the pope will touch their infants as he goes about in public, blessing the people. The disciples didn't rebuke the infants but rebuked the people that brought the infants. Was they bringing the infants to be saved ? of course not. Jesus took this opportunity to teach his disciples if a person comes unto Him he must come as humble as a little child, as trusting as a little child. Someone said the gospel is simple. What makes the gospel not simple doesn't have anything to do with the gospel itself. It has to do with the person hearing the gospel. As a example the law is just holy and good, Rom 7:12. There is nothing wrong with the law, so why couldn't man keep the law? Because of the weakness of man's flesh, Rom 8:3. Even though the gospel may be simple, our nature is such that it rebell's against all authority other than our own. A person has to be brought to the end of himself before he will recieve Christ. I went to high school with a lady and she said she was saved when she was three years old. My youngest grandson is four years old and starting T-Ball. When he is on the field that is his world. Off the field he is in other worlds like Spider Man and all things that get's four year olds attention. I just can't comprehend children three, four and five years old going through conviction of sin, when they don't really understand what sin is.

Nothing in the context alludes to the children being infants. If anything you are contradicting what you have said regarding trust as infants cannot consciously trust anything. The point Jesus was making is the fact children are not openly hardened at that point. The Gospel is simple due to this fact. For an adult it is difficult to submit, but not to a child.

Your argument consisting of a child's interests is also moot as this also pertains to adults.