Baptism of Children – Article Explanation
Introduction to this Series…
There are a number of aims of these “RBC Baptism Resources”. First, to consider what the Bible teaches about baptism. Second, to consider what RBC has taught and communicated about baptism in the past. And, third, to consider what Christians have taught about baptism throughout history. It is our prayer that these resources might be helpful for building one another up in Christ, equipping the believers for the work of the ministry issuing to the glory of God alone. The aim is not to lose the forest for the trees, so please see this linkto see a summary of how we pursue to obey how the Bible would have a local church make disciples baptizing.
In this recording and the attached document you can find what the eldership of RBC has taught about the practice of delaying baptism for believing children. The article you can download above is titled Baptism of Children. This is an article that is handed out during the membership class and has been handed out to everyone pursuing membership since before RBC constituted as a local church. Prospective members are informed that this is the practice of the church, they are asked to read this, and come to the next class with any questions regarding it. This post is simply an attempt state that the article that has been handed out in regard to this topic clearly explains that the appropriate time for believers to be baptized is when they reach an age of maturity or adulthood where the church can assess a credible profession of faith. Note, that this practice is not something that the membership is required to sign or even be in full agreement with, but as has been taught this is a practice that the those who join must be willing to submit to the leadership of the eldership in. Below is more of an explanation for how the article is clear that we practice delaying baptism until children reach the maturity of adulthood.
The Delay of Baptism for Believing Children
A first goal of this session is to read the article that has been handed out to every member who has pursued membership at Redeemer Baptist Church. Again, you can download the Baptism of Children article above to read through it as well. I have added numbers to the margin on the left side so that references might be easier to find.
A second goal of this session is to explain how this article is clear about delaying baptism until adulthood and how in the context of this entire article it would be inappropriate to conclude that, “before a child has left the home” (Page 1, Lines 32-33), and, “Nevertheless, should the young person desire to pursue baptism and membership in the normal course set out by the church, we will examine them on a case-by-case basis, with the involvement of the parents” (Page 1, Line 41 through Page 2, Lines 1-2), is referring to a child who has not matured to the point in his or her life of assuming “adult responsibilities” and the kind of “maturity” that is described throughout.
The article explains that what the eldership and the church are looking for is maturity to be able to assess the credibility of a profession of faith and of conversion/regeneration. This can be seen on Page 1 lines 1, 11-13, 19, 24, 25, 39 and on Page 2 lines 7, 13. The article describes a number of attributes of the kind of maturity in view:
(1) Self-consciously an individual (Page 1, Lines 19-20)
(2) Making their own choices (Page 1, Line 20)
(3) Having left the God-given, intended child-like dependence on their parents for the God-given, intended mature wisdom which marks one who has (Page 1, Lines 20-22),
(a) felt the tug of the world (Page 1, Line 22)
(b) felt the tug of the flesh (Page 1, Line 22)
(c) felt the tug of the devil (Page 1, Line 22)
(4) Th…
