Can a young child become a Christian?

Michie · Saturday at 10:58 AM

Can a young child truly be saved and on their way to Heaven? Can he or she be in the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, one of those who is a genuine believer?

A Christian educator once said that the faith of a child — up to age 12 — could be called a “borrowed faith”; this faith could be borrowed from his parents or a Sunday school teacher. Then, in his early teens, the child would develop their “chosen faith,” ultimately moving on to their “owned faith.”

Now, when we think of a borrowed faith, do we also think of it as a saving faith? Not exactly, and not something you’d want to count on when you’re not totally confident.

Let’s see what Jesus had to say about children’s salvation. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven’” (Matthew 18:1-4).

Okay, so the disciples have a different question than I originally posed; they want to know who’s the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus calls a little child. In case you question whether this really is a young child, the Greek word is paidión, which means “little” or “young.” So, he didn’t just call a child, he called a little child. Now remember, in that culture, a 13-year-old boy enters manhood. Young people were married at 16. So, if they are calling a child little, they mean little.

Continued below.

Can a young child become a Christian?

Can a young child truly be saved and on their way to Heaven

www.christianpost.com

timothyu · Saturday at 12:25 PM

Little children are trusting of their caregivers as we should be trusting of ours... God. Should little children become Christians? Yes, if that means followers of Jesus and the will of the Father, for they are for the most part already there, or at least willing to learn how to love others as self. No, if it means institutionalized Christianity, which like the rest of the world, draws them away from the Father and back into the wisdom of the world of man and man's will. Why exacerbate the process already being started by adults in a child's life?

RandyPNW · Saturday at 9:34 PM

Michie said:
Can a young child truly be saved and on their way to Heaven? Can he or she be in the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, one of those who is a genuine believer?

A Christian educator once said that the faith of a child — up to age 12 — could be called a “borrowed faith”; this faith could be borrowed from his parents or a Sunday school teacher. Then, in his early teens, the child would develop their “chosen faith,” ultimately moving on to their “owned faith.”

Now, when we think of a borrowed faith, do we also think of it as a saving faith? Not exactly, and not something you’d want to count on when you’re not totally confident.

Let’s see what Jesus had to say about children’s salvation. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven’” (Matthew 18:1-4).

Okay, so the disciples have a different question than I originally posed; they want to know who’s the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus calls a little child. In case you question whether this really is a young child, the Greek word is paidión, which means “little” or “young.” So, he didn’t just call a child, he called a little child. Now remember, in that culture, a 13-year-old boy enters manhood. Young people were married at 16. So, if they are calling a child little, they mean little.

Continued below.

Can a young child become a Christian?

Can a young child truly be saved and on their way to Heaven

www.christianpost.com

People can approach Jesus just like they can approach a mirror. The experience and comprehension may be very limited when you're very young, but you can still approach the mirror and appreciate what's in it.

I was raised up in the church. I've never not known who God is, and who Jesus is. It's just that my appreciation of who He is was limited by my age.

I have talked with God throughout my life, and did not really, really appreciate who God was to me until after I backslid and found out that was a very bad path. When I returned to obedience I learned to appreciate God no matter how good or bad things may be--at least things weren't bad because I had disobeyed God.

So even if we know God from very young, or even if we know Him as a full-fledge adult, we still won't fully appreciate who God is to us if we don't obey Him. We ave to be able to hear Him in our conscience. When we do so, and obey that voice, we'll know God well.

A little child can certainly know Jesus. I know I appreciated him when I was first joining a small children's gathering in our church basement Sunday morning. I felt so "grown up" being able to attend without my parents present. They sang, "Jesus loves me." And the birthday kids were able to drop pennies into a church steeple--a penny for each year of their age.

I honestly felt a very special presence at that time. But even before that I felt my conscience when I screamed bloody murder when my parents took away my blanket--I had been eating it, and I knew I was over-acting the rage.

timothyu · Saturday at 11:12 PM

Jesus was not concerned about having the child know who He was, but that the child understand they could completely trust in the Father as we are to do.

The Liturgist · Sunday at 2:22 PM

Michie said:
Can a young child truly be saved and on their way to Heaven? Can he or she be in the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, one of those who is a genuine believer?

A Christian educator once said that the faith of a child — up to age 12 — could be called a “borrowed faith”; this faith could be borrowed from his parents or a Sunday school teacher. Then, in his early teens, the child would develop their “chosen faith,” ultimately moving on to their “owned faith.”

Now, when we think of a borrowed faith, do we also think of it as a saving faith? Not exactly, and not something you’d want to count on when you’re not totally confident.

Let’s see what Jesus had to say about children’s salvation. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven’” (Matthew 18:1-4).

Okay, so the disciples have a different question than I originally posed; they want to know who’s the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus calls a little child. In case you question whether this really is a young child, the Greek word is paidión, which means “little” or “young.” So, he didn’t just call a child, he called a little child. Now remember, in that culture, a 13-year-old boy enters manhood. Young people were married at 16. So, if they are calling a child little, they mean little.

Continued below.

Can a young child become a Christian?

Can a young child truly be saved and on their way to Heaven

www.christianpost.com

The answer is yes - both through Baptism as an infant (ideally followed immediately by Chrismation and the Eucharist as in the Eastern praxis; we do not refuse our children the Eucharist until the age of 7) and also of their own accord.

For example, St. Abanoub is venerated as a great martyr in the Coptic Orthodox church - he was orphaned when his parents died of natural causes, became a Christian, and was martyred at age 12 during the Diocletian persecution.

Always in His Presence · Monday at 7:48 AM

What does Holy Scripture say?

Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Paul does not mention age. If a person believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth, they are saved. It is the result of a conscious decision.

narnia59 · Tuesday at 9:57 PM

Always in His Presence said:
What does Holy Scripture say?

Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Paul does not mention age. If a person believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth, they are saved. It is the result of a conscious decision.

So do you believe that all children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not? Or do you believe that no children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not?

Always in His Presence · Tuesday at 10:40 PM

narnia59 said:
So do you believe that all children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not? Or do you believe that no children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not?

I believe Scripture

d taylor · Tuesday at 10:48 PM

-

Any person any age can receive God's free gift of Eternal Life and become a born again child of God.

The big problem is most are not being correctly taught or told how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life.

But if a child (or any person ) is correctly taught how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life. By belief in Jesus for Eternal Life, they receive Eternal Life, a pernamnet gift from God, at the very moment of their belief in Jesus for Eternal Life.

So it is not the age that is the problem, but the teaching.

I would say a child who can simply believe in promises. Has a better chance in believing in Jesus for Eternal Life, than many young aged people and adults. Because an older person can get hung up in the legalist garbage of baptism, repentance of sin, confessing, obedience to the Law (ten commandments, etc..), making Jesus Lord of their life. bearing fruit, etc.......

narnia59 · Wednesday at 5:58 AM

Always in His Presence said:
I believe Scripture

I believe Scriptue as well.

That is why I know:
1) Faith is a gift that is freely given. It does not have an age nor an intellectual requirement. That is why even from the womb John the Baptist recognized the presence of his Savior. (Luke 1:44)
2) Christianity is not a religion that excludes children. This is why St. Peter professed at the first Pentecost that the promise of forgiveness of sins through Baptism included the children of those listening to him (Acts 2:37-39). It is why St. Paul compared Baptism to circumcision (Colossians 2:11-12). Circumcision was how babies were brought into the Jewish covenant, and Baptism is how babies are brought into the body of Christ.

I would also add that if you do not know the answer to a question the genuine and sincere approach is to simply say "I don't know" rather than ignore the question and attempt to deflect.

Always in His Presence · Wednesday at 6:34 AM

narnia59 said:
I would also add that if you do not know the answer to a question the genuine and sincere approach is to simply say "I don't know" rather than ignore the question and attempt to deflect.

I already gave you the answer. Roman’s 10

narnia59 · Wednesday at 6:49 AM

Always in His Presence said:
I already gave you the answer. Roman’s 10

You have professed through Romans 10 that an individual has to make a conscious decision to believe in their heart and confess with their mouths to be saved.

That does not address the spiritual state of children who are too young to do so.

I think there are two choices:
1) All children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not
2) No children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not

So pretty easy, just pick #1 or #2, or provide another option I don't see.

Always in His Presence · Wednesday at 7:47 AM

narnia59 said:
You have professed through Romans 10 that an individual has to make a conscious decision to believe in their heart and confess with their mouths to be saved.

That does not address the spiritual state of children who are too young to do so.

I think there are two choices:
1) All children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not
2) No children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not

So pretty easy, just pick #1 or #2, or provide another option I don't see.

I’ll be happy to address this in just a bit. I’m in transit right now.

In the meantime I have a Question for you.

How does a four month old repent?

narnia59 · Wednesday at 8:20 AM

Always in His Presence said:
I’ll be happy to address this in just a bit. I’m in transit right now.

In the meantime I have a Question for you.

How does a four month old repent?

A four month old has nothing to repent from.

They do however, come into the world with a fallen nature. And their parents have spiritual authority over them, do they not?

Always in His Presence · Wednesday at 11:12 AM

narnia59 said:
I believe Scriptue as well.

That is why I know:
1) Faith is a gift that is freely given.

If everyone has been given the gift - why isn't everyone saved?

narnia59 said:
It does not have an age nor an intellectual requirement.

Romans 10 Paul speaking of Salvation -

Rom 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

That is an 'intellectual requirement" plain and simple.

narnia59 said:
That is why even from the womb John the Baptist recognized the presence of his Savior. (Luke 1:44)

Agreed - John the Baptist recognized the Presence of his Savior even in the womb - however it doesn't have any connection to Salvation.

narnia59 said:
2) Christianity is not a religion that excludes children. This is why St. Peter professed at the first Pentecost that the promise of forgiveness of sins through Baptism included the children of those listening to him (Acts 2:37-39).

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Repentance and baptism. both intellectual requirement - are connected the two are needed

So I'll ask again - how does a four month old repent?

narnia59 said:
It is why St. Paul compared Baptism to circumcision (Colossians 2:11-12). Circumcision was how babies were brought into the Jewish covenant, and Baptism is how babies are brought into the body of Christ.

No mention of children

Here is a question for you - why does Paul in Romans 10 speak of Salvation, but not mention Baptism?

narnia59 · Wednesday at 11:48 AM

Always in His Presence said:
If everyone has been given the gift - why isn't everyone saved?

Romans 10 Paul speaking of Salvation -

Rom 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

That is an 'intellectual requirement" plain and simple.

Agreed - John the Baptist recognized the Presence of his Savior even in the womb - however it doesn't have any connection to Salvation.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Repentance and baptism. both intellectual requirement - are connected the two are needed

So I'll ask again - how does a four month old repent?

No mention of children

Here is a question for you - why does Paul in Romans 10 speak of Salvation, but not mention Baptism?

I'm not answering any of your questions until you actually answer mine. This will be the 3rd time I've asked you.

So do you believe that all children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not? Or do you believe that no children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not?

Always in His Presence · Wednesday at 11:56 AM

narnia59 said:
I would also add that if you do not know the answer to a question the genuine and sincere approach is to simply say "I don't know" rather than ignore the question and attempt to deflect.

narnia59 said:
I'm not answering any of your questions until you actually answer mine. This will be the 3rd time I've asked you.

I feel the same way - I answered one of yours - now it is time you answered one of mine - this is a two way street.

Always in His Presence said:
Here is a question for you - why does Paul in Romans 10 speak of Salvation, but not mention Baptism?

Second request

narnia59 · Wednesday at 11:59 AM

Always in His Presence said:
I feel the same way - I answered one of yours - now it is time you answered one of mine - this is a two way street.

Second request

My question was first. Post #7. The courtesy of a reply would be appreciated. So, fourth time:

So do you believe that all children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not? Or do you believe that no children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not?

johansen · Wednesday at 12:09 PM

A friend of mine a few years older than me can't remember if he was 3 yrs old or 5 years old when he started praying to Jesus for salvation.

Some of my memories prior to age 8 came back to me when i was complaining to God about some things, apparently i was called from the womb. At present my earliest memory would have been when i was 3 or 4 years of age, playing with a classic early 90's children toy in the church nursery thinking to myself that toys are useless, and there has to be a bigger purpose of life.

In my opinion God does not call everyone from the womb, many wait decades. and, we as believers can actually influence that process. about a decade ago i was inspired to ask God to pursue my mother as hard as he was pursuing me, and, i did, and i saw my mother transform a lot, she began reading the bible for herself, and i distinctly remember her opening the bible to a passage, asking my dad to read it, rather than starting an argument herself.

Always in His Presence · Wednesday at 12:40 PM

narnia59 said:
My question was first. Post #7. The courtesy of a reply would be appreciated. So, fourth time:

So do you believe that all children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not? Or do you believe that no children are saved until they can make a conscious decision to be saved or not?

Let me know when you are ready to have a two sided conversation -

Can a young child become a Christian?

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