Should My Child Get Baptized?

Over the last couple of months, we’ve had multiple parents come to us with this question.

SHOULD MY CHILD GET BAPTIZED?

YES, they should get baptized in Jesus’ name as the Bible says (Matthew 3:14-15; Acts 2:37-28). Baptism is essential for their salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:20-21) and it is essential for them to be a part of the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5).

WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD GET BAPTIZED?

By adding “When” to this question, the answer becomes much more complicated and requires a study on baptism.

In Mark 16:16, Jesus is showing us the relationship between belief and baptism. In the first half of the verse, both are offered as requirements for salvation. In the second half of the verse, a lack of belief is the only stipulation offered for damnation (condemnation or punishment).

Many have asked, “Why is baptism left out of the second half?” By excluding baptism in the second half, Jesus wasn’t diminishing the importance of baptism, but was showing us that belief and baptism are married. You cannot have one and not the other – they are united. Just as faith without works is dead (James 2:18, 20, 26), belief is dead without baptism.

Baptism is also dead (or, incomplete) without belief. Without a personal belief in Jesus Christ, baptism is nothing more than a warm bath. That is why the followers of John the Baptist had to be rebaptized by Paul after coming to the revelation of who Jesus is (Acts 19:4-5). In baptism, we must call on the name of Jesus (Acts 22:16), but how can we call on Him in whom we have not believed (Romans 10:13-14)?

Not only must we believe in who Jesus is, but we must be able to recognize our need for Him. Our conscience must be developed enough to understand sin and that baptism in Jesus’ name washes it away (1 Peter 3:21). There also must be a recognition that baptism isn’t only the end of a life of sin, but the beginning of a new life with Christ (Romans 6:4). As we are baptized, let us turn from sin and return to the Lord.

Your child is ready to get baptized when they understand:

1.       Who Jesus is.

2.       What sin is.

3.       That Jesus washes away our sins by baptism.

4.       That baptism is only the beginning of their walk with God.

If interested in more information concerning baptism, either for yourself or your child, please message us.