Bringing Children to Jesus Matthew 19:13-15
The Responsiblity of Bringing Children to Jesus v 13
The Rebuke for Hindering Children from Jesus v 13
The Reception of Children by Jesus v 14-15
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A Clarification on the sermon ”Bringing Children to Jesus”
In my sermon on Matthew 19:13-15 I made the comment that children/infants were brought to Jesus and He received them but did not baptise them. My point was that children/infants should not be baptised on the basis of their parents’ faith. I was not saying that children who personally believe should not be baptised. Many godly people believe and practice infant baptism. I believe this goes beyond what this passage says and beyond what all of Scripture says. However, my sermon was on bringing children to Jesus, not on baptism itself. Concerning children who believe, I will baptise them. I do not believe their age to be the issue so much as their credible profession of faith. We do not want to put up performance standards for a child to be baptised. This communicates a very wrong approach to Christianity and will confuse grace and works in the child’s mind. That someone who may not truly be converted could get baptised is no argument against this practice - even the Apostles had such problems (Acts 8:13, 18-23). The only qualification for baptism is profession of faith in Christ. Where a child has that, he/she may receive baptism.
Jeffrey Gage