RESPONSE TO QUESTION #8 

It is wonderful to see your concern for your child and his spiritual life. It is also good to know you are looking for a non denominational church since denominationalism is foreign to the Bible. Jesus prayed for His disciples to all be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:20-21). Paul condemned division and following after men ( I Corinthians 1:10-13).

But the Bible never teaches anyone to baptize a child. Baptism in the Bible had to do with adults. Jesus taught His disciples to go and make disciples of the nations baptizing them (Matthew 28:19,20) He said to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:15,16). On Pentecost, when Peter preached to the multitude about Jesus, they were cut to the heart and cried out "Men and brethren what shall we do?" Peter answered: "Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and you will recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:37-38). Baptism is an act of one's faith, based on their repentance from sins. It puts one into Christ who has died to sin (Romans 6:1-5, Galations 3:27). Since a baby can't believe, and has nothing to repent of even if they could do so, baptism would be meaningless.

Further, a child has no need for being baptized since it is not lost. Jesus said, "Except you are converted and become as a little child you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:1-5). In chapter nineteen He said: "Suffer the little children to come to Me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Children do not inherit sin from their fathers or anyone else (Ezekial 18:20). Children are neither saved nor lost, but are safe in the Lord. He does not count the sins of one who cannot understand right from wrong against them. In Romans 7:9 Paul wrote: "I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died." There was never a time in Paul's life when there wasn't a law bound on mankind. But in his early life when he could not comprehend the law he was alive. But when the commandment came, in that he could understand it. Then he died spiritually and was in need of salvation.

The very best thing you can do in giving your son the best prospects with the Lord is to train him in the way he should go all of his life (Proverbs 22:6). Bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-4). Why not find a church which is both undenominational and committed to following the Lord and His teaching, for your whole family to be involved in, then he would be able to make the right choice as an adult.

Thanks for your question. If I can be of any further service, please let me know.

Leon Barnes