Baptism Question.

Yarddog

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What do you say to an eight (8) year old boy who wants to be baptized?

Do you tell him he is too young?

And how can you know he is not too young?


Age is not a restriction to God's call. It would be interesting to hear his reasons. He may have something that we all can learn from.
 
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Hentenza

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What do you say to an eight (8) year old boy who wants to be baptized?

Do you tell him he is too young?

And how can you know he is not too young?

I don't see an issue as long as it is him making the profession of faith. We have baptized 7 year olds as recently as last weekend.:)
 
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Albion

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He may be interested in this because some of his classmates have been baptised in churches that baptise infants and small children. If your church is not one of them, I'd recommend that you tell him the policies of your church and why it feels as it does about baptism. Does it ever baptise eight-year olds? If yes, then why not consult with the pastor? If not, then the boy needs to know the reasons your church does not baptise people his age, even though they may feel ready.
 
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Citizen of the Kingdom

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To me baptism is very much like a wedding vow, a public declaration of the commitment to Christ. In Jesus' time the custom was to be betrothed but then to have a full year of preparation. That may be a means of deepening the child's convictions.
 
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Dorothea

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The work of bringing someone into the body of Christ is God's work. God is not restricted by the age of a person. Yes, you should have the child baptized.
Agreed.
 
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Tangible

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The work of bringing someone into the body of Christ is God's work. God is not restricted by the age of a person. Yes, you should have the child baptized.

This ^.

I guess it all depends on what you believe God bestows through baptism.
 
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Albion

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This ^.

I guess it all depends on what you believe God bestows through baptism.

Certainly, but it's also a question whether we were invited to try to change the OP writer's faith...or just to answer his inquiry.
 
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New_Wineskin

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What do you say to an eight (8) year old boy who wants to be baptized?

Do you tell him he is too young?

And how can you know he is not too young?

Water baptized ? I would first ask for his reasons why . If they are satisfactory , I would allow him to be water baptized . If not satisfactory , I would attempt to dissuade him at least temporarily and with the goal of permanently .
 
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E.C.

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What do you say to an eight (8) year old boy who wants to be baptized?

Do you tell him he is too young?

And how can you know he is not too young?
"Let the little children come to me" said Christ.

I was baptized Roman Catholic at five years old. I remember it quite well because my father had to hold my head over the tub of water while the priest poured water over my head. I thought I was being drowned! ^_^

I know many who were baptized forty days after birth. That is the traditional length of time between birth and baptism in an Orthodox Christian family.

Age means nothing.
 
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christianmomof3

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First, pray about it. Then, I would ask him why he wants to be baptised and have him pray out loud with you. You may also have him speak and pray with an elder or pastor from your church. If he sincerely seems to want to be baptised for the right reasons (and not just because a friend got baptised or something), and the Lord leads you to know it is ok, then he should be baptised.
 
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Polycarp1

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If he can give you a clear reason as to why he wants to be baptised and his reason is a good one then he should be baptised.

(I know a 3 yr old who was baptised because she told her father she "wanted to be like Jesus".)

"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.
"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,
" 'From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise'[a]?" (Matthew 21:16, quoting Psalm 8:2)
 
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